When to use al and del in Spanish?
Note: When “a” or “de” precedes the definite article “el”, the two words combine to form a contraction.
a + el = al
de + el = del
e.g.
Vamos al estadio – Vamos a el estadio – (Let’s go to the stadium)
Este es el lápiz del chico – Este es el lápiz de el chico – (This is the boy’s pencil)
Al and Del in Spanish – Rules
Note: “de + la”, “de + las”, “de + los”, “a + la”, “a + las”,and “a + los” are never contracted.
Tip: The pronoun (él) does have a written accent and means “he”. The definite article (el) does not have a written accent and means “the”.
e.g.
… el chico (… the boy)
… él baila (…he dances)
Note: Only the definite article “el” is contracted. The pronoun “él” is not.
e.g.
Esa es la casa del chico. – Esa es la casa de el chico.- That’s the boy’s house
Es el carro de él.- It’s his car.
Read more about the Spanish grammar
