Explanation
Use "a" or "an" before one singular count noun. Use "the" when the listener knows which thing you mean.
In "I have a pen," "I" is the speaker, "have" shows possession, "a" means one, and "pen" is one countable thing. In "The book is on the desk," "the book" and "the desk" are specific things. Japanese often leaves articles out, so learners may say "I have pen" or "I went to station," but English needs the article.
1つの数えられる名詞の前には "a" または "an" を置きます。相手がどれを指すか分かるときは "the" を使います。
たとえば "I have a pen." では、"I" は話し手、"have" は「持っている」、"a" は「1つの」、"pen" は数えられる名詞の「ペン」です。"The book is on the desk." では、"the book" と "the desk" が「その本」「その机」のように特定されています。日本語はふつう冠詞を入れないので、「I have pen」や「I went to station」のように落としやすいです。
Examples
- I have a pen. 私はペンを1本持っています。
- She has an apple. 彼女はりんごを1つ持っています。
- The book is on the desk. その本は机の上にあります。
- There is a park near my house. 家の近くに公園があります。
- Do you know the teacher? その先生を知っていますか。
- We don't have a car. 私たちは車を持っていません。
Common Mistakes
Japanese learners often leave articles out: "I bought apple." -> "I bought an apple." They also say "I went to station." -> "I went to the station." Use "a/an" for one new thing, and use "the" for a specific thing.
日本語には冠詞がないので、"I bought apple." のように省略してしまいがちです。正しくは "I bought an apple." です。また、"I went to station." ではなく "I went to the station." のように "the" が必要なことも多いです。1つの新しいものには "a/an"、特定のものには "the" を使います。