In spanish the definite article "the" is "el, la, los, las" but the have their differences.
el: is masculine and singular, for example "el sacerdote" (sacerdote is masculine in spanish.
la: is femenine and singular, for example "la iglesia" (iglesia is femenine in spanish).
los: is masculine and plural (two or more persons, things), for example "los sacerdotes".
las: is femenine and plural, for example "las iglesias".