Aperture is a "hole" inside the lens. When you change the aperture, you're either making the hole larger or smaller. Smaller aperture numbers (like f/1.8) let in more light than larger numbers (like f/8). In my mind, there are two main reasons to adjust your aperture: exposure and depth of field. Adjusting aperture to do a correct exposure is sorta the "boring" use of it. In a low light situation, you may have little choice about having a large/wide open/small number aperture if you don't have a tripod (the shutter speed would be too slow for holding the camera still). Similarly, on very bright days you may have little choice too.
Using exposure to vary the depth of field is more "artsy" and interesting way to use aperture. You can isolate a subject in the foreground (or background for that matter) and 'washout' the backround (or foreground). Look at these:
See how the subjects (or one of them) are sharp and the rest isn't quite as sharp? Thank you aperture!
Also, next time you're watching a movie or TV show, notice how the person talking is sharp and often the background or the person they are talking to isn't....This can give you a lot of ideas on how to use aperture!
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