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"Lo" or "los" - what's the difference here?

"Lo" or "los" - what's the difference here?

2
votes

I've been practicing some grammar excercises and come along this example: (I am suppoused to put pronouns such are se, lo, la, los, las).

Le han hecho los agujeros en las orajas? No, no se los han hecho. Se los vamos a hacer?

So, my question is: why can't I use "lo" instead of bolded "los"? (in the key they say that los is correct). But, as "lo" is sometimes used in the function of "it, that" I was almost sure that I can use it in this way.

So, my sentance, when translated, would mean: Are we going to do that? (lo= that).

Please help smile

1598 views
updated Nov 29, 2009
posted by StefkeNBG

5 Answers

0
votes

Thanks everyone smile

However, I'm still little confused about this. Does this mean that pronoun lo cannot be used to denote particular action?

updated Nov 29, 2009
posted by StefkeNBG
0
votes

Le han hecho los agujeros en las orejas? No, no se los han hecho. Se los vamos a hacer?

Off topic, but it reminds me of a thread that we had here yesterday. Notice the use of the i.o.p. to show ownership (whose ears) or ears are treated as a person. Other than for that reason it seems out of place. Do they do that for all body parts?

If I were to get a shot in the arm would the "arm" be treated as an indirect object, requiring a redundant, i.o.p.?

updated Nov 28, 2009
edited by 0074b507
posted by 0074b507
0
votes

Stefke, you're absolutely correct in that it seems that your bolded "los" refers to the act of inserting the agujeros, but that makes the resulting sentence confusing. In English we would probably say "Shall we do it" not "Shall we do them" (although that would also be correct). This is a nuance of Spanish that I still haven't mastered, but I completely trust Heidita.

updated Nov 28, 2009
posted by CalvoViejo
I don't think you are "doing" anything. You are "making" holes. - 0074b507, Nov 28, 2009
Shall we make them? - 0074b507, Nov 28, 2009
0
votes

HI stefke, welcome to the forumsmile

You need to match the pronouns in number and gender to the noun they refer to.

los agujeros = los

el agujero = lo

updated Nov 28, 2009
edited by 0074b507
posted by 00494d19
He could be awarded a special prize for "El Hombre Más Guapo en el Sitio!" (Sorry, Eddy...) - 0057ed01, Nov 28, 2009
I'll correct your typo rather than sigh. - 0074b507, Nov 28, 2009
0
votes

When you use the plural have to write "los", but if you mean one thing (singular) or a specific event that you do, you must use "lo"

examples:

"Hemos puesto los discos en su sitio" (discos está en plural) "lo ha realizado con éxito" (se refiere a un hecho que has realizado)

updated Nov 28, 2009
posted by Lauriti