lo mejor vs el mejor

Question

what's the difference between lo mejor and el mejor are they interchangeable???

Answer 1

Hi, that depends on the context.

Best thing I've experienced -> Lo mejor que me ha pasado

I think he's the best -> Creo que es el mejor

:) - ian-hill, Jun 21, 2014

Answer 2

I am bumping up this old thread in hope of getting a better answer to the question of the difference between "lo mejor" and "el mejor" expressed exactly as a two word phrase. Not separated by que or any other word.

This question is really about the difference between the use of "lo" and "el" as the same issue arises with "lo bueno" and "el bueno".

Coca-Cola uses "Toma lo Bueno" as an advertising slogan that I I think means "Drink the Best".

But I always thought the "the best" was expressed as "el bueno/la buena".

Help!

Yup... I still get confused too. :/ - NikkiLR, Jun 20, 2014

I think "lo" with an adjective is impersonal where as "el" always refers to a masculine noun antecedant. The best (man, amigo, writer) = el mejor. The best (thing) Lo mejor. Do you agree? - Jubilado, Jun 20, 2014

Jubilado, so lo is indefinite and el/la is definite? - gringojrf, Jun 20, 2014

In the sense that it is an article (the), yes, because since adjectives can be used like a noun (bueno, mejor) with the (el, la, and lo for neuter - indefinite). Think of esto, eso and aquello vs este, ese and aquel. - Jubilado, Jun 20, 2014

I would agree entirely with what Jubilado is saying. :) - bosquederoble, Jun 20, 2014

Heard a podcast recently that addressed this. Lo mejor, the best thing . As I recall they said lo followed by an adjective would translate to "the _____thing" - watercupcake, Jun 20, 2014

El mejor modifies a noun. The best cat, The best jar. Lo mejor stands on it's own. - watercupcake, Jun 20, 2014

Thanks to all of you. It is much clearer now. - gringojrf, Jun 21, 2014

I edited your post (I thought I was editing mine) :/ I added "la buena", so hopefully that will dispel your doubts, please let me know if you have any questions. - chileno, Jun 21, 2014

Answer 3

Lo = neutral

El/la = definite

Get the best from Coca Cola (lo)

Coca Cola is the best (la)

Better?

Edit:

Meantime, just to clear some things up:

The best = el/lo mejor/la mejor

The good = el bien/lo bueno/la buena

Yes. I have wondered why since it is referring to a definite thing, Coca-Cola it was not el or la. - gringojrf, Jun 20, 2014

la (botella) de **coca cola** - chileno, Jun 20, 2014

una coca (cola) - chileno, Jun 20, 2014

Answer 4

Lo mejor is a noun of neutral gender, having an abstract meaning of "the best thing".

El / la mejor is adjective phrase missing its noun, which is understood usually when we compare things, ie: El Mercedes Benz y el BMW son buenos coches, pero en mi opinión el Mercedes es el mejor (coche de los dos).

Answer 5

Mejor is a very tricky word to translate in the 2 ways btw, but, with El and LO no doubt: Do you see the diference between: "lo que mejor cocina" "es el que cocina mejor"?. 1) Best he cooks is.....(paella!!). 2) He's the best cook