lo bueno es que?

Question

Hola amigos,

I try to understand the logic of one flashcard lo bueno es que = the good thing is.... According to what I know lo is direct objective pronoun that precedes the verb. On the other side bueno is an adjective, and there no verb in this sentence. So if come to translate it I would rather say la cosa buena es or at most el bueno es. I wonder how come we use lo?

Muchas gracias

Answer 1

You're right bueno is an adjective which means that it modifies a noun and 'lo' can be an object pronoun but in this case it is the the neuter definite article (instead of la or el).

and 'lo bueno es' does mean 'the good thing is' so you don't need to use 'cosa' in there

Thank you for your reply. It was pretty helpful,but I still do not know when to use lo and when to use el. - MOH1, Dec 1, 2011

well in this case you use it to make an abstract noun with 'bueno' rather than giving it a gender you just use 'lo' which is neutral - perhaps this link will help :) http://spanish.about.com/od/sentencestructure/a/lo.htm - - Kiwi-Girl, Dec 1, 2011

Repeating. Hoping you enjoy the clarity of how simple it is: One would not say "Lo viejo" to indicate an old man. It means "THAT WHICH is old." So here you are saying "That which is good," and more idiomatically translated: "The good thing is... - 0000000, Dec 1, 2011

Answer 2

Friends, there is a verb. "Lo bueno es que." That which is good IS...

It is perfect as it stands, and adding «cosa» is forcing Spanglish on Spanish. One has to give one's heart to such an exquisite and emotional language.

And please do. This is said respectfully. You benefit by speaking in the natural poetic mode that is designed by natural speakers of Spanish, quite automatically, to keep co-creating the graceful beauty and efficiency of such a luxurious language. It's a grand privilege to truly enjoy it in its own terms.

And thank you.

Answer 3

I thought in this case lo bueno acts as a noun. Like the old man, referred to as el viejo, we can refer to "it that is good" with lo bueno ... no? Have I got it wrong?

I guess you can think of it that way if that's the easiest way for you to understand it. I always think of "Lo que es bueno/etc. es..." as both "It that is good/etc. is..." and "What is good is..." - Goldie_Miel, Dec 1, 2011

One would not say "Lo viejo" to indicate an old man. It means "THAT WHICH is old." So here you are saying "That which is good," and more idiomatically translated: "The good thing is... - 0000000, Dec 1, 2011

estoy de acuerdo lo (neuter article) + noun makes an 'abstract noun' - Kiwi-Girl, Dec 1, 2011