Are "el resto" and "lo demás" synonymous?

Question

He encontrado estas frases mientras estaba leyendo. Las dos significan "the rest". ¿Son las dos frases sinónimos perfectos? ¿O hay situaciones cuando se usaría una frase, pero no se usaría la otra?

No puedo entender la diferencia usando el contexto. ¡Gracias!

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I've found both phrases while I was reading. Both mean "the rest." Are the two phrases perfect synonyms? Or are there situations when one would use one phrase, but wouldn't use the other?

I can't tell the difference using context. Thanks!

Oh yes, and I'm always happy to have my Spanish corrected! :D

Good question...welcome to the forum. - --Mariana--, Mar 4, 2012

Thanks. It's been long enough since I've posted here, that I suppose I could use a fresh welcom. :) - arocoun, Mar 4, 2012

Answer 1

No, not all the time. In fact, just in phrases like "No me importa lo demás/el resto." (I don't care about the rest). We would never say "lo demás del tiempo, lo demás del año, etc." but "el resto del tiempo, el resto del año". At least not in Cuban and Mexican Spanish which are the ones into which I was born and I have lived.

Welcome to the forum, Cuba! - --Mariana--, Mar 4, 2012

So, could you give an example of when you would use lo demás? - kdrinning, Mar 4, 2012

"Yo voy a hacer lo que me corresponde, lo demás no es problema mío." I'm going to do what I have to do, the rest/everything else is not my problem. - Elcuba, Mar 4, 2012

Of course, I could use "el resto" in that sentence too. :) - Elcuba, Mar 4, 2012

Gracias! He oído que se use "lo demás" para las personas. Es correcto? - arocoun, Mar 4, 2012

It would be "loS demás". - Elcuba, Mar 4, 2012