"Lo que" uses?

Question

I have always heard that you would use "lo que" when discussing something abstract and "que" when talking about something more literal.

However, I was wondering if there are other rules regarding when to use "lo que" and when to simply use "que."

Answer 1

"Lo que" can be used in several different contexts that I am farmilar with.

One such example is the use of "lo que" similar to the relative pronouns.

Deseo que hubiera algo en lo que creer.

I wish there was something to believe in

Noetol gave a good example to susbstitute "what" for "that which."

Dame lo que tienes!

Give me what you have! Give me that which you have!

Here's an example where "lo que" won't work:

No sé qué hacer.

I don't know what to do.

Notice that "I don't know that which to do" doen't work.

thank you! - kdfore, Jul 29, 2012

Answer 2

Without trying to get beyond my depth here, I have found that usually you use "lo que" when you could reasonably substitute the phrase "that which". "Esto es lo que quieres para este trabajo". "This is that which you want for this job".

I do get confused between this and "lo cual". Perhaps one of the advanced people will chime in and help out a little more!

thanks! That makes a little more sense - kdfore, Jul 29, 2012

I share your confusion about *lo cual*. From my grammar book: *Voté por el otro candidato, lo cual enojó a mi abuelo.* Why not just use *que*? - S1r_Wakka, Jul 29, 2012

I think, 'quien' in your expample. - annierats, Jul 29, 2012

I mean , wakka's expmple, which translates as 'who'. - annierats, Jul 29, 2012

No, not *quien*. *Lo cual* should here translate to 'which', since it's my voting behavior that angered my granddad, not the candidate itself. - S1r_Wakka, Jul 30, 2012