A question about 'le' in this sentence. Pregunta sobre 'le'.

Question

This was my sentence for "palabra del día" (after corrections). Could someone enlighten me on what the 'le' refers to and why exactly it has to be included?

My guess is that it refers to the dress? Is it because of the 'a + el' before traje de novia?

Algunos dicen que el vestido de su hermana le restó méritos al traje de novia.

Este fue mi oración para "palabra del día" (después de las correciones). ¿Podría alguien aclararme de que el "le" se refiere y por qué exactamente hay que incluir aquí?

Answer 1

The indirect object pronouns often can be translated using the English 'to' so and so etc.

Le di el libro a Juan.

I gave the book to Juan, so the le means 'to him'.

That's not its only translation however, it can mean 'from' so and so, which is the purpose that it's serving in your sentence.

El vestido de su hermana le restó méritos al traje de novia.

Your sisters dress (le - from it) lit. took away merit (detracted from) the wedding dress.

That makes total sense to me. Thanks for the great explanation. - katydew, Oct 20, 2013

My pleasure :) - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 20, 2013