vs
QUICK ANSWER
"El" is a form of "el", a definite article which is often translated as "the". "Lo mejor" is a phrase which is often translated as "the best". Learn more about the difference between "el" and "lo mejor" below.
el(
ehl
)A definite article is a word that identifies a noun as specific or known to the speaker (e.g., the girl).
lo mejor(
loh
meh
-
hohr
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. the best
En estos casos, lo mejor que se puede hacer es simplemente esperar a ver qué pasa.In these cases, the best you can do is just wait and see what happens.
a. the best
Ella lo hizo lo mejor que pudo, pero está claro que no fue suficiente.She did it the best she could, but it was clearly not enough.
a. the best thing
Los efectos especiales son lo mejor de la película.The special effects are the best thing about the movie.
a. the best part
Cuando estábamos en lo mejor del partido se puso a llover.We were at the best part of the game when it started to rain.
b. the prime (of one's life)
Mi hermano murió estando en lo mejor de la vida.My brother died in the prime of his life.
