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"Que" is a form of "que", a conjunction which is often translated as "that". "En el que" is a phrase which is often translated as "in which". Learn more about the difference between "en el que" and "que" below.
en el que()
A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
1. (general)
f. no direct translation
The following examples show ways to translate this word or phrase without using a direct equivalent.
El concierto en el que estuvimos anoche fue genial.The concert we went to last night was great.
No te puedes imaginar el lío en el que me vi metido por no decir la verdad.You can't imagine how much trouble I got into for not telling the truth.
que()
A conjunction is a word that connects words, phrases, clauses, or sentences (e.g., The cat and the dog slept.).
a. that
Tenga en cuenta que algunas de estas características son diferentes.Note that some of these characteristics are different.
a. than
Es más barato comprar el libro en la librería que comprarlo online.It's cheaper to buy the book in the bookshop than to buy it online.
Mi hermano es más alto que yo.My brother is taller than me.
b. to
Prefiero las tiendas pequeñas que los grandes supermercados.I prefer small stores to big supermarkets.
A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).