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"Las" is a form of "las", a definite article which is often translated as "the". "Lo" is a pronoun which is often translated as "it". Learn more about the difference between "las" and "lo" below.
las(
lahs
)A definite article is a word that identifies a noun as specific or known to the speaker (e.g., the girl).
a. the
¡Un aplauso para las ganadoras!Let's give the winners a big hand!
¡Mira lo que has hecho! ¡Has roto las sillas!Look at what you did! You broke the chairs!
a. the ones
He picado unas cebollas. Eché las que estaban podridas.I chopped up some onions. I threw out the ones that were rotten.
¡Qué lindas chompas! Me gustan las verdes.What nice sweaters! I like the green ones.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Las mentiras duelen.Lies hurt.
Le encantan las matemáticas.She loves math.
A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
a. them (direct object)
¿Has visto mis llaves? Las dejé aquí en la mesa.Have you seen my keys? I left them here on the table.
5. (second person plural feminine) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. you (direct object)
Chicas, las vi pasar el otro día, pero no tuve tiempo para saludarlas.Hey girls, I saw you go past the other day, but I didn't have time to say hello.
lo(
loh
)A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
a. it
¿Qué hago con el lomo de cerdo? - Cocínalo despacio.What should I do with the pork loin? - Cook it slowly.
b. him
¿Te dije que me encontré a Jonás durante las vacaciones? Lo vi en Roma.Did I tell you I bumped into Jonas over break? I saw him in Rome.
c. you
Lo admiro, señor Presidente. Usted es todo un héroe para este país.I admire you, Mr. President. You're a hero to this country.
2. (possessive)
A definite article is a word that identifies a noun as specific or known to the speaker (e.g., the girl).
a. no direct translation (before an adjective)
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Lo raro es que nunca he visto a Bruce durante el día.The weird thing is that I've never seen Bruce during the day.
No te puedes imaginar lo increíble que es Palenque.You can't imagine how incredible Palenque is.
