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"Lo" is a pronoun which is often translated as "it", and "les" is a pronoun which is often translated as "them". Learn more about the difference between "lo" and "les" below.
lo(
loh
)
A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
pronoun
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.
a. stuff
No encuentro lo de tu hermana.I can't find your sister's stuff.
b. things
Lo mío está bajo el escritorio.My things are under the desk.
a. what
Lo que no me gusta de este restaurante es el servicio.What I don't like about this restaurant is the service.
b. the thing
¿Qué fue lo que más te gusto de Oaxaca?What was the thing you liked most about Oaxaca?
A definite article is a word that identifies a noun as specific or known to the speaker (e.g., the girl).
definite article
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
(before an adjective)
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.
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les(
lehs
)
A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
pronoun
a. them
Les dije que íbamos a ir al cine.I told them we were going to go to the movies.
b. to them
Les devolví los libros ayer.I gave the books back to them yesterday.
2. (third person plural; direct object)
Regionalism used in Spain
(Spain)
a. them
Vi a unos niños haciendo fuego en un solar. - ¿Puedes describirles?I saw some boys light a fire in a vacant lot. - Can you describe them?
3. (second person plural; indirect object)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
(Latin America)
a. you
¡Hola, niños! ¿Qué les trajo Papá Noel?Hi, kids! What did Santa bring you?
b. to you
Ya les di a ustedes los boletos ayer.I already gave the tickets to you yesterday.
4.
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
(formal)
(second person plural; direct object)
Regionalism used in Spain
(Spain)
a. you
Alicia irá con ustedes para familiarizarles con nuestras instalaciones.Alicia will accompany you to familiarize you with our facilities.
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