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"Lo" is a pronoun which is often translated as "it", and "se" is a pronoun which is often translated as "themselves". Learn more about the difference between "lo" and "se" 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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se(
seh
)
A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
pronoun
a. themselves (plural)
Se compraron un coche nuevo.They bought themselves a new car.
b. itself (singular, neuter)
A mi gato le gusta lamerse.My cat loves licking itself.
c. himself (singular, masculine)
Se está afeitando.He is shaving himself.
d. herself (singular, feminine)
Ya se viste ella sola.She can already dress herself.
a. each other
Se miraron y sonrieron.They looked at each other and smiled.
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
Se dice que ganó su fortuna jugando al póquer.People say he won his fortune playing poker.
Se habla español.Spanish is spoken here.
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