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"Lo" is a pronoun which is often translated as "it", and "y" is a conjunction which is often translated as "and". Learn more about the difference between "lo" and "y" 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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y(
ee
)
A conjunction is a word that connects words, phrases, clauses, or sentences (e.g., The cat and the dog slept.).
conjunction
a. and
Quiero una pizza y un refresco.I want a pizza and a soft drink.
a. and
No tiene dinero y rechaza trabajos.He has no money and refuses to work.
a. and
El perro ladraba y ladraba.The dog was barking and barking.
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
¿Y Juan dónde está?So, where is Juan?
¿Y cuál es el problema?What is the problem?
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
feminine noun
a. y
¿"Jenny" termina en y o en i?Does "Jenny" end with a y or an i?
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