Articles are one of the easiest topics when learning Spanish. So much so that they are taught from the first level. However, the neutral article lo is very different from the others. Here's why.
Spanish
English
Lo interesante de esta situación, es el resultado.
The interesting thing about this situation is the result.
Describing a Situation
Adjectives
Rule 1. In Spanish, there is a neutral article that does not accompany nouns and has no number or gender, in contrast to the other articles. One of its main functions is to help adjectives have the function of nouns. This is expressed through the following construction:
lo + adjective + de + situation
Rule 2. For instance, to express the goodness of a situation, use:
lo + bueno + de + situation
Spanish
English
Lo bueno de las redes sociales es la cercanía con otros.
The great thing about social networks is the closeness with others.
To express the opposite, use lo malo instead.
Spanish
English
Lo malo de las redes sociales, es la constante comparación con otros.
The bad thing about social networks is the constant comparison with others.
Rule 3. To express what is interesting about something or someone, use the following construction:
lo + interesante + de
Spanish
English
Lo interesante de una persona es su personalidad.
The interesting thing about a person is his or her personality.
To express the opposite, use lo aburrido instead.
Spanish
English
Lo aburrido de los viajes es esperar en el aeropuerto.
The boring part of traveling is waiting at the airport.
Superlatives
Rule 4. The article lo can also be used with superlatives to express the highest characteristic of something. In this case, the construction will change slightly.
subject + es + de lo + más + adjective
Spanish
English
Este lugar es de lo más interesante.
This place is the most interesting.
Describing an Action or Activity
Rule 4. In the same way, lo helps comparatives function as nouns by using the following constructions.
lo + mejor + de + verb in infinitive form
Spanish
English
Lo mejor de aprender idiomas es conectar con otras culturas.
The best thing about learning languages is connecting with other cultures.
lo + peor + de + verb in infinitive form
Spanish
English
Lo peor de viajar es el cambio de horario.
The worst thing about traveling is the time change.
These constructions are very flexible, as they allow for many adjectives, and incorporating them is a very simple way to increase your proficiency in giving descriptions.
Quiz
1/3
_____ trabajar en casa, es la flexibilidad.
0
correct answers.