El neutro «lo»: lo bueno, lo que
El neutro «lo»: lo bueno, lo que means “Neuter lo turns adjectives into abstract nouns and forms 'what' with que”. Besides el/la, Spanish has a neuter article lo that never refers to a specific noun. Formation: lo + adjetivo (m. sg) = 'the … thing/part' · lo que = 'what / the thing that'
Neuter lo turns adjectives into abstract nouns and forms 'what' with que
B2Formation
lo + adjetivo (m. sg) = 'the … thing/part' · lo que = 'what / the thing that'
Explanation
Besides el/la, Spanish has a neuter article lo that never refers to a specific noun. Lo + a masculine-singular adjective makes an abstract idea: lo bueno (the good thing), lo importante, lo difícil. Lo que means 'what / the thing that' and introduces a whole idea: No entiendo lo que dices (I don't understand what you say), Lo que necesito es tiempo. Lo de means 'the matter of': lo de ayer.
Examples
Note
lo is invariable: lo bueno, lo malo, lo mejor — never 'la buena' for the abstract idea.
FAQ
El neutro «lo»: lo bueno, lo que — what does it mean and how is it used?
Neuter lo turns adjectives into abstract nouns and forms 'what' with que. Besides el/la, Spanish has a neuter article lo that never refers to a specific noun. Lo + a masculine-singular adjective makes an abstract idea: lo bueno (the good thing), lo importante, lo difícil. Lo que means 'what / the thing that' and introduces a whole idea: No entiendo lo que dices (I don't understand what you say), Lo que necesito es tiempo. Lo de means 'the matter of': lo de ayer.
El neutro «lo»: lo bueno, lo que — how do you form it?
lo + adjetivo (m. sg) = 'the … thing/part' · lo que = 'what / the thing that'
El neutro «lo»: lo bueno, lo que — any usage notes?
lo is invariable: lo bueno, lo malo, lo mejor — never 'la buena' for the abstract idea.