B1 Spanish grammar
Lo Que in Spanish: Refer to Ideas, Actions, and Situations
Lo que refers neutrally to what, the thing that, or an entire idea. It does not agree with a noun because no masculine or feminine noun is its antecedent.
lo que Spanish: Mean what or the thing that
Use lo que when there is no stated noun antecedent and English uses what or the thing that.
No entiendo lo que dices.Quick check
Tell me what you need.
Refer to a whole situation
Use lo que to comment on a previous statement, action, or situation as one neutral idea.
Perdió el tren, lo que complicó el viaje.Contrast lo que with article relatives
El que, la que, los que, and las que agree with an understood noun; lo que is neutral and has no noun antecedent.
La que llamó es Ana; lo que dijo fue importante.Common mistakes
No entiendo que dices.
No entiendo lo que dices.
Que alone needs an antecedent or another clause structure.
Perdió el tren, que complicó el viaje. (whole event intended)
Perdió el tren, lo que complicó el viaje.
Lo que clearly packages the preceding event as the antecedent.
La que dijo fue importante. (what she said)
Lo que dijo fue importante.
The intended reference is neutral content, not a feminine person or thing.
Ready to practise lo que Spanish?
Complete an eight-question round and save skill-level progress for future review.
Lo que FAQ
What does lo que cover?
Lo que refers neutrally to what, the thing that, or an entire idea. It does not agree with a noun because no masculine or feminine noun is its antecedent.
What is the first rule to remember?
Use lo que when there is no stated noun antecedent and English uses what or the thing that.
What is another important B1 pattern?
Use lo que to comment on a previous statement, action, or situation as one neutral idea.
How can I practise lo que Spanish?
Complete the focused round, review each correction, and repeat the lesson when its skills become due again.