How to use LO QUE in Spanish

In this video, you'll learn all about the Spanish phrase 'lo que'.

Specifically, you'll learn how to use this phrase in 3 different contexts including why this phrase is so difficult and how frequently it occurs in the languages.

Here is a quick preview of what you’ll learn:

- How frequently 'lo que' appears in Spanish
- Why this phrase is challenging for students at all levels.
- How 'lo que' can be translated into English
- How we can use use 'lo que' in 3 important contexts
- A situation where we need to avoid 'lo que'

TENER vs HABER - 3 Ways to Use "To Have" Verbs in Spanish:

[realfastspanish]

Something I didn't discuss in the video is "that which". A number of students have suggested this as a possible translation of "lo que", while that is sometimes true, I don't recommend it because "that which" can also be "el que", "la que", "los que, or "las que". If we stick to "what", "whatever" and "that" for "lo que", we will develop a more intuitive understanding of how we should use "lo que" in Spanish.

[augustolegal]

This is exactly why we need a teacher who studied the language, Me, as a native Spanish speaker, can not explain this. Great job, great video, great channel.

[charmantcoeur]

I can only imagine how much longer it takes to make a video when you’re splicing in dozens of one second clips from native speakers, but it makes these videos much more valuable. Thank you!

[nortesur]

This guy is a real prove you don't need to be a native speaker to teach a foreign language.. Proud of you young man... Greetings from Colombia South America!

[JimPaul]

I'm intermediate in Spanish but translating "lo que" to "That which" has worked for me.

[dancersbythesea]

I have been reading several books in Spanish. I am between an A2/B1 level and I have been noticing many patterns of the language and the one that jumped out at me was "lo que". I have a private tutor who is a native speaker living in Mexico City and when I asked him about what "lo que" meant in a sentence, he paused. He said that we would cover it on the next lesson. Well, he provided me with a very wonderful lesson not only with "lo que", but with "la que", "los que", "las que" as well with examples and exercises, but I felt that I while I could recognize it's use (and meaning) in sentences, I wasn't quite able to create my own sentences using "lo que". Your video was the PERFECT piece of information that I needed. I will surprise him at my next session with him and use "lo que" in a few sentences...wish me luck!

[conradkaita]

This man is a really good teacher. He’s breaking down Spanish well. It’s helping me a lot more.

[cosmodusty]

been studying for a few years, im somewhere between level B2 and C1, and i STILL hadn't figured out "lo que." this was so helpful dude, thank you so much!!

[frankbank]

I really like your style. Spanish was actually my first language but once we moved away from the extended family, we children were robbed of maintaining it into adulthood. I am now trying to reclaim this valuable gift.

[bass_rhino]

This has cleared up the difficulty I have had between when to use lo que or qué which I haven’t seen explained anywhere else.

[emilianofuentes]

I love your content!
I am a Spanish native speaker from Mexico and I have to mention another use of 'lo que' when it comes to emphasize a question.
We use 'lo que' together with the verb 'ser' to emphasize a question either in present or past tense.
Example with present tense:
¡¿Qué *es lo que* haces?! = What the hell are you doing?!
(The question '¿Qué haces?' is a normal question asking about the things you are doing, but when adding 'lo que' after 'ser' we understand you are asking with concern or anger).
Example with past tense:
¿Qué fue lo que le dijiste? = You have to tell me now what you told him!
We can even use 'lo que' with 'ser' in a question in future tense, but in that case, we aren't talking about the future or emphasizing the question, but we are asking about a doubt we have.
Example:
¿Que será lo que está cocinando mi mamá? = I wonder what my mom is cooking.
We also can use 'estar' in future tense (estará) instead of 'será lo que': ¿Qué estará cocinando mi mamá? meaning absolutely the same thing.

[lynnhorner]

I have been diligently studying Spanish 2 to 5 hours a day, everyday for over 2 and a half years. I have tried to avoid native English speakers when studying Spanish, but I have to hand it to you, in just a few videos you have cleared up many points of confusion for me, and for a gringo accent, your pronunciation is not bad at all.... subscribed, and going to register for your newsletter as well...Thanks for the helpful videos

[estheravshalom]

wow!!! this man is an excellent teacher!

[jamesfreese]

Good video-good explanation of lo que y how to use!!!!

[warrenstates]

Andrew, I absolutely LOVED this video..I wrote 4 pages of notes on this. Thanks so much for all the amazing content that you provide your subscribers! I am also enjoying the classes that are offered at Real Fast Spanish!

[alejomancini]

Even though I'm a native Spanish speaker I got engaged with the video as if I wasn't. We don't get to learn this super interesting things of our own language at school so you're not just teaching non native speakers you're also teaching the ones that are supposed to know the language already hahahaha thanks a lot! I'm gonna recommend this channel to my friends learning the Spanish language.

[alfredbulac]

I've been thinking this for three months on how should I use "lo que" in a complx sentence but I'm surprised that all my questions were answered by just a 15 minute video. Thank you so much, this is very informative and it really answered all my questions.

[mistyann]

Last night around 3 a.m. I was watching this video and that last part went over my head ... "because I was sleepy" lol .... but now I just went back and a bell went off Awesome video .... it totally makes sense. Thank you for walking us through :)

[beedle]

I’m at a year of learning spanish, pretty high intermedian and this channel explains things better then any other video.

[josiegoodridge]

I feel as if I'm learning Spanish for forever. I recently resumed classes after a 10-year hiatus. YouTube recommended you and I am so happy. I looked at 3 of your vids and feel like I can actually speak to persons with confidence! Thank you for your clear explanations!