Understanding “It” in Spanish: When to Use “Lo”, “La”, or Nothing at All
1. “It” as a Direct Object (Lo/La)
In English, “it” is often a direct object that receives the action of the verb. In Spanish, “it” must agree in gender with the noun it replaces.
Use “lo” or “la” when replacing a direct object noun. A direct object answers “what?” or “whom?” after the verb.
Examples:
I see the car. → Veo el coche. → Lo veo.
She eats the apple. → Ella come la manzana. → La come.
We bought the book. → Compramos el libro. → Lo compramos.
I watched the movie. → Vi la película. → La vi.
Common mistake:
Me gusta el libro → Lo me gusta. (Incorrect)
Me gusta el libro → Me gusta. (Correct, because “gustar” does not take a direct object.)
2. When NOT to Use “Lo/La” (When There Is No Direct Object)
Some verbs do not take a direct object, so “lo” or “la” cannot be used.
• “It” as a Subject (No Direct Object)
In English, “it” is often a subject pronoun, but in Spanish, we usually omit “it” when referring to general ideas.
Examples:
It is good. →❌ Lo es bueno. → ✅ Es bueno.
It is important. → ❌ Lo es importante. → ✅ Es importante.
It is cold. → ❌ Lo está frío. → ✅ Está frío.
“Ser” and “estar” do not take direct objects—they describe states or characteristics.
• “It” with Verbs That Do Not Take a Direct Object (Intransitive Verbs)
Many intransitive verbs describe states, existence, or movement without transferring an action to an object. These verbs cannot take “lo” or “la.”
Examples:
It comes in 3 colors. → ❌ Lo viene en 3 colores. → ✅ Viene en 3 colores.
It happens often. → ❌ Lo pasa a menudo. → ✅ Pasa a menudo.
It exists. → ❌ Lo existe. → ✅ Existe.
It goes fast. → ❌ Lo va rápido. → ✅ Va rápido.
Common mistake:
❌ Lo llega a las 5. (Incorrect)
✅ Llega a las 5. (Correct)
3. What Are Transitive and Intransitive Verbs?
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The action of the verb is transferred to something or someone.
Examples of transitive verbs:
I read a book. (Book is the direct object.) → Leo un libro. → Lo leo.
She bought a dress. (Dress is the direct object.) → Compró un vestido. → Lo compró.
An intransitive verb does not take a direct object. It describes movement, existence, or a state without transferring an action to something else.
Examples of intransitive verbs:
I live in Spain. → Vivo en España. (No direct object, so no “lo”.)
It arrives at 5. → Llega a las 5. (No direct object, so no “lo”.)
It happens often. → Pasa a menudo. (No direct object, so no “lo”.)
A trick to determine if a verb is transitive or intransitive: Ask “What?” or “Whom?” after the verb. If there is an answer, it’s transitive and can take “lo” or “la.” If not, it’s intransitive, and “lo” or “la” cannot be used.
Example test:
I see (what?) → The book → Transitive → Lo veo.
She sleeps (what?) → No answer → Intransitive → No “lo.”
4. “It” When Referring to a Previously Mentioned Idea (Lo Es)
In some cases, “lo” can be used with “ser” to refer to a previously mentioned idea, but only in a very specific way.
Correct uses of “Lo es”:
¿Es importante aprender español? → Sí, lo es. (Yes, it is.)
¿Es cierto lo que dijo? → Sí, lo es. (Yes, it is true.)
Common mistake:
❌ Lo es bonito. (Incorrect)
✅ Es bonito. (Correct)
“Lo es” can only be used when referring to a general concept, NOT when followed by an adjective.
5. “It” as an Indirect Object (Le)
Sometimes, “it” refers to an indirect object (to/for whom something happens). In Spanish, “le” is used for indirect objects.
Examples:
I gave it to him. → Se lo di.
She told it to me. → Me lo dijo.
We sent it to them. → Se lo enviamos.
“Le” changes to “se” before “lo” or “la” to avoid “lele”:
❌ Le lo di. (Incorrect)
✅ Se lo di. (Correct)
6. “It” as a Dummy Subject (Omit It)
English often uses “it” as a dummy subject (not referring to anything specific). In Spanish, “it” is often omitted entirely.
Examples:
It is raining. → Está lloviendo.
It is late. → Es tarde.
It is possible. → Es posible.
Common mistake:
❌ Lo está lloviendo. (Incorrect)
✅ Está lloviendo. (Correct)
7. When “It” Translates as “Eso” or “Esto”
When referring to an idea, situation, or something unknown, Spanish often uses “eso” (that) or “esto” (this).
Examples:
I don’t like it. → No me gusta eso.
What is it? → ¿Qué es eso?
This is strange. → Esto es extraño.
Common mistake:
❌ No me gusta lo. (Incorrect)
✅ No me gusta eso. (Correct)
Final Cheat Sheet: When to Use “Lo”, “La”, or Nothing
• Use “lo/la” only when “it” is a direct object of a transitive verb.
• Do not use “lo/la” with ser, estar, intransitive verbs, or dummy subjects.
• “Lo es” is only correct when referring to a previously mentioned idea.
• “It” as an indirect object becomes “se lo/la.”
• Use “eso” or “esto” when referring to a concept or unknown thing.
Examples:
Direct object: Lo veo. (I see it.)
Subject pronoun: Es bonito. (It is pretty.)
Intransitive verb: Viene en tres colores. (It comes in 3 colors.)
Referring to an idea: “¿Es difícil?” → “Sí, lo es.”
Indirect object: Se lo dije. (I told it to him.)
Dummy subject: Está lloviendo. (It’s raining.)
Unknown thing: No entiendo eso. (I don’t understand it.)
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