Que means “that,” “which” or “who,” and it comes right after the noun it describes: el libro que leí. Lo que means “what” or “the thing that,” and you use it when there is no noun before it: no entiendo lo que dices. Quick test: if “the thing that” fits in English, use lo que.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Lo que means “what” or “the thing that.” Lo que quiero es dormir means “what I want is to sleep.” It points to an idea rather than a noun you already named, which is why English speakers usually translate it as “what.”
Use que right after a noun: la casa que compramos, la persona que llamó. The noun is what que describes. If there is no noun right before it, you usually need lo que: compré lo que necesitaba.
Qué with an accent asks a question or makes an exclamation: ¿Qué quieres? ¡Qué bonito! Que without an accent joins two parts of a sentence: creo que sí. Lo que never takes an accent.
Yes. Lo que más me gusta de México es la comida means “what I like most about Mexico is the food.” Starting with lo que is a natural way to put the focus on something, and you will hear it all the time.
What Does ‘Que’ Mean in Spanish?
The word ‘que’ is one of the most versatile words in Spanish. It can function as a relative pronoun, a conjunction, or even an exclamation. Here are some common ways to use ‘que’:
1. ‘Que’ as a Relative Pronoun
When ‘que’ functions as a relative pronoun, it connects two clauses and means ‘that,’ ‘which,’ or ‘who.’
- La casa que compraron es hermosa.
(The house that they bought is beautiful.) - El libro que estoy leyendo es muy interesante.
(The book that I am reading is very interesting.)
2. ‘Qué’ in Exclamations
‘Qué’ (with an accent) is also used in exclamatory phrases to express surprise or emphasis.
- ¡Qué bonita es esta ciudad!
(How beautiful this city is!) - ¡Qué sorpresa verte aquí!
(What a surprise to see you here!)
3. ‘Que’ as a Conjunction
‘Que’ can function as a conjunction meaning ‘that.’
- Me dijo que vendría mañana.
(He told me that he would come tomorrow.)
What Does ‘Lo Que’ Mean in Spanish?
The phrase ‘lo que’ is slightly different from ‘que’ because it means ‘what’ or ‘that which.’ It refers to an entire idea or concept.
1. ‘Lo Que’ Referring to an Idea
‘Lo que’ is often used to introduce a noun clause that refers to something previously mentioned or understood.
- No entiendo lo que dices.
(I don’t understand what you are saying.) - Haz lo que quieras.
(Do whatever you want.)
2. ‘Lo Que’ for Emphasis
Sometimes, ‘lo que’ is used to emphasize a statement.
- Eso es exactamente lo que quería decir.
(That is exactly what I wanted to say.)
Key Differences Between ‘Que’ vs ‘Lo Que’
Now that we’ve seen how each phrase is used, let’s summarize the key differences between ‘que’ and ‘lo que’:
| Que | Lo Que |
|---|---|
| Functions as a relative pronoun or conjunction | Refers to an entire idea or concept |
| Connects two clauses | Can introduce a noun clause |
| Can mean ‘that,’ ‘which,’ or ‘who’ | Means ‘what’ or ‘that which’ |
Example Sentences Comparing ‘Que’ and ‘Lo Que’
- El coche que compré es rojo.
(The car that I bought is red.) - No entiendo lo que dijiste.
(I don’t understand what you said.)
Final Tips for Using ‘Que’ and ‘Lo Que’
- If you can replace the phrase with ‘that’ in English, use ‘que.’
- If you can replace the phrase with ‘what’ or ‘that which,’ use ‘lo que.’
- Pay attention to the context to determine whether you need a relative pronoun or a phrase referring to an idea.
By mastering ‘que’ vs ‘lo que’ in Spanish, you’ll improve your fluency and avoid common mistakes. Keep practicing with real-life examples, and soon it will become second nature!
Do you want to learn a little more Spanish? Don’t miss the last blog: How to Perfect the Spanish ‘LL’ Sound: A Pronunciation Guide for English-Speaking Adults.
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Want to actually speak it?
Que and lo que only start to feel automatic once you use them in real conversation, not just in exercises. If you want to know where your Spanish stands and what to work on first, book a free Spanish Roadmap Session. It is free, and you leave knowing your next step. Or see conversational Spanish coaching.
For more small words that trip people up, read por vs para and saber vs conocer.
And if you want to hear que working hard in everyday Mexican Spanish, read about se me hace que, one of my favorite expressions.
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