Spanish · B2 · Everyday language
What Matters Most to You in Spanish
Helping your child identify what truly matters is a key life skill. In Spanish, we use specific relative structures to link indefinite pronouns (everything, something, nothing) or superlatives (the best, the most important) to descriptive clauses. This guide focuses on using 'que' and 'lo que' correctly in these contexts.
What you'll learn
- Master the use of relative clauses after indefinite pronouns like 'todo', 'algo', and 'nada'.
- Use nominalized neuter superlatives (e.g., 'lo más importante') to prioritize ideas.
- Formulate complex questions about friendships, projects, and personal values.
Spanish phrases for what matters most to you
¿Has empacado todo lo que necesitas para la presentación del proyecto?
Have you packed everything that you need for the project presentation?
Uses 'todo lo que' to mean 'everything that'.
¿Hay algo que te gustaría que yo entendiera sobre tu amistad?
Is there something that you would like me to understand about your friendship?
Uses 'algo que' followed by the subjunctive 'entendiera' for a polite/hypothetical wish.
No hay nada que debamos decidir antes de que hayas escuchado ambas partes.
There is nothing that we need to decide before you have heard both sides.
Uses 'nada que' which triggers the subjunctive 'debamos' in a negative existence clause.
¿Qué es lo mejor que pasó durante los ensayos hoy?
What is the best thing that happened during rehearsals today?
Uses 'lo mejor que' for 'the best thing that'.
Escribamos todo lo que aún falta acordar.
Let us write down everything that still needs to be agreed.
'Acordar' is used here for reaching an agreement.
¿Hay algo que haría más justo el acuerdo sobre el tiempo frente a la pantalla?
Is there something that would make the screen-time agreement fairer?
'Tiempo frente a la pantalla' is the standard way to say screen-time.
Lo más importante que puedes hacer ahora es explicar tu propio punto de vista honestamente.
The most important thing that you can do now is explain your own view honestly.
'Lo más importante' functions as a nominalized superlative.
No hay nada que tengas que comprar solo para encajar con este grupo.
There is nothing that you have to buy just to fit in with this group.
'Encajar' is the natural verb for 'to fit in'.
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todo lo que
everything that
Unlike English, Spanish requires the article 'lo' between 'todo' and 'que' when referring to an abstract concept.
lo mejor
the best (thing)
Adding 'lo' to an adjective makes it a noun referring to an abstract quality.
encajar
to fit in / to belong
Commonly used in social contexts regarding peer groups.
acordar
to agree / to decide on
Not to be confused with 'recordar' (to remember).
Relative Clauses with Indefinites
In Spanish, relative clauses follow 'todo', 'algo', and 'nada' to define the object. When the antecedent is 'todo', we must use 'lo que'. For 'algo' and 'nada', we simply use 'que'.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Everything that... | Todo lo que + [verb] | Todo lo que dices es verdad. |
| Something that... | Algo que + [verb] | ¿Buscas algo que te guste? |
| Nothing that... | Nada que + [verb] | No hay nada que me preocupe. |
Neuter Superlatives
To emphasize the 'most' or 'best' aspect of an abstract idea, we use the neuter article 'lo' followed by the adjective/adverb and 'que'.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| The best thing | Lo mejor que... | Lo mejor que puedes hacer es descansar. |
| The most important | Lo más importante que... | Lo más importante que aprendiste fue la paciencia. |
More examples
Dime algo que te haga sentir orgulloso hoy.
Tell me something that makes you feel proud today.
Uses 'algo que' + subjunctive 'haga' to invite an open-ended response.
Lo peor que podría pasar es que tengamos que empezar de nuevo.
The worst thing that could happen is that we have to start over.
'Lo peor' is the opposite of 'lo mejor'.
Él olvidó todo lo que le pedí.
He forgot everything that I asked of him.
Demonstrates 'todo lo que' in a past tense context.