Ask a Question

(Create a thread)
Go Back   Spanish language learning forums > Spanish & English Languages > Grammar


De lo delicado

 

This is the place for questions about conjugations, verb tenses, adverbs, adjectives, word order, syntax and other grammar questions for English or Spanish.


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old June 15, 2020, 02:18 PM
Tyrn Tyrn is offline
Pearl
 
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 352
Native Language: Russian
Tyrn is on a distinguished road
De lo delicado

Hi,

Ben se adelantó un paso y Beverly volvió a
sorprenderse de lo delicado de sus movimientos a
pesar de su gordura.


The meaning is pretty obvious; I just can't figure out the lo thing grammatically.
Reply With Quote
   
Get rid of these ads by registering for a free Tomísimo account.
  #2  
Old June 15, 2020, 02:42 PM
Rusty's Avatar
Rusty Rusty is offline
Señor Speedy
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 11,299
Native Language: American English
Rusty has a spectacular aura aboutRusty has a spectacular aura about
The neuter pronoun lo has the effect of making a noun out of the adjective it precedes.
lo delicado = the delicateness
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old June 15, 2020, 04:04 PM
Tomisimo's Avatar
Tomisimo Tomisimo is offline
Davidísimo
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: North America
Posts: 5,664
Native Language: American English
Tomisimo will become famous soon enoughTomisimo will become famous soon enough
Lo bueno de esta pregunta es que nos muestra lo interestante de la lengua española. I couldn't resist adding a couple of examples
__________________
If you find something wrong with my Spanish, please correct it!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old June 16, 2020, 04:37 AM
Tyrn Tyrn is offline
Pearl
 
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 352
Native Language: Russian
Tyrn is on a distinguished road
Thanks!

So it is some kind of an alternative to -dad, is it?

I just stumbled on minuciosidad

Is lo minucioso possible?

Su minuciosidad means His metuculousness, more or less, right?

Can I replace minuciosidad with lo minucioso in this sentence?
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old June 16, 2020, 06:27 AM
Rusty's Avatar
Rusty Rusty is offline
Señor Speedy
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 11,299
Native Language: American English
Rusty has a spectacular aura aboutRusty has a spectacular aura about
Yes, lo before any adjective changes the adjective to a noun.
So, meticulousness can be said in Spanish either way you proposed.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old June 16, 2020, 07:02 AM
Tyrn Tyrn is offline
Pearl
 
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 352
Native Language: Russian
Tyrn is on a distinguished road
To the extent that Su lo minucioso is legitimate? Looks scary.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old June 16, 2020, 07:49 AM
Rusty's Avatar
Rusty Rusty is offline
Señor Speedy
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 11,299
Native Language: American English
Rusty has a spectacular aura aboutRusty has a spectacular aura about
No, you can't do that. But you can add 'de su ...' or 'suyo' after the adjective, with some attention given to what you're trying to accomplish. You shouldn't think that using this structure makes the adjective a noun. It only makes it act like a noun.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old June 16, 2020, 11:05 AM
AngelicaDeAlquezar's Avatar
AngelicaDeAlquezar AngelicaDeAlquezar is offline
Obsidiana
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Mexico City
Posts: 9,038
Native Language: Mexican Spanish
AngelicaDeAlquezar is on a distinguished road
You can say "...volvió a sorprenderse de la delicadeza de sus movimientos"

As Rusty says, they're not interchangeable phrases, but equivalent structures:

- Este examen me preocupa por lo difícil que es.
Este examen me preocupa por su dificultad.
-> I'm worried about this exam because it's very difficult.

- No me gusta invitar a Juan por lo impertinente que se pone.
No me gusta invitar a Juan por su impertinencia.
-> I don't like inviting Juan over because he's so impertinent.

- Agradece lo bueno que tienes.
Agradece las cosas buenas que tienes.
Be thankful for the good things you have.

- Voy a ser claro, en lo posible.
Voy a ser claro, en mis posibilidades.
I'll be as clear as possible (for me).

- No quiero entrar a ese cuarto por lo sucio que está.
No quiero entrar a ese cuarto porque está muy sucio.
I don't want to go into that room because it's too dirty.
__________________
Ain't it wonderful to be alive when the Rock'n'Roll plays...
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
lo, neuter pronoun, pronoun

 

Link to this thread
URL: 
HTML Link: 
BB Code: 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Site Rules


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:17 PM.

Forum powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

X