Spanish language Q&A Forum

Without the pop ups this would have been difficult to understand. It lacks the clear sound and prosidy of my favorite lady hispanohablantes. However, another worthwhile experience . . .

Can "lo malo de . . ." in the last sentence also be translated as "la mala cosa . . ."?

can you live in the Andes Mountains?

In the lesson on 'Para mí que'  it gives its use as -  'we simply express having a feeling, an inkling about something happening' 

The English text here says 'What amazes me...'  Surely that's stronger than an inkling!

It also says 'esta sigue siendo un medio de lo más popular'  Why isn't it 'este' as it refers to the masculine word medio

Gracias

16 July 2023

Dear Kwiziq Lesson Writing Team:

I am uncertain as to when I must (or should) use the definite articles "el/la" or "los/las" when translating from English to Spanish. See following examples from the "Fire Heroes/Héroes del fuego" exercise:

Example 1:

"...protect buildings and save lives in danger"

I wrote: "...proteger los edificios y salvar las vidas en peligro."

The Kwiziq answer was: "...proteger edificios y salvar vidas en peligro."

Example 2:

"These professionals protect forests and natural areas..."

I wrote: "Estos profesionales protegen los bosques y las áreas naturales..."

The Kwiziq answer was: "Estos profesionales protegen los bosques y las áreas naturales..."

As you can see, in neither of the English translations is a definite article included.

In Example 1, my use of "los" was accepted, but my use of "las" was not. Upon studying the final Kwiziq translation, I noticed that neither "los" nor "las" had been used in the translation of that phrase. Then in Example 2, I used "los" and "las". To my delight (and surprise) I saw that in the Kwiziq translation "los" and "las" were used as well. 

So --- I am confused and uncertain as to WHEN  (under what specific circumstances?) is it necessary, appropriate, or customary to use el/la and los/las. I know they must be used at the start of a sentence and (I believe) after some uses of gustar, but what about other circumstances?

Please upload lessons that offer specific examples (and explanations) about when to use these definite articles.  

Your attention to this request would be very greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Pati Ecuamiga

Thank you for clarifying that this expression functions similar to the verb gustar.  I believe that the gustar structure is sometimes used with 3rd person plural, such as "Me gustan las películas."  Is there ever a time that "dar a alguien por algo" is used with 3rd person plural when followed by a plural noun?  For example, if I wanted to say "Now that my friend has retired, she has taken up new hobbies," would I still say, "Ahora que mi amiga se ha jubilado, le ha dado pasatiempos nuevos"?  Thank you!