Suficiente vs lo suficiente

Ryan C.B1Kwiziq community member

Suficiente vs lo suficiente

What is the difference between ´sufficiente´ and ´lo sufficiente´?

Or rather when should you each either one.

Asked 3 years ago
InmaNative Spanish expert teacher in Kwiziq

Hola Ryan

When we use "lo" followed by an adjective, e.g. lo bueno, lo malo, lo suficiente... that "lo" is referring to a neutral idea as in saying "whatever is sufficient", "whatever is good"... 

There is a lesson on the use of "lo" with adjectives here. Have a look.

To see the contrast specifically between "suficiente" and "lo suficiente" we can see it with these two sentences for example:

No tengo suficiente ropa para mi viaje a Ecuador.

I don't have enough clothes for my trip to Ecuador.

No tengo lo suficiente para mi viaje a Ecuador.

I don't have "what is needed/whatever is necessary"  for my trip to Ecuador.

Bear in mind that if you use "lo" you cannot have a noun after the adjective.

Saludos

Inma

Suficiente vs lo suficiente

What is the difference between ´sufficiente´ and ´lo sufficiente´?

Or rather when should you each either one.

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