probs with lo que

Question

Lessons say lo que expands/gives more info on some idea expressed in the same sentence, and que= a noun.  I get that que=that restaurant (noun) but with lo que:  "Aquel restaurante, que/ el cual / lo que (I put-wrong)  Al recomendó, tiene unos postres exquisitos.   It seems that lo que expands on "that restaurant" by giving more info about it with: "it has some exquisite desserts." I did the same with "Tengo un sillón en casa que/el cual /lo que (I put-wrong) está sucio."  With "is dirty" giving more info/ expanding on the chair. Is there a different way of explaining that might click with me?

Silvia Piriz · Accepted Answer

Hola Mary D.
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you! "Lo que" can be tricky, but a simple way to think about it is that it refers to an entire idea or concept rather than a specific noun.

"Que" and "el cual" refer directly to a noun (e.g., "el restaurante que recomendó").
"Lo que" refers to a whole idea rather than just a noun.

For example:
Me gusta lo que hiciste. → 'I like what you did' (referring to the whole action).
** Aquel restaurante, lo que recomendó, tiene postres exquisitos. (incorrect because "lo que" doesn't replace a specific noun).
In your second sentence:

"Tengo un sillón en casa que está sucio." ✅ (Correct – "que" refers to "sillón").
"Tengo un sillón en casa lo que está sucio." ❌ (Incorrect – "lo que" doesn't work for a specific noun).

So, "lo que" is used when referring to the thing that rather than just adding information about a noun.
Hope this helps!
Un saludo
Silvia