ello
/ˈeʝo/neuter
In Spanish, the English pronoun 'it' can be translated as ello.
ello is primarily used to refer to an abstract idea, a whole situation or a previously mentioned concept rather than a physical object.
Meaning: subject, inanimate thing (pron)
Which one should you use?
While ello refers to abstract concepts or situations, specific inanimate objects are usually referred to using the gendered pronouns lo or la rather than ello.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When 'it' refers to a specific masculine noun, the direct object pronoun lo is used instead of ello.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈeʝo/
Did you know?
- Sigmund Freud's famous concept of the 'Id' is translated into Spanish as el ello.
- Spanish often avoids using any word for 'it' entirely by using 'zero anaphora'. If the context is clear, the pronoun is simply omitted from the sentence.
- In modern spoken Spanish, ello is almost never used in casual conversation. Speakers instead use eso or esto to refer to an 'it' that represents a situation.
Examples in context
- Ve a por ello.Go get it.This example shows how to use ello to express the idea of going to get something.Tatoeba #3762445 by Seael, translation #1972634 by CK
- Ellos no lo harán.They won't make it.Tatoeba #1686787 by Shishir, translation #1664230 by Spamster
- Ellos no lo venden.They don't sell it.Tatoeba #1535504 by marcelostockle, translation #1303026 by CM
- 293 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are discussing a complex problem.
- LucíaNo entiendo el problema.I don't understand the problem.
- JavierHablemos más sobre ello.Let's talk more about it.
- LucíaTienes razón, Javier.You are right, Javier.
- JavierAsí lo resolveremos.That is how we will solve it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “it” translations and entries ello, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
