Lo Siento?

I'm new to Espanól, and I can't figure out where the "lo" comes from. Shouldn't 'I am sorry" start with a YO or an ESTOY or MI or something? ------ this forum is GREAT

[quo]*Quote from * Hombre I'm new to Espanól, and I can't figure out where the "lo" comes from. Shouldn't 'I am sorry" start with a YO or an ESTOY or MI or something? ------ this forum is GREAT [/quo] The literal translation is "I feel it," or actually "it I feel," with the word order being different in spanish than in english. In English, it would be "I feel it," for the literal meaning.

First word of advice: DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT get caught up in trying to translate things litteraly from one languge to the next. You will end up saying things that just don't make sense in Spanish.

Thanks you guys. Now that I know that "lo" = it, I can deal with it.

Hola Hombre. I just want to second what taalibeen said: don't try to understand Spanish in terms of English. You'll go nuts if you try to do that with stuff like redundant indirect object pronouns (the "le" in *le doy el libro a Roberto* - I give the book to Roberto), the personal a after most verbs when the direct object is a person (e.g., *he invitado a mis amigos* - I have invited my friends), etc. Spanish is simply different from English. ¡Buena suerte!

Hello guys, Good answers. In the phrase "*Lo siento*", "lo" reflects what you are sorry about.. (it). Well done. Mauricio.

[quo]*Quote from * taalibeen First word of advice: DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT get caught up in trying to translate things litteraly from one languge to the next. You will end up saying things that just don't make sense in Spanish.[/quo] I agree with taalibeen COMPLETAMENTE, and I like how nohablo seconded taalibeen's suggestion. It's extremely important for one to understand and accept that. When I began learning, I was informed not to get so caught up in literal translations. Knowing ESO, I never look at a sentence, an expression, etc. with the desire to think of it in its literal sense.

Just as an aside, I have a tendency to use "I'm sorry" in English in places where "exuse me" or "pardon me" would be more appropriate and when I do this with "lo siento" my boyfriend tends to ask me something like 'what is it that your are feeling' or similiar poke at my misuse/overuse of this phrase.