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What's the difference between "no sé" and "no lo sé"? Is the "lo" necessary?

Answers · 7

2
Ejemplo 1. -¿Bailamos? -No sé bailar ese tipo de música. El "no sé" es para responder de una manera mas generalizada. Ejemplo 2. ¿Cual es el secreto para bailar como el? -No lo sé. Cuando usamos el "lo" es para referirnos directamente a lo que se pregunta, en este caso al secreto. Espero haberte ayudado!
1
I am not a native Spanish speaker, but I think I can answer your question. No sé means I do not know (the answer in general) No lo sé is using lo as a direct object pronoun meaning I do not know him or it. The lo is referring to a person or an object already specified earlier in the sentence. To further clarify it, you would say No lo sé a él I dont know him.
1
There's no difference. Both mean the same "I don't know". However, "no sé" can answer any questions while "no lo sé" has some exceptions. e.g. ¿Dónde está John? --No sé dónde está (or simply "No sé.") --No lo sé. (I don't know it) but you cannot say "No lo sé dónde está". because is wrong in spanish
0
It means the same, but with "lo" is more concrete, is grammatically correct. "lo" is the answer to a previous question. E. J. "- ¿Sabés como se abre esta botella?" "- No lo sé" = "No se como se abre esta botella"). OK?

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