Learn Hardcore Spanish (Spain): Lo peor es soñar con el examen cuando ya estás en la cama. - The worst thing is to dream about the exam when you’re already in bed.

In Spanish, lo + adjective turns the adjective into an abstract noun: “the [adjective] thing/part/aspect.” So lo peor means “the worst thing/part.” El peor must modify a masculine noun (e.g., el peor profesor = “the worst teacher”).

What does the pattern "lo + adjective" do in general?

It nominalizes adjectives to talk about qualities in the abstract:

lo bueno de vivir aquí — the good thing about living here
lo más importante es descansar — the most important thing is to rest
lo mejor/lo peor — the best/worst thing

Is "lo más peor" ever correct?

No. peor already expresses “worse/worst.” Use lo peor, not lo más peor. For emphasis you can say lo peor de todo (“the worst of all”).

Why is it "soñar con" and not "soñar de/sobre"?

Because soñar takes con when the object is a noun or pronoun. Say soñar con el examen, soñar con ella. soñar sobre is not idiomatic here, and soñar de is generally incorrect in modern Spanish.

What’s the difference between "soñar con" and "soñar que"?

soñar con + noun/pronoun/infinitive = dream about something: soñar con el examen, soñar con volar.
soñar que + clause = dream that something happens: soñar que tengo un examen.

Why is the infinitive "soñar" used instead of "soñando"?

Spanish uses the infinitive as a noun-like subject/complement: Lo peor es + [infinitive]. The gerund (soñando) cannot act as a subject here; Lo peor es soñando... is ungrammatical.

Why present indicative "estás" and not subjunctive "estés" after "cuando"?

Because it states a general, habitual situation. With general statements, cuando takes the present indicative. You’d use the subjunctive if the main clause refers to the future: Lo peor será soñar con el examen cuando ya estés en la cama.

What does "ya" add in "cuando ya estás en la cama"?

ya = “already,” adding the nuance “by the time you’re in bed / once you’re in bed,” often implying it’s too late to change anything. Without ya, the sentence is still correct but less expressive.

Why "en la cama" and not "en cama"?

Both exist, but:

en la cama is the neutral, default “in bed.”
en cama can suggest “bedridden” and is more regionally marked. In Spain, en la cama is the natural choice here.

Why "el examen" and not "un examen"?

The definite article suggests a specific exam known from context (e.g., the upcoming one). To speak generally, you could say soñar con los exámenes (exams in general) or soñar con un examen (some exam).

Can I flip the order to "Soñar con el examen es lo peor"?

Yes. Both orders are correct. Lo peor es… foregrounds the evaluation; starting with Soñar… highlights the activity. Meaning is the same.

Why "en" and not "a" with "cama"?

Use ir/irse a la cama (“go to bed”) for motion, but estar en la cama (“be in bed”) for location. Here it’s location, so en la cama is required.

Does "peor" agree in gender/number in "lo peor"?

No. With neuter lo, the adjective is invariable: lo peor, lo mejor, lo interesante. Agreement happens only when modifying a noun: la peor idea, los peores días.

Any accent or spelling pitfalls here?

estás must have an accent.
examen (singular) has no accent; plural is exámenes (with accent).
soñar uses ñ (a distinct letter).
peor, cama, ya have no accents.

Is "cuando ya estás en la cama" a specific “you” or a generic “you”?

Without the pronoun, estás can be a generic “you” (people in general), which is common. For a fully impersonal version: cuando ya se está en la cama or cuando uno ya está en la cama.

Could I say "cuando ya estás acostado/a" instead of "en la cama"?

Yes. estar acostado/a = “to be lying down.” In Spain both estar en la cama and estar acostado/a are common. Match the ending to the subject’s gender.