Breakdown of Este negocio es menos lucrativo de lo que parece.
ser
to be
de
from / of
el negocio
the business
que
that / than
menos
to (telling time) / minus / less
este
this
parecer
to seem
lo
the ... thing (neuter article)
lucrativo
lucrative
Questions & Answers about Este negocio es menos lucrativo de lo que parece.
Why do we use de lo que here instead of just que?
When making a comparison with a conjugated verb (like parece) rather than a noun, Spanish uses de lo que instead of just que. If you were comparing two nouns, you would use que (for example, menos lucrativo que el otro). Because you are comparing the adjective lucrativo to an entire clause, de lo que is required.
What is the exact function of lo in de lo que?
The word lo is a neuter article. It groups the phrase que parece into an abstract concept, roughly meaning "that which." You use lo here because the comparison isn't referring to a specific masculine or feminine noun, but rather the abstract idea of "how it seems."
Is it possible to use the subjunctive parezca here instead of parece?
In this specific sentence, no. We use the indicative parece because the speaker is treating "how it seems" as an established, current reality. You would only use the subjunctive in a comparison of inequality if the verb referred to a future, unknown, or hypothetical situation.
Can negocio mean something other than a company?
Yes! While negocio frequently translates to "business" (as in a company or enterprise), it is also the standard word for a "deal" or "transaction." Depending on the broader context, this sentence could equally mean "This deal is less lucrative than it seems."
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