Question 1

How does the structure sea lo que sea translate to "whatever it is"?

Accepted Answer

This is a reduplicative subjunctive clause. It repeats the same verb in the subjunctive mood on both sides of the relative pronoun lo que. By using the present subjunctive of ser, it literally translates to "be it what it may be," which is how Spanish expresses indifference or the English idea of "whatever it is."

Question 2

Why is sea in the present subjunctive rather than the past subjunctive?

Accepted Answer

The tense in a reduplicative subjunctive clause generally aligns with the main clause. Because the main verb quiero is in the present tense, we use the present subjunctive sea. If the main verb were in the past, like quería, you would use the past subjunctive instead: fuera lo que fuera.

Question 3

Could I move the pronoun lo in enfrentarlo to a different part of the sentence?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can place it before the conjugated verb instead. Because enfrentar is an infinitive, attaching the direct object pronoun to the end is perfectly correct, but saying Lo quiero enfrentar, sea lo que sea is equally common and means the exact same thing.

Question 4

I sometimes see this verb written as enfrentarse a. Why is there no se or a in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

There are two different ways to say "to face" in Spanish. You can use the standard transitive verb enfrentar, which takes a direct object pronoun like lo and requires no preposition. Alternatively, you can use the pronominal verb enfrentarse a, which requires the preposition a. If you used that version here, the sentence would be Quiero enfrentarme a ello, sea lo que sea.

Quiero enfrentarlo, sea lo que sea.

Breakdown of Quiero enfrentarlo, sea lo que sea.

Questions & Answers about Quiero enfrentarlo, sea lo que sea.

Learn Quiero enfrentarlo, sea lo que sea and more in Spanish