Breakdown of Quiero enfrentarlo, sea lo que sea.
ser
to be
querer
to want
que
that / than
lo
the ... thing (neuter article)
Questions & Answers about Quiero enfrentarlo, sea lo que sea.
How does the structure sea lo que sea translate to "whatever it is"?
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."
Why is sea in the present subjunctive rather than the past subjunctive?
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.
Could I move the pronoun lo in enfrentarlo to a different part of the sentence?
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.
I sometimes see this verb written as enfrentarse a. Why is there no se or a in this sentence?