Let's continue reviewing examples of phrases that combine prepositions, articles and pronouns. In the previous lesson we talked about combining the preposition con (with) with the indefinite articles (el, la, los, las) and the pronoun que (that, which): con la que, con el que, con los que, con las que (with whom or with which). Let's see the examples, because in real context these phrases can be quite tricky.

Les preguntaron cómo debería ser la escuela

They were asked the question of what the school

con la que ellos sueñan.

that they dream of should be like.

Captions 6-7, Club de las ideas - La escuela que queremos
Play Caption

We can try a more literal translation just to see how Spanish works: "what the school of/with which they dream should be like." Here's another example:

No me parecía el tipo de gente con el que yo me quería involucrar.

They didn't seem to be the kind of people I wanted to get involved with.

Caption 81, Arturo Vega - Entrevista - Part 2
Play Caption

Do you want a literal translation? Here it is: "they didn't seem to be the kind of people with which I wanted to get involved."

It seems that Spanish and English are more parallel when using the plural forms:

Estos espacios recrean un capítulo histórico

These spaces recreate a historic chapter

con los que el coriano convive a diario.

with which the Corian resident coexists daily.

Caption 38, Coro, Venezuela - La Zona Colonial
Play Caption

...y para beneficiar las comunidades con las que trabajamos.

...and to benefit those communities with whom we work.

Caption 48, De consumidor a persona - Short Film
Play Caption

Now let's see how to combine el que, la que, los que, las que with two similar prepositions: por and para. Understanding the difference between these two is a constant challenge, even for advanced learners, so you can never study them too much!

...aquí están las puertas abiertas para el que quiera trabajar.

...here the doors are open for whomever wants to work.

Caption 38, Circo Infantil de Nicaragua - Learning the Trade
Play Caption

...por el que transitan trece millones de clientes al año.

...through which thirteen million customers pass per year.

Caption 14, Los Reporteros - Crecen los robos en tiendas
Play Caption

Esa es buena para la que fuma el puro.

That one is good for the one who smokes cigars.

Caption 44, 75 minutos - Gangas para ricos
Play Caption

Y ésta es la razón por la que cuando se piensa en un nombre

And this is the reason why when one thinks of a name

que contribuya a...

that contributes to...

Captions 22-23, El Instituto Cervantes - Director del Instituto
Play Caption

Existe el metro y el autobús

There is the subway and the bus

para los que tienes que comprar billetes.

for which you have to buy tickets.

Captions 69-70, Blanca - Cómo moverse en Barcelona
Play Caption

De las etapas por las que pasan los conjuntos...

Of the stages that groups go through...

Caption 74, Arturo Vega - Entrevista - Part 3
Play Caption

Topics Grammar