Spanish Phrase
No, lo tapan otros edificios.
Meaning
The speaker is saying that something (the thing previously mentioned) is not covered by the current building; instead, it is covered by other buildings. The neuter pronoun ‘lo’ refers to an abstract idea such as a view, a skyline, or a specific object already known in the conversation.
When to use
Use this sentence when you need to correct someone’s assumption about what is covering or obscuring something, especially in discussions about cityscapes, construction, or visual obstacles.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Nolotapanotrosedificios
Negación (No)
The word 'No' placed at the beginning negates the whole statement that follows.
Pronombre neutro (lo)
‘lo’ is a neuter direct‑object pronoun that replaces an idea, a situation or a previously mentioned clause.
Verbo en 3ª persona plural (tapan)
‘tapan’ is the present‑tense form of tapar for ‘ellos/ellas/ustedes’, agreeing with the plural subject ‘otros edificios’.
Adjetivo indefinido (otros)
‘otros’ means ‘other’ and must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies.
Sustantivo (edificios)
‘edificios’ is the plural of ‘edificio’ (building) and serves as the subject of the clause.
🗨In Conversation
¿La vista está bloqueada por este edificio?
Is the view blocked by this building?
No, lo tapan otros edificios.
No, other buildings cover it.
✕Common Mistakes
No, los tapan otros edificios.
‘los’ is a masculine plural pronoun; the sentence needs the neuter ‘lo’ because it refers to an abstract idea, not a specific masculine noun.
No, lo tapa otros edificios.
The verb must agree with the plural subject ‘otros edificios’; use ‘tapan’ (3rd person plural).
No, lo tapan otro edificios.
‘otro’ must agree in number with ‘edificios’; the correct form is ‘otros edificios’.
↔Alternatives
No, está cubierto por otros edificios.
No, it is covered by other buildings.
No, otros edificios lo cubren.
No, other buildings cover it.
No, lo ocultan otros edificios.
No, other buildings hide it.
Cultural Tip
In Spanish, the neuter pronoun ‘lo’ is often used to refer to an idea, a situation, or a previously mentioned clause rather than a specific masculine noun. This makes the sentence sound natural and concise. Also, ‘tapar’ can be used both literally (to cover a physical object) and figuratively (to hide, to obscure). Choose the verb that best matches the visual context you are describing.