🇪🇸A2 Spanish GrammarObject Pronouns
1Direct Object Pronouns
Direct object pronouns replace the noun receiving the action directly. They answer 'what?' or 'whom?' and go before the conjugated verb. In Spain, lo/la are used for things, le for male people (leísmo).
Direct Object Pronouns
| Person | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | me (me) | nos (us) |
| 2nd | te (you) | os (you all) |
| 3rd masc | lo (him/it) | los (them) |
| 3rd fem | la (her/it) | las (them) |
Examples
¿El libro? Lo tengo aquí.
The book? I have it here.
lo replaces el libro
¿La carta? La escribí ayer.
The letter? I wrote it yesterday.
la replaces la carta
Te veo mañana.
I'll see you tomorrow.
te = you (direct object)
Los compré en la tienda.
I bought them at the store.
los for plural masculine
2Indirect Object Pronouns
Indirect object pronouns indicate to whom or for whom the action is done. They answer 'to/for whom?' Le and les are used for both masculine and feminine. A prepositional phrase often clarifies.
Indirect Object Pronouns
| Person | Pronoun | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1st sing | me | Me da el libro |
| 2nd sing | te | Te escribo una carta |
| 3rd sing | le | Le digo la verdad |
| 1st plur | nos | Nos envía regalos |
| 2nd plur | os | Os cuento algo |
| 3rd plur | les | Les mando mensajes |
Examples
Le doy el regalo a María.
I give the gift to María.
le + a María for clarity
¿Te gusta el café?
Do you like coffee?
te = to you (indirect)
Les escribo todos los días.
I write to them every day.
les = to them
Nos cuenta historias interesantes.
She tells us interesting stories.
nos = to us
3Combining Pronouns
When both pronouns are used, indirect comes before direct. Le/les become se when followed by lo/la/los/las to avoid cacophony. The order is: se + indirect + direct + verb or verb + attached pronouns.
Pronoun Order
| Pattern | Example | English |
|---|---|---|
| me + lo | Me lo da | He gives it to me |
| te + la | Te la envío | I send it to you |
| le + lo → se lo | Se lo digo | I tell it to him/her |
| les + los → se los | Se los mando | I send them to them |
Examples
El libro, te lo presto.
The book, I'll lend it to you.
te + lo
Se lo expliqué a Juan.
I explained it to Juan.
le + lo → se lo
¿Las llaves? Se las di a ella.
The keys? I gave them to her.
le + las → se las
Me lo puedes repetir.
You can repeat it to me.
me + lo before verb
4Pronoun Placement
Pronouns go before conjugated verbs but attach to infinitives, gerunds, and affirmative commands. With verb + infinitive/gerund combinations, both positions are correct. Add accents when attaching.
Pronoun Position
| Form | Before Verb | Attached |
|---|---|---|
| present | Lo veo | (only before) |
| infinitive | Lo quiero ver | Quiero verlo |
| gerund | Lo estoy leyendo | Estoy leyéndolo |
| command (+) | (N/A) | ¡Dámelo! |
| command (-) | ¡No me lo des! | (only before) |
Examples
Voy a comprarlo. / Lo voy a comprar.
I'm going to buy it.
both correct
Estoy haciéndolo. / Lo estoy haciendo.
I'm doing it.
accent on haciéndolo
¡Dámelo ahora!
Give it to me now!
attached to command
¡No me lo digas!
Don't tell me!
before negative command
Practice
Get 3 of 4 right to learn this lesson
Complete: '___ veo todos los días.' (I see him every day.)
Complete: '___ doy el libro.' (I give him the book.)
Where do object pronouns go with conjugated verbs?
Complete: '___ ___ doy.' (I give it to him.) - combining le + lo
See Real Examples in Stories
Now that you've practiced, see this grammar in context
