A2 Spanish GrammarObject Pronouns
Master Spanish direct and indirect object pronouns (lo, la, le, les, me, te, nos). Learn pronoun placement, how to combine pronouns, and when to use se for double pronouns.
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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 Exercises
4 exercises
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
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