Direct and indirect objects
Object pronouns replace a noun you have already mentioned:
- the direct object answers “what?” or “whom?”: Compro el pan → Lo compro;
- the indirect object answers “to whom?” or “for whom?”: Escribo a Ana → Le escribo.
Me, te, nos (and os in Spain) are the same for both. Only the third person differs.
| Person | Direct (whom? what?) | Indirect (to whom?) |
|---|---|---|
| yo | me | me |
| tú | te | te |
| él / usted (m.) | lo | le |
| ella / usted (f.) | la | le |
| nosotros / nosotras | nos | nos |
| vosotros / vosotrasSpain | os | os |
| ellos / ustedes (m.) | los | les |
| ellas / ustedes (f.) | las | les |
Position and order
- Before a conjugated verb: Lo compro. No la conozco.
- With an infinitive: attached or before the conjugated verb: Voy a comprarlo = Lo voy a comprar.
- Two pronouns: indirect first, then direct: Me lo das.
- Le and les become se before lo, la, los, las: Se lo doy (never le lo).
The indirect pronoun usually stays even when the person is named: Le doy el libro a Ana.
Two pronouns together
| Combination | Example |
|---|---|
| me + lo | Pedro me lo explica. |
| te + la | ¿Te la traigo? |
| le + lo → se lo | Se lo doy a mi padre. |
| les + las → se las | Se las compro a mis hijos. |
Examples
- ¿El libro? Lo tengo en casa.The book? I have it at home.
- ¿Conoces a Marta? —Sí, la conozco.Do you know Marta? —Yes, I know her.
- ¿Las llaves? No las encuentro.The keys? I can't find them.
- Le escribo un mensaje a mi madre.I'm writing a message to my mother.
- Mañana te llamo.I'll call you tomorrow.
- Voy a comprarlo mañana.I'm going to buy it tomorrow.
- ¿El regalo para tu padre? Se lo doy esta noche.The present for your father? I'll give it to him tonight.Se = le (to him), lo = el regalo.
- ¿Conoces a Pedro? —Sí, le conozco.SpainDo you know Pedro? —Yes, I know him.Leísmo, accepted in Spain for a male person; everywhere: lo conozco.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:
Compro lo.Right: ✓ Lo compro.Unlike English “I buy it”, the pronoun goes before a conjugated verb. - Wrong:
Veo él.Right: ✓ Lo veo.Él is a subject pronoun; “him” as an object is lo. - Wrong:
Le lo doy.Right: ✓ Se lo doy.Le / les become se before lo, la, los, las. - Wrong:
La escribo una carta.Right: ✓ Le escribo una carta.“To her” is indirect: le. La is only for the direct object.