Object Pronouns
Object pronouns replace noun phrases that receive an action, making speech and writing more concise and natural. This guide covers both direct and indirect pronouns and how to use them.
Direct Object Pronouns
Direct object pronouns stand for things or people that directly receive an action. They typically replace a noun that answers "what?" or "whom?".
| English Word(s) | English Word(s) | Spanish Word(s) | Spanish Word(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| me | me | me | me |
| you (informal) | you | te | te |
| him / it | him / it | lo | lo |
| her / it | her / it | la | la |
| us | us | nos | nos |
| you (plural) | you | os | os |
| them (m) | them | los | los |
| them (f) | them | las | las |
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Indirect Object Pronouns
Indirect object pronouns mark to whom or for whom an action is done. They usually answer "to whom?", "for whom?", and often appear before the verb or attached to an infinitive.
| English Word(s) | English Word(s) | Spanish Word(s) | Spanish Word(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| me | me | me | me |
| you (informal) | you | te | te |
| him / her / you (formal) | him / her / you | le | le |
| us | us | nos | nos |
| you (plural) | you | os | os |
| them / you (plural) | them / you | les | les |
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Double Object Pronouns
When both indirect and direct object pronouns appear, the indirect pronoun normally comes first. If the indirect pronoun is le or les and is followed by a direct pronoun that begins with l, le/les changes to se.
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Placement of Object Pronouns
Object pronouns normally appear before a conjugated verb. They can attach to an infinitive, gerund, or affirmative command, and must not split a negative command.
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Examples
| English Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 🍽️ Can you pass me the salt? | Me lo puedes pasar. |
| 🥣 She gave him a bowl of soup. | Ella le dio un plato de sopa. |
| 🥪 I’m making you a sandwich. | Te estoy haciendo un sándwich. |
| 🍊 They are washing the oranges. | Están lavando las naranjas. |
| 🧀 Put it on the plate. | Ponlo en el plato. |
| 🍞 He handed her the bread. | Él le entregó el pan. |
| 🥫 I gave them a can of beans. | Les di una lata de frijoles. |
| 🧴 She is buying it. | Ella lo está comprando. |
| 🥬 Can you wash it? | ¿Puedes lavarlo? |
| 🍓 I want to try them. | Quiero probarlas. |
Summary
Object pronouns streamline sentences by replacing noun phrases that receive actions. Direct pronouns answer "what?" or "whom?", indirect pronouns answer "to whom?" or "for whom?", and double pronouns follow predictable order with le/les changing to se when needed. Practice placing them before conjugated verbs or attaching them to infinitives and commands to speak naturally.
Last updated: Sun Sep 14, 2025