Direct object pronouns stand in for the noun that directly receives the action of a verb. Instead of repeating the noun, you can use these pronouns to make sentences shorter and more natural.
- Direct object = the thing or person directly affected by the verb.
- Pronoun replaces this direct object to avoid repetition.
- Helps sentences sound smoother and less repetitive.
Spanish Direct Object Pronouns
Here are the direct object pronouns in Spanish, along with their English equivalents:
| Spanish Pronoun | English Example | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| me | me | Él me ve. | He sees me. |
| te | you (informal) | Yo te llamo. | I call you. |
| lo | him, it, you (formal, masc.) | La veo, pero no lo veo. | I see her, but I don’t see him. / I see you (formal). |
| la | her, it, you (formal, fem.) | La tengo. | I have it/her/you (formal). |
| nos | us | Nos ayudan. | They help us. |
| os | you all (informal in Spain) | Os invito. | I invite you all. |
| los | them (masc. or mixed), you all (formal) | Los conozco. | I know them/you all. |
| las | them (fem.), you all (formal) | Las compro. | I buy them/you all. |
Placement of Direct Object Pronouns
Direct object pronouns can either go before a conjugated verb or be attached to an infinitive or gerund.
- Before a conjugated verb:
- Te veo. (I see you.)
- Attached to an infinitive:
- Quiero verte. (I want to see you.)
- Attached to a gerund:
- Estoy viéndote. (I am seeing you.)
- Attached to a positive command:
- ¡Véte! (Go away!)
Examples
- Without pronoun:
- Veo a María. (I see María.)
- With pronoun:
- La veo. (I see her.)
- Without pronoun:
- Compramos los libros. (We buy the books.)
- With pronoun:
- Los compramos. (We buy them.)
- Without pronoun:
- ¿Tú llamas a Juan? (Do you call Juan?)
- With pronoun:
- ¿Lo llamas? (Do you call him?)
I see her.
La veo.
'La' replaces 'María' as the direct object pronoun.
Summary
- Direct object pronouns replace direct objects in sentences.
- They agree in gender and number with the noun they replace.
- Pronouns go before conjugated verbs or attach to infinitives, gerunds, and positive commands.
What must direct object pronouns agree with in Spanish?
The gender and number of the noun they replace
They must match the gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural) of the original noun.
Flashcards (1 of 8)
- English Example: He sees me.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
