Indirect object pronouns in Spanish replace or refer to the noun that receives the action indirectly, usually with verbs like "dar" (to give) or "decir" (to tell).
In Spanish, indirect object pronouns are used to indicate to whom or for whom an action is performed. They replace the indirect object noun to avoid repetition and make sentences more concise.
- Indirect object pronouns answer the questions "¿a quién?" (to whom?) or "¿para quién?" (for whom?).
- They are placed before a conjugated verb or attached to an infinitive, gerund, or affirmative command.
- When both indirect and direct object pronouns are used together, the indirect comes first.
Spanish Indirect Object Pronouns
| Singular | Plural | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| me | nos | to/for me / us |
| te | — | to/for you (informal singular) |
| le | les | to/for him, her, you (formal), them, you all |
Conjugations
Indirect object pronouns don’t have their own verb conjugations; instead, they are used alongside the conjugated verb. Here’s how they appear with the verb dar (to give) in the present tense:
| Spanish Subject | Spanish Conjugation | English Conjugation | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| yo | doy | I give | Le doy un libro. | I give him/her a book. |
| tú | das | you give | Te doy un libro. | I give you a book. |
| él/ella/usted | da | he/she/you gives | Le doy un libro. | I give him/her a book. |
| nosotros/as | damos | we give | Les damos un libro. | We give them a book. |
| ellos/as/ustedes | dan | they/you all give | Les dan un libro. | They give them a book. |
Usage Rules
Indirect object pronouns are used whenever you have an indirect object noun, but Spanish often prefers the pronoun:
- Replace or clarify the indirect object:
Le doy el regalo a María. → Le doy el regalo.* (I give the gift to her.)
- Answer “¿a quién?” or “¿para quién?”
¿A quién le das el libro? — Le doy el libro a Juan. (Who do you give the book to? — I give it to Juan.)
- Position in the sentence:
- Before a conjugated verb: Te escribo una carta. (I write you a letter.)
- Attached to infinitives or gerunds: Voy a darte un regalo. (I’m going to give you a gift.) / Estoy escribiéndote. (I’m writing to you.)
- Use “a + noun/pronoun” for emphasis or clarity:
Le doy el libro a ella.* (I give the book to her.)
Les hablo a los estudiantes. (I speak to the students.)
- Double object pronouns:
When using both direct and indirect objects, the indirect comes first, and “le/les” changes to “se” if followed by a direct object pronoun starting with “l”:
Se lo doy. (I give it to him/her/them.)
Te lo doy. (I give it to you.)
Examples
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Me escriben una carta. | They write me a letter. |
| ¿Le compras algo a tu hermano? | Do you buy your brother anything? |
| Nos cuentan un secreto. | They tell us a secret. |
| Te voy a llamar mañana. | I’m going to call you tomorrow. |
| Les mando un correo electrónico. | I send them an email. |
Using indirect object pronouns correctly is essential for clear and natural communication in Spanish, especially when talking about giving, telling, or doing something for someone.
___ una carta. (escribir)
They write me a letter.
Me escriben
'Me' is the indirect object pronoun for 'to me,' so 'me escriben' means 'they write me.'
___ a llamar mañana. (llamar)
I’m going to call you tomorrow.
Te voy
'Te' is for 'to you' (informal), and it appears before the infinitive when combined with 'voy a llamar.'
Flashcards (1 of 10)
- English Conjugation: I give
- English Example: I give him/her a book.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
