Spanish object pronouns replace nouns that receive the action of the verb, either directly or indirectly. This substitution makes sentences shorter and smoother by avoiding repetition.
- Direct object pronouns: replace the noun directly receiving the action.
- Indirect object pronouns: replace the noun receiving the benefit or consequence of the action.
| Role | Example | Noun Used | Pronoun Used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Object | I see the dog. | the dog | lo / la / los / las |
| Yo veo al perro. | el perro | lo | |
| Indirect Object | I give the book... | to him/her... | le / les |
| Doy el libro... | al / a la... | le |
Spanish object pronouns replace direct or indirect objects.
'me', 'te', 'nos' are used as object pronouns.
Direct Object Pronouns
| Person | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | me | nos |
| 2nd | te | os |
| 3rd | lo/la* | los/las* |
Use lo/la for third-person singular objects (masculine/feminine), and los/las for plural.
Example:
- Original: Veo la película.
- With Pronoun: La veo. (I see it.)
Correct direct object pronouns include me, te, lo, la, nos, os, los, las.
The direct object pronoun for 'us' is 'nos'.
Indirect Object Pronouns
| Person | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | me | nos |
| 2nd | te | os |
| 3rd | le | les |
Indirect object pronouns indicate to whom or for whom something is done.
Example:
- Original: Doy el libro a Juan.
- With Pronoun: Le doy el libro. (I give him the book.)
Indirect object pronouns are me, te, le, nos, os, les.
The indirect object pronoun for 'them' is 'les'.
Pronoun Placement
- Before a conjugated verb:
Te veo. (I see you.)
Le doy el regalo. (I give him/her the gift.)
- Attached to an infinitive or gerund:
Quiero verla. (I want to see it.)
Estoy dándoles comida. (I am giving them food.)
- With commands:
- Affirmative: attach pronouns (Hazlo, Dales el papel).
- Negative: pronouns go before the verb (No lo hagas, No les des el papel).
Object pronouns go before a conjugated verb, but after (attached to) an infinitive/gerund.
With affirmative commands, pronouns are attached to the verb.
When Both Are Used Together
- When a direct and indirect object pronoun appear together, the indirect pronoun (le/les) changes to se if followed by lo/la/los/las.
- Order: Subject + (Indirect) + (Direct) + Verb
Example:
- Original: Doy el regalo a Juan (direct: el regalo).
- With Both: Se lo doy. (I give it to him.)
The indirect pronoun changes to 'se' when used with lo/la/los/las.
The correct form is 'Se lo doy.'
Spanish object pronouns (direct and indirect) make communication more efficient by replacing nouns within the sentence.
- Use direct pronouns for the thing being acted upon.
- Use indirect pronouns for the person receiving the benefit.
- When both pronouns are used, indirect pronouns change to "se" before direct pronouns.
They replace direct and indirect objects.
Direct object pronouns are me, te, lo, la, nos, os, los, las.
Indirect object pronouns are me, te, le, nos, os, les.