Double Object Pronouns
In Spanish, double object pronouns show both the recipient of an action (indirect object) and the thing affected (direct object) in a compact way. This guide goes over indirect and direct pronouns and how they work when paired.
Indirect Object Pronouns
Indirect object pronouns tell us to whom or for whom an action is done. They normally come before a conjugated verb or attach to an infinitive, gerund, or affirmative command.
| Spanish Word(s) | English Word(s) |
|---|---|
| me | me |
| te | you (informal) |
| le | him/her/you (formal) |
| nos | us |
| os | you (plural, Spain) |
| les | them/you (plural) |
Direct Object Pronouns
Direct object pronouns replace the noun that directly receives an action. They also appear before conjugated verbs or attach to infinitives, gerunds, and commands.
| Spanish Word(s) | English Word(s) |
|---|---|
| me | me |
| te | you (informal) |
| lo | him/it (masculine) |
| la | her/it (feminine) |
| los | them (masculine) |
| las | them (feminine) |
Double Object Pronouns
When both pronouns appear, the indirect object pronoun goes first. If the indirect pronoun is le or les and is followed by a direct object pronoun that begins with l, le/les changes to se to avoid the tongue-twister.
Placement
Pronouns normally appear before a conjugated verb. They attach to an infinitive, gerund, or affirmative command. Adding pronouns can also trigger accent marks to keep the original stress.
Examples
| Spanish Example | English Translation | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ☝️ Me lo das. | You give it to me. | Indirect before direct |
| 👇 Dámelo. | Give it to me. | Attached to affirmative command |
| 🔄 Se lo di. | I gave it to him/her/them. | Le/les → se before lo |
| 🧾 Estoy diciéndoselo. | I am telling it to him/her. | Attached to present participle |
| ✉️ Voy a mandárselo. | I am going to send it to him/her. | Attached to infinitive |
Summary
Double object pronouns streamline sentences by replacing both the recipient (indirect object) and the thing acted upon (direct object). Remember to switch le/les to se when needed and pay attention to placement and accents when attaching pronouns.
Last updated: Sun Sep 14, 2025