Indirect Object Pronouns
Spoken Description
Aprende a usar pronombres de objeto indirecto en español: coloca y reemplaza a quién o qué recibe la acción del verbo. Incluye reglas, colocación, conjugaciones, y ejemplos con práctica interactiva.
Learn easy rules for indirect object pronouns in Spanish: where to put them, to whom/what they refer, and common verbs with examples. Practice with exercises and quick reference tips to improve your fluency.
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Indirect object pronouns show to whom or for whom an action is done. This brief guide focuses on the usual pronouns and how they work with indirect objects.
Pronouns
The main indirect object pronouns in Spanish replace a noun that receives the benefit or harm of an action. They usually appear before a conjugated verb.
| Spanish Word(s) | English Word(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| me | to/for me | |
| te | to/for you | |
| le | to/for him / her / you (formal) | |
| nos | to/for us | |
| os | to/for you (plural, Spain) | |
| les | to/for them / you (plural) |
Luisda un regalo (me).
Luis gives me a gift.
Replace the indirect object with the correct pronoun: Luis me ___ un regalo (to/for me).
Placement
Indirect object pronouns go before a conjugated verb or can attach to an infinitive, gerund, or affirmative command. The position can slightly change emphasis. Here are examples for each case.
voy a dar un regalo.
I'm going to give a gift to you.
Place the pronoun before the conjugated verb: Voy a dar un regalo a ti. --> ___ voy a dar un regalo.
Double Object Pronouns
When both indirect and direct object pronouns appear, the indirect pronoun usually comes first. If the indirect pronoun is le or les and the direct is lo, la, los, or las, le / les changes to se to avoid the awkward le lo sound.
Examples
Clarification
Sometimes the indirect object noun or phrase repeats or follows the pronoun for emphasis or clarity. This is common when the recipient is specified.
Examples
Verbs
Many verbs commonly use an indirect object to show to whom or for whom something is given, told, shown, or requested. Learning these verbs helps you predict when to use the pronouns.
Él siemprecuenta historias al atardecer.
He always tells us stories at sunset.
Choose the correct indirect object pronoun: Él siempre ___ (to us) cuenta historias al atardecer.
Summary
Indirect object pronouns signal who benefits from or receives an action. They appear before conjugated verbs or attach to non-finite forms, match to the noun they replace, and change le/les to se when paired with a direct object pronoun.
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