Direct object pronouns replace the thing or person that receives the action (lo, la). Indirect object pronouns replace the person who gets something (le). They usually go before the conjugated verb.
Two pronouns together: indirect first, then direct. And le/les + lo/la always becomes se: se lo doy.
The forms
Only the third person has different forms for direct and indirect objects.
| Person | Direct | Indirect |
|---|---|---|
| yo | me | me |
| tú | te | te |
| él / ella / usted | lo / la | le |
| nosotros | nos | nos |
| vosotros | os | os |
| ellos / ustedes | los / las | les |
Where they go
Before a conjugated verb. Attached to an infinitive, a gerund or an affirmative command. With a negative command, they go before the verb again.
- ¿El libro? Lo leo esta noche.The book? I’ll read it tonight.
- Voy a comprarlo mañana.I’m going to buy it tomorrow.
- Estoy escribiéndole un mensaje.I’m writing him a message.
- ¡Dímelo!Tell me!
- No lo hagas.Don’t do it.
Two pronouns together
The indirect pronoun comes first. Le or les in front of lo, la, los or las turns into se.
- ¿Me das la llave? Sí, te la doy.Will you give me the key? Yes, I’ll give it to you.
- Le doy el regalo a Juan. → Se lo doy.I give Juan the present. → I give it to him.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong: Le lo doy. Right: Se lo doy.
Le + lo always becomes se lo.
-
Wrong: Veo lo. Right: Lo veo.
Before the conjugated verb.
-
Wrong: No hazlo. Right: No lo hagas.
Negative command: pronoun before the verb, verb in the subjunctive.
Test yourself
Pick the right option. You get an explanation straight away.
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1¿Tienes el libro? Sí, ___ tengo.
El libro: masculine direct object → lo.
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2¿Ves a María? Sí, ___ veo.
María: feminine direct object → la.
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3___ escribo una carta a mi abuelo.
Your grandfather receives the letter: indirect → le.
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4¿Me das el bolígrafo? Sí, te ___ doy.
El bolígrafo: direct object → lo.
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5¿Le diste el regalo a Juan? Sí, ___ lo di.
Le + lo becomes se lo.