To make things easier, I’ve included graphics and examples. By the end of it, you should feel more comfortable using Spanish direct object pronouns.
Tip: Misplacing or not using direct object, reflexive and indirect object pronouns is one of the most common mistakes that lead to speaking broken Spanish.
Spanish direct object pronouns are:
Direct object pronouns replace the direct object. Since the direct object is a noun or a noun phrase, third person direct object pronouns must agree with the number and gender of the noun they’re replacing. For instance:
¿Y las llaves ? ¿No las has visto?
And the keys ? Have you seen them?
Creo que es el primo de Joan, pero no lo conozco.
I think he is Joan’s cousin , pero I don’t know him.
Now that you know what a direct object is and how to find it. Let’s see how to use Spanish direct object pronouns.
Tip: Because of Spanish’s structure, direct objects are usually the element that is closer to the verb.
Like any other Spanish pronoun, direct object pronouns avoid repetition by replacing the direct object of a sentence. We use direct object pronouns when the direct object has been mentioned before or when it’s implicit.
One of the key rules of direct object pronouns in Spanish is that when using third person pronouns (la, lo, and their plural forms), you must choose a pronoun that agrees with the gender and number of the noun they’re replacing. Check the examples below:
Sentences using a direct object :
Dame la pelota , por favor.
Give me the ball , please.
Sergio compró unos chocolates .
Sergio bought some chocolates .
¿Quién quiere probar las galletas ?
Who wants to taste the cookies ?
Emma esperó a sus amigos .
Emma waited for her friends .
Sentences with direct object pronouns :
Dámela, por favor.
Give it to me, please.
Sergio los compró.
Sergio bought them.
¿Quién quiere probarlas?
Who wants to taste them?
Emma los esperó.
Emma waited for them.
Susie me vio con Alejandro.
Susie saw me with Alejandro.
Check the last example. This sentence uses the direct object pronouns without having an antecedent (a counterpart example with the direct object). However, we know we need a direct pronoun because it answers the question: what did Susie see? Me!
One of the most challenging things of Spanish direct object pronouns is placing them correctly within a sentence. As you may have noticed, in Spanish, the order of direct object pronouns varies depending on the conjugation of the verb.
Spanish direct object pronouns go:
Ya la vi.
I already saw it.
¡No lo toquen!
Don’t touch it!
Te he comprado un suéter.
I bought you a sweater.
Apágala, por favor.
Turn it off, please.
Romperlo no va a resolver nada.
Breaking it is not going to fix anything.
Progressive tenses (such as the Spanish present progressive) and verbal phrases (for example, the near future) are formed with a conjugated verb and a verb in gerund or infinitive form. So, with these types of tenses, you have two options : placing the pronoun before the conjugated verb or attach it to the infinitive or gerund:
Voy a comprarla.
I’m going to buy it.
La voy a comprar.
I’m going to buy it.
Estoy escuchándote.
I’m listening to you.
Te estoy escuchando.
I’m listening to you.
Take Note: In Spanish, double object pronouns are sentences where you replace both direct and indirect objects. With these types of sentences, direct object pronouns must be placed after the indirect object pronoun – Juan me la dio (Juan gave it to me).
In Spanish, transitive verbs must always be followed by a direct object because the sentence would be incomplete without it.
Examples of some verbs in Spanish that work direct object pronouns include:
Take Note: Spanish reflexive verbs are transitive verbs. This means that if you’re not performing the action on yourself, you may use a direct object.
Direct object pronouns in Spanish are a crucial part of many sentences. Since they can help shorten your sentences while sounding more natural, direct object pronouns are necessary for fluent communication. Here are the key points to remember:
I’ve created a PDF with cheat sheets for you to download including the graphics from this guide so that you can refer to it whenever you need a refresher on how to use, place or identify direct object pronouns in Spanish.
Ahora que ya los entiendes (now that you understand them), it’s time for you to start applying these pronouns to your conversations. You can start practicing your use of direct object pronouns in Spanish by taking this quiz.
