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Spanish grammar · Level A2

Object pronouns: lo, la, le, se lo

Object pronouns replace a noun so you don’t repeat it: ¿Ves el mar? — Sí, lo veo. The direct object answers “whom? what?” (lo, la, los, las); the indirect object answers “to whom?” (le, les). They go before the conjugated verb.

QuizContents
Contents
  1. The pronouns
  2. Where the pronoun goes
  3. Two pronouns: me lo, se lo
  4. Common mistakes
  5. Quiz
  6. FAQ

The pronouns

In the first and second person, direct and indirect pronouns are the same: me, te, nos, os. Only the third person differs: the direct pronoun shows gender (lo — him/it, la — her/it), the indirect doesn’t (le — to him or her).

Direct and indirect object pronouns
PersonDirectIndirect
yomeme
tútete
él / ella / ustedlo / lale
nosotrosnosnos
vosotrososos
ellos / ellas / ustedeslos / lasles
  • ¿Conoces a Marta? — Sí, la conozco.Do you know Marta? — Yes, I know her.
  • ¿Dónde están mis gafas? No las encuentro.Where are my glasses? I can’t find them.
  • Le escribo un mensaje a mi madre.I’m writing my mum a message.

Where the pronoun goes

Before the conjugated verb, with no before the pronoun: No lo sé. In compound tenses, before haber: Lo he visto. With an infinitive or gerund, before the whole phrase or attached at the end: Lo voy a comprar = Voy a comprarlo. In a positive command, only attached: ¡Cómelo!

  • Este libro lo he leído dos veces.I’ve read this book twice.
  • Quiero verla mañana.I want to see her tomorrow.
  • ¡Llamame luego!Call me later!

Two pronouns: me lo, se lo

With both pronouns, the indirect (to whom) comes first, then the direct (what): ¿Me das el libro? — Te lo doy. When le / les meets lo / la / los / las, le / les becomes se: Le doy el libro → Se lo doy (never “le lo”).

  • ¿Le has dicho la verdad a Juan? — Sí, se la he dicho.Have you told Juan the truth? — Yes, I’ve told him.
  • Las fotos te las envío por correo.I’ll email you the photos.
  • ¿Me lo explicas otra vez?Can you explain it to me again?

Tip: Spanish often doubles the indirect object: Le doy un regalo a mi madre. That’s standard, not a mistake — le is needed here.

Common mistakes

The mistakes people make most often — and the right way.

  • Wrong: Le lo doy.

    Right: Se lo doy.

    Le + lo → se lo.

  • Wrong: Veo la. / Veo lo.

    Right: La veo. / Lo veo.

    The pronoun goes before the conjugated verb.

  • Wrong: Voy a lo comprar.

    Right: Lo voy a comprar. / Voy a comprarlo.

    Never between the two verbs.

  • Wrong: He lo visto.

    Right: Lo he visto.

    In compound tenses, before haber.

  • Wrong: Lo doy un regalo a María.

    Right: Le doy un regalo a María.

    “To whom?” takes the indirect le.

Lo, la, le: object pronouns

Quiz

10 questions: choose the right option — the explanation appears straight away.

  1. Question 1

    ¿El libro? Ya _____ he leído.

  2. Question 2

    ¿Las llaves? No _____ encuentro.

  3. Question 3

    _____ escribo una carta a mi abuela.

  4. Question 4

    ¿El regalo para Ana? _____ doy mañana.

  5. Question 5

    Voy a _____ esta noche.

  6. Question 6

    ¿Conoces a Pedro? — Sí, _____ conozco.

  7. Question 7

    ¡Cómpra_____! Es muy bonito.

  8. Question 8

    ¿Me das tu número? — Sí, te _____ doy.

  9. Question 9

    A mis padres _____ gusta el campo.

  10. Question 10

    No _____ he visto todavía.

Correct: 0 of 10

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FAQ

Didn’t find your answer? Send us a request — we’ll tell you everything.

What’s the difference between le and lo?

Lo is the direct object (whom? what?): Lo veo — I see him. Le is indirect (to whom?): Le hablo — I’m speaking to him. In Spain le is often used as a direct object for men (Le veo) — that’s accepted, but start with lo.

Why se lo and not le lo?

It’s a sound rule: two l- pronouns in a row aren’t allowed. Se here isn’t reflexive, just a form of le / les. To clarify who, add a él, a ella, a usted: Se lo doy a ella.

Can I drop a Juan if le is already there?

Yes, if it’s clear who you mean: Le doy el libro. But le itself is usually kept even when a Juan is there: Le doy el libro a Juan.

Other topics

All topicsSpanish verb conjugationSpanish irregular verbs

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