Spanish Direct Object Pronouns

Overview

Just like subject pronouns replace the subject noun in a sentence, direct object pronouns replace the direct object noun in a sentence, which can be a person, thing, noun phrase, or nominalized clause.

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July 14, 2023

Stephen Sovenyhazy

The direct object pronoun stands for the noun, and agrees with it in number and gender. There are some rules when we use direct object pronouns.

In order to use direct pronouns, we will first define what they are and how they are used.

Lo (masculine) “lo” is always used when referring to something that is masculine.

La (feminine) “la” “La” is used when talking about something or someone who is female.

Los (It) The

Las (feminine)Them

Lo, la los, or las (the direct object pronouns) are placed before the verb we are referring to. When we are trying to make a negative command the “No,” goes before lo, la, los or las.

Things

The noun as object of the verb	The pronoun used in place of the noun
¿Tiene Ana el libro? Does Ana have the book?	Ana lo tiene Ana has it
¿Tiene Anita la tiza? Does Anita have the chalk?	Anita no la tiene Anita does not have it
¿Aprende Luis las lecciones? Does Luis learn the lesson?	Si, Luis aprende las lecciones Yes, Luis learns the lesson

Direct pronouns representing persons are expressed by using: me, te, lo, la, and in the plural form: nos, os, los, las. To emphasized who the statement is directed to, we use:

a mi, a ti, a él, a ella, a usted, a nosotros, a vosotros, a ellos, a ellas, a uds; however, it is not used under ordinary circumstances.

Persons

Using the verb Ver (to see) we will conjugate appropriately

Singular Plural

Carlos me ve Carlos Te ve Carlos La ve	a mi a ti a ella	Jesús nos ve las ve os ve	a nosotros a ellas a vosotros
Carlos Lo ve Carlos Lo ve	a él a ud.	los ve os ve	a ustedes a vosotros

Direct object pronouns are added at the end of the word for affirmative commands:

Tráigalo usted ahora! Bring it right now!

Highlighted Author:

Stephen Sovenyhazy

Stephen is the President of CORE Languages having founded the company in 2007. His focus is on empowering those with a need for community, culture and communication. For over a decade, CORE has helped businesses achieve their strategic international goals by empowering employees to learn and find joy in communicating in a new language and cultural context. With our online instructor-led courses, we now bring this to community members across the globe. A quote from Stephen. "When I started teaching, I sought to bring that same energy, dedication, and sense of purpose into my own classrooms. I founded CORE Languages to expand that vision, seeing the growing need for language training options designed to meet the unique needs of business environments. For over a decade, CORE has helped businesses achieve their strategic international goals by empowering employees to learn and find joy in communicating in a new language and cultural context. With our online instructor-led courses, we now bring this to community members across the globe. It’s a privilege to do what we do and share what we love with you.”

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Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

The CEFR is an international standard used to describe language ability. Here are specific details of the CEFR for this topic.

General Explanation:

Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.

Specific Capabilities at this Level

Writing:

I can write short, simple notes and messages relating to matters in areas of immediate needs. I can write a very simple personal letter, for example thanking someone for something.

Spoken Production:

I can use a series of phrases and sentences to describe in simple terms my family and other people, living conditions, my educational background and my present or most recent job.

Spoken Interaction:

I can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar topics and activities. I can handle very short social exchanges, even though I can’t usually understand enough to keep the conversation going myself.

Reading:

I can read very short, simple texts. I can find specific, predictable information in simple everyday material such as advertisements, prospectuses, menus and timetables and I can understand short simple personal letters.

Listening:

I can understand phrases and the highest frequency vocabulary related to areas of most immediate personal relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local area, employment). I can catch the main point in short, clear, simple messages and announcements.