Spanish Grammar: Indirect Object Pronouns

Spanish Grammar: Indirect Object Pronouns

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Identify

Spanish Grammar: Indirect Object Pronouns
la gramática española: los pronombres de objeto indirecto

  • Indicates an indirect recipient of an action.
  • Identifies to/for whom an action is affecting.

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Indirect Object Pronouns let us know what the direct object in the sentence is doing! It helps answer the question “to whom” or “for whom” is the action intended. Don’t get them confused with Direct Object Pronouns or Double Object Pronouns.

Indirect Object Pronouns

ME : to me
TE : to you (informal)
LE : to him/her/it/you (formal)
NOS : to us
OS : to y’all (informal)
LES : to them/you (plural)

Yo le digo la fecha a mi esposa.
I will tell the date TO my wife.

Le compro un regalo a mi madre.
I am buying a gift FOR my friend.

Notice how we still clarify “to whom” or “for whom” the action in intended at the end of the sentence using the preposition “a”.

El me habla a mi.
He speaks to me.

El mesero le llevó la cuenta al señor.
The waiter took the check to the man.

Just like with Direct Object Pronouns, Indirect Object Pronouns can be placed in front of the conjugated verb or attached to the end of an infinitive verb.

Voy a prepararte una cena grande.
I’m going to prepare you a big dinner.

¡Vamos a decirle “Feliz Cumpleaños!”
We’re going to wish him a happy birthday.

If this looks familiar, it’s because the verb GUSTAR (and verbs like GUSTAR) also operate with Indirect Object Pronouns.

Other verbs really need Indirect Object Pronouns in order to work correctly.

COMPRAR : to buy
CONTAR : to tell
DAR : to give
DECIR : to say
DISGUSTAR : to disgust
ENCANTAR : to love (be enchanted)
ESCRIBIR : to write
GUSTAR : to like (be pleasing)
MANDAR : to send
MOSTRAR : to show
PEDIR : to ask
REGALAR : to give a gift
SERVIR : to serve
TRAER : to bring

Adapt

¿Qué le dijo a él?
What did you say to him?

¿A dónde le gustaría comer?
Where would you like to eat?

¿Quién le pidió a ella?
What did you ask her?

¿Cómo le escribo esta carta?
How do I write him this letter?

¿Cuándo les doy el regalo?
When do I give them the gift?

¿Por qué no le escribe?
Why doesn’t he write you?

¿Cuántas cajas le mandó usted?
How many boxes did you send to him?

¿Cuál helado les encantaría más?
What ice cream would you love more?

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