Indirect object pronouns replace or accompany the indirect object noun, which is the person or thing receiving the benefit or outcome of the action.
Pronouns
The indirect object pronouns in Spanish are:
| English Translation |
|---|
| Pronoun |
| me |
Usage
- They indicate to whom or for whom something is done.
- They often refer to people, not things.
- The pronouns le and les can refer to him, her, you (formal), or them.
Placement
- Indirect object pronouns are placed before a conjugated verb:
Te doy el libro. (I give you the book.)
- They can be attached to the end of an infinitive, gerund, or affirmative command:
Voy a darle el regalo. (I’m going to give him/her the gift.)
Estoy escribiéndole una carta. (I’m writing him/her a letter.)
Dile la verdad. (Tell him/her the truth.)
Clarification
- When the indirect object is not clear, a clarifying phrase with "a" is used:
Le hablo a María. (I talk to María.)
- This is common with le and les since they can refer to multiple people.
Example Sentences
Indirect object pronouns are a small but important part of Spanish grammar that help make sentences clearer and more concise.
You use them to indicate who is receiving the action of the verb indirectly — usually the person for whom something is done.
Spanish sentences often include both the pronoun and the noun (for clarity), especially with le and les, since these pronouns can refer to different people.
Using indirect object pronouns correctly will improve your ability to communicate in Spanish smoothly and naturally.
Indirect object pronouns in Spanish show to whom or for whom an action is done.
They replace or accompany the indirect object noun, which is the person or thing receiving the benefit or outcome of the action.
The indirect object pronouns in Spanish are: me, te, le, nos, os, les.
They indicate "to whom" or "for whom" something is done.
They often refer to people, not things.
The pronouns le and les can refer to him, her, you (formal), or them.
Indirect object pronouns are placed before a conjugated verb (e.g., Te doy el libro).
They can be attached to the end of an infinitive, gerund, or affirmative command (e.g., Voy a darle el regalo, Estoy escribiéndole una carta, Dile la verdad).
When the indirect object is not clear, a clarifying phrase with "a" is used (e.g., Le hablo a María).
This is common with le and les since they can refer to multiple people.
Using indirect object pronouns allows you to avoid repeating the indirect object noun and make your sentences more concise.
You can also emphasize or clarify the indirect object by using both the pronoun and the noun phrase together (e.g., Le doy el libro a Juan).
Below are some examples of indirect object pronouns in Spanish, along with their English translations and explanations.
Indirect object pronouns are essential for expressing to whom or for whom actions are performed in Spanish.
They help avoid repetition and make sentences smoother and more natural.
The key is to remember their meaning, placement, and the common use of clarifying "a" phrases with le and les.
With practice, using indirect object pronouns will become second nature.
| Spanish Sentence |
|---|
| Me dan un regalo. |
| English Translation |
| Usage Note |
| “Me” indicates the gift is for me. |
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Last updated: Thu Jul 17, 2025