Indirect Object Pronouns
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:
Usage
- They indicateto whomorfor whomsomething is done.
- They often refer to people, not things.
- The pronounsleandlescan refer to him, her, you (formal), or them.
Placement
- Indirect object pronouns are placedbeforea conjugated verb:
Tedoy el libro. (I give you the book.)
- They can be attached to the end of an infinitive, gerund, or affirmative command:
Voy adarleel regalo. (Iโm going to give him/her the gift.)
Estoyescribiรฉndoleuna carta. (Iโm writing him/her a letter.)Dilela verdad. (Tell him/her the truth.)
Clarification
- When the indirect object is not clear, a clarifying phrase with "a" is used:
Lehablo a Marรญa. (I talk to Marรญa.)
- This is common withleandlessince 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 โ usually the person for whom something is done.
Spanish sentences often include both the pronoun and the noun (for clarity), especially withleandles, 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 escribiรฉndole una carta, Dile la verdad).
When the indirect object is not clear, a clarifying phrase with "a" is used (e.g., Le hablo a Marรญa).
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.
Get Started
Track your progress, chat with the AI, access more exercises.
Last updated: Thu Jul 17, 2025