Direct Object Pronouns (lo, la, los, las)

Spanish: Los pronombres de objeto directo (lo, la, los, las)

Level: A2 Elementary

Category: pronouns

Explanation

Direct object pronouns replace the direct object of a sentence so you do not have to repeat the noun. The direct object is the person or thing that directly receives the action of the verb. For example, in "Veo el museo" (I see the museum), "el museo" is the direct object, and we can replace it: "Lo veo" (I see it). The pronouns are: lo (masculine singular), la (feminine singular), los (masculine plural), and las (feminine plural). They must agree in gender and number with the noun they replace. So "la llave" (the key) becomes "la" ("La tengo" = I have it), and "los billetes" (the tickets) becomes "los" ("Los compro" = I buy them). Normally the pronoun goes before the conjugated verb: "¿Quieres el café? Sí, lo quiero" (Do you want the coffee? Yes, I want it). However, with the infinitive, the gerund, and the affirmative command, the pronoun can attach to the end of the verb: "Voy a comprarlo" or "Lo voy a comprar"; "Estoy bebiéndolo" or "Lo estoy bebiendo"; "¡Cómpralo!" (Buy it!). These pronouns are very useful in everyday conversations such as ordering at a café, shopping at the market, or making a reservation at a restaurant, because they make speech more natural and fluid by avoiding repetition.

Examples

• ¿Quieres el café? Sí, lo quiero. - Do you want the coffee? Yes, I want it.
• ¿Dónde está la llave? La tengo yo. - Where is the key? I have it.
• Estos tomates están buenos. Los compro. - These tomatoes look good. I'll buy them.
• ¿Las entradas? Las venden en la taquilla. - The tickets? They sell them at the ticket office.
• La cuenta, por favor. ¿Me la trae? - The bill, please. Could you bring it to me?