Indirect Object Pronouns (me, te, le, nos, os, les)

Spanish: Pronombres de Objeto Indirecto (me, te, le, nos, os, les)

Level: A2 Elementary

Category: pronouns

Explanation

Indirect object pronouns indicate to whom or for whom the action of the verb is done. They answer the questions "to whom?" or "for whom?". For example, in "Le doy el libro a María" (I give the book to María), the pronoun "le" shows that María is the one receiving the book. The pronouns are: me (to me), te (to you), le (to him/her/you formal), nos (to us), os (to you all, Spain) and les (to them/you all). Unlike direct object pronouns, indirect object pronouns have only one form for the third person singular (le) and one for the plural (les), without distinguishing gender. That is, "le" works for both him and her. The position of the pronoun follows the same rules as the direct object: it goes before the conjugated verb (Te escribo una carta = I write you a letter) or attaches to the end of an infinitive, gerund, or affirmative command (Voy a escribirte / Escríbeme). In Spanish it is very common to "double" the indirect object, using the pronoun together with the full phrase: "Le doy el regalo a mi madre" (I give the gift to my mother). This may sound repetitive in English, but it is completely natural in Spanish. When a third-person indirect object pronoun (le, les) appears next to a third-person direct object pronoun (lo, la, los, las), the indirect one changes to "se". For example, "Le doy el libro" becomes "Se lo doy" (I give it to him), never "le lo doy".

Examples

• ¿Me trae la cuenta, por favor? - Will you bring me the bill, please?
• El camarero nos recomienda el pescado. - The waiter recommends the fish to us.
• Te preparo un café con leche. - I'll make you a café con leche.
• ¿Le doy la llave de la habitación ahora? - Shall I give you the room key now?
• La recepcionista me explica el horario del desayuno. - The receptionist explains the breakfast schedule to me.