When using affirmative commands (also known as the imperative mood) with pronouns in Spanish, the pronouns are typically attached to the end of the verb. This process is called "affirmative command pronoun placement" or "pronoun clitic placement."
Spanish
English
Cómpralo (el libro) hoy en la tarde.
Buy it (the book) this afternoon.
Commands With Pronouns in Spanish
In Spanish, pronouns that can be attached to the end of affirmative commands include direct object pronouns (me, te, lo/la, nos, os, los/las), indirect object pronouns (me, te, le, nos, os, les), and reflexive pronouns (me, te, se, nos, os, se). Here are a few examples of common commands:
- "Dime" (Tell me) - The verb "decir" (to tell) becomes "dime" with the direct object pronoun "me" attached to the end.
- "Hazlo" (Do it) - The verb "hacer" (to do) becomes "hazlo" with the direct object pronoun "lo" attached to the end.
- "Cómetelo" (Eat it) - The verb "comer" (to eat) becomes "cómetelo" with the indirect object pronoun “te” and the direct object pronoun "lo" attached to the end.
- "Dámelos" (Give them to me) - The verb "dar" (to give) becomes "dámelos" with the indirect object pronoun "me" and the direct object pronoun "los" attached to the end.
Sometimes, the addition of the pronoun creates a word of three or more syllables, making it an "esdrújula" word. This means that an accent mark must now be added to the syllable where the stress normally falls.
Note: Remember that double object pronouns cannot be separated, and the indirect object pronoun goes before the direct object pronoun.
Spanish
English
Cómpraselo hoy en la tarde.
Buy it for her this afternoon.
Díselo mañana.
Tell him or her tomorrow.
Tráemela ahora.
Bring it to me now.
Quiz
1/3
Translate this sentence using the correct pronouns:
"Tell me where the book is".
0
correct answers.