CONTENT
A direct object is a noun that receives the action of a verb. In order to avoid repetition, the direct object can be replaced with a pronoun.
Spanish
English
- ¿Puedes cocinar la pasta?
- Sí, en unos minutos la cocino.
- Can you cook the pasta?
- Yes, I'll cook it in a few minutes.
Direct Object Pronoun in Use
Rule 1. The function of direct object pronouns is to avoid repeatedly naming an object that has already been mentioned.
Spanish
English
- ¿Ya compraste el libro?
- Sí, lo compré esta mañana.
- Have you already bought the book?
- Yes, I bought it this morning.
In the above example, the object is el libro, or the book, which is mentioned in the question. In the answer, the speaker uses the direct object pronoun lo to avoid saying el libro again, because it is not necessary. Both speakers know what they are talking about. If it were not used, the conversation would look like this:
Spanish
English
- ¿Ya compraste el libro?
- Sí, ya compré el libro.
- Have you bought the book?
- Yes, I already bought the book.
This is not wrong, but it does not sound so natural and may seem repetitive.
Direct Object Pronoun Form
Rule 2. Direct object pronouns must agree in gender and number with the noun they are replacing. Here are the Spanish direct object pronouns:
| Direct Object Pronouns | Translation |
|---|---|
| me | me |
| te | you (informal) |
| lo, la | him, her, it, you (formal) |
| nos | us |
| os | you (informal) |
| los, las | them, you (formal) |
| Direct Object Pronouns | Translation |
|---|---|
| me | me |
| te | you (informal) |
| lo, la | him, her, it, you (formal) |
| nos | us |
| os | you (informal) |
| los, las | them, you (formal) |
Some examples in context:
Spanish
English
¿Tienes una pluma azul? ¿La vas a usar en clase?
Do you have a blue pen? Are you going to use it in class?
Nunca nos escucha.
He never listens to us.
¿Tienes hojas blancas? ¿Las vas a usar en clase?
Do you have white sheets? Are you going to use them in class?
¿Tienes lápices de colores? ¿Los vas a usar en clase?
Do you have colored pencils and will you use them in class?
Rule 3. They are placed before conjugated verbs.
Spanish
English
- ¿Tienes una goma? ¿Me la prestas?
- Do you have an eraser? Can I borrow it?
Direct Object Pronoun with the Present Progressive
Rule 4. When using direct object pronouns in the present progressive (the verbal periphrasis estar + gerund), the pronoun can be placed in two ways. First, the pronoun can go before the conjugated verb form of estar.
Spanish
English
Te estoy buscando
Estoy buscándote.
I'm looking for you
You can also attach it to the verb in the present participle. In this case, an accent mark must always be added.
Spanish
English
Estoy buscándote.
I'm looking for you.
Direct Object Pronoun with Infinitive Verb Forms
Rule 5. When you have two verbs in a sentence and the second one is in the infinitive form, you can add the pronoun before the conjugated verb, as mentioned above, but you can also attach it to the verb in the infinitive form.
Spanish
English
- ¿Necesitas el maletín?
- Sí, necesito comprarlo.
- Do you need the case?
- Yes, I need to buy it.
Quiz
1/3
¿Puedes hacer la comida?
0
correct answers.