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Spanish Direct Object Pronouns Overview
Spanish direct object pronouns replace direct objects to avoid repetition and make speech more natural. They answer "what?" or "whom?" after the verb.
Key Function: Replace nouns that receive the action directly
Position: Usually go before the conjugated verb
Agreement: Must match the gender and number of the noun they replace
Direct Object Test: Ask "what?" or "whom?" after the verb. If there's an answer, it's a direct object that can be replaced with a pronoun.
Examples
Veo el libro → Lo veo.
I see the book → I see it. (lo replaces "el libro")
Compro la casa → La compro.
I buy the house → I buy it. (la replaces "la casa")
Llaman a María → La llaman.
They call María → They call her. (la replaces "a María")
Complete List of Direct Object Pronouns
Here are all Spanish direct object pronouns:
Direct Object Pronouns Chart
Direct object pronouns must match the gender and number of the noun they replace:
Spanish Direct Object Pronouns
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English |
|---|---|---|
| me | me | Me ven (They see me) |
| te | you (informal) | Te llamo (I call you) |
| lo | him/it/you (formal m.) | Lo conozco (I know him) |
| la | her/it/you (formal f.) | La veo (I see her) |
| nos | us | Nos invitan (They invite us) |
| os | you all (informal, Spain) | Os escucho (I listen to you all) |
| los | them/you all (masculine) | Los compro (I buy them) |
| las | them/you all (feminine) | Las leo (I read them) |
El profesor me ayuda.
The teacher helps me.
Te veo mañana.
I see you tomorrow.
Lo necesito ahora.
I need it/him now.
Las estudiamos juntas.
We study them together. (feminine plural)
Gender and Number Agreement
Direct object pronouns must agree with the noun they replace:
Third Person Agreement (lo, la, los, las)
The third person pronouns change based on the gender and number of the replaced noun:
Masculine singular: lo (him/it)
Feminine singular: la (her/it)
Masculine plural: los (them)
Feminine plural: las (them)
el libro → lo leo
the book → I read it (masculine singular)
la revista → la leo
the magazine → I read it (feminine singular)
los coches → los vendo
the cars → I sell them (masculine plural)
las casas → las compro
the houses → I buy them (feminine plural)
People vs. Things
Direct object pronouns work the same for people and things:
For people: Use lo/la/los/las based on gender
For things: Use lo/la/los/las based on grammatical gender
Important: "A" before people doesn't change the pronoun choice
Veo a Juan → Lo veo.
I see Juan → I see him. (masculine person)
Conozco a María → La conozco.
I know María → I know her. (feminine person)
Invito a mis amigos → Los invito.
I invite my friends → I invite them. (masculine plural)
Llamo a las chicas → Las llamo.
I call the girls → I call them. (feminine plural)
Pronoun Placement Rules
Direct object pronouns have specific placement rules in Spanish:
Before Conjugated Verbs
The most common position is before the conjugated verb:
Rule: Pronoun + conjugated verb
Applies to: All tenses and moods
Lo veo todos los días.
I see him every day. (present tense)
La compré ayer.
I bought it yesterday. (preterite)
Los vamos a estudiar.
We are going to study them. (near future)
No te entiendo.
I don't understand you. (with negation)
Attached to Infinitives
With infinitives, you can attach the pronoun to the end:
Option 1: Before conjugated verb (Lo voy a hacer)
Option 2: Attached to infinitive (Voy a hacerlo)
Both are correct and equally common
Lo quiero comprar. = Quiero comprarlo.
I want to buy it. (both forms correct)
La vamos a ver. = Vamos a verla.
We are going to see her. (both forms correct)
Los puedo ayudar. = Puedo ayudarlos.
I can help them. (both forms correct)
Attached to Present Participles
With present participles (-ando/-iendo), attach the pronoun to the end:
Rule: Present participle + pronoun
Note: Add accent mark to maintain stress
Estoy leyéndolo.
I am reading it. (accent on é)
Están comprándola.
They are buying it. (accent on á)
Estamos viéndolos.
We are seeing them. (accent on é)
Attached to Affirmative Commands
With affirmative commands, attach the pronoun to the end:
Affirmative: Attach to end (¡Cómpralo!)
Negative: Before verb (¡No lo compres!)
¡Cómpralo! vs. ¡No lo compres!
Buy it! vs. Don't buy it!
¡Léela! vs. ¡No la leas!
Read it! vs. Don't read it!
¡Ayúdanos! vs. ¡No nos ayudes!
Help us! vs. Don't help us!
Common Verbs with Direct Objects
Many Spanish verbs commonly take direct objects that can be replaced with pronouns:
Everyday Verbs
These verbs frequently use direct object pronouns:
ver (to see) → Lo veo.
to see → I see him/it.
comprar (to buy) → La compro.
to buy → I buy it.
hacer (to do/make) → Los hago.
to do/make → I do/make them.
leer (to read) → Las leo.
to read → I read them.
conocer (to know) → Te conozco.
to know → I know you.
llamar (to call) → Me llaman.
to call → They call me.
Direct vs. Indirect Objects
It's important to distinguish between direct and indirect objects:
Direct Object: Receives the action directly (answers "what?" or "whom?")
Indirect Object: Shows to/for whom the action is done (answers "to whom?" or "for whom?")
Test: Try putting "to" or "for" before the noun. If it makes sense, it's likely indirect.
Examples
Veo a María. (Direct: Whom do I see? María)
I see María. → La veo.
Doy el libro a María. (Indirect: To whom? To María)
I give the book to María. → Le doy el libro.
Compro flores. (Direct: What do I buy? Flowers)
I buy flowers. → Las compro.
Compro flores para María. (Indirect: For whom? For María)
I buy flowers for María. → Le compro flores.
Common Direct Object Pronoun Mistakes
Here are common mistakes Spanish learners make with direct object pronouns:
Mistake 1: Wrong gender/number agreement
Mistake 2: Incorrect placement with infinitives
Mistake 3: Confusing direct and indirect objects
Mistake 4: Forgetting accent marks with participles
Learning to avoid these mistakes will make your Spanish sound natural.
Examples
❌ La veo (referring to "el libro") → ✅ Lo veo
Wrong: I see it (wrong gender) → Right: I see it (masculine)
❌ Quiero lo comprar → ✅ Lo quiero comprar / Quiero comprarlo
Wrong: I want it buy → Right: I want to buy it
❌ Lo doy el libro (should be indirect) → ✅ Le doy el libro
Wrong: I him give the book → Right: I give the book to him
❌ Estoy leyendolo → ✅ Estoy leyéndolo
Wrong: I am reading it → Right: I am reading it (with accent)