We are going to take an in-depth look at direct object pronouns in Spanish. But, first let’s review a few concepts. Remember that pronouns replace nouns, and direct objects receive the action of the sentence. Therefore, a direct object pronoun is a word that replaces the direct object in a sentence. Take a look at this example.
Jessica eats a pizza.
What does Jessica eat? A pizza, so a pizza is the direct object. Now, we can replace this phrase with a pronoun.
Jessica eats a pizza. Jessica eats it.
Direct object pronouns in Spanish can be objects or people, although the most common situation is that the direct object is a thing, instead of a person.
Direct Object Pronouns in Spanish
Take a look at the chart below, which shows the direct object pronouns in Spanish.
| Subject Pronouns | Direct Object Pronouns |
| yo | |
| tú | |
| él, ella, usted | |
| nosotros, nosotras | |
| vosotros, vosotras | |
| ellos, ellas, ustedes |
Direct object pronouns in Spanish are placed before the verb.
Mis alumnos siempre me escuchan.
My students always listen to me.
Tus padres te están buscando desde esta mañana.
Your parents have been looking for you since this morning.
Yo preparo el café. Yo lo preparo.
I make coffee. I make it.
Yo como la manzana. Yo la como.
I eat the apple. I eat it.
Nosotros hablamos inglés y ella nos comprende.
We speak English and she understands us.
Vuestra prima vive en Estados Unidos. Os llama desde allí.
Your cousin lives in the United States. She is calling you from there.
El cartero pierde los sobres. El cartero los pierde.
The postman loses the envelopes. The postman loses them.
Tú escribes las frases. Tú las escribes.
You write the sentences. You write them.
As you can see, the direct object pronoun when referring to him, her, it or them agrees in gender and number with the noun it is replacing.
It is very common to use the pronouns
Yo no oigo a Luis. No lo oigo.
Yo no oigo a Luis. No le oigo.
I don’t hear Luis. I don’t hear him.
Yo no oigo a Luis y Antonio. No los oigo.
Yo no oigo a Luis y Antonio. No les oigo.
I don’t hear Luis and Antonio. I don’t hear them.
Negative Sentences
In negative sentences, direct object pronouns in Spanish are placed between the
La puerta está cerrada. ¿Dónde está la llave? No la encuentro.
The door is closed. Where is the key? I can’t find it.
Mis vecinos están nerviosos. No los quiero ver así.
My neighbors are nervous. I do not want to see them like that.
La ventana está cerrada y hace calor. Pero no la abro porque huele mal fuera.
The window is closed and it’s hot. But, I don’t open it because it smells bad outside.
¿Dónde está tu tío? No lo veo en su casa.
Where’s your uncle? I don’t see him at his house.
Interrogative Sentences
In a question, direct object pronouns in Spanish are placed before the verb but after the question word. Look at these examples.
¿Cuándo la ves? ¿Los lunes o los martes?
When do you see her? Mondays or Tuesdays?
Estoy haciendo un pastel de chocolate. ¿A qué temperatura lo horneo?
I’m making a chocolate cake. At which temperature do I bake it?
No encuentro tus llaves. ¿Dónde las guardas?
I can’t find your keys. Where do you keep them?
Estoy aprendiendo la canción con el piano. ¿La cantas conmigo?
I am learning the song on the piano. Will you sing it with me?
Exercises
Here are some exercises to practice direct object pronouns in Spanish.