Direct Object Pronouns in Spanish

A direct object pronoun (un pronombre de objeto directo ) replaces a direct object, which is a noun
that directly receives the action of a verb in a sentence.

Just like subject pronouns replace the subject noun in a sentence, direct object pronouns replace the
direct object noun in a sentence, which can be a person, thing, noun phrase, or nominalized clause.

Direct Object Pronouns

The table below shows the different forms direct objects can take in Spanish.

Subject Singular Plural

First person me (me) nos (us)

Second person te (informal you) los, las, os (informal you)

Third person lo, la (it, him, her, formal you) los, las (them, formal you)

Let's take a look at how direct object pronouns can do the work of direct objects in Spanish sentences.

Direct Object Pronouns and People

A direct object pronoun can take the place of a direct object referring to a person. In the first sentence
below, the direct object is mi mamá. It can be replaced by the direct object pronoun la, as shown in
the second example.

Llamaron a mi mamá. La llamaron.

They called my mother. They called her

Direct Object Pronouns and Things

In the first sentence below, la pelota receives the action of tira, and thus is the direct object of the
sentence. It is singular, feminine, and a thing, so it is in the third person. Therefore, you can replace it
with the direct object pronoun la, as shown in the second example.

Sandra tira la pelota.

Sandra throws the ball.

Sandra la tira.
Sandra throws it.
Direct Objects and Phrases

In the first sentence in the pair of examples below, muchos libros receives the action of leen. It is
plural, masculine, and a plural noun phrase, so it can be replaced with the direct object pronoun los,
as shown in the second example.

Los niños leen muchos libros.

The boys read lots of books.

Los niños los leen.

The boys read them.

Ahora vamos a practicar:

1. They want the book. _______ quieren.

2. I know them. (Juan and Maria) _______ conozco.
3. Juan knows me. _______ conoce.
4. You love me. _______ amas.
5. You-all drink milk. _______ beben.
6. He buys the magazines. _______ compra.
7. They see Maria. _______ ven.
8. I have the pen. (el lapicero). _______ tengo.
9. You-all want the house. _______ quieren
10. I love you. _______ amo.

Translate the following sentences by writing the correct form of the verb and replacing the direct
object by its direct object pronoun (when necessary)

1. You-all understand the lesson. (comprender). __________________________.

2. She watches television. (mirar). ___________________________.
3. You (familiar) understand the lesson. (comprender). __________________________.
4. I love her. (amar). __________________________.
5. She believes it. (creer). __________________________.