Indirect Object Pronouns in Spanish

Learn how to use Spanish indirect object pronouns me, te, le, nos, os, and les to show who receives or is affected by an action.

A2 · Grammar

  • pronouns
  • sentence-structure
  • indirect-objects

Indirect Object Pronouns in Spanish

Indirect object pronouns show to whom or for whom an action is done.

  • Doy el libro a Ana. → Le doy el libro. — I give her the book.
  • Compro un regalo para Marta. → Le compro un regalo. — I buy her a gift.

Indirect object pronouns

MeaningPronoun
to / for meme
to / for youte
to / for him, her, youle
to / for usnos
to / for you allos
to / for them, you allles

Le and les do not show gender:

  • Le escribo a Carlos.
  • Le escribo a Ana.

Both use le.

How to identify the indirect object

Ask to whom? or for whom?

Ana da un regalo a Marta.

  • What? → un regalo = direct object
  • To whom? → a Marta = indirect object

→ Ana le da un regalo.

Where does the pronoun go?

With a conjugated verb, put the pronoun before the verb:

Le escribo.

I write to him / her.

Te preparo un café.

I make you a coffee.

Les mando un mensaje.

I send them a message.

With a conjugated verb + infinitive, both positions are possible:

  • Le quiero escribir.
  • Quiero escribirle.

Both mean “I want to write to him / her.”

Le and les with a + person

Spanish often uses le / les even when the person is also mentioned:

  • Le doy el libro a Ana.
  • Les mando un mensaje a mis padres.

The a + person phrase makes it clear who le or les refers to.

With gustar

Indirect object pronouns are also used with gustar and similar verbs:

Me gusta el café.

I like coffee.

Te gustan estos zapatos.

You like these shoes.

Le gusta viajar.

He / She likes traveling.

Here, the pronoun shows who experiences the feeling.

Direct vs. indirect object pronouns

Doy el libro a Ana.

  • el libro → direct object → lo
  • a Ana → indirect object → le

So:

Lo doy.

I give it.

Le doy el libro.

I give her the book.

See Direct Object Pronouns for more detail.

When both pronouns appear together:

  • Doy el libro a Ana. → Se lo doy.

See Direct and Indirect Object Pronouns Together for the full rule.

Quick rule

Use:

me · te · le · nos · os · les

to show to whom or for whom an action is done.

  • Doy un regalo a Ana. → Le doy un regalo.
  • Escribo a mis padres. → Les escribo.

Remember: le / les distinguish number, not gender.