Pronombres de objeto indirecto (Indirect Object Pronouns)

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Now that we have learned about direct object pronouns and how to use them, let’s move on to indirect object pronouns in Spanish. You already learned about them in lesson 4.3, when you learned about the verb gustar (to like), as in:

“A mí me gusta el jazz” and “Nos gusta la música country.”

While direct objects answer the question “what?” or “whom?” the verb acts upon, indirect objects answer the question “to whom?” or “for whom?” the action is done.

Let’s analyze the following example:

El artista le pinta un cuadro a su madre.

• What is the verb in the sentence?

pinta

• Who is doing the action?

El artista

• What is the direct object? And how do we know?

Un cuadro, because if we ask the question “What is the artist painting?” The answer is a painting (un cuadro).

• Who is the indirect object? How do we know?

A su madre, because if we ask “For whom is the artist painting the painting?” The answer is for his mother.

• What is the indirect object pronoun in the sentence?

le, which relates to the mother.

• Do we have to include both the indirect object pronoun and the indirect object in the sentence?

Yes, but only in the case of indirect objects. Why? It’s just a quirky phenomenon of the language! Since a su madre is being introduced for the first time, both the pronoun and what is being replaced by the pronoun are repeated. Once it is clear who the indirect object is, you can forego the object and only use the indirect object pronoun.

So now, let’s add another column to our table with indirect object pronouns.

Note: When comparing direct and indirect object pronouns, you’ll notice that only some pronouns (3rd person singular and plural) change in the indirect object column. Also, indirect object pronouns change only for number and not for gender.

Like direct object pronouns, indirect object pronouns are also placed before a conjugated verb, or when two verbs are being used together, before the conjugated one or attached to the second one (an infinitive or gerund).

Let’s see some examples in conversation:

1. Ana: ¿Nos traes los pinceles (a nosotros)? 🖌️

Can you bring us the paintbrushes?

Carlos: Sí, les traigo los pinceles el martes. 😊

Yes, I’ll bring you the paintbrushes on Tuesday.

2. María: ¿Quién le está cantando canciones a Estela? 🕺

Who is singing songs to Estela?

Juan: Roberto le está cantando canciones. / Roberto está cantándole canciones. 🎶

Roberto is singing songs to her.

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