Direct Object Pronouns

Capítulo 9

• A direct object is a word in a sentence that receives the action of the verb. The direct object can either be a noun or a pronoun.

• The direct object pronoun replaces the direct object. In Spanish, the direct objects are the same as the definite article for the word being replaced except for el, which becomes lo. Lo can also replace él or a male name and la can also replace ella or a female name.

• Direct object pronouns answer the questions, “who?” or “what?”

• In Spanish, the direct object pronouns are placed directly in front of the verb.

• Me me

• Te you

• Lo it, him

• La it, her

• Los them

• Las them

• Nos us

Direct vs. Indirect (me, te, nos)

• La profesora me ensenó el español. The teacher taught me Spanish.

• Mi amiga me llamó. My friend called me.

• Yo te dije la cuenta. I told you the story. • Yo te vi. I saw you.

• Su amiga nos dio el regalo. Her friend gave us the gift.• Su amiga nos invitó a la fiesta. Her friend invited us to the party.

Me, te, & nos

• Ella me invitó a la fiesta. She invited me to the party.

• Yo te llamé ayer. I called you yesterday.

• El médico vio a mi familia y a mi el año pasado. The doctor saw my family and I last year.• El médico nos vio el año pasado. The doctor saw us last year. (“Us”

referring to my family and I.)

Lo & la

• El niño leyó el periódico. The boy read the newspaper• El niño lo leyó. The boy read it. (“It” referring to the newspaper.)

• La niña compró la bufanda. The girl bought the scarf.• La niña la compró. The girl bought it. (“It” referring to the scarf.)

• El niño llamó a Carla. The boy called Carla.• El niño la llamó. The boy called her. (“Her” referring to Carla.)

• La niña invitó a Mario. The girl invited Mario.• La niña lo invitó. The girl invited him. (“Him” referring to Mario.)

Los & las

• Nosotros compramos los libros. We bought the books.• Nosotros los compramos. We bought them. (“Them” referring to the books.)

• Ellas llevan las gafas del sol. They wear sunglasses.• Ellas las llevan. They wear them. (“Them” referring to the sunglasses.)

• Yo ayudé a los estudiantes. I helped the students.• Yo los ayudé. I helped them. (“Them” referring to the students.)

• Tú llevaste las toallas playeras a la playa. You brought towels to the beach.• Tú las llevaste a la playa. You brought them to the beach. (“Them” referring to

towels.)