Direct object pronouns: lo, la, los, las
A2Grammar path · Lesson 29 of 86 · Stage A2 · Object pronouns
Once you have mentioned a person or thing, a direct object pronoun lets you refer to it again without repeating the noun. Choose it by gender and number: lo (masculine singular), la (feminine singular), los (masculine plural), las (feminine plural). It goes before a conjugated verb: Lo compré, No la conozco. With an infinitive, a gerund or a positive command it attaches to the end: comprarlo. Do not confuse it with le, les (indirect object): lo/la answer 'what or whom', while le answers 'to or for whom'.
Practise this lesson · 10 sentences
Form
lo/la/los/las + verbo conjugadono + lo/la/los/las + verbo conjugado¿lo/la/los/las + verbo conjugado?verbo conjugado + infinitivo-lo/-la/-los/-lasWhen to use it
Replacing a thing already mentioned
When the listener already knows which thing you mean, use lo/la/los/las instead of the noun, matching its gender and number.
Replacing people
For people as direct objects (to see, visit, call or know someone) you also use lo/la/los/las. A mixed group of men and women takes los.
Attached to gerunds and commands
With a gerund or a positive command, the pronoun attaches to the end of the verb, often with an added accent mark to keep the stress.
Direct object pronouns
Don't confuse it with
Frequently asked questions
When do I use lo and when la?
Follow the gender of the noun it replaces: lo for masculine (el libro), la for feminine (la casa). In the plural use los and las.
Where does lo go with two verbs?
Put it before the conjugated verb or attach it to the infinitive: Lo voy a comprar and Voy a comprarlo are both correct.
Is a mixed group los or las?
Use los. Use las only when everyone or everything is feminine.
How do I say 'I see you' to usted?
Use lo for a man and la for a woman: Lo veo, señor; La veo, señora.
Why does le lo become se lo?
When le/les comes right before lo/la/los/las, le changes to se: Se lo di (I gave it to him).