Pronombre de complemento indirecto

Spanish indirect object pronoun

Written by qualified Spanish expert Inma Sánchez BA
Last updated: 2023-06-26

See also: Pronombre and Pronoun types

Indirect object pronouns usually replace people (or other living things) that are introduced after the verb with a preposition (a or para). They indicate the person who the action of the verb is destined to or for.

Juan trajo unas flores a Ana.
Juan brought Ana some flowers.

Juan le trajo unas flores.
Juan brought her some flowers. (To whom? To Ana).

Mi madre ha comprado un regalo para mí.
My mum has bought a present for me.

Mi madre me ha comprado un regalo.
My mum has bought me a present. (For whom? For me).

Note that the preposition disappears when you use the pronoun.

Warning: Not all prepositions introduce an indirect object! Indirect objects are specifically the ones that the verb is doing something to or for.

Personal pronoun

Spanish indirect

object pronouns

 English
yo me me
tú te you
él / ella
usted		 le/se*
le/se*
 him/ her 
you 
nosotros / nosotras nos us 
vosotros / vosotras os you
ellos / ellas
ustedes		 les/se*
les/se*		 them 
you 

* Note that the pronoun le is for both him and her, and also for the plural masculine and feminine, but le/les become se in specific cases.

Lessons with more detail on Pronombre de complemento indirecto

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