A direct object pronoun can refer back to a thing already mentioned, so you do not need to repeat its name.
The idea
Use lo for a masculine singular object, la for feminine singular, los for masculine plural and las for feminine plural. The pronoun normally precedes a conjugated verb: la veo. With an infinitive, it can precede the conjugated verb or attach to the infinitive: las quiero comprar / quiero comprarlas.
Examples
- El libro está aquí. Lo necesito.The book is here. I need it.
- La llave está en la mesa. La veo.The key is on the table. I can see it.
- Los zapatos son nuevos. Los compré ayer.The shoes are new. I bought them yesterday.
- Las flores son bonitas. Las quiero comprar.The flowers are beautiful. I want to buy them.
- ¿Tienes la carta? Sí, la tengo.Do you have the menu? Yes, I have it.
- No lo recuerdo.I do not remember it.
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Watch out
Choose the pronoun by the grammatical gender and number of the Spanish noun, not by its translation. With a negative, no precedes the pronoun: no lo recuerdo.
Try it yourself
El libro: ___ necesito. (Lo / La)
Show answer or example answer
Lo
Lo refers to masculine singular el libro.
La llave: ___ veo. (la / los)
Show answer or example answer
la
La refers to feminine singular la llave.
Los zapatos: ___ compré. (los / las)
Show answer or example answer
los
Los refers to masculine plural los zapatos.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Spanish sentences where available. We keep your score.
El libro: ___ necesito. (Lo / La)
La llave: ___ veo. (la / los)
Los zapatos: ___ compré. (los / las)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Mention a book and a key, then say that you need one and see the other using object pronouns.