Spanish Indirect Object Pronouns: Saying Who Receives or Experiences Something

In this lesson, you will use Spanish indirect object pronouns to identify the person who receives something, benefits from an action, or experiences a sensation.

The indirect object pronouns

Pronoun	Typical meaning
	to / for me
	to / for you
	to / for him, her, or you formal
	to / for us
	to / for you all
	to / for them or you all

Recipient with dar

Compare the thing given with the person receiving it.

— I give the book to Ana.

— I give her the book.

is the thing given. represents the recipient.

More examples with dar

— You give me the number.
— I give you the address.
— They give us the tickets.
— I give them the information.

Experience with doler

The same indirect object pronouns identify who experiences pain.

— My head hurts.
— Your throat hurts.
— His / her back hurts.
— Our feet hurt.
— Their hands hurt.

Clarify le or les with a + person

and can refer to several possible people. Add a + person when the reference needs to be clear.

— I give the book to Ana.
— Carlos's back hurts.
— I give the tickets to Ana and Carlos.

The clarifying phrase does not replace or in these standard patterns.

Direct object versus indirect object

Compare:

— I give the book to Ana.

— the book: the thing directly given
— to Ana: the recipient

With pronouns:

— I give her the book.

This lesson focuses on the indirect object only. Combining a direct object pronoun and an indirect object pronoun in the same clause is reserved for a later lesson.

Indirect object before a conjugated verb

— He / she gives me the receipt.
— I write you a message.
— I explain the problem to him / her.
— They tell us the time.

With a conjugated verb plus infinitive

In familiar two-verb structures, the indirect object pronoun can often appear before the conjugated verb or attached to the infinitive.

— I want to give you the number.
— I want to give you the number.
— I am going to explain the problem to him / her.
— I am going to explain the problem to him / her.

Do not confuse recipient and thing

Person A: — What do you give Ana?

Person B: — I give her the book.

Person A: — To whom do you give the book?

Person B: — I give the book to Ana.

Health example

Person A: — What hurts Carlos?

Person B: — His back hurts.

A practical identification method

Identify the thing or action involved.
Ask who receives it, benefits from it, or experiences it.
Choose , , , , , or for that person.
Put the pronoun before a simple conjugated verb.
With studied infinitive structures, place it before the conjugated verb or attach it to the infinitive.
Use a + person to clarify or when needed.
Do not combine direct and indirect object pronouns yet.

From Indirect Objects to Appointment Details

You can now identify who receives or experiences something with an indirect object pronoun. The next lesson focuses on understanding appointment details and simple health questions accurately.