Español — Direct object pronouns

Spanish replaces the direct object with an unstressed (atonic) pronoun: me, te, lo, la, nos, os, los, las. In Compro el libro → Lo compro, lo stands for el libro.

How it works

✓ Rule

The pronoun goes before the conjugated verb and agrees in gender and number with its antecedent: Veo a María → La veo; Tengo los billetes → Los tengo. Neutral lo also replaces a whole idea: —¿Sabes que llegó? —Lo sé.

The pronouns

Unstressed direct object pronouns
Pronoun	Person / use	Example
me	1st person sing.	Ana me llama.
te	2nd person sing.	Yo te veo.
lo	3rd masc. sing. / neutral	Lo compro. / Lo sé.
la	3rd fem. sing.	La conozco.
nos	1st person pl.	Ellos nos ayudan.
os	2nd person pl.	Os invito a todos.
los	3rd masc. pl.	Los tengo aquí.
las	3rd fem. pl.	Las leo por la noche.

Good to know

⚠ Note

In central and northern Spain, lo for a masculine person is often replaced by le (leísmo): ¿Viste a Juan? —Sí, le vi. The RAE accepts le only for a masculine singular person; the general standard remains lo vi. Never use le for things or feminine antecedents.