Pronouns and referenceSpanishA2

Direct object pronouns

Lo, la, los, and las replace a repeated direct object once it is already clear.

Examples

SpanishTranslation
¿Tienes la llave? Sí, la tengo.

Do you have the key? Yes, I have it.

Busco mis gafas, pero no las encuentro.

I am looking for my glasses, but I cannot find them.

Ese libro ya lo conozco.

I already know that book.

Pattern

object pronoun + conjugated verb

How it works

Lo, la, los, and las replace a repeated direct object once it is already clear. This pattern typically appears as object pronoun + conjugated verb and becomes easier when you meet it again in short, readable examples.

What to notice

  • The pronoun usually comes before a conjugated verb.
  • Its gender and number come from the object being replaced.

Why it matters

Reduce repetition and keep a conversation moving.

Use in context

This is one of the first places where Spanish starts to feel more compact than English.