Information to Mastering the 9 Forms of Spanish Pronouns
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Languages use pronombres (pronouns) to keep away from repeating a noun. Understanding the best way to use pronouns like él (he), los (them), los nuestros (ours), éste (this), yo (I), la tuya (yours), and extra will assist you to categorical your self extra fluently and navigate conversations with ease.
On this information, you’ll discover 9 sorts of Spanish pronouns that you just’ll encounter in on a regular basis speech, the best way to use them, and when to omit them. Plus, you’ll learn the way Rosetta Stone can speed up your mastery of various kinds of Spanish pronouns with out you needing to memorize too many guidelines.
What are the sorts of Spanish pronouns?
A pronoun is solely an alternative to a noun, together with names of individuals, locations, issues, and concepts. They check with somebody or one thing with out repeating the phrase that’s already identified.
These classes of pronouns serve completely different functions in a sentence, although all of them keep away from repetition.
| Sort of Spanish Pronoun | Function/Description |
| Topic pronoun | Tells who or what’s doing the motion or verb |
| Direct object pronoun | Tells who or what the motion is being accomplished to |
| Oblique object pronoun | Tells to whom/what or for whom/what the motion is occurring |
| Prepositional object pronouns | Comply with a preposition corresponding to para |
| Reflexive pronouns | Point out that the topic and object of the verb is similar |
| Relative pronouns | Present further data and hyperlink the principle clause with a relative clause |
| Indefinite pronouns | Confer with non-specific folks or issues |
| Possessive pronouns | Point out possession or possession |
| Demonstrative pronouns | Level out particular issues and other people |
Topic pronouns in Spanish
Los pronombres sujetos (topic pronouns) are used as an alternative to the factor or particular person performing the verb (motion of the sentence). They’re arguably the primary kind of pronouns in Spanish that you must concentrate on.
The topic pronoun solutions the query “Who’s doing the motion?”
- Robert y yo cocinamos. = Robert and I cook dinner.
- ¿Quién cocina? = Who cooks?
- Nosotros cocinamos. = We cook dinner.
| Spanish Topic Pronoun | English That means |
| yo | I |
| tú | you (singular, casual) |
| él | he |
| ella | she |
| usted | you (singular, formal) |
| nosotros | we (masculine or combined group) |
| nosotras | female |
| vosotros | you (plural, casual, masculine or combined group, Spain solely) |
| vosotras | you (plural, casual, female, Spain solely) |
| ellos | they (masculine or combined group) |
| ellas | they (female) |
| ustedes | you (plural) |
- Nosotros estudiamos español. = We research Spanish.
- Yo trabajo en una escuela. = I work in a faculty.
- ¿Tú nadaste? = Did you swim?
- Ellas trabajan juntas. = They work collectively.
Notes on Spanish topic pronouns
- They’re typically omitted if the topic is clear from the context.
- Vos is used instead of tú in some areas and Spanish dialects.
- There is no such thing as a gender impartial “it,” however él/ella can be utilized if essential to substitute for an inanimate object.
- Don’t neglect the accent marks on él (he) and tú (you), as a result of with out them they alter in that means to el (the) and tu (your).
See the in-depth information about Spanish topic pronouns for extra examples and data.
Direct object pronouns in Spanish
Direct object pronouns change the direct object—the factor or particular person receiving the motion—in a sentence.
It solutions the query “What or who’re you + verb (-ing)?”
- Invito a Marco y Pedro. = I invite Marco and Pedro.
- ¿A quién invitas? = Who do you invite?
- Los invito. = I invite them.
To make it simpler to recollect, the direct object pronouns are offered within the desk alongside their corresponding topic pronouns.
| Spanish Direct Object Pronoun | Spanish Topic Pronoun | English That means |
| me | yo | me |
| te | tú | you (singular, casual) |
| lo | él | him (particular person)it (masculine noun- factor) |
| la | ella | her (particular person)it (female noun – factor) |
| lo | usted | you (singular, formal) masculine |
| la | usted | you (singular, formal) female |
| nos | nosotros/nosotras | us |
| os | vosotros/vosotras | you (plural, casual, Spain solely) |
| los | ellos | them (masculine or combined group) |
| las | ellas | them (female) |
| los | ustedes | you (plural) – masculine |
| las | ustedes | you (plural) – female |
- Mi sobrino y mi sobrina nos visitan hoy. = My nephew and my niece are visiting us as we speak.
- Quiero comprarla. = I need to purchase it.
- Ayúdame, por favor. = Assist me, please.
- Si llueve, no lo regaré; pero si no llueve, sí. = If it rains, I received’t water it; but when it doesn’t rain, sure.
- Sí, quiero meterlos en esta.= Sure, I need to put them on this.
- ¿Nos puede fotografiar? = Are you able to {photograph} us?
Notes on Spanish direct object pronouns
- They are often positioned earlier than a conjugated verb in a sentence.
- They can be connected to the top of an infinitive verb or command kind.
- In phrases like me gusta (I prefer it), there isn’t a translation of the phrase “it.” The construction of the Spanish verb gustar works otherwise than the verb “to love” English.
See the in-depth information about Spanish direct object pronouns for extra examples and data.
Oblique object pronouns in Spanish
Oblique object pronouns change the oblique object in a sentence, which is the particular person or factor “to whom” or “for whom” the motion is finished. The oblique object is what’s not directly, in a roundabout way, affected by the verb.
It solutions the query “Who or what are you + verb (-ing) it to?”
- Deanna me dio un libro, pero yo le di un cuaderno. = Deanna gave me a guide, however I gave her a pocket book.
- ¿A quién le diste el cuaderno? = To whom did you give the pocket book?
- Le di el cuaderno a Deanna. = I gave it to Deanna.
As you’ll be able to see in these examples, the English translations could not embrace the phrase “to.”
| Spanish Direct Object Pronoun | Spanish Topic Pronoun | English That means |
| me | yo | to/for me |
| te | tú | to/for you (singular, casual) |
| le | él | to/for him (particular person)to/for it (masculine noun, factor) |
| le | ella | to/for her (particular person)to/for it (female noun, factor) |
| le | usted | to/for you (singular, formal) |
| nos | nosotros/nosotras | to/for us |
| os | vosotros/vosotras | to/for you (plural, casual, Spain solely) |
| les | ellos/ellas | to/for them (masculine or combined group) |
| les | ustedes | to/for you (plural), masculine |
- ¿Me lees un libro? = Will you learn a guide to me?
- Sí, me gustaría ir a tu fiesta.= Sure, it might be pleasing to me to go to your social gathering.
- Mi madre me dio este libro cuando yo period niña.= My mom gave this guide to me once I was slightly lady.
- Es cortés abrirles la puerta a las personas que están detrás de ti. = It’s well mannered to open the door for (them) the people who find themselves behind you.
- Le recomiendo que visite las ruinas. Aquí tiene un folleto. = I like to recommend (to you) that you just go to the ruins.
- Sí, puedo recomendarles una película. = Sure, I can suggest a film to you.
- Nos gusta venir juntos al centro comercial. = It’s pleasing to us to come back to the mall collectively.
- Yo os compré café.= I purchased espresso for you.
Notes on Spanish oblique object pronouns
- The location within the sentence is similar as direct object pronouns. They will go earlier than the conjugated verb or connected to the top of an infinitive verb or command kind.
- In phrases like me gusta (I like), the “favored” object is definitely the topic in Spanish, and the “me” interprets to “to me” and is the oblique object.
- English doesn’t at all times embrace “to” or “for” within the translations.
- If there’s an oblique object within the sentence, embrace the oblique object pronoun even when the oblique object is explicitly talked about.
Oblique vs. direct object pronouns in Spanish
To inform whether or not the sentence requires a direct vs. oblique object pronoun, establish which sort of object it’s. Ask your self if the recipient of the verb (the motion) is being acted upon instantly, or if the particular person/object is being not directly affected by the motion.
- Le tiro la pelota a Teddy. = I throw the ball to Teddy.
On this case, the ball is the direct object since it’s being thrown. Teddy is the oblique object, as a result of he’s not directly affected by the ball being thrown to him.
For extra explanations and examples, see the in-depth information on oblique object pronouns.
Spanish reflexive pronouns
Reflexive pronouns point out that the article of the verb is similar as the topic of the verb. In different phrases, the topic is performing an motion on itself.
- Yo me veo en el espejo. = I see myself within the mirror.
- Ella se pregunta, “¿Dónde estoy?” = She asks herself, “The place am I?”
| Spanish Direct Object Pronoun | Spanish Topic Pronoun | English That means |
| me | yo | myself |
| te | tú | your self (singular, casual) |
| se | él | himself (particular person)itself (masculine noun, factor) |
| se | ella | herself (particular person)itself (female noun, factor) |
| se | usted | your self (singular, formal) |
| nos | nosotros/nosotras | ourselves |
| os | vosotros/vosotras | yourselves (plural, casual, Spain solely) |
| se | ellos/ellas | themselves (masculine or combined group) |
| se | ustedes | yourselves (plural), masculine |
- Me llamo Elena. = I name myself Elena.
- Me cepillo los dientes después de desayunar. = I brush my tooth after having breakfast.
- Debes cepillarte los dientes dos veces al día. = You will need to brush your tooth twice a day.
- Yo conocí a mi esposo hace diez años. Sin embargo, nos acabamos de casar.= I met my husband ten years in the past. However, we simply obtained married (to one another).
- Ella se maquilla en el carro. = She places on make-up within the automobile.
- Los niños se ponen los calcetines. = The kids put their socks on.
- ¿Cuándo os conocisteis tú y papá? = When did you and Dad meet (one another)?
Notes on Spanish reflexive pronouns
- The pronouns are similar to each direct and oblique object pronouns.
- You possibly can inform {that a} verb is reflexive when the infinitive consists of “-se,” like llamarse (to name oneself).
- Many verbs for private care and routines use reflexive pronouns, as a result of the physique elements concerned are part of the topic, corresponding to cepillarse (to brush oneself).
- Verbs can be utilized reflexively in Spanish even when it’s not translated as such in English. For instance, neither concentrarse (to pay attention) nor comunicarse (to speak) use “oneself” within the English translations, however they’re used reflexively in Spanish.
- The reflexive pronoun is required when utilizing reflexive verbs in Spanish, however the topic pronoun could be omitted.
- Within the third-person plural, the verb might be “reciprocal,” as in each topics are performing upon one another, like se ayudan (they assist one another). The pronoun is similar to the reflexive pronoun se.
For extra perception into utilizing these pronouns, see the in-depth information on Spanish reflexive pronouns.
Spanish prepositional object pronouns
Prepositional object pronouns are used after Spanish prepositions corresponding to para (for), and sin (with out). They’re nearly all similar to the topic pronouns, besides mí (me) and ti (you).
- Este regalo es para ti. = This reward is for you.
- Sin mí, no puedes entrar. = With out me, you’ll be able to’t enter.
When utilizing the preposition con (with), the types are conmigo (with me), contigo (with you), and consigo (with him/herself)
- ¿Quieres bailar conmigo? = Do you need to dance with me?
- Sí, bailaré contigo. = Sure, I’ll dance with you.
| Spanish Prepositional Object Pronoun | Spanish Topic Pronoun | English That means |
| mí/conmigo | yo | me/with me |
| ti/contigo | tú | you/with you (singular, casual) |
| él | él | him (particular person)it (masculine noun, factor) |
| ella | ella | her (particular person)it (female noun, factor) |
| usted | usted | you (singular, formal) |
| nosotros | nosotros | us (masculine or combined group) |
| nosotras | nosotras | us (female) |
| vosotros | vosotros | you (plural, casual, masculine or combined group, Spain solely) |
| vosotras | vosotras | you (plural, casual, female, Spain solely) |
| ellos | ellos | them (masculine or combined group) |
| ellas | ellas | them (female) |
| ustedes | ustedes | you (plural), masculine |
- Es peligroso para mí comer frutos secos porque soy alérgica a ellos. = It’s harmful for me to eat nuts as a result of I’m allergic to them.
- ¿Hay suficiente espacio aquí para nosotros? = Is there sufficient house right here for us?
- Desafortunadamente no puedes venir conmigo de vacaciones. ¡Te extrañaré! = Sadly, you’ll be able to’t come with me on trip.
- Señora Sánchez, una clienta dejó un mensaje para usted. = Mrs. Sanchez, a shopper left a message for you.
- Verá el océano delante de usted. = You will note the ocean forward of you.
Notes on Spanish prepositional object pronouns
- Most of them are similar to topic pronouns in Spanish aside from mí and ti.
- Mí (me) has an accent to distinguish it from mi (my), which is a possessive adjective.
- After the next Spanish prepositions, yo and tú are used as a substitute.
- entre (between)
- menos (minus)
- excepto (besides)
- salvo (besides)
- según (based on)
Spanish relative pronouns
Relative pronouns hyperlink to data that gives further details about a noun. They imply “the one/ones that” in English and their kind relies on the gender and variety of the noun that they’re changing.
- De todas sus películas, la que hizo con Anya Taylor-Pleasure es mi favorita. = From all his films, the one that he made with Anya Taylor-Pleasure is my favourite.
- No como tacos generalmente, pero los que vende Lucas son deliciosos. = I don’t usually eat tacos, however the ones that Lucas sells are scrumptious.
- La que preparó mi abuela estaba deliciosa. = The one that my grandmother ready was scrumptious.
| Spanish Relative Pronoun | English That means and Use |
| el que | the one which (masculine singular noun) |
| la que | the one which (female singular noun) |
| los que | those that (masculine plural noun) |
| las que | those that (female plural noun) |
Be taught the 6 sorts of relative pronouns in Spanish in additional element and the way they’re used with the entire information.
Spanish indefinite pronouns
Indefinite pronouns check with non-specific folks or issues, like “somebody” or “nothing.” This can be a partial Spanish pronouns listing to check with common nouns.
| Spanish Indefinite Pronoun | English That means And Use |
| algo | one thing |
| alguien | somebody |
| alguno/alguna | some |
| cualquiera | anybody |
| nada | nothing |
| nadie | no one |
| ninguno/ninguna | none |
| todos | everybody |
- Es cortés traer algo a una boda. = It’s well mannered to convey one thing to a marriage.
- Es cortés traer flores cuando se visita a alguien en el hospital. = It’s well mannered to convey flowers when one visits somebody within the hospital.
- No hay nada debajo de la cama. = There’s nothing underneath the mattress.
- Nadie sabe cuántos peces hay en el océano. = Nobody is aware of what number of fish are within the ocean.
Possessive pronouns in Spanish
Spanish possessive pronouns point out possession or possession, changing a particular noun with phrases like “mine,” “yours,” “his” and “theirs.” They may range based mostly on the gender and variety of the noun they’re changing.
- Me gusta este coche. El mío es más pequeño. = I like this automobile. Mine is smaller.
- Me gusta esta lámpara. La mía es más alta. = I like this lamp. Mine is taller.
- No necesito estos cuadernos. Los míos están en mi mochila. = I don’t want these notebooks. Mine are in my backpack.
- Tus fotos son preciosas. Las mías no son tan bonitas. = Your footage are lovely. Mine aren’t as fairly.
This Spanish pronouns chart will help you select which possessive pronoun you want.
| Spanish Possessive Pronoun | Spanish Topic Pronoun (Proprietor) | English That means |
| el míola míalos míoslas mías | yo | mine |
| el tuyola tuyalos tuyoslas tuyas | tú | yours (singular/casual proprietor) |
| el suyola suyalos suyoslas suyas | él/ella/usted | his/hers/yours (singular formal proprietor) |
| el nuestrola nuestralos nuestroslas nuestras | nosotros/nosotras | ours |
| el vuestrola vuestralos vuestroslas vuestras | vosotros/vosotras | yours (plural casual proprietor, Spain solely) |
| el suyola suyalos suyoslas suyas | ellos/ellas/ustedes | theirs/yours (plural proprietor) |
- Aquí hay demasiados carros. No puedo encontrar el mío.= There are too many vehicles right here. I can’t discover mine.
- Me gustan esas. Las suyas son más grandes que las mías. = I like these ones. Yours are larger than mine.
- ¡Miren aquel carro! El suyo está más sucio que el nuestro.= Have a look at that automobile over there. His is dirtier than ours!
Spanish demonstrative pronouns
Demonstrative pronouns in Spanish correspond to the English pronouns “this” and “these,” and are used to level out particular folks or issues.
- Esa silla es la tuya y esta es la mía. = That chair is yours and this one is mine.
- Mis zapatos son más grandes que estos. = My footwear are larger than these ones.
The types are the identical as demonstrative adjectives, however are used instead of the noun, not together with it. They range in gender and quantity to match the noun they’re changing.
| Spanish Demonstrative Pronouns | English Meanings |
| este/esta | this one |
| estos/estas | these ones |
| ese/esa | that one |
| esos/esas | these ones |
| aquel/aquella | that one over there |
| aquellos/aquellas | these ones over there |
When you could encounter these phrases in older texts with accent marks included over their first letter, the Actual Academia Española (RAE) not recommends the accent mark.
How do you utilize a couple of kind of pronoun in a sentence?
As you’ve seen in a number of examples, you need to use a number of sorts of pronouns in the identical sentence. When you might want to use a couple of, they are going to be on this order:
- Reflexive
- Oblique
- Direct
Pronouns could be positioned earlier than a conjugated verb in a sentence.
- Me lo dijiste. = You advised me it.
- Me las compré. = I purchased them for myself.
- Te la voy a comprar. = I’m going to purchase it for you.
Or the pronouns could be connected to the top of an infinitive verb.
- Vas a decirmelo. = You’re going to inform me (it).
- Voy a comprármelas. = I’m going to purchase them for myself.
- Puedo mostrartela. = I can present it to you.
When to switch le with se
When you’re utilizing each the oblique object le and a direct object, the le modifications to se, which sounds extra pure within the sentence. You’ll by no means hear “le lo” or “le las” collectively.
- Se lo conté. = I advised it to him.
- Se las regaló. = She gifted them to her.
- Tienes que mostrárselas. = You must present them to him.
Key takeaways about Spanish pronouns
There’s loads of details about Spanish pronouns of all types. You’ll make progress quickest by noticing these useful phrases in genuine contexts like conversations and phrases, which is how Rosetta Stone works to advertise studying that lasts.
- Spanish pronouns change a noun in a sentence when it’s already identified or acknowledged.
- The kind of pronoun you want relies on the perform within the sentence, together with whether or not it’s changing a topic, an object, a part of a verb used reflexively, or following a preposition, amongst others.
- Some pronouns correspond with topic pronouns, so it’s useful to be taught that chart first.
- Different pronouns range in gender and quantity relying on the noun they’re changing.
- Spanish grammar guidelines like phrase order are an vital a part of mastering Spanish pronouns, so it’s finest to be taught them inside significant sentences.

