Essential ?s: How do I say ‘it’ and ‘them’ in Spanish, and how do I refer to people who get things?

Topics: Direct and indirect objects

In English and Spanish, there are terms called “subject” and “object”.

They are nouns that deal with the relationship to the sentence’s verb.The subject DOES the action. (I eat fruit – ‘I’ is

the subject)The object RECEIVES the action. (I eat fruit –

‘fruit’ is the object.)

Subjects vs. Objects

There are multiple “objects” in language. Direct objectsIndirect objects

Direct objects have the verb happen to themI read the book. (The book is read.)You see me. (‘me’ is seen)

Indirect objects get the THING that gets the action.I speak Spanish to the students. (The students

receive the Spanish that is spoken.)My dad gave me a book. (I got the book that was

given.)

Direct vs. Indirect Objects

Tell your pareja 3 things you understoodWrite 3 questions in your notes and mark the

answers that are in your notes. If they aren’t there, ADD THEM!

Pausa…

You know these in both languages – remember, these are the pronouns that DO the actions.I = yoYou = tú/Ud.He = élShe = ellaWe = nosotrosThey = ellos/ellasYou all = Uds.

Subject pronouns in both languages

You have already learned me, te and nosThey are the words in Spanish for both the direct

and indirect object pronounsMe = me (direct object pronoun – He knows me.),

to me (indirect object pronoun – He gives a book to me.)

Te = you (direct object pronoun – I see you), to you (indirect object pronoun – I speak Spanish to you)

Nos = us (direct object pronoun – He knows us.), to us (indirect object – My dad gave a book to us.)

Me, te, nos

The most common direct object pronouns in English are ‘it’ and ‘them’. It also means ‘him’ and ‘her’ if they are the direct object of the sentence.

This is not the English ‘it’ that starts a sentence. (It is hot. – Hace calor.) This ‘it’ is what is done. (Do you have the ball? Yes, I have it.

They are used based on gender and go before the conjugated verb.Tengo el libro. = Lo tengo.Tengo la pelota. = La tengo.Leo los libros. = Los leo.Como las bananas. = Las como.

Lo, la, los, las

Don’t use lo, la, los, las withSer

It is big = Es grande.Estar (unless it is with –ando/-iendo)

It is at home. = Está en casa.Gustar

I like it. = Me gusta.

When NOT to use lo, la, los, las

Share 5 things that you understood to your pareja.

Write 4 questions and mark the answers (or add them).

Pausa…

Who has my book? Bob has it. When did you see the movie? I saw it

yesterday.Who knows the teachers? We all know them. Is Karla here? Yes, I see her.

Try it…write in Spanish

Who has my book? Bob has it. ¿Quién tiene mi libro? Bob lo tiene.

When did you see the movie? I saw it yesterday.¿Cuándo viste la película? La vi ayer.

Who knows the teachers? We all know them.¿Quién conoce a los profesores? Todos nosotros

los conocemos. Is Karla here? Yes, I see her.

¿Está Karla aquí? ¡Sí! La veo.

Check it!

These are indirect object pronouns.Le = ‘him/to him’ and ‘her/to her’ Les ‘them/to them’ or ‘you all/to you all’

You only use them IF someone is getting a thing -- like if I give a book to you, or if someone tells something to someone.

Used with verbs like dar, hablar, decir, presentar, escribir, llevar and traer.

They go before the conjugated verb.

Le and Les

My kids hear Spanish at home. I speak Spanish to them. / Mis hijos escuchan español en casa. Les hablo español.

What did your mom receive for her birthday? I gave her a shirt. / ¿Qué recibió tu madre para su cumpleaños? Le di una camisa.

Juan threw the ball to Carmen./Juan le lanzó la pelota a Carmen.

Le and Les

Tell your pareja 4 things you understoodWrite 3 questions and mark the answers

Pausa…

What did you learn?What was most important?How does it relate to what you already know?What was easiest?What will be most challenging?

Don’t forget the summary!

Write 10 sentences with a direct object. Rewrite it with lo, la, los, or las. Translate them.Ex: Leo el libro. Lo leo./I read the book. I read

it.Write 5 sentences that have an indirect

object. Translate them. Yo le di una fiesta a Bob. I gave Bob a party.

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