what is it?
A direct object pronoun replaces a noun that receives the action of the verb directly — the thing you see, buy, read, or call. In Spanish the pronouns are lo (masculine singular), la (feminine singular), los (masculine plural), and las (feminine plural). There is also a neuter lo that stands for an entire idea or clause rather than a specific noun. All four forms must agree in gender and number with the noun they replace.
when to use it
Replacing a specific noun already mentioned. Once the noun is established in context, repeat it with the matching pronoun: «Tengo el libro» → «Lo tengo».
Avoiding repetition. When the direct object is clear from context, use the pronoun instead of restating the full noun phrase.
Referring to a whole idea or clause (neuter lo). When the «object» is not a noun but an entire statement — «¿Sabes que llegó tarde?» «Sí, lo sé» — use neuter lo.
formation
Choose the pronoun that matches the gender and number of the noun being replaced.
| noun replaced | pronoun | example |
|---|---|---|
| el libro (m. sg.) | lo | Lo leo. |
| la revista (f. sg.) | la | La leo. |
| los libros (m. pl.) | los | Los leo. |
| las revistas (f. pl.) | las | Las leo. |
| una idea / una cláusula (neuter) | lo | Lo sé. |
Placement depends on the verb form that governs the object:
Before a conjugated verb (proclisis). The pronoun goes immediately before the finite verb form: Lo veo.
Attached to an infinitive (enclisis). When the pronoun belongs to an infinitive, attach it to the end: Quiero verlo.
Attached to a gerund (enclisis). Same rule with the gerund: Estoy leyéndolo.
Attached to a positive imperative (enclisis). With affirmative commands, attach the pronoun: Cómpralo.
Periphrastic shift (verb + infinitive constructions). With constructions like ir a + infinitive, the pronoun may go before the conjugated verb or attach to the infinitive — both are correct: Lo voy a comprar = Voy a comprarlo.
examples in context
common pitfalls
Attaching the pronoun to a conjugated verb. Enclisis is only valid on infinitives, gerunds, and positive imperatives. With a finite verb the pronoun must precede it. «*veolo» is not Spanish; the correct form is «lo veo».
Gender mismatch between pronoun and noun. The pronoun must reflect the gender of the noun it replaces, not the gender of the subject or any other word. For «la revista» (feminine), the correct pronoun is «la»: «no la leí», not «*no lo leí».
Confusing neuter lo with masculine lo. When «lo» refers to a whole clause or idea — «¿Sabes que llegó tarde?» «Sí, lo sé» — it is neuter and has no gender. It does not mean there is a masculine noun hiding in the sentence; it stands for the entire proposition.
Three sentences, graded here. Nothing is saved and no account is needed.
La sopa está muy caliente, pero mamá sigue ___ con cuidado. (probar / la sopa)
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb and pronoun in parentheses.