Spanish

Direct Object Pronouns

Use lo, la, los and las to avoid repeating an item you have already named.

4 min

The idea

Once the item is clear, a small word can stand in for it.

El billete → lo. La tarjeta → la. Choose by the Spanish noun, not by its English translation.

Match the noun.

01Lo tengo.loh TEN-gohI have it. For a masculine singular item.02La tengo.lah TEN-gohI have it. For a feminine singular item.03Los tengo.I have them. Masculine plural.04Las tengo.I have them. Feminine plural.

Put it before the changed verb.

01¿Tienes el billete? Sí, lo tengo.Do you have the ticket? Yes, I have it.02¿Quieres la bolsa? No, no la necesito.Do you want the bag? No, I do not need it.

With an infinitive, you have two options.

Before the changed verb

Lo voy a comprar.Pronunciation: loh boy ah kom-PRARI am going to buy it.

Attached to the infinitive

Voy a comprarlo.I am going to buy it.

Use it while shopping.

01¿Te gusta esta chaqueta? Sí, me la llevo.Do you like this jacket? Yes, I’ll take it.02¿Dónde compro los billetes? Los puedes comprar aquí.Where do I buy the tickets? You can buy them here.

Keep the reference clear.

Use lo or la after the person knows which item you mean. If they do not, name the item first: Necesito la tarjeta. ¿La tienes?

Remember this

Name it first, then replace it with lo, la, los or las.

¿Tienes las llaves? Sí, las tengo. Do you have the keys? Yes, I have them.

Lesson complete

Reviewed 2026-09-07

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