Indirect Object Pronouns: The "To" and "For" Masters
Learn the secret to expressing "to whom" and "for whom" like a native Spanish speaker!
🇬🇧 Quick English Reminder: What Are Indirect Objects?
An indirect object is the person or thing that receives something indirectly. It answers the question "to whom?" or "for whom?" the action is done.
I give a gift to Mary
To whom do I give? → to Mary
She buys flowers for him
For whom does she buy? → for him
In English, we replace indirect objects with: (to/for) me, you, him, her, us, them
💡 Key Difference: Direct objects receive the action directly. Indirect objects receive something through the action.
"I give the book (direct) to her (indirect)"
"I give the book (direct) to her (indirect)"
The "To/For" Transformation
❌ Wordy:
Doy el regalo a María
I give the gift to María
✅ Smooth:
Le doy el regalo
I give the gift to her
Think "To" and "For"
Indirect object pronouns replace people who receive something indirectly. If you can ask "to whom?" or "for whom?" - you need these pronouns!
me • te • le • nos • os • les
Much simpler than direct object pronouns - only 6 to learn!