Inklingo
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A friendly adult figure standing and handing a bright red apple to the outstretched hands of one of three eagerly waiting, smiling children.

darles

dar-less

ContractionA2irregular ar
to give them?as in, to give something to a group of people,to give (something) to you all?formal plural address (ustedes)
Also:to hand over to them?physical transfer

Quick Reference

infinitivedar
gerunddando
past Participledado

📝 In Action

Necesitamos comprarles un regalo para darles mañana.

A2

We need to buy them a gift to give them tomorrow.

Antes de salir, quiero darles las gracias por venir.

B1

Before leaving, I want to thank you all for coming. (Literally: I want to give you all thanks.)

No es fácil darles una respuesta ahora mismo.

B1

It is not easy to give them an answer right now.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • entregarles (to hand over to them)
  • ofrecerles (to offer them)

Antonyms

  • quitarles (to take away from them)
  • recibir (to receive)

Common Collocations

  • poder darles – to be able to give them
  • querer darles – to want to give them

Idioms & Expressions

  • darles un susto – to give them a fright

💡 Grammar Points

The Meaning of 'les'

The 'les' part of 'darles' is a pronoun that tells you who receives the action. It always means 'to them' (a group of people) or 'to you all' (when addressing a formal group).

Attaching the Pronoun

You must attach pronouns like 'les' to the end of the verb when the verb is in its basic form (the infinitive, like 'dar') or when it is a positive command (imperative).

Pronoun Placement Rule

When you have two verbs (e.g., 'Necesito darles'), you have a choice: you can attach the pronoun ('Necesito darles') OR place it before the conjugated verb ('Les necesito dar').

❌ Common Pitfalls

Forgetting the 'A' Clarification

Mistake: "Voy a darles la información."

Correction: Voy a darles la información a mis jefes. (When 'les' is used, it's often helpful to clarify *who* 'them' refers to by adding 'a' + the noun.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Use with Commands

When giving a positive command to a group, attach 'les' to the end and add an accent mark to keep the original stress: 'Denles el dinero.' (Give them the money.)

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: darles

Question 1 of 2

Which of the following sentences correctly uses 'darles'?

📚 More Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is 'darles' written as one word?

Spanish grammar requires that pronouns attach directly to the end of the infinitive form of the verb (the basic 'to do' form, like 'dar'). This combining of the verb and the pronoun creates a single word.

If I am giving one thing to one person, what do I use instead of 'darles'?

You would use 'darle' (verb 'dar' + pronoun 'le'). 'Le' means 'to him,' 'to her,' or 'to you (formal singular),' whereas 'les' means 'to them' or 'to you all (plural).'