hacerles
“hacerles” means “to do for them” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to do for them, to make for them
Also: to do for you all (formal)
📝 In Action
Necesitamos hacerles un regalo de agradecimiento.
A2We need to make them a thank-you gift.
Antes de irme, voy a hacerles la cena.
A1Before I leave, I am going to make dinner for them.
El jefe quiere hacerles una pregunta importante.
B1The boss wants to ask them an important question (literally: to make them a question).
to cause them to, to affect them
Also: to hurt them
📝 In Action
No quiero hacerles sentir incómodos con mi pregunta.
B1I don't want to make them feel uncomfortable with my question.
Espero que la noticia no vaya a hacerles mal.
B2I hope the news isn't going to hurt them (or cause them harm).
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: hacerles
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'hacerles' to mean 'to cause them to feel'?
📚 More Resources
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
'Hacer' comes from the Latin verb *facere*, meaning 'to make' or 'to do.' The pronoun 'les' comes from the Latin word *illis*, which meant 'to/for those.' Spanish simply fused the action with the recipient into this single, useful word.
First recorded: hacer (9th century)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'hacerles' one word, but 'les hago' is two words?
Pronouns only attach to the end of the verb when the verb is in its non-conjugated forms: the infinitive ('hacer'), the gerund ('haciendo'), or an affirmative command ('¡Hazles!'). When the verb is conjugated ('hago,' 'haces,' etc.), the pronoun must float in front: 'Les hago.'
Can I use 'hacerles' for a singular person?
No. The 'les' part is strictly for plural recipients ('them' or 'you all' formal). If you are referring to a single person (him/her/you formal), you must use 'hacerle'.