hacerles
/ah-SEHR-less/
to do for them
The chef is performing a task, serving food, which illustrates the meaning 'to do for them.'
hacerles(Verb (Infinitive with attached pronoun))
to do for them
?performing a task for a group of people
,to make for them
?creating an object or meal for a group of people
to do for you all (formal)
?when addressing a group formally (ustedes)
📝 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).
💡 Grammar Points
One Word, Two Pieces
This word is the base verb 'hacer' (to do/make) with the pronoun 'les' (to/for them) glued directly to the end. It only happens when 'hacer' is the infinitive, the gerund, or an affirmative command.
The Role of 'les'
'Les' tells you who receives the action. In 'hacerles la comida,' the food is made, and 'they' receive it. 'Les' always means 'to/for them' or 'to/for you all' (formal).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Double Pronoun Confusion
Mistake: "Voy a les hacer la cena."
Correction: Voy a hacerles la cena. (When using two verbs together, the pronoun can either attach to the infinitive/gerund OR go before the conjugated verb, but not in the middle.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Flexible Placement
You have a choice: you can say 'Voy a hacerles' (one word) or 'Les voy a hacer' (two words). Both are perfectly correct and natural ways to say 'I am going to make them...'
The child's drawing causes the adults to feel joy, demonstrating the meaning 'to cause them to [feel an emotion].'
hacerles(Verb (Infinitive with attached pronoun))
to cause them to
?making someone experience an emotion or state
,to affect them
?having an impact on their situation
to hurt them
?when used with words like 'daño' or 'mal'
📝 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).
💡 Grammar Points
The Causative 'Hacer'
When followed by another verb (like 'sentir' or 'reír'), 'hacer' often means 'to cause' or 'to make someone do something,' and 'les' is the person being affected.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Les' and 'Los'
Mistake: "Quiero hacerlos reír. (If the intent is 'to make them laugh'.)"
Correction: Quiero hacerles reír. (The action 'reír' is done by them, but the causing is 'to them.' Spanish often prefers the indirect object 'les' in causative structures.)
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: hacerles
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'hacerles' to mean 'to cause them to feel'?
📚 More Resources
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'.