Spanish Pronouns
Spanish pronouns (pronombres) are words that replace nouns to avoid repetition and make speech more fluid. Spanish has several types of pronouns, including subject pronouns (yo, tú), object pronouns (me, te, lo, la), reflexive pronouns (me, te, se), and more. Pronouns must agree with the nouns they replace in gender and number.
Key Characteristics
Subject Pronouns Often Omitted
Unlike English, Spanish often drops subject pronouns (yo, tú, él) because the verb ending shows who is acting. They're used for emphasis or clarity.
Direct and Indirect Objects
Spanish distinguishes between direct object pronouns (me, te, lo, la) and indirect object pronouns (me, te, le), which require different placement.
Pronoun Placement
Object pronouns typically come before conjugated verbs but can attach to infinitives and gerunds.
Gender Agreement
Third-person pronouns (él, ella, lo, la) must match the gender of the noun they replace.
Visual Examples
Explore these pronouns with images and audio pronunciation from our visual dictionary.
Types of Pronouns
Subject Pronouns
Who is doing the action
Direct Object Pronouns
What/who receives the action directly
Indirect Object Pronouns
To/for whom the action is done
Reflexive Pronouns
Actions done to oneself
Formation Rules
Object pronouns go before conjugated verbs
Object pronouns can attach to infinitives and gerunds
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Always including subject pronouns
✓ Spanish drops subject pronouns when the meaning is clear from context.
✗ Yo hablo español (unless emphasizing) | ✓ Hablo español (I speak Spanish)
❌ Wrong placement of object pronouns
✓ Object pronouns go BEFORE conjugated verbs, not after.
✗ Veo lo | ✓ Lo veo (I see it)
❌ Confusing direct and indirect object pronouns
✓ Direct objects receive the action (lo/la); indirect objects are to/for whom (le/les).
Le doy el libro (I give the book TO him) - "le" is indirect
How Spanish Pronouns Differ from English
Subject Pronoun Usage
English requires subject pronouns ("I speak"), Spanish often omits them ("Hablo").
Pronoun Placement
English object pronouns come after verbs ("I see him"). Spanish object pronouns come before ("Lo veo").
Pro Tips for Using Pronouns
💡 When both direct and indirect objects are pronouns, indirect comes first
Example: Me lo da (He gives it to me) - "me" (indirect) before "lo" (direct)
💡 Le/les changes to se when followed by lo/la/los/las
Example: Le doy el libro → Se lo doy (I give it to him) - "le" becomes "se"
Browse All 61 Spanish Pronouns
Explore our complete collection of Spanish pronouns, organized by CEFR proficiency level. Click any word to see detailed definitions, usage examples, and pronunciation guides.