Two object pronouns: se lo
When a verb has both an indirect and a direct object pronoun, the indirect comes first: Me lo das (you give it to me).
| indirect | + direct | example |
|---|---|---|
| me, te, nos, os | lo, la, los, las | Te lo explico. Nos la enseñan. |
| le / les → se | lo, la, los, las | Se lo doy (I give it to him / her / them / you). |
Rules
- le lo and les lo are impossible: le / les become se.
- Clarify se with a + person: Se lo di a Marta.
- Same position rules: before a conjugated verb, attached to infinitive, gerund and positive command: Voy a dárselo. ¡Dímelo!
- When attaching two pronouns, add an accent: da → dámelo, explicar → explicárselo.
Examples
- ¿Me prestas el coche? — Sí, te lo presto.Will you lend me the car? Yes, I’ll lend it to you.
- Es el cumpleaños de Ana. Se lo he comprado.It’s Ana’s birthday. I’ve bought it for her.
- Las fotos, ¿nos las enseñas?Will you show us the photos?
- Quiero decírselo hoy.I want to tell him today.
- Si necesitas el libro, te lo traigo mañana.If you need the book, I’ll bring it to you tomorrow.
Common mistakes
- ✗ Le lo doy.✓ Se lo doy.Two third-person pronouns in a row change le to se. English “give it to him” has no such change.
- ✗ Lo me da.✓ Me lo da.The indirect pronoun comes first, so me lo, not lo me. English puts the thing before the person: “give it to me”.
- ✗ Doy se lo.✓ Se lo doy.Both pronouns go before the conjugated verb. English puts the objects after: “I give it to him”.
- ✗ Quiero dar selo.✓ Quiero dárselo.With an infinitive the pronouns attach to its end and a written accent keeps the stress where it was.
- ✗ Les lo digo.✓ Se lo digo.Les + lo also becomes se lo, whatever the number. English “them” and “him” do not alter anything.