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Master Spanish direct object pronouns "lo", "la", "los", and "las" with practical examples like "Lo he visto" (I have seen him/it) and "Las he pedido" (I have asked for them), focusing on gender and number agreement.
  1. Direct object pronouns must agree in gender and number with the noun they replace.
  2. They are usually placed before the verb.
Pronombres (Pronouns)Ejemplo (Example)
Lo¿Has visto el recepcionista?¿Lo has visto? (Have you seen it?)
Hemos reportado el problemaLo hemos reportado. (Lo we have reported.)
LaElla ha entregado la llave en recepciónElla la ha entregado en recepción. (She has delivered it at reception.)
Veo la recepción desde aquíLa veo desde aquí. (It I see from here.)
LosHe solicitado los servicios extraLos he solicitado. (Los have been requested by me.)
LasEl cliente ha pedido las llavesEl cliente las ha pedido. (The client has ordered them.)

Exercise 1: Los pronombres de objeto directo: "Lo", "La", "Los", "Las"

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

los, las, lo, la

1.
¿Dónde está la llave? No ... encuentro.
(Where is the key? I can't find it.)
2.
El cliente ha pedido la salida tarde y ... han aprobado.
(The client has requested the late checkout and it has been approved.)
3.
Hemos tenido un problema y ... hemos solucionado rápido.
(We have had a problem and we have solved it quickly.)
4.
Quiero descansar un poco, así que ... hago en la habitación.
(I want to rest a little, so I do it in the room.)
5.
¿Ya has hecho el check-in? Sí, ... he hecho esta mañana.
(Have you checked in yet? Yes, I did it this morning.)
6.
Los documentos estaban en la maleta y ... he olvidado.
(The documents were in the suitcase and I have forgotten them.)
7.
¿Tienes la tarjeta del hotel? No, no ... tengo.
(Do you have the hotel card? No, I don't have it.)
8.
He visto las llaves en recepción y ... he tomado.
(I have seen the keys at reception and taken them.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Select the correct sentence that correctly uses the direct object pronoun (lo, la, los, las) in the hotel context.

1.
Error: 'lo' is masculine and 'habitación' is feminine, 'la' must be used.
Error: The sentence is badly constructed, the pronoun must not be followed by 'el'.
2.
Error: 'la' is feminine singular, but 'servicios' is masculine plural, it must be 'los'.
Error: 'lo' is masculine singular, and 'servicios' is plural, it must be 'los'.
3.
Error: The preposition 'a' must not come after the pronoun in this structure.
Error: 'lo' is masculine and 'recepcionista' is feminine, 'la' must be used.
4.
Error: 'los' is masculine plural, but 'llaves' is feminine plural, it must be 'las'.
Error: 'lo' is masculine singular and 'llaves' is feminine plural, 'las' must be used.

Understanding Direct Object Pronouns: "Lo", "La", "Los", "Las"

This lesson focuses on the use of direct object pronouns in Spanish, specifically "lo", "la", "los", and "las". These pronouns replace direct objects in a sentence to avoid repetition and help the language flow more naturally.

What Are Direct Object Pronouns?

Direct object pronouns substitute the noun that receives the action of the verb directly. They must agree in gender and number with the noun they replace. Here are the basic pronouns covered:

  • Lo: masculine singular
  • La: feminine singular
  • Los: masculine plural
  • Las: feminine plural

Placement of Direct Object Pronouns

In Spanish, these pronouns generally come before the conjugated verb.

Examples in Context

PronounsExample
Lo¿Has visto el recepcionista? ¿Lo has visto?
Hemos reportado el problema Lo hemos reportado.
LaElla ha entregado la llave en recepción Ella la ha entregado en recepción.
Veo la recepción desde aquí La veo desde aquí.
LosHe solicitado los servicios extra Los he solicitado.
LasEl cliente ha pedido las llaves El cliente las ha pedido.

Key Points to Remember

  • These pronouns replace the direct object noun to avoid repetition.
  • They must match the gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural) of the object they replace.
  • They are generally positioned before the conjugated verb.

Differences Between English and Spanish Use

Unlike English, which frequently repeats the object noun or uses "it" regardless of gender and number, Spanish requires the pronoun to agree precisely in gender and number with the noun it replaces. For example, "the key" is feminine singular in Spanish ("la llave"), so the pronoun is la. In English, "it" is used for all objects, whereas Spanish differentiates between lo and la as well as los and las.

Useful Phrases and Their Translations

  • ¿Has visto el recepcionista? — Have you seen the receptionist?
  • ¿Lo has visto? — Have you seen him/it? (Lo replaces a masculine singular noun)
  • Ella ha entregado la llave en recepción. — She has handed over the key at reception.
  • Ella la ha entregado en recepción. — She has handed it over at reception. (La replaces a feminine singular noun)

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