A2.6 - At the hotel

The indirect object pronouns: Me, Te, Le, Nos, Os, Les

Los pronombres de objeto indirecto: "Me, Te, Le, Nos, Os, Les"

Los pronombres de objeto indirecto se usan para indicar a quién o para quién se realiza una acción.

(Indirect object pronouns are used to indicate to whom or for whom an action is done.)

What an indirect object pronoun does (and how to spot it)

Use an indirect object pronoun when the verb answers the question “To whom?” / “For whom?” (¿A quién?).

  • El recepcionista me explica… = He explains to me…
  • ¿Te han dado la llave? = Have they given the key to you?

Typical hotel verbs that often take an indirect object:

  • dar (to give), traer (to bring), explicar (to explain), decir (to tell), ofrecer (to offer), cambiar (to change/move someone)

Choose the correct pronoun (quick decision)

Meaning Pronoun Common confusion
to me me mi (that means my)
to you (informal singular) te tú (subject: you)
to him / to her / to you (formal singular: usted) le lo/la (direct object: him/it, her/it)
to us nos nosotros (subject: we)
to you (plural, Spain) os Not used in most Latin America (they use les)
to them / to you (plural: ustedes) les los/las (direct object: them)

Word order: where the pronoun goes

  • Before a conjugated verb: Me explican el check-in.
  • Attached to the end of an infinitive: Quieren explicarme el problema.
  • Attached to the end of a gerund (-ando/-iendo): Están explicandome el horario.

Two correct options with a verb + infinitive:

  • Me quieren explicar el problema.
  • Quieren explicarme el problema.

Not correct:

  • Quieren explicar me el problema.

Indirect vs direct: the key difference (lo/la/los/las vs le/les)

In hotel contexts, you often have two objects:

  • Direct object = the thing (what?)
  • Indirect object = the person (to whom?)
Example Direct object (what) Indirect object (to whom)
La recepcionista nos dio la llave. la llave nos
El guía le explica el horario. el horario le

Typical mistake:

  • El recepcionista lo explicó cómo hacer el check-in. (wrong pronoun type)
  • El recepcionista me explicó cómo hacer el check-in. (to me)

When you can add “a + person” (and when you shouldn’t)

You can use a + person to clarify or emphasize:

  • Le explico el problema a la recepcionista. (clear who “le” is)
  • A mí me han dado la llave. (emphasis: to me)

Watch out for this common error:

  • a nos does not exist.
  • Say a nosotros (emphasis) or simply use nos (most natural).

Self-check: 3 questions before you choose

  1. Is someone receiving something? (to whom/for whom) → you need me/te/le/nos/os/les.
  2. Where is the verb?
    • Conjugated verb → pronoun before it.
    • Infinitive/gerund → pronoun can go attached at the end.
  3. Am I mixing it with direct object pronouns?
    • le/les = to him/her/you(tú)/them/you(ustedes)
    • lo/la/los/las = him/it/her/it/them (the thing/person directly affected)
  1. Indirect object pronouns answer the question “To whom?”
  2. Indirect object pronouns are placed before the conjugated verb or attached to the end of an infinitive or gerund.
PronombreSignificadoEjemplo
MeA míEl recepcionista me ha explicado cómo hacer el check in. (The receptionist has explained to me how to check in.)
TeA tí¿Te han dado la llave de habitación? (Have they given you the room key?)
LeA él El guía le ha dado la llave. (The guide has given him the key.)
NosA nosotrosEl hotel nos ha ofrecido una solución rápida. (The hotel has offered us a quick solution.)
OsA vosotrosLa recepcionista os ha ayudado con el problema de check in.  (The receptionist has helped you with the check-in problem. )
LesA ellosLes explicamos el problema a los recepcionistas. (We explained the problem to the receptionists.)

Exercise 1: Multiple choice

Instruction: Choose the correct answer

1. ¿___ doy la llave de la habitación 312?

___ I give you the key to room 312?

2. Necesito toallas extra, ¿___ las trae el servicio de limpieza, por favor?

I need extra towels, can the cleaning service bring them to ___, please?

3. Si tiene un problema con la habitación, ___ cambiamos a otra más tranquila.

If you have a problem with the room, ___ we’ll change to a quieter one.

4. Señores, si quieren descansar, ___ explico el horario del servicio de limpieza.

Ladies and gentlemen, if you want to rest, ___ I’ll explain the cleaning service schedule.

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct sentence.

1.
Error: the indirect object pronoun is missing before the verb; it should say "The receptionist gave us the key."
Error: "a nos" does not exist; the correct form is "a nosotros" or, more naturally, using only the pronoun "nos".
2.
Error: although "a ti" is possible for emphasis, replacing the pronoun with it is incorrect without the pronoun; the usual form is "Have they explained to you...?".
Placement error: the pronoun is not separated after the conjugated verb; it must go before: "Have they explained to you...?".

Exercise 3: Grammar in action

Instruction: In pairs, negotiate a solution with the receptionist using indirect object pronouns.

Show/Hide translation
Situation
Llegas al hotel y en recepción no encuentran tu reserva registrada hoy.
(You arrive at the hotel and at reception they can’t find your reservation registered for today.)
Discuss
  • ¿Qué problema explicas en recepción y qué necesitas que te solucionen? (What problem do you explain at reception and what do you need them to solve for you?)
  • ¿Qué preguntas haces sobre la llave y el número de habitación y a quién se las haces? (What questions do you ask about the key and the room number, and who do you ask them to?)
Useful words and phrases
  • En recepción me piden la reserva y el número de habitación. (At reception they ask me for the reservation and the room number.)
  • ¿Me puede dar la llave, por favor? (Could you give me the key, please?)
  • ¿Te han explicado cómo hacer el check in? (Have they explained to you how to check in?)
Use in conversation
  • Me (Me)
  • Te (You)
  • Le, Les (Him/Her, Them)

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