MOD: Gramática Lesson - El Complemento Directo

El Complemento Directo

Let's begin by reviewing direct object pronouns.

Complemento Directo

A direct object pronoun replaces the direct object noun in a sentence, which can be a person, thing, noun phrase, or nominalized clause.

Note: To replace a noun for a direct object pronoun, keep in mind the gender and number rule used for noun and adjective agreement.

Complemento Directo
Subject Singular Plural
First Person me - me nos - us
Second Person te - you (singular, informal) os - you (plural, informal)
Third Person lo, la - him, her, it, you (singular, formal) los, las - them, you (plural, formal)

Direct Object Pronouns and People

A direct object pronoun can take the place of a direct object referring to a person. In the first sentence below, the direct object is mi mamá. It can be replaced by the direct object pronoun la, as shown in the second example.

  • Llamaron a mi mamá. - They called my mother.
    • la mama - feminine singular (her)
    • Replace a mi mamá with the direct object pronoun la:
      • La llamaron. - They called her.

Direct Object Pronouns and Things

A direct object pronoun can also take the place of a direct object referring to a thing. Remember that impersonal objects (things) in Spanish are either masculine or feminine. Pay careful attention to the gender of the noun to use the correct pronoun. Examples:

  • Sandra tiró el papel. - Sandra threw the paper.
    • el papel = masculine singular (it)
    • Replace el papel with the direct object pronoun lo:
      • Sandra lo tiró. - Sandra threw it.
  • Sandra tiró la pelota. - Sandra threw the ball.
    • la pelota = feminine singular (it)
    • Replace la pelota with the direct object pronoun la:
      • Sandra la tiró. - Sandra threw it.
  • Los niños leen muchos libros. - The boys read lots of books (many books).
    • los libros = masculine plural (them)
    • Replace muchos libros with the direct object pronoun los:
      • Los niños los leen. - The boys read them.

How to Handle the Word it in Spanish

Notice that in English both direct object pronoun sentences are the same: Sandra threw it. In Spanish, though, you can tell what gender the original noun was by the pronoun being used. Consider the following scenario:

  • Sandra is holding a ball and some paper. In Spanish, the next line you see is:
    • Sandra la tiró.
    • Which item did Sandra throw?
      • Since the pronoun is la, we know that Sandra threw the ball (la pelota = feminine).

Video Review

Please watch both of the following videos for additional review on direct object pronouns. You will be expected to know the content presented in these videos, so take notes. Practice using direct object pronouns below.

Practice Activity

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