Understanding Double Object Pronouns in Spanish
Double object pronouns are one of the most challenging yet essential aspects of Spanish grammar for DELE B1 preparation. When both direct and indirect object pronouns appear together, they follow specific rules that can confuse learners. This guide will help you master “me lo dio,” “te la envié,” and all other combinations with clear explanations and practical examples.
Take our DELE B1 Double Object Pronouns Quiz to test your understanding:
DELE B1 Pronouns Quiz: Direct & Indirect Object Pronouns Together
What Are Double Object Pronouns?
Double object pronouns occur when both direct and indirect object pronouns are used together before a verb. This structure allows Spanish speakers to be more concise and natural in conversation.
Basic Structure:
Indirect Object Pronoun + Direct Object Pronoun + Verb
The Complete Pronoun Chart
Indirect Object Pronouns
- me (to/for me)
- te (to/for you – informal)
- le (to/for him/her/you – formal)
- nos (to/for us)
- os (to/for you all – Spain)
- les (to/for them/you all)
Direct Object Pronouns
- me (me)
- te (you – informal)
- lo/la (him/her/it/you – formal)
- nos (us)
- os (you all – Spain)
- los/las (them/you all)
The Golden Rule: RID Order
Remember the acronym RID:
- R – Reflexive/Indirect first
- I – Indirect next
- D – Direct last
Examples:
- Me lo dio (He gave it to me)
- Te la envié (I sent it to you)
- Nos los trajeron (They brought them to us)
The Special “Se” Rule
When both pronouns start with “L” (le/les + lo/la/los/las), the indirect pronoun changes to “se”:
le/les + lo/la/los/las → se lo, se la, se los, se las
Examples:
- ❌ Le lo di → ✅ Se lo di (I gave it to him)
- ❌ Les la envié → ✅ Se la envié (I sent it to them)
- ❌ Le los compré → ✅ Se los compré (I bought them for him)
Complete Combination Chart
| Combination | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| me lo/la | Me lo dio | He gave it to me |
| me los/las | Me las envió | He sent them to me |
| te lo/la | Te lo prometo | I promise it to you |
| te los/las | Te los presto | I lend them to you |
| se lo/la | Se lo expliqué | I explained it to him/her |
| se los/las | Se las mostré | I showed them to them |
| nos lo/la | Nos lo contó | He told it to us |
| nos los/las | Nos las trajo | He brought them to us |
| os lo/la | Os lo daré | I will give it to you all |
| os los/las | Os las mandaré | I will send them to you all |
Position in Different Sentence Structures
Before Conjugated Verbs
- Te lo doy (I give it to you)
- Se lo explicamos (We explain it to him)
Before Infinitives
- Voy a dártelo (I’m going to give it to you)
- Quiero contárselo (I want to tell it to him)
Before Present Participles (-ando/-iendo)
- Está comprándoselo (He is buying it for himself)
- Sigue explicándonoslo (He keeps explaining it to us)
In Affirmative Commands
- Dámelo (Give it to me)
- Cómpraselo (Buy it for him)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Error 1: Wrong Order
- ❌ Lo me dio
- ✅ Me lo dio
Error 2: Forgetting the “Se” Rule
- ❌ Le lo di
- ✅ Se lo di
Error 3: Incorrect Gender/Number
- ❌ Me lo dió (las llaves)
- ✅ Me las dio
Error 4: Wrong Position with Infinitives
- ❌ Te lo voy a dar
- ✅ Voy a dártelo
DELE B1 Exam Focus Areas
The DELE B1 exam specifically tests your ability to:
- Choose correct pronoun combinations
- Apply the “se” rule appropriately
- Place pronouns correctly in different sentence structures
- Maintain proper gender and number agreement
- Use pronouns in both written and spoken contexts
Practice with Real-Life Scenarios
Everyday Conversations
- ¿Me lo prestas? (Will you lend it to me?)
- Te lo prometo (I promise it to you)
- Se lo dije ayer (I told it to him yesterday)
Shopping and Transactions
- Se lo vendo por $50 (I sell it to him for $50)
- Me los envía por correo (He sends them to me by mail)
- Te las cambio por éstas (I exchange them for these)
Giving Instructions
- Tráemelo pronto (Bring it to me soon)
- Explícaselo claramente (Explain it to him clearly)
- Cómpraselo para su cumpleaños (Buy it for him for his birthday)
Memory Tricks and Tips
The “No Le Lo” Rule
Remember: You can NEVER say “le lo” or “les lo” – it always becomes “se lo”
The Attachment Rule
With infinitives and gerunds, pronouns attach to the end and become one word:
- dar + me + lo = darmelo → dármelo
- explicar + nos + lo = explicarnoslo → explicárnoslo
Accent Rules
When adding pronouns to commands or infinitives, maintain the original stress:
- habla → háblame → háblamelo
- escribe → escríbeme → escríbemelo
Advanced Usage Notes
Clarification with “a + pronoun”
When the indirect object is unclear, you can clarify:
- Se lo di a él (I gave it to him)
- Se las mandé a ellos (I sent them to them)
Regional Variations
- In some regions, “leísmo” is accepted (using “le” for masculine direct objects)
- The “se” rule is consistent across all Spanish-speaking countries
Pronunciation Tips
- Double object pronouns flow together naturally
- Practice the rhythm: me-lo, te-la, se-lo
- Don’t pause between pronouns – they should sound like one unit
Ready to Test Your Double Object Pronoun Skills?
Now that you’ve learned the comprehensive rules and seen numerous examples, it’s time to put your knowledge to the ultimate test! We’ve created a specialized quiz focusing specifically on double object pronouns for DELE B1 preparation.
Take our DELE B1 Double Object Pronouns Quiz to test your understanding:
DELE B1 Pronouns Quiz: Direct & Indirect Object Pronouns Together
The quiz includes 20 carefully crafted questions that cover all the major rules and combinations of double object pronouns, with immediate feedback and detailed explanations to reinforce your learning.
Final Exam Strategy
Remember these key points for your DELE B1 exam:
- RID Order – Reflexive/Indirect + Indirect + Direct
- Se Rule – le/les + lo/la/los/las → se lo/se la/se los/se las
- Attachment – Pronouns attach to infinitives and commands
- Practice – Regular practice builds instinct
- Context – The sentence context often provides clues
With consistent practice using our quiz and guide, you’ll develop the confidence needed to use double object pronouns correctly in your DELE B1 exam and everyday Spanish conversations.
Looking for more DELE B1 preparation resources? Explore our complete collection of Spanish grammar guides and practice tests at SpanishGrammar.net
