DELE A2 Indirect Object Pronouns: Practice Test & Review
Spanish Indirect object pronouns tell you to whom or for whom an action is done. They are me, te, le, nos, os, and les, and they appear in every section of the DELE A2 exam. If you can’t tell “le” from “lo,” or you don’t know when to add “a él” or “a ella,” you’ll lose points.
This page gives you a five-part practice quiz: an evaluation set to see where you stand, three practice sets to drill the forms and uses, and a challenge set to confirm mastery. If you get stuck, scroll down for the full explanation. Ready? Start with the evaluation set below.
Grammar Guide
The Rule
Indirect object pronouns tell you to whom or for whom an action is done. They answer the question “to whom?” or “for whom?” The indirect object pronouns are me, te, le, nos, os, and les.
Doy el libro a Juan = I give the book to Juan.
Le doy el libro = I give him the book.
The indirect object pronoun replaces the person who receives the action, not the thing being given.
Indirect Object Pronouns
| Person | Pronoun | Clarifying phrase | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yo | me | a mí | Me da el libro. |
| Tú | te | a ti | Te da el libro. |
| Él / Ella / Usted | le | a él / a ella / a usted | Le da el libro. |
| Nosotros | nos | a nosotros | Nos da el libro. |
| Vosotros | os | a vosotros | Os da el libro. |
| Ellos / Ellas / Ustedes | les | a ellos / a ellas / a ustedes | Les da el libro. |
The pronoun is required. The clarifying phrase is optional and used for emphasis or clarity.
When to Use the Clarifying Phrase
Le and les are ambiguous — they can refer to él, ella, usted, ellos, ellas, or ustedes. The clarifying phrase removes the ambiguity.
Le doy el libro = I give him / her / you (formal) the book. (Ambiguous.)
Le doy el libro a él = I give him the book. (Clear.)
For me, te, nos, and os, the clarifying phrase is optional and used only for emphasis.
A mí me gusta = I like (emphasis on me).
Clarifying Phrase Forms
| Pronoun | Clarifying phrase |
|---|---|
| me | a mí |
| te | a ti |
| le | a él / a ella / a usted |
| nos | a nosotros |
| os | a vosotros |
| les | a ellos / a ellas / a ustedes |
Note: a mí and a ti (not a yo or a tú). The pronoun after a is the prepositional form, not the subject form.
Verbs That Commonly Take Indirect Objects
| Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| dar | to give | Le doy el libro. |
| decir | to say / tell | Le digo la verdad. |
| escribir | to write | Le escribo una carta. |
| enviar / mandar | to send | Le envío un mensaje. |
| comprar | to buy (for someone) | Le compro flores. |
| traer | to bring | Le traigo el pan. |
| prestar | to lend | Le presto dinero. |
| regalar | to give as a gift | Le regalo un libro. |
| mostrar | to show | Le muestro las fotos. |
| contar | to tell | Le cuento un cuento. |
These verbs take an indirect object because they involve giving, telling, or doing something for someone.
Gustar and Similar Verbs
Gustar, encantar, interesar, importar, doler, faltar, and similar verbs use the indirect object pronoun structure.
Me gusta el café = Coffee is pleasing to me.
Le duele la cabeza = His head hurts (literally: the head hurts to him).
Nos falta tiempo = We’re short on time.
The indirect object pronoun shows who experiences the feeling.
Indirect vs. Direct Object Pronouns
| Pronoun type | Question answered | Pronouns |
|---|---|---|
| Direct object | What? Whom? | lo, la, los, las |
| Indirect object | To whom? For whom? | me, te, le, nos, os, les |
Veo a Juan. Lo veo = I see Juan. I see him. (Direct — what do I see?)
Doy el libro a Juan. Le doy el libro = I give the book to Juan. I give him the book. (Indirect — to whom do I give?)
Placement — Same Rules as Direct Objects
| Verb form | Placement | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Conjugated verb | Before the verb | Le doy el libro. |
| Negative command | Before the verb | No le digas nada. |
| Infinitive | Attached to the end | Quiero darle el libro. |
| Gerund | Attached to the end | Estoy dándole el libro. |
| Affirmative command | Attached to the end | Dale el libro. |
Indirect and direct object pronouns follow the same placement rules.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing le with lo.
✗ Veo a Juan. Le veo.
✓ Veo a Juan. Lo veo.
Juan is the direct object of ver. Use lo. - Using the wrong clarifying phrase form.
✗ A yo me gusta el café.
✓ A mí me gusta el café.
The clarifying phrase uses the prepositional form: a mí, a ti, not a yo, a tú. - Omitting the pronoun when only using the clarifying phrase.
✗ A mí gusta el café.
✓ A mí me gusta el café.
The pronoun is always required. The clarifying phrase is additional. - Forgetting the indirect object with gustar-type verbs.
✗ Gusta el café. (incomplete)
✓ Me gusta el café.
Gustar always needs an indirect object pronoun.
Quick Decision Chart
| Ask yourself | Answer | Pronoun |
|---|---|---|
| Who receives the action? | Yo | me |
| Is the receiver tú? | Yes | te |
| Is the receiver él / ella / usted? | Yes | le |
| Is the receiver nosotros? | Yes | nos |
| Is the receiver vosotros? | Yes | os |
| Is the receiver ellos / ellas / ustedes? | Yes | les |
| Is the receiver unclear? | Yes | Add clarifying phrase (a él, a ella) |
| Is it gustar, doler, faltar? | Yes | Use the indirect object pronoun |
Two Sentences That Show the Difference
Veo a Juan. Lo veo.
I see Juan. I see him.
- Juan is the direct object. Lo replaces him.
Doy el libro a Juan. Le doy el libro.
I give the book to Juan. I give him the book.
- Juan is the indirect object. Le replaces him.
Le doy el libro a ella.
I give her the book.
- The clarifying phrase a ella removes the ambiguity of le.
A mí me gusta el café.
I like coffee.
- A mí is the clarifying phrase (optional for emphasis). Me is required.
