Personal Pronouns
Personal pronouns in Spanish are words used to replace the name of a person or thing. They indicate who is speaking, who is being spoken to, or who or what is being spoken about. They can act as subjects, objects, or possessives.
Spanish personal pronouns vary depending on number (singular/plural), person (first, second, third), and formality.
| Person | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Person | yo | nosotros / nosotras |
| 2nd Person (informal) | tú | vosotros / vosotras |
| 2nd Person (formal) | usted | ustedes |
| 3rd Person | él / ella | ellos / ellas |
Yo estudio español.
[yo es-TOO-dyo es-pa-NYOL]
I study Spanish.
Ella habla muy rápido.
[E-ya AH-bla mwee RAH-pee-doh]
She speaks very fast.
Subject Pronouns
Subject pronouns replace the subject in a sentence and indicate who performs the action of the verb. They are often omitted in Spanish because verb conjugations already indicate the subject, but they are used for emphasis or clarity.
Subject pronouns are the same as the personal pronouns listed previously: yo, tú, él, ella, usted, nosotros/as, vosotros/as, ellos, ellas, ustedes.
Nosotros vamos al cine.
[no-SO-tros VA-mos al SEE-ne]
We are going to the cinema.
¿Tú vienes con nosotros?
[too VYE-nes kon no-SO-tros]
Are you coming with us?
Direct Object Pronouns
Direct object pronouns replace the noun that directly receives the action of the verb. They help avoid repetition and simplify sentences.
The direct object pronouns in Spanish are:
| Person | Pronoun |
|---|---|
| 1st Singular | me |
| 2nd Singular | te |
| 3rd Singular | lo (m), la (f) |
| 1st Plural | nos |
| 2nd Plural | os |
| 3rd Plural | los (m), las (f) |
Example sentences show how direct object pronouns replace nouns.
Veo la película. → La veo.
[BE-o la peh-LEE-koo-la. → la BE-o]
I watch the movie. → I watch it.
Compramos los libros. → Los compramos.
[kom-PRA-mos los LEE-bros. → los kom-PRA-mos]
We buy the books. → We buy them.
Indirect Object Pronouns
Indirect object pronouns indicate to or for whom an action is done. They often accompany verbs of giving, telling, or showing.
| Person | Pronoun |
|---|---|
| 1st Singular | me |
| 2nd Singular | te |
| 3rd Singular | le |
| 1st Plural | nos |
| 2nd Plural | os |
| 3rd Plural | les |
Note that the indirect object pronouns le and les can sometimes be ambiguous, so context is important.
Le doy un regalo a María.
[le doy oon re-GA-lo a ma-REE-a]
I give a gift to María.
Nos escriben cartas.
[nos es-KREE-ben KAR-tas]
They write letters to us.
Reflexive Pronouns
Reflexive pronouns indicate that the subject performs an action on itself. They are used with reflexive verbs.
| Person | Pronoun |
|---|---|
| 1st Singular | me |
| 2nd Singular | te |
| 3rd Singular | se |
| 1st Plural | nos |
| 2nd Plural | os |
| 3rd Plural | se |
Reflexive pronouns are placed before the conjugated verb or attached to an infinitive or gerund.
Me lavo las manos.
[me LA-vo las MA-nos]
I wash my hands.
Ella se peina el cabello.
[E-ya se PAY-na el ka-BE-yo]
She combs her hair.
Possessive Pronouns
Possessive pronouns replace nouns to show ownership or possession, avoiding repetition. They agree in gender and number with the noun they replace.
Common possessive pronouns include mío/a/os/as, tuyo/a/os/as, suyo/a/os/as, nuestro/a/os/as, and vuestro/a/os/as.
Esta casa es mía.
[ES-ta KA-sa es MEE-a]
This house is mine.
Los libros son suyos.
[los LEE-bros son SU-yos]
The books are theirs/his/hers/yours (formal).
Practice Examples
Try identifying the type of pronouns used in the following sentences and their function.
¿Me puedes ayudar?
[me PWE-des a-yu-DAR]
Can you help me?
Nosotros los vemos mañana.
[no-SO-tros los BE-mos ma-NYA-na]
We see them tomorrow.
Ella se prepara para el examen.
[E-ya se pre-PA-ra PA-ra el ek-SA-men]
She prepares herself for the exam.
Este libro es tuyo.
[ES-te LEE-bro es TU-yo]
This book is yours.
Tips for Remembering Rules
- Remember that subject pronouns are often optional in Spanish because the verb endings indicate the subject.
- Direct object pronouns answer the question what? or whom? after the verb.
- Indirect object pronouns answer the question to whom? or for whom? the action is done.
- Reflexive pronouns always match the subject and indicate the subject is acting on itself.
- Possessive pronouns agree in gender and number with the noun they replace, not with the possessor.
- Practice placing object pronouns before conjugated verbs or attaching them to infinitives and gerunds.
Consistent practice and exposure will help internalize the use of Spanish pronouns.