Dativo + Acusativo

Se lo digo

Now we are ready to start combining the dative and accusative pronouns in one sentence.

The idea is quite simple. When a sentence has both indirect and direct objects, both of them can be replaced by the dative and accusative pronouns, respectively.

Let’s take an example and do it step by step.

El camarero trae la comida a nosotros

a. First of all, let’s find the indirect object. Here it is: a nosotros.

The indirect object a nosotros can be replaced by the dative pronoun nos.

El camarero nos trae la comida

c. Let’s do the same with the direct object: la comida. It can be replaced by the accusative pronoun la.

El camarero nos la trae.

Done!

The word order is important. The dative pronoun should come first, and the accusative pronoun comes after it. Both pronouns should be placed before the verb.

Try it yourself:

Ana compra flores a nosotros

a. …

b. …

Regalo un libro a ti

a. …

b. …

Ellos piden ayuda a vosotros

a. …

b. …

Now let’s take a look at another example, which can seem a little more tricky.

Escribo un mensaje a Carmen

a. Le escribo un mensaje

b. Le lo escribo

This is not done yet. Spanish speakers don’t say like that. Here one more step is needed.

c. Le lo escribo – Se lo escribo

Here is the rule. When two prepositions are met, and both of them start with l, the first one (le or les) should be transformed into se.

Cuento una historia a mis niños

a. Les cuento una historia

b. Les la cuento

c. Se la cuento

Pedro da caramelos a su novia

a. Pedro le da caramelos

b. Pedro le los da

c. Pedro se los da

Try it yourself:

Compramos frutas a los abuelos

a. …

b. …

c. …

El profesor explica la gramática a los alumnos

a. …

b. …

c. …

Traigo un documento a usted

a. …

b. …

c. …

The se pronoun resembles the reflexive one, but it’s not reflexive, it’s a substitution of the dative pronouns le and les. It happens when they meet the accusative pronouns lo, la, los and las.

It’s here, where many students give up learning Spanish. But they are not you. If you practice it harder, you will be able (in several months, maybe) to do all these transformations in no time, just like a true Spanish speaker.

Reflexive + accusative pronouns

This is an optional section, which may be skipped, if you don’t feel ready yet to combine one more pair of pronouns.

So, if you are wondering, if it’s possible to do the same thing with reflexive pronouns instead of the dative ones, the answer is yes. And this isn’t really hard.

Me limpio los dientes – Me los limpio

Te pones la chaqueta – Te la pones

Mis amigos no se cortan las uñas – No se las cortan

Try it yourself:

Ana se pinta el pelo – …

Nos quitamos los zapatos – …

Mis padres se compran una mansión – …