Spanish Pronouns: A Beginner-Friendly Guide
Learning Spanish pronouns is one of the best ways to boost your Spanish grammar skills right from the start. Whether you’re a solo learner, a parent helping your child, or a teacher planning a Spanish lesson, understanding pronouns is essential!
In this guide, we’ll break down Spanish subject pronouns, object pronouns, and when to use them — with easy examples you can use immediately.
Why Pronouns Matter in Spanish Grammar
Pronouns help you speak and write more naturally.
By learning them, you’ll:
- Sound more fluent
- Avoid repetition
- Understand conversations more easily
Spanish pronouns are similar to English pronouns, but there are some key differences that can change the meaning of what you say.
Whether you’re studying Spanish on your own or teaching Spanish pronouns in class, this is a grammar topic you can’t skip!
Spanish Pronouns and the Parts of Speech
Understanding how pronouns fit into the larger system of the parts of speech is key to mastering Spanish grammar. Pronouns are just one of the eight core categories of words in Spanish, and each plays a unique role in sentence structure.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the eight parts of speech in Spanish. If you’re interested in learning more about each part, check out our other helpful resources:
- Noun (sustantivo)
- Pronoun (pronombre)
- Adjective (adjetivo)
- Verb (verbo)
- Adverb (adverbio)
- Preposition (preposición)
- Conjunction (conjunción)
- Interjection (interjección)
Understanding pronouns will help you build better sentences and speak Spanish more fluently.
What is a pronoun in Spanish?
A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun to avoid repetition, making sentences smoother and more concise.
To better understand pronouns, it’s helpful to know the types of words they replace. Here are some key grammar terms for the words that can be substituted by a pronoun:
- sujeto — subject
- verbo — verb
- objeto — object
- preposición — preposition
Understanding these terms will help you see how pronouns fit into Spanish sentences and replace the nouns they stand for.
Spanish Pronouns Chart
Below is a helpful chart of personal pronouns, categorized by their function. Each pronoun serves a specific purpose in a sentence, and its usage differs from English. The Spanish terms are provided alongside the English equivalents for clarity.
| Pronoun Type (Spanish) | Pronoun Type (English) | Pronouns |
|---|---|---|
| Pronombre Sujeto | Subject Pronoun | yo, tú, él, ella, usted, nosotros/as, vosotros/as, ellos/as |
| Pronombre Objeto Directo | Direct Object Pronoun | me, te, lo, la, nos, os, los, las |
| Pronombre Objeto Indirecto | Indirect Object Pronoun | me, te, le, nos, os, les |
| Pronombre Reflexivo | Reflexive Pronoun | me, te, se, nos, os, les |
| Pronombre Posesivo | Possessive Pronoun | mío, mía, míos, mías, tuyo, tuya, tuyos, tuyas, suyo, suya, suyos, suyas, nuestro, nuestra, nuestros, nuestras, vuestro, vuestra, vuestros, vuestras, suyo, suya, suyos, suyas |
| Pronombre Demostrativo | Demonstrative Pronoun | este, esta, estos, estas, ese, esa, esos, esas, aquel, aquella, aquellos, aquellas |
| Pronombre Interogativo | Interrogative Pronoun | quién, qué, cuál, cuánto/a |
| Pronombre Relativo | Relative Pronoun | que, quien, cuyo, cuya, cuyos, cuyas |
| Pronombre Indefinido | Indefinite Pronoun | alguien, algo, nadie, nada, todo, cada, alguno/a, ninguno/a |
| Pronombre Preposicional | Prepositional Pronoun | mí, ti, él, ella, usted, nosotros/as, vosotros/as, ellos/as |
| Pronombre Comitivo | Comitative Pronoun | conmigo, contigo, con él, con ella, con usted, con nosotros/as, con vosotros/as, con ellos/as |
Whew! That’s quite a long list.
With these pronouns in hand, you’ll be able to understand and use Spanish pronouns correctly in sentences, improving both your speaking and writing skills.
Spanish Personal Pronouns
In Spanish, personal pronouns replace the subjects and objects in sentences. They are essential for identifying who is performing the action (subject) and who is receiving it (object), allowing us to avoid repetition and keep sentences flowing naturally.
Here are some key terms related to Spanish personal pronouns:
- personal — personal
- sujeto — subject
- objeto directo — direct object
- objeto indirecto — indirect object
Now, let’s dive deeper into how each of these Spanish personal pronouns works!
1. Spanish Subject Pronouns
Spanish subject pronouns help identify who or what is performing the action in a sentence. While often implied by verb conjugations, they can be used explicitly for clarity or emphasis.
What is a Spanish subject pronoun?
A subject pronoun replaces the subject in a sentence. In Spanish, the subject is often implied by the verb conjugation, so the pronoun can be left out. When used, it shows who or what is doing the action.
The 7 Subject Pronouns
Many people ask – what are the seven subject pronouns?
There are more than 7 subject pronouns, but the traditional list of seven includes the ones most commonly used in conversation. Here’s the breakdown:
- yo (I) — First-person singular
- tú (you) — Second-person singular (informal)
- él (he), ella (she), usted (you, formal) — Third-person singular
- nosotros (we, masculine), nosotras (we, feminine) — First-person plural
- vosotros (you all, masculine), vosotras (you all, feminine) — Second-person plural (informal, used primarily in Spain)
- ellos (they, masculine), ellas (they, feminine) — Third-person plural
- ustedes (you all, formal, used for both formal and informal plural “you” in Latin America)
This should help you focus on the core pronouns that they’re most likely to encounter, especially when learning Spanish in regions where vosotros isn’t commonly used.
In total, there are 12 subject pronouns, including masculine, feminine, neuter, and formal distinctions.
The 12 Subject Pronouns
Other people ask, what are the 12 subject pronouns?
The twelve Spanish subject pronouns are: yo, tú, él, ella, ello, nosotros, nosotras, vosotros, vosotras, ellos, ellas, and ustedes. Again this includes the masculine, feminine, neuter, and formal variations. The neuter is only used when the subject is unknown.
Subject pronouns are often presented in a chart, organized by number (singular or plural) and person (first, second, or third), as shown below:
Spanish Subject Pronouns Chart
| Number | Person | Subject Pronoun | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singular | First | yo | I |
| Second | tú | you | |
| Third | él, ella, usted | he, she | |
| Plural | First | nosotros, nosotras | we |
| Second (formal) | vosotros, vosotras | you | |
| Third | ellos, ellas, ustedes | they | |
Tip: Don’t rely on direct translation of subject pronouns. Use the English to understand the concept. Focus on learning through real Spanish sentences to get a feel for their natural use.
You’ll notice verb conjugations are structured similarly to subject pronouns, with endings changing based on the subject’s number, person, and formality.
Why Are Subject Pronouns Important?
They are important for clarity and smooth communication. Without them, sentences can become unclear. Learning them early helps make speaking and understanding Spanish easier.
Examples of Subject Pronouns in Action:
- Yo soy estudiante. (I am a student.)
- Tú eres mi amigo. (You are my friend.)
- Él tiene una casa. (He has a house.)
- Nosotros vamos al cine. (We are going to the cinema.)
- Ellos cantan. (They sing.)
Should You Always Include the Subject Pronoun?
No, in Spanish, the subject pronoun is often omitted because the verb conjugation already indicates the subject. For example:
- Yo soy una mujer. — I am a woman.
- Soy una mujer — (I) am a woman.
- La niña canta. — The girl sings.
- Ella canta — She sings.
- El gato es gordo. — The cat is fat.
- El es gordo. — He is fat.
- Cenicienta y sus malvadas hermanastras viven en una casa grande. — Cinderella and her wicked step sisters live in a big house.
- Ellas viven en una casa grande. — They live in a big house.
In these cases, the subject pronoun is implied by the verb and can be left out.
Key Points:
- Vosotros/vosotras are used primarily in Spain, while ustedes is used for both singular and plural “you” in Latin America.
- Nosotros refers to a mixed-gender or masculine group, while nosotras refers to a feminine group.
- The neuter pronoun ello is used for an unknown subject, but is rarely used in everyday speech.
Understanding 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Person Pronouns in Spanish
What are 1st 2nd and 3rd person pronouns in Spanish?
Understanding person pronouns in Spanish is essential for learning the language because they tell you who is performing the action in a sentence. In Spanish, subject pronouns are categorized by person (first, second, and third) and number (singular or plural).
1st Person Pronouns (Singular & Plural)
- Yo — First-person singular, meaning “I.”
- Nosotros (masculine or mixed group) / Nosotras (feminine) — First-person plural, meaning “we.”
2nd Person Pronouns (Singular & Plural)
- Tú — Second-person singular, informal, meaning “you.”
- Vosotros (masculine or mixed group) / Vosotras (feminine) — Second-person plural, informal, used primarily in Spain, meaning “you all.”
- Usted — A formal version of “you,” used for both singular and plural “you” in more formal or respectful contexts (commonly used in Latin America).
3rd Person Pronouns (Singular & Plural)
- Él — Third-person singular masculine, meaning “he.”
- Ella — Third-person singular feminine, meaning “she.”
- Ello — A rare, neuter third-person pronoun used for unknown or undefined subjects.
- Usted — Formal third-person singular “you” (used instead of “tú” in formal situations).
- Ellos (masculine or mixed group) / Ellas (feminine) — Third-person plural, meaning “they.”
- Ustedes — Formal plural “you,” used for both formal and informal “you all” in Latin America, and formal in Spain.
Plural Person Pronouns in Spanish
What are the plural subject pronouns in Spanish?
In Spanish, plural subject pronouns vary depending on gender and formality:
- Nosotros, Nosotras — First-person plural, meaning “we.” Nosotros is used for a mixed-gender or masculine group, and nosotras is used for a feminine group.
- Vosotros, Vosotras — Second-person plural (informal), meaning “you all.” Vosotros is used for a mixed-gender or masculine group, and vosotras is used for a feminine group. This is mostly used in Spain.
- Ellos, Ellas — Third-person plural, meaning “they.” Ellos refers to a masculine or mixed-gender group, and ellas refers to a feminine group.
- Ustedes — Third-person plural, meaning “you all.” It is formal in Spain and used for both formal and informal situations in Latin America.
Summary:
- First-person: yo (I), nosotros/as (we)
- Second-person: tú (you, informal), vosotros/as (you all, informal, Spain), usted (you, formal), ustedes (you all, formal)
- Third-person: él (he), ella (she), ello (it/neutral), ellos/as (they), usted (you, formal, singular), ustedes (you all, plural)
Explaining these categories helps learners understand how subject pronouns work in sentences and why they are important for correct verb conjugation and sentence structure.
Spanish Direct and Indirect Object Pronouns
Object pronouns replace objects in a sentence, just like subject pronouns replace the subject. Understanding how the subject and objects work together helps form clear sentences. Some sentences have both, but not always. The verb connects the subject to the action. Key terms for objects in Spanish and English are:
- pronombre personal — personal pronoun
- el sujeto — subject
- el verbo — the verb
- objeto directo — direct object
- objeto indirecto — indirect object
- verbo transitivo — transitive verb
What are object pronouns used for in Spanish?
Object pronouns replace the objects in a sentence. Subject pronouns show who or what is doing the action, while object pronouns show who or what is receiving the action. Both replace nouns, but serve different roles.
Now let’s explore the two types of object pronouns in Spanish: direct object pronouns and indirect object pronouns.
2. Spanish Direct Object Pronouns
Direct object pronouns replace direct objects in a sentence. To understand direct objects, it’s important to know that they receive the action of the verb. Essentially, the direct object answers the question “who?” or “what?” in relation to the verb.
Direct Object Pronouns: me (me), te (you), lo/la (him, her, it), nos (us), os (you all), los/las (them)
These pronouns are used with transitive verbs, which are verbs that require an object. The verb connects the subject to the direct object.
Spanish Direct Object Pronouns Chart
| Number | Person | Direct Object Pronoun | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singular | First | me | me |
| Second | te | you | |
| Third | lo or la | him / her / it | |
| Plural | First | nos | us |
| Second | os | you | |
| Third | los or las | them | |
| masculine, feminine |
Tip: While it’s helpful to compare direct object pronouns to their English counterparts, don’t rely too heavily on direct translation. Focus on understanding their use in context with real Spanish sentences.
Examples of Spanish Direct Object Pronouns
- Yo quiero calcetines. — I want socks.
- Los quiero. — I want them (socks).
- ¿Dónde está mi bolsa? — Where is my purse?
- La miro aquí. — I see it here.
- Tengo el mapa. — (I) have the map.
- Lo tengo — I have it (map).
How to Find the Direct Object:
First identify the subject and verb in a sentence. Then,
To identify the direct object, ask yourself:
¿(Sujeto) (verbo) a quién o qué? — (Subject) (verb) Who or what?
The answer to this question will tell you if there’s a direct object in the sentence. Only some sentences have direct objects. Here are a few examples to help you practice identifying direct object pronouns.
Look at the examples above to see direct objects in action.
3. Spanish Indirect Object
Indirect object pronouns replace indirect objects in a sentence. An indirect object is the recipient of the action, often answering the question “to whom?” or “for whom?” It works alongside the direct object, and the verb connects both objects to the subject.
Spanish Indirect Object Pronouns: me (to me), te (to you), le (to him/her/it), nos (to us), os (to you all), les (to them)
Indirect objects are used when the subject performs an action that affects someone or something else. The verb determines how the subject connects to both the direct and indirect objects.
Spanish Indirect Object Pronouns Chart
| Number | Person | Indirect Object Pronouns | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singular | First | me | me |
| Second | te | you | |
| Third | le, se | him, her, it | |
| Plural | First | nos | us |
| Second | os | you | |
| Third | les, se | them | |
| le, les > se before l |
Tip: While comparing Spanish indirect object pronouns with their English equivalents can help, avoid translating word-for-word. Instead, focus on understanding how they work within the sentence.
Examples of Indirect Object Pronouns in Action:
- ¿Hablas a ella? — Do you talk to her?
¿La hablas? — Do you talk to her? - Él cocina desayuno para su madre. — He cooks breakfast for his mother.
Le cocina desayuno. — He cooks her breakfast. - El sol brilla al mundo. — The sun shines on the world.
El sol le brilla. — The sun shines on it.
How to Find the Indirect Object:
To find the indirect object, once you’ve identified the subject, verb, and direct object, ask yourself:
¿(Sujeto) (verbo) (objeto directo) a quién o qué? — (Subject) (verb) (direct object) to whom or what?
This question will tell you if there’s an indirect object. Only sentences with transitive verbs (verbs that require an object) can have indirect objects or pronouns.
Direct vs. Indirect Object Pronouns
Notice that the first and second person indirect object pronouns are the same as the direct object pronouns. However, the third-person pronouns differ, as the action often passes to a third party.
Both direct and indirect object pronouns replace their specific type of object. To identify them, ask the right questions about who or what is receiving the action.
The Order of Pronouns in Spanish
English speakers often struggle with the placement of pronouns in Spanish sentences because the word order is different. To master this, it’s important for learners to label and practice sample sentences.
The typical order of words in a Spanish sentence is as follows:
Subject + Negation + Indirect Object + Direct Object + Verb
By following this structure, you can ensure your Spanish sentences are clear, correct, and properly organized.
Let’s take a deep dive into more complex patterns.
Spanish Double Object Pronouns
In some sentences, both direct and indirect object pronouns appear together. In these cases, the indirect object pronoun always comes before the direct object pronoun. The possible combinations are:
- me lo, me la, me los, me las — it to me
- te lo, te, la, te los, te las — it to you
- se lo, se la, se los, se las — it to them (or you formal)
Remember, the indirect object pronoun comes first, followed by the direct object pronoun.
What is the Spanish Word for “It”?
In Spanish, the word for “it” changes depending on the gender and number of the object. Spanish doesn’t have a single word for “it” like English. Instead, “it” is represented by lo, la, los, or las depending on the object’s gender and number. In rare cases, ello is used when the subject is unknown or unspecified.
Examples of Double Object Pronouns:
Se lo di a ella. — I gave it to her.
Yo compraré la casa. — I will buy the house.
La compraré. — I will buy it.
La madre enseña a los niños la ciencia. — The mother teaches the children science.
Ella se la enseña. — She teaches it to them.
Se la enseña. — She teaches it to them.
Object Pronouns Attached to Verbs
In some cases, object pronouns are attached directly to the verb. This typically happens in affirmative commands.
Piénsalo bien. — Think about it well.
Dímelo tú. — You, tell me about it.
As you can see, the way object pronouns are used in Spanish differs from English. Understanding the correct order of pronouns is key to constructing sentences properly in Spanish.
Next, let’s look at reflexive pronouns, which are used when the subject and object refer to the same person.
4. Spanish Reflexive Pronouns
Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and the object of the sentence are the same, meaning the subject is doing something to itself. These pronouns are identical to the object pronouns, except for the third person.
Spanish Reflexive Pronouns:
- me — first-person singular (yo)
- te — second-person singular (tú)
- se — third-person singular (él, ella, usted)
- nos — first-person plural (nosotros, nosotras)
- os — second-person plural (vosotros, vosotras)
- se — third-person plural (ellos, ellas, ustedes)
The reflexive pronouns are identical to the indirect object pronouns, except for the third person.
In reflexive sentences, the subject both performs and receives the action.
Now that we’ve covered reflexive pronouns, let’s move on to possessive pronouns, which indicate ownership or possession.
5. Spanish Possessive Pronouns
Possessive pronouns are used to show ownership or possession. Unlike other pronouns, they agree with the noun they refer to in both number and gender, not with the subject.
Spanish Possessive Pronouns Chart
| Number | Person | Possessive Pronouns | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singular | First | mío, mía, míos, mías | mine |
| Second | tuyo, tuya, tuyos, tuyas | yours | |
| Third | suyo, suya, suyos, suyas | his, hers | |
| Plural | First | nuestro, nuestra, nuestros, nuestras | ours |
| Second | vuestro, vuestra, vuestros, vuestras | yours | |
| Third | suyo, suya, suyos, suyas | theirs | |
Tip: Usted is second-person formal, however, it uses third-person possessive pronouns.
Spanish Possessive Pronoun Examples
- No toques lo mío. – Don’t touch mine. (unspecific object, neuter)
- Mis calcetines son blancos. – My socks are white.
- Los suyos son negros. – Yours are black.
- Este libro no es mío. Es tuyo. – This book isn’t mine. It’s yours.
Understanding and correctly using possessive pronouns will help you express ownership and possession in Spanish with clarity and confidence.
Now that we’ve covered possessive pronouns, let’s move on to demonstrative pronouns, which help us indicate specific people, places, or things in relation to the speaker.
6. Spanish Demonstrative Pronouns
Demonstrative pronouns are used to point to specific things or people, indicating their proximity to the speaker. In Spanish, these pronouns change based on gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural), as well as distance (near, far, or very far).
Spanish Demonstrative Pronouns Chart
| Distance | Masculine Singular | Feminine Singular | Masculine Plural | Feminine Plural |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Near | éste | ésta | éstos | éstas |
| Middle | ése | ésa | ésos | esas |
| Far | aquél | aquélla | aquéllos | aquéllas |
Examples of Demonstrative Pronans:
- Este libro está en la mesa. (This book is on the table.)
- Esos zapatos son nuevos. (Those shoes are new.)
- Aquél es mi amigo. (That one over there is my friend.)
These pronouns are key to specifying which object or person you’re referring to, depending on its location relative to you.
7. Interrogative Pronouns
These pronouns are used to ask questions about a person or thing.
Interrogative Pronouns: quién (who), qué (what), cuál (which), cuánto/a (how much, how many)
8. Relative Pronouns
These pronouns introduce relative clauses and connect them to the main clause.
Relative Pronouns: que (that, which, who), quien (who), el que/la que (the one who), lo que (what), cuyo/a (whose)
9. Indefinite Pronouns
These pronouns refer to non-specific things or people.
Indefinite Pronouns: alguien (someone), algo (something), nadie (no one), nada (nothing), todo (everything), cada (each), alguno/a (some), ninguno/a (none)
10. Spanish Prepositional Pronouns
These are pronouns that follow prepositions. They are used after a preposition when the noun being referred to is replaced.
The prepositions are: a, ante, bajo, cabe, con, contra, de, desde, durante, en, entre, hacia, hasta, mediante, para, por, según, sin, so, sobre, tras, versus, vía.
They are similar to the subject pronouns, except in the first and second person singular.
Spanish Prepositional Pronouns Chart
| Number | Person | Prepositional Pronoun | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singular | First | mí (or conmigo) | me |
| Second | ti, vos (or contigo) | you | |
| Third | él, ella, ello, usted (or consigo) | him, her | |
| Plural | First | nosotros, nosotras | us |
| Second | vosotros, vosotras | you | |
| Third | ellos, ellas, ustedes (or consigo) | them, you | |
| masculine, feminine, formal |
Spanish Prepositional Pronoun Examples
- La bebida es para ti. — The drink is for you.
- Es para ti. — It’s for you.
- Podemos ir sin ellos. — We can go without them.
- No es mi coche. Es de ella. — It’s not my car. It’s hers.
11. Spanish Comitative Pronouns
Finally, the last group of personal pronouns are comitative pronouns. These pronouns show that the subject acted together with someone or something else to complete an action. Simply put, they express doing something with someone. Like prepositional phrases, they all begin with the preposition con. In the singular form, they combine into a single word.
Spanish Comitative Pronouns Chart
| Number | Person | Comitative Pronouns | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singular | First | conmigo | with me |
| Second | contigo, con vos, con usted, consigo* | with you | |
| Third | con él, con ella, con ello, consigo* | with him, her | |
| Plural | First | con nosotros, con nosotras | with us |
| Second | con vosotros, con vosotras, con ustedes, consigo* | with you all | |
| Third | con ellos, con ellas, consigo* | with them | |
| *consigo is reflexive |
Spanish Comitative Pronoun Examples
- Habrá consecuencias, cuenta con ello. — There will be consequences; you can count on it.
- Ven conmigo. — (You) Come with me.
- Hablaba consigo misma. — (She) was talking to herself.
Now that you know the different types of pronouns, you’ll be able to speak and understand Spanish a lot more easily — one step closer to feeling confident and natural!
What’s Next?
Spanish Nouns – Forms of Nouns and Examples
Ultimate Grammar Analysis System
Spanish Verbs – What You Need to Know
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