Learn how to use direct object pronouns with haber, tener and querer
The Spanish verbs haber, tener and querer don't require the direct object pronouns lo/la, los, las when they refer to a previously mentioned noun. This generally happens when answering a question while speaking.
First, let's see how other verbs do require the direct object pronoun:
-¿Tú has visto a tu madre hoy? -No, no la he visto.-Have you seen your mum today? -No, I haven't (seen her)
-¿Llamaste ayer al fontanero? -Sí, lo llamé.-Did you call the plumber yesterday? -Yes, I did (call him).
Now have a look at these examples with haber, tener and querer:
-¿Hay bebida en la nevera? -No, no (la) hay.-Is there a drink in the fridge? -No, there isn't (one).
-¿Hay muchos perros en el parque? -No, no (los) hay.-Are there lots of dogs in the park? -No, there aren't.
-¿Tienes dinero para pagar la pizza? -Sí, yo (lo) tengo.-Do you have money to pay for the pizza? -Yes, I do (have it).
-¿Quién quiere un poco de paella? -¡Yo (la) quiero!-Who wants some paella? -I do!
Despite referring to the noun in the question, the answer does not need the direct object pronoun.
The verbs traer and llevar follow the same rule:
-¿Lleváis monedas para pagar el parking? -Sí, (las) llevamos.-Do you have coins to pay for the parking? -Yes, we do (have some)
-¿Has traído vasos de plástico? -No, no (los) he traído.Did you bring (some) plastic cups? -No, I didn't (bring them).
However, If there is a determiner in front of the noun acting as the antecedent, making the noun somehow more specific, then the direct object pronoun is present:
-¿Quieres esas gafas de sol? -No, no las quiero.-Do you want those sunglasses? -No, I don't (want them).
-¿Ella tiene mis documentos? -No, no los tiene.-Does she have my documents? -No, she doesn't (have them).
-¿Llevas la maleta azul en el maletero? -No, no la llevo.-Do you have the blue bag in the boot? -No, I don't (have it).
¿Quieres estos pantalones? Ya me quedan pequeños. -No, gracias, no los quiero.-Do you want these trousers? They are small for me now. -No, thank you, I don't want them.
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