Using lo, la, los, las = him, her, it, them (direct object pronouns)

Learn about the Spanish pronouns lo, la, los, las

La, las, lo and los are direct object pronouns: they replace a noun (person or thing) used as the direct object in a sentence.

Have a look at these sentences:

¿Está viendo la última película de Almodóvar? Sí, la está viendo.Is he watching the last Almodóvar movie? -Yes, he's watching it.

¿Terminan el trabajo hoy? - Sí, lo terminan hoy.Are they finishing the job today? - Yes, they are finishing it today.

¿Sabes dónde están mis gafas? Las dejo en la mesa todos los días.Do you know where my glasses are? I leave them on the table every day.

¿Puedes comprar plátanos? Sí, los compro ahora.Can you buy bananas? Yes, I'm buying them now.

Note that the direct object pronoun agrees in gender and number with the noun it is replacing: 

  Masculine

Feminine

Singular 

lo 
him/it

la
her/it

Plural

los
them

las
them


The direct object pronoun is placed in front of the conjugated verb.

See also Using le and les = [to] it, him, her, them (indirect object pronouns)

Want to make sure your Spanish sounds confident? We’ll map your knowledge and give you free lessons to focus on your gaps and mistakes. Start your Brainmap today »

Examples and resources

No lo molestes, está haciendo sus deberes.Don't bother him, he is doing his homework.
¿Está viendo la última película de Almodóvar? Sí, la está viendo.Is he watching the last Almodóvar movie? -Yes, he's watching it.
¿Puedes comprar plátanos? Sí, los compro ahora.Can you buy bananas? Yes, I'm buying them now.
¿Sabes dónde están mis gafas? Las dejo en la mesa todos los días.Do you know where my glasses are? I leave them on the table every day.
¿Terminan el trabajo hoy? - Sí, lo terminan hoy.Are they finishing the job today? - Yes, they are finishing it today.
Lo abracé.I hugged him.
La abracé. I hugged her.
Los ayudé.I helped them. (masculine)
Las ayudé.I helped them. (feminine)
Esas películas lo aterrorizan.Those movies terrify him.
Let me take a look at that...