Hello. I'm a bit confused on the optional placements of "le" in sentences. For example, if i want to say "I don't want to ask my brother for money". Would both sentences below be correct? And if so, is one construction more commonly used in Mexico and Latin America?
No le quiero pedir dinero a mi hermano vs. No quiero pedirle dinero a mi hermano.
Thank you!
Hola Daniel B.
Both of your sentences are grammatically correct and perfectly natural in Spanish. They express the exact same meaning: “I don’t want to ask my brother for money.” The only difference lies in the placement of the indirect object pronoun “le”.
In Spanish, when a conjugated verb (like quiero) is followed by an infinitive (pedir), the pronoun can either go before the conjugated verb (le quiero pedir) or attached to the end of the infinitive (pedirle). Both placements are valid and widely used in everyday speech and writing.
As for regional preference, in Latin America—especially in casual spoken Spanish—placing the pronoun at the end of the infinitive (pedirle) tends to sound a bit more fluid and is slightly more common. That said, the alternative structure (le quiero pedir) is also completely acceptable and frequently used, particularly when emphasizing the pronoun.
So you’re free to use either version, depending on what feels more natural to you. Native speakers use both without a second thought! Let us know if you'd like examples with other verbs or types of pronouns.
Hasta pronto
Silvia
Don't have an account yet? Join today
Test your Spanish to the CEFR standard
Find your Spanish level