Double pronouns: se lo
Give it to me, tell it to him: when two pronouns meet, the “to whom” comes first. And le + lo becomes se lo.
Theory
Order: indirect (to whom) + direct (what) + verb.
The combinations
| To whom | + lo | + la | + los / las |
|---|---|---|---|
| me | me lo | me la | me los |
| te | te lo | te la | te las |
| le / les → se | se lo | se la | se los |
| nos | nos lo | nos la | nos las |
| os | os lo | os la | os los |
In real sentences
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| ¿Me das el libro? | Sí, te lo doy. |
| ¿Le das las llaves a Ana? | Sí, se las doy. |
| ¿Nos traes la cuenta? | Ahora os la traigo. |
| ¿Me prestas tu coche? | No, no te lo presto. |
Indirect first
me lo, te la, nos los = it to me, it to you, them to us
Never lo me.
le + lo = se lo
Le doy el libro = I give him the book
→ Se lo doy. = I give it to him.
Never le lo.
se is ambiguous
Se lo doy a él. = I give it to him.
Se lo doy a ella. = I give it to her.
Se lo doy a ustedes. = I give it to you (all).
Joined to an infinitive
Voy a dártelo. = I’m going to give it to you.
= Te lo voy a dar.
Add an accent
dar + te + lo → dártelo
to keep the stress in place.
With no
No te lo digo. = I’m not telling you.
no goes before both.
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