Imperative with direct and indirect object pronouns
Reminder: The imperative is used to give orders, instructions, advice and direct requests.
Ven a la oficina. venir, imperativo presente
Come to the office.
No vengas a la oficina. venir, imperativo negativo
Don't come to the office.
When the imperative goes with direct or indirect object pronouns, they are placed as follows:
- Affirmative imperatives: the pronoun goes after the verb, forming a single word.
Trae tu plato a la mesa → Tráelo a la mesa.
Bring your plate to the table → Bring it to the table.
Presta 50 € a Nacho → Préstale 50 €.
Lend €50 to Nacho → Lend him €50.
- Negative imperatives: the pronoun goes before the verb.
No reserves la habitación → No la reserves.
Don't reserve the room → Don't reserve it.
No eches más azúcar a la sangría → No le eches más azúcar.
Don't put more sugar in the sangria → Don't put any more sugar in it.
- When we use both types of pronoun, the indirect object one goes first and then the direct object one.
Dame el bolso (CD) a mí (CI) → Dámelo.
Give the bag (DO) to me (IO) → Give me it.
No me des el bolso a mí → No me lo des.
Don't give the bag to me → Don't give me it.
Notes:
- The indirect object pronoun le changes to se when it goes before the direct object pronouns lo, la, los, las.
Compra un bañador (CD) al doctor Macías (CI) → Cómpraselo.
Buy a swimming costume (DO) for Dr Macías (IO) → Buy it for him.
No compres un bañador al doctor Macías → No se lo compres.
Don't buy a swimming costume for Dr Macías → Don't buy it for him.
- To keep the verb's stress pattern, sometimes we add an accent.
Prueba la sopa → Pruébala.
Try the soup → Try it.
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