Spanish grammar
Le, les
Say who you bought or are giving a present to.
From the scene Le compré un regalo (I bought her a present)
In short
Put le (to him, her, usted) or les (to them) before the verb. Keep it even when you name the person.
- to him / her le
- to them les
- I bought him a book le compré un libro
- I bought them chocolates les compré chocolatinas
Your turn
Which one goes with to them?
Options: le compré un libro · les · le
Show answer
to them → les
How it works
To say who receives something, put an indirect object pronoun before the verb: le (to him / her / you-usted) or les (to them / you all).
Good to know
It stays even when you also name the person: a mi madre le voy a regalar…
to him / her le
Nuria
Casi. A mi madre le voy a regalar un jersey.
Almost. My mum — I'm going to give her a jumper.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Casi. A mi madre (blank) voy a regalar un jersey.
Options: le compré un libro · le · les
Show answer
Nuria
Casi. A mi madre le voy a regalar un jersey.
Almost. My mum — I'm going to give her a jumper.
to them les
Javi
¿Y a tus primos? ¿Qué les compraste?
And your cousins? What did you buy them?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
¿Y a tus primos? ¿Qué (blank) compraste?
Options: les compré chocolatinas · les · le compré un libro
Show answer
Javi
¿Y a tus primos? ¿Qué les compraste?
And your cousins? What did you buy them?
I bought him a book le compré un libro
Nuria
A Diego le compré un libro de fútbol.
I bought Diego a football book.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
A Diego (blank) de fútbol.
Options: les · les compré chocolatinas · le compré un libro
Show answer
Nuria
A Diego le compré un libro de fútbol.
I bought Diego a football book.
I bought them chocolates les compré chocolatinas
Nuria
A ellos les compré chocolatinas del mercado.
I bought them chocolates from the market.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
A ellos (blank) del mercado.
Options: les compré chocolatinas · le compré un libro
Show answer
Nuria
A ellos les compré chocolatinas del mercado.
I bought them chocolates from the market.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| to him / her | le |
|---|---|
| to them | les |
| I bought him a book | le compré un libro |
| I bought them chocolates | les compré chocolatinas |
More lines from the story
- NuriaPero hay que envolverlo. ¿Me ayudas, por favor?But it needs wrapping. Will you help me, please?
- Nuria¡Es broma! Tengo un regalo precioso para ti.Just kidding! I've got a lovely present for you.