Using double pronouns with the imperative in Spanish (El Imperativo)
Learn about the order of pronouns with El Imperativo
When an imperative in Spanish has two pronouns there is a specific order: first the indirect object pronoun (me, te, le, nos, les) and then the direct object pronoun (lo, la, las, los). These are placed after and combined with the verb to become a single word.
Have a look at these examples:
Prepara la carne para él. → Prepárasela.Prepare the meat for him. → Prepare it for him.
Corten la hierba para mí. → Córtenmela.Cut the grass for me. → Cut it for me.
Compren caramelos para ustedes. → Cómprenselos.Buy sweets for you. → Buy them for you.
Pide las cervezas para ellos. → Pídeselas.Order the beers for them. → Order them for them.
Reserva la mesa para ti. → Resérvatela.Book the table for yourself. → Book it for yourself.
Póngaselo en la mesa.Put it on the table for him/her/them.
Escriban la carta a nosotros → Escríbannosla.Write the letter to us. → Write it to us
Dámelo ahora mismo.Give it to me straight away.
Firmen el documento para ella. → Fírmenselo.Sign the document for her. → Sign it for her.
Notice:
- The combined verb with pronouns now has an accent [´] even if it didn't have one as a simple imperative with no pronouns, this is to maintain the pronunciation of the original verb.
- When le or les is combined with the direct object pronoun it becomes se. This is for pronunciation reasons. See Spanish pronouns le / les become se when used with lo, la, los, las (indirect with direct pronouns).
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