Imperative + Object Pronouns
Master the Spanish imperative with direct and indirect object pronouns. Learn pronoun attachment, accent rules, and double pronouns. Level B1.
Commands + Pronouns: The Full Picture
Now that you know direct and indirect object pronouns, it's time to combine them with commands (the imperative). The key question is: Where do the pronouns go? The answer depends on whether the command is affirmative or negative.
1. Affirmative Commands: Attach!
✅ The Rule
In affirmative commands, the pronoun is attached to the end of the verb, forming one single word.
📝 Written as One Word
The verb + pronoun become one word. No spaces! This is the most important rule for affirmative commands.
Examples with single pronouns:
| Base Command | + Pronoun | Combined Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Di (decir, tú) | me | Dime | Tell me |
| Come (comer, tú) | lo | Cómelo | Eat it |
| Escribe (escribir, tú) | le | Escríbele | Write to him/her |
| Llama (llamar, tú) | la | Llámala | Call her |
| Mira (mirar, tú) | nos | Míranos | Look at us |
| Compra (comprar, tú) | los | Cómpralos | Buy them |
2. Accent Rules When Adding Pronouns
✏️ Why the Accent?
When you attach a pronoun, the word gets longer but the stress stays on the same syllable. Spanish spelling rules require a written accent to preserve the original stress.
🎯 Quick Rule
If the command has 2+ syllables and you add a pronoun, you almost always need an accent mark on the originally stressed vowel.
Notice the accent marks:
- Come → Cómelo — accent on co (original stress preserved)
- Escribe → Escríbele — accent on crí
- Diga (usted) → Dígame — accent on dí
- Compra → Cómpralos — accent on cóm
- Di → Dime — no accent needed (one-syllable base)
- Da → Dale — no accent needed (one-syllable base)
3. Double Pronouns: IO + DO
🔢 The Order
When you have both an indirect and a direct object pronoun, they always follow this order: Indirect BEFORE Direct.
IO + DO always!
⚡ The SE Rule
When le/les meets lo/la/los/las, the le/les changes to se. This avoids the awkward sound of "le lo".
The SE transformation:
| IO + DO | Becomes | Affirmative Command | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| le + lo | se lo | Dáselo | Give it to him/her |
| le + la | se la | Dásela | Give it (fem.) to him/her |
| les + los | se los | Dáselos | Give them to them |
| me + lo | me lo | Dámelo | Give it to me |
| te + la | te la | Cómpratela | Buy it (fem.) for yourself |
| nos + lo | nos lo | Diganoslo | Tell it to us |
4. Pronoun Order: A Memory Aid
Always remember: RID (Reflexive → Indirect → Direct)
- me lo — me (IO) + lo (DO) → "Dámelo." (Give it to me.)
- te la — te (IO) + la (DO) → "Cómpratela." (Buy it for yourself.)
- se lo — se (from le) + lo (DO) → "Dáselo." (Give it to him/her.)
- se las — se (from les) + las (DO) → "Mándenselas." (Send them to them.)
- nos los — nos (IO) + los (DO) → "Tráiganoslos." (Bring them to us.)
5. Negative Commands: Pronouns Go BEFORE
🚫 The Opposite Rule
In negative commands, the pronouns go before the verb as separate words. They are NOT attached.
📐 The Structure
No + (IO) + (DO) + verb. The same order (IO before DO) still applies.
Compare affirmative vs negative:
| Affirmative ✅ | Negative 🚫 | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Dime | No me digas | Tell me / Don't tell me |
| Cómelo | No lo comas | Eat it / Don't eat it |
| Dáselo | No se lo des | Give it to him / Don't give it to him |
| Escríbele | No le escribas | Write to him / Don't write to him |
| Dámelo | No me lo des | Give it to me / Don't give it to me |
| Llámala | No la llames | Call her / Don't call her |
6. Common Daily Phrases
Practice these — you'll hear them every day!
- Pásame la sal. — Pass me the salt.
- Dile la verdad. — Tell him/her the truth.
- No me digas. — Don't tell me. / No way! (expression of surprise)
- Cómpramelo. — Buy it for me.
- Dáselo a tu hermano. — Give it to your brother.
- No se lo digas a nadie. — Don't tell anyone.
- Tráeme un café. — Bring me a coffee.
- Préstamelo. — Lend it to me.
- Enséñanoslo. — Show it to us.
- No me lo quites. — Don't take it away from me.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- Separating in affirmative: ❌ "Di me la verdad." → ✅ "Dime la verdad."
- Attaching in negative: ❌ "No dígame." → ✅ "No me diga."
- Wrong order (DO before IO): ❌ "Dalome." → ✅ "Dámelo." (IO + DO)
- Forgetting the SE change: ❌ "Dalelo." → ✅ "Dáselo." (le + lo → se lo)
- Missing accent: ❌ "Comelo" → ✅ "Cómelo"
Ponte a Prueba
Reto 1: Complete the Command
Puntuación: 0/10Choose the correct form of the command with attached pronoun(s). Pay attention to accents!
Reto 2: Affirmative or Negative?
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