An indirect object is the noun to or for whom the action of a sentence is performed. Therefore, an indirect object pronoun is going to substitute this noun in order to avoid repetition.
Indirect Object Pronoun in Use
Rule 1. The function of any pronoun is to avoid repetition of the noun.
In the example above, Andrea is the person for whom the action is performed. Since she is mentioned in the first question, the speaker uses the indirect object pronoun le to refer to her in the second question rather than repeating her name.
Indirect Object Pronoun Form
Rule 2. Indirect object pronouns, unlike direct object pronouns, do not vary in gender. Other than this, the forms of indirect and direct object pronouns are the same except in the third person singular and plural.
Here is a comparison between the two types of pronouns:
| Direct Object Pronouns | Translation |
|---|---|
| me | me |
| te | you (informal) |
| lo, la | him, her, it, you (formal) |
| nos | us |
| os | you (informal) |
| los, las | them, you (formal) |
| Indirect Object Pronouns | Translation |
|---|---|
| me | to/for me |
| te | to/for you (informal) |
| le* | to/for him, her, you (formal) |
| nos | to/for us |
| os | to/for you all (informal) |
| les* | to/for them, you (formal) |
*As you can see in the two charts, the only pronouns that are different are those of the third person plural and singular.
Some examples in context:
Rule 3. Similarly to direct object pronouns, they are placed before conjugated verbs.
Indirect Object Pronouns with Gustar
Rule 4. You may notice that indirect object pronouns are the same as those used with gustar and similar verbs.
Quiz
1/3¿A quién le queda el vestido?
A Gisela _____________ queda bien.