Posición de los pronombres con

In English, we almost always put the pronoun after the verb. We say "I love you." In Spanish, the "you" (te) moves to the front. You say Te amo. This is the golden rule for 90% of your daily conversations. If you have a single, conjugated verb, the pronoun goes right before it. It’s like a tiny bodyguard protecting the verb. If the sentence is negative, the no goes first, then the pronoun, then the verb. For example: No lo tengo (I don't have it). However, Spanish likes to keep things interesting. When you have two verbs working together, or specific forms like the infinitive, you get choices. You can keep that bodyguard in front or attach it to the end of the verb like a tail.

1. 1Putting pronouns in the right spot follows a very logical path. Follow these steps to never get lost:
2. 2Identify the verb form: Is it a normal conjugated verb like como or vives? Or is it an infinitive (ending in -ar, -er, -ir)?
3. 3Check for 'Buddies': Do you have two verbs together? Examples include quiero comer (I want to eat) or estoy hablando (I am talking).
4. 4The 'Before' Rule: If there is only one conjugated verb, place the pronoun before it. Example: Me llamas (You call me).
5. 5The 'After' Rule: If you have an infinitive or a gerund (the -ando/-iendo form), you can attach the pronoun to the end. Example: Comerlo (To eat it).
6. 6The 'Double Verb' Flex: If you have two verbs, you can choose! Lo quiero comprar OR Quiero comprarlo. Both are 100% correct.
7. 7The RID Order: If you use two pronouns (like "It to me"), always follow the order: Reflexive -> Indirect -> Direct. Use the acronym RID to remember.

You will use these placement rules every single time you speak Spanish.

• Daily Errands: When you are at the market and say Lo compro (I'll buy it).
• Sharing Secrets: When telling a friend Te lo digo mañana (I'll tell it to you tomorrow).
• Ordering Food: When you tell the waiter Tráigamelo, por favor (Bring it to me, please).
• Job Interviews: When describing your skills, like Puedo aprenderlo rápido (I can learn it quickly).

Think of it like a grammar traffic light. A single verb is a red light; you must stay in front. An infinitive or gerund is a green light; you can go to the front or the back. An affirmative command is a mandatory U-turn; you must go to the back! It sounds like a lot, but your brain will start to hear the rhythm of the language soon.

Don't try to put pronouns between two verbs. This is a very common trap! If you say Quiero lo comer, a Spanish speaker will understand you, but it sounds like you’re wearing your shoes on the wrong feet. It feels clunky.

• Don't split them: Keep the pronoun either before the first verb or after the second. Never in the middle.
• No 'Le Lo': Spanish hates the way le lo sounds. If you have two "L" pronouns together, change the first one to se. So, Le lo doy becomes Se lo doy. It’s just easier on the tongue!
• Negative Commands: When you tell someone "Don't do it," the pronoun cannot be attached. You must say No lo hagas. Attaching it only happens when you are being positive and giving an order.

One of the biggest hurdles is the "Me se" mistake. Even some native speakers do this in casual speech, but it is technically wrong. It should always be Se me. Remember our RID rule: Reflexive/Indirect always comes before Direct, but Se always wins the first spot.

Another classic is forgetting the accent mark. When you attach a pronoun to a gerund or a long verb, the word gets longer. To keep the stress in the right place, you usually need an accent. Comiendo becomes Comiéndolo. If you forget the accent, the word sounds like it's tripping over itself.

Lastly, avoid putting the pronoun after a normal conjugated verb. Yo amo te is a direct translation from English, but in Spanish, it sounds like Yoda is speaking. Te amo is the way to go. Think of it like a puzzle piece that only fits on the left side of a conjugated verb.

If you know Italian or French, you might feel a bit of déjà vu. They also love putting pronouns before the verb. However, Spanish is much more flexible with the "front or back" choice for infinitives. In French, you usually stay in the middle. In Spanish, you have the freedom to choose based on how you want the sentence to flow.

Also, don't confuse this with subject pronouns like Yo, Tú, or Ella. Those are optional and usually used for emphasis. The pronouns we are talking about—me, te, lo, la—are the workhorses. You can't just drop them if you want to be specific.