Syrita... explanation the indirect object pronoun [le]
Direct object pronouns- replace nouns that answer the question 'what'- lo/ la can refer to a person, an object, a thing etc.
Indirect object pronouns- are used with certain verbs that take an indirect object pronoun and answer the question 'to whom or for whom' an action is intended.
Le= is an 'indirect object pronoun' (masc. and fem) used to refer to (and replace) indirect objects. (Be careful what you said below is incorrect).
Lo/La= are direct object pronouns that are used to refer to (and replace) direct objects in a phrase.
Certain verbs in Spanish require an indirect object pronoun only thus [le] can only be used and not [lo] or [la]. Some verbs can take an indirect and a direct object pronoun.
For example you referenced the verb
decir.
Decir can take both object pronouns depending on what you want to say. In the dictionary they usually expand the meaning- Decir (algo a alguien).
Algo can be replaced by [lo] and
alguien can be replaced by [le].
I told him= Le dije
I told him (algo)= Se lo dije
Se lo dije ('le' becomes 'se' because in Spanish two pronouns together that begin with the same letter for phonetic reasons is not permitted.
Le lo dije is agrammatical thus
Se lo dije is correct. You may hear that incorrect form used by kids who eventually learn the correct way or used by those who are learning how to speak Spanish).
Another classic verb with [le] is
Dar. It is governed by the same logic as
Decir. In the dictionary you will see the full form
Dar (algo a alguien). Algo= lo and alguien =le.
Indirect object pronouns present the most difficulty and the area of confusion for you maybe that some people use [le] when they should use [lo] or [la] this is called
"leísmo" and also the usage of these pronouns with some verbs is regional (differs from country to country).
In Spanish some incorrect forms are now acceptable (I won't get into the exceptions) but for example with verbs like
llamar,
ayudar and
conocer you may hear both the direct and the indirect pronoun used.
For example- Voy a
ayudarle or Voy a
ayudarlo. (Purely regional usage. My suggestion is to use what you were taught or consult the dictionary. I have my preference but I won't impose it on you).
LDG.
Buena suerte.
Syrita said:
GForce
Yes, that helps me. So "le" is only used for indirect pronouns. Breaking it down by direct vs. indirect helped me understand it better. Thanks!!
Syrita