What is the correct order of object pronouns?

Question

I know that there are (at least) three types of *personal* pronouns in Spanish (well, and English): direct, indirect, and reflexive. In cases where all three (or at least two) are present, what is the correct ordering of these pronouns? Also, *why* is this the correct ordering of these pronouns? That is, is there a reason that the order is...whatever it is?

Answer 1

Hi! Just a friendly correction: it’s just with one “la” in your example “Me la sacaron la muela.” Saludos :)👋🏼

Answer 2

You won’t ever find more than two pronouns with one verb. Also, a reflexive will only have one pronoun, as the reflexive pronoun is both the direct object and the indirect object. “Juan se lavó las manos.” (Juan washed his hands.) “Las manos” are the direct object, but they’re also an extension of Juan. You could say that he is the indirect object as the recipient of the action, so the “se” stands for both himself and his hands.

You may see “se” used with a direct object pronoun, but in this sense the verb isn’t truly reflexive. I learned it as “the accidental ‘se,’” which is used to show when something seemingly occurs by itself or is an accident. In this case, “se” comes before the object pronoun. Example: “Se me olvidaron las llaves.” (I forgot the keys.)

When you have an indirect object pronoun with a direct object pronoun, put the indirect object pronoun first. Here’s an example: “Me la sacaron la muela.” (They took out my molar.) In this example, “me” is the indirect object pronoun, (first) while “la” is the direct object pronoun.

The order helps clear up confusion about what is the direct object and what is the indirect object. It’s understandable that it may seem frustrating to learn and practice, but once you have it down you’ll be able to process faster what a sentence is saying. This really is the purpose of all syntax, or word ordering, because if there isn’t a set order sentences become hard to understand.