Leísmo, Laísmo y Loísmo
The phenomena leísmo, laísmo and loísmo are a dialectal variation in the Spanish language that consist of the misuse of the direct and indirect object pronouns. These phenomena are more common in Spain, especially in the northwestern region of Castilla y León, although they can be heard in other Spanish speaking countries.Leísmo
El leísmo is the misuse of the indirect object pronoun in place of the direct object pronoun. Busqué los libros que querías y les encontré en la biblioteca. - INCORRECTBusqué los libros que querías y los encontré en la biblioteca. - CORRECTI looked for the books you wanted and I found them in the library.* Exception: the use of the indirect object pronoun le when referring to a male person is accepted. Animaremos a Juan en el partido del domingo. ¡Todos le animaremos! - CORRECTAnimaremos a Juan en el partido del domingo. ¡Todos lo animaremos! - CORRECTWe will cheer for Juan on Sunday's game. We all will cheer for him!However, when referring to a male group of people is preferable to use los instead of les. Animaremos a Juan y a Marcos en el partido del domingo. ¡Todos les animaremos! - CORRECTAnimaremos a Juan y a Marcos en el partido del domingo. ¡Todos los animaremos! - BETTERWe will cheer for Juan and Marcos on Sunday's game. We all will cheer for them!Laísmo
El laísmo is the misuse of the direct object pronoun (feminine) in place of the indirect object pronoun.
Las di un regalo de cumpleaños (a ellas). - INCORRECTLes di un regalo de cumpleaños (a ellas). - CORRECTI gave them a birthday gift.La compré una rosa por nuestro aniversario (a ella). - INCORRECTLe compré una rosa por nuestro aniversario (a ella). - CORRECTI bought her a rose for our anniversary.Loísmo
El loísmo is the misuse of the direct object pronoun (masculine) in place of the indirect object pronoun. Su secretaria lo molestó con continuas interrupciones. - INCORRECTSu secretaria le molestó con continuas interrupciones. - CORRECTHis secretary bothered him with ongoing interruptions.Lo dio un golpe con la pelota (a él). - INCORRECTLe dio un golpe con la pelota (a él). - CORRECTHe hit him with a ball. 