No le entendi.

Question

One of the first sentences we novices learn is "No le entendi." What puzzles me is why it is "le entendi" and not "lo entendi." After all, we are saying "I did not understand you" or "I did not not understand it." In either case, "you" or "it" is a direct object isn't it? So shouldn't the DO pronoun lo be used?

Thank you.

Answer 1

hmmm

No le entendí/No lo entendí = I didn't understand you. (formal)

No lo entendí = I didn't understand it.

The first one is kind of iffy. Some people use "le" only and others "lo" only.

EDIT:

OK, what happens, is that in Chile, we use very little that "le", if only when we want to be extremely deferent with somebody either courteously or otherwise (smart A)

No lo entiendo (a usted) (formal for him)

No la entiendo (a usted) (formal for her)

No le entiendo (a usted) (formal for either gender) (extra deferent)

No lo entiendo (I don't undertand it)

Is that better for you guys?

¿Cómo es? ¡Pero es que de verdad que como que cada país habla un idioma distinto! :-D - Gekkosan, Dec 28, 2011

Chileno, good job. The pronouns are part of what makes spanish so confusing. I use le when referring to a person and lo when referring to the discussion or object that I dont understand. - gringojrf, Dec 28, 2011

Gekko, where are you from, answer in PM if necessary. :) - chileno, Dec 28, 2011

Answer 2

"No lo entendí means "I did not understand that (whatever you said).

"No le entendí means "I did not understand you.

So the first one refers to the concept stated, the other one to the person issuing the statement.

very clear - patch, Dec 28, 2011