Use of "se lo" here.

Question

Hola.

My biggest problem learning Spanish is the grammar. Can someone please explain why "se" and "lo" are used in this sentence? Why isn't "le" used instead?

"Así que se lo dijiste todo?" - So you told him everything?

Thank you!

Answer 1

Oooh I got this one. Though someone else may reexplain it with all the technical words.

"Se" in this case was really the indirect object "le" which represents "him/her". However, in Spanish, in order to avoid an awkward speech pattern, "le lo" the "le" is changed to "se" when it preceeds "lo".

As for the "lo", "lo" refers back to the original conversation that was just told to this person. Like if they were talking about a breakup, "lo" refers back to the breakup convo. I think it's a direct object pronoun.

In my head I remember the "lo" by saying "so you told him it"

I hope that helps!

Thats really well explained haha - dewclaw, Oct 9, 2012

I had forgotten that!!! Thanks so much! - crabbycat, Oct 10, 2012

Answer 2

Because you cannot have "le lo" right next to eachother.

When "le" is next to "lo(s)/la(s)" , then it always changes to "se"

For example.

I already gave it to her.

Ya le lo di a ella.= Incorrect

Ya se lo di a ella.= correct