using la and le after verbs

Question

Quizás podria llamarla para decirle que llegó. (Maybe (you) could call her to tell her (he) arrived.)

Why does llamar end in 'la' and decir end in 'le'?

Answer 1

It has to do with what is the direct object and what is the indirect object of the verb. In the case of llamarla, you are calling her- so you use the direct object, la (there is no indirect object in this case). In the case of decirle, you are telling something to her, so you use the indirect object le. "que llegó"- that he arrived is the something you are telling her, so it is the direct object in essence.

You have to pay attention to how the verbs are used to get a sense of when to use which. It is easier with me and te, as the direct and indirect pronouns are the same, but you still need to know, in order to be able to combine them with other pronouns.

Bosque, between you and Winkfish, there is not much for me to do any more :) Good going guys! Voté por ti. - Daniela2041, Dec 2, 2014

Oh I leave things for you. Just the harder stuff. ;) - bosquederoble, Dec 2, 2014

And I do appreciate your comments, because part of how I learn is to think these things through. :) - bosquederoble, Dec 2, 2014