When to use indirect object pronouns.

Question

Do I have to use the indirect object pronoun when the indirect object isn't a human being? Which translation is correct 1 or 2? (1.) I want to buy a bag of chips from the vending machine.=Quiero comprar una bolsa de papas a la máquina expendedora. (2.) I want to buy a bag of chips from the vending machine.=Le quiero comprar una bolsa de papas a la máquina expendedora.

Answer 1

I'm not expert at languages, but in Spanish we usually say "en la máquina expendedora" or "de la máquina expendedora", instead of using "a". It sounds so strange referring to a vending with the indirect object pronoun. However, "Le" sometimes can refer to objects: "Pegué un puñetazo a la mesa"/"Le pegué un puñetazo"/"Le pegué un puñetazo a la mesa". Your sentence, said by a native speaker would be: "Quiero comprar una bolsa de papas en/de la máquina expendedora"

Answer 2

Hi gélido, welcome to the forum.

Le quiero comprar una bolsa de papas a la máquina expendedora.

This would actually mean:

I want to buy a back of chips TO/for the machine.

You cannot use the pronoun here because the vending machine is a prepositional object.

Quiero comprar una bolsa de/en la maquina

Ale already gave you this answer, nice ale, welcome to the forum , too

Answer 3

Quiero comprar una Pepsi de la máquina.

Quiero comprar una Pepsi a Juan. I want to buy John a Pepsi. Quiero comprarle una Pepsi (a Juan).

Quiero comprar una botella de vino en el /del supermercado. I wouldn't say "al supermercado".

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(Le )doy instrucciones a la máquina. Se las doy is Ok.

I think an object could also be an indirect object but it depends as I said before.