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Intermediate

The Personal 'a'

Marking a human direct object

Use 'a' before a specific person as object

The 'personal a'.

💬 Examples
Veo a María.
I see María.
📝 Personal 'a' before a person
Busco a mi hermano.
I'm looking for my brother.
📝 Personal 'a' + person
No personal 'a' for things

Only for people (and beloved pets).

📊 Personal 'a'
Object Personal a? Example
specific person YES veo a Juan
pet (loved) often veo a mi gato
thing NO veo el coche
non-specific person usually no busco secretaria
💬 Examples
Veo la casa.
I see the house.
📝 No 'a' (it's a thing)
Veo a mi perro.
I see my dog.
📝 Pets often take the personal 'a'
a + el contracts to 'al'

Like de + el = del.

💬 Examples
Veo al profesor.
I see the teacher.
📝 a + el = al
Llamo al médico.
I call the doctor.
📝 al = personal a + el