Spanish Phrase
Ocúltalos.
Meaning
‘Ocúltalos’ is a direct‑order meaning ‘Hide them.’ It is the informal (tú) affirmative imperative of the verb ‘ocultar’ with the masculine plural direct‑object pronoun ‘los’. The accent on the first syllable keeps the stress on the verb after the pronoun is attached.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to tell a friend, a teammate, or a child to conceal several objects, secrets, or pieces of information. It’s common in everyday conversation, in games, or when giving quick instructions.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ocultalos
Imperative affirmative
In the affirmative command, the verb is in its third‑person singular form (oculta) and the object pronoun is attached to the end.
Clitic pronoun placement
Pronouns (lo, la, los, las) are appended to the verb in affirmative commands, forming a single word.
Accent shift
When a pronoun is added, the stress moves to the third‑to‑last syllable, so an accent is placed on the vowel that keeps the word stressed (ó).
🗨In Conversation
Ocúltalos antes de que lleguen los invitados.
Hide them before the guests arrive.
¿Dónde los guardo?
Where should I put them?
✕Common Mistakes
Ocultalos.
Missing the accent; the stress would fall on the wrong syllable, making it sound like a declarative form.
Ocúltalo.
Uses the singular pronoun ‘lo’; the sentence refers to multiple items, so ‘los’ is required.
Ocultarles.
‘Les’ is an indirect‑object pronoun; the direct object here is masculine plural, so ‘los’ is correct.
↔Alternatives
Escóndelos.
Hide them.
Guárdalos fuera de la vista.
Keep them out of sight.
No los muestres.
Don’t show them.
Cultural Tip
In Spanish‑speaking cultures, the imperative can sound quite strong, so tone and context matter. When speaking to someone you don’t know well, soften it with ‘por favor’ (e.g., ‘Por favor, ócúltalos’). In some regions, ‘escóndelos’ is more colloquial, while ‘ócultalos’ feels a bit more formal or literary.