A2 Italian GrammarObject Pronouns
Use Italian direct and indirect object pronouns correctly, including their position before verbs and combined forms.
1Direct Object Pronouns
Direct object pronouns replace the object of a verb. They come before conjugated verbs. Forms: mi, ti, lo/la, ci, vi, li/le.
Direct Object Pronouns
| Person | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | mi (me) | ci (us) |
| 2nd | ti (you) | vi (you) |
| 3rd m. | lo (him/it) | li (them) |
| 3rd f. | la (her/it) | le (them) |
Examples
Lo vedo ogni giorno.
I see him every day.
lo = him
La conosco bene.
I know her well.
la = her
Ti chiamo domani.
I'll call you tomorrow.
ti = you (informal)
Li compro al mercato.
I buy them at the market.
li = them (m.)
2Indirect Object Pronouns
Indirect object pronouns indicate "to whom." Forms: mi, ti, gli/le, ci, vi, gli (loro).
Indirect Object Pronouns
| Person | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | mi (to me) | ci (to us) |
| 2nd | ti (to you) | vi (to you) |
| 3rd m. | gli (to him) | gli/loro (to them) |
| 3rd f. | le (to her) | gli/loro (to them) |
Examples
Gli telefono stasera.
I'll call him tonight.
gli = to him
Le scrivo una lettera.
I'm writing her a letter.
le = to her
Ti do il libro.
I give you the book.
ti = to you
Ci porta il caffè.
He brings us coffee.
ci = to us
3Position of Pronouns
Pronouns come before conjugated verbs but attach to infinitives, gerunds, and imperatives.
Pronoun Position
| Before Verb | Attached |
|---|---|
| Lo mangio | Voglio mangiarlo |
| Ti vedo | Sto vedendoti |
| Gli parlo | Parlagli! |
Examples
Voglio vederlo.
I want to see him.
attached to infinitive
Sto leggendola.
I'm reading it.
attached to gerund
Chiamami domani!
Call me tomorrow!
attached to imperative
Lo posso fare. / Posso farlo.
I can do it.
both positions ok with modals
4Combined Pronouns
When using both indirect + direct, the indirect comes first and changes form: mi→me, ti→te, gli/le→glie.
Combined Forms
| Indirect | + lo/la/li/le |
|---|---|
| mi | me lo, me la, me li, me le |
| ti | te lo, te la, te li, te le |
| gli/le | glielo, gliela, glieli, gliele |
| ci | ce lo, ce la, ce li, ce le |
Examples
Me lo dai?
Will you give it to me?
me (to me) + lo (it)
Glielo dico io.
I'll tell it to him/her.
glie (to him/her) + lo (it)
Te la regalo.
I'll give it to you as a gift.
te (to you) + la (it f.)
Ce li portano domani.
They'll bring them to us tomorrow.
ce (to us) + li (them)