Object Pronouns in the Italian Language

When pronouns in the function of a direct or indirect object in a sentence refer to a thing or a person, they are called object pronouns.

💬 Examples:
Leggo un libro. – I read a book.

In Italian, we have to distinguish between direct (pronomi complemento oggetto diretto) and indirect object pronouns (pronomi complemento oggetto indiretto).

The indirect object is usually attached to the verb with the preposition “a” and often corresponds to the dative object.

💬 Examples:
Do un libro a mia sorella. – I give my sister a book.

Please, take a close look at the following information and learn everything by heart.

💬 Examples with direct object pronouns:
Mi vedi? – Do you see me?
Ti ascolto. – I’m listening to you.
La invito alla festa. – I invite her to the party.
Lo amo. – I love him.
Vi sento bene. – I hear you (pl, formal) well.

💬 Examples with indirect object pronouns:
Mi vedi? – Do you see me?
Ti ascolto. – I’m listening to you.
La invito alla festa. – I invite her to the party.
Lo amo. – I love him.
Vi sento bene. – I hear you (pl, formal) well.

Now, we have to take a closer look at the third person plural.
The grammatically correct pronoun is “loro”. You will find this pronoun in written Italian and it is commonly placed behind the verb.

💬 Examples:
Porto loro il caffè. – I (will) bring them the coffee.
But in modern and spoken Italian the ungrammatical pronoun “gli” is used.
Gli porto il caffè. – I (will) bring them the coffee.

Combination of direct and indirect object pronouns

When direct and indirect object pronouns occur together in a sentence, their forms change.

💬 Examples:
Do un libro a mia sorella. – I give my sister a book.
Glielo do. – I give it to her.
Michele ti fa un regalo. – Michele gives you a present.
Te lo dà. – He gives it to you.
Le la mando domani. – I will send it to her tomorrow.
Ti ci porto. – I will take you there.

➠ The Reflexive Pronoun