6.3 Object Pronouns

Direct object pronouns

mi, ti, lo/la, ci, vi, li/le replace a direct object and go before the verb: 'Vedo Marco → Lo vedo' (I see him), 'Compro le mele → Le compro' (I buy them).

Indirect object pronouns

mi, ti, gli/le, ci, vi, gli replace 'to/for someone': 'Parlo a Maria → Le parlo' (I speak to her), 'Scrivo a Luca → Gli scrivo' (I write to him).

With the passato prossimo

With a direct object pronoun, the past participle agrees: 'Le mele? Le ho comprate' (I bought them). Watch lo/la → l' before avere: 'L'ho vista.'

Key terms

Direct object pronouns

mi, ti, lo/la, ci, vi, li/le

Indirect object pronouns

mi, ti, gli/le, ci, vi, gli

Lo vedo

I see him/it

Le parlo / Gli scrivo

I speak to her / I write to him

Placement

before the verb: Lo compro

Try an AP-style question

"Lo vedo" means…

1. I see him/it
2. I see her
3. I see you
4. I see them