Direct Object PronounsBy: Loren Balunis

Direct Object Pronouns A direct object is the direct recipient of

the action of the verb.

Singolare Plurale

mi me ci us

ti you (informal) vi you (pl.) (informal)

La you (formal) Li you (m., formal)

Le you (f., formal)

(m) lo him, it (m) li them

(f) la her, it (f) le them

Object Pronouns If you want to take the place of a singular

masculine word, you would use the object pronoun lo.

If the masculine word was plural, you would use the pronoun li.

If you want to take the place of a singular feminine word, you would use the object pronoun la.

If the feminine word was plural you would use the pronoun le.

Examples I drink coffee. You want to translate this sentence

using a direct object pronoun. 1.) think to yourself…What do I drink? You drink

coffee so you want the pronoun to replace coffee. 2.) Now translate coffee into Italian.

Coffee il caffè Because “il caffè” is singular and masculine you

will use the pronoun lo. The pronoun always goes before the verb so you

would say… Lo bevo.

Examples I read the books. Think “what do I read?” I read the

books so you want the pronoun to replace books.

Books i libri i libri is plural and masculine so you use

the pronoun li. Li leggo.

Examples I buy fruit. Think to yourself, “what do you buy”?

The fruit so you want to replace fruit with the pronoun.

Fruit la frutta La frutta is feminine and singular so you

use the pronoun la. La compro.

Examples I did not receive the letters. What did you not receive? The letters

so the object pronoun will replace letters.

The letters le lettere Le lettere is feminine and plural you use

the pronoun le. Non le ricevo.

More Direct Object Pronouns Direct object pronouns can also be

added on to the end of an infinitive verb. (a verb that is not conjugated) If this is the case you will drop the “e” of the infinitive verb and replace it with a pronoun.

Ex. It is a good idea to greet them. È una buon’idea salutarli.

More Examples What a beautiful apple! I want to eat it.

Che bella mela! Voglio mangiarla.