B2 Pronouns 21 min read Hard

Portuguese Pronoun Fusions: mo, to, lho

When you have both an indirect and direct object pronoun, combine them into single forms like 'mo', 'to', and 'lho'.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

When a direct object pronoun (o/a/os/as) meets an indirect object pronoun (lhe/lhes), they fuse into a single, elegant form.

  • If the verb ends in -r, -s, or -z, drop the consonant and add 'l' to the pronoun: 'fazer' + 'o' = 'fazê-lo'.
  • If the verb ends in a nasal sound (-m, -ão, -õe), add 'n' to the pronoun: 'deram' + 'o' = 'deram-no'.
  • When 'lhe' or 'lhes' meets 'o/a/os/as', they merge into 'lho/lha/lhos/lhas': 'dou' + 'lhe' + 'o' = 'dou-lho'.
Verb + (lhe/lhes) + (o/a/os/as) ➔ Verb + lho/lha/lhos/lhas

Overview

Portuguese is renowned for its conciseness, particularly in its pronoun system. At the B2 CEFR level, understanding how direct and indirect object pronouns can fuse into a single word, known as pronoun fusion or pronominal agglutination, becomes essential. This phenomenon, which results in forms like mo, to, lho, no-lo, and vo-lo, allows speakers to convey complex object relations with remarkable economy of expression.

While deeply ingrained in the daily spoken and written language of European Portuguese, these fused forms are largely reserved for formal registers, literature, or specific academic contexts in Brazilian Portuguese. Mastery of these fusions is critical not only for speaking and writing accurately in European Portuguese but also for comprehensive reading and listening comprehension across all varieties of the language, particularly when engaging with classic texts or formal discourse. This rule builds upon your existing knowledge of individual direct object pronouns (o, a, os, as) and indirect object pronouns (me, te, lhe, nos, vos, lhes), demonstrating how Portuguese streamlines information into a single, compact lexical unit.

You will learn the systematic patterns governing their formation, their contextual usage, and common pitfalls to avoid. The linguistic principles underpinning these fusions reflect a natural drive towards phonetic efficiency and semantic density, characterizing a rich aspect of Portuguese grammar.

How This Grammar Works

Pronoun fusion in Portuguese is a sophisticated grammatical mechanism where an indirect object pronoun and a direct object pronoun merge into a single word. This process is a prime example of linguistic agglutination, where two independent morphemes combine to form a new, morphologically complex word that carries the semantic weight of both original pronouns. You encounter similar processes in many languages, often driven by the desire for phonetic streamlining and the avoidance of redundant grammatical elements.
The core principle involves the interaction of specific indirect object pronouns (me, te, lhe, nos, vos, lhes) with specific direct object pronouns (o, a, os, as). The indirect object pronoun invariably precedes the direct object pronoun in this fusion. Consider the sentence "Eu dou o livro a ele" (I give the book to him).
Here, o livro is the direct object (the thing given) and a ele is the indirect object (the recipient). When you replace these nouns with their respective pronouns, you get "Eu o dou a ele" or, more idiomatically, "Eu lhe dou o." The fusion process then takes lhe (indirect) and o (direct) and combines them into lho, resulting in "Eu lho dou." The single word lho now encapsulates both "it" and "to him/her/you."
This grammatical phenomenon primarily serves conciseness and stylistic elegance. By compressing two pronouns into one, Portuguese avoids the slight clunkiness of placing two separate clitics side-by-side, as seen in some other Romance languages. It also ensures that the referents of both the direct and indirect objects are clearly established within a single verbal unit.
This system is particularly robust in European Portuguese, reflecting centuries of phonetic evolution favoring such contractions. For learners, understanding this mechanism provides insight into the inherent logic of Portuguese syntax and morphology, highlighting how meaning can be efficiently packed into fewer words. It’s not merely a shortcut; it's a fundamental structural feature.

Formation Pattern

1
The formation of fused pronouns follows systematic and predictable patterns, although some phonetic adjustments occur. The indirect object pronoun (IOP) always initiates the fusion, followed by the direct object pronoun (DOP). The resulting fused form replaces both original pronouns and typically attaches to the verb, most commonly in an enclitic position (after the verb).
2
Here is a breakdown of the patterns, grouped by the indirect object pronoun:
3
1. Indirect Object Pronoun me (to me):
4
When the IOP me combines with the DOPs o, a, os, as, it transforms into mo, ma, mos, mas. The initial m of me remains, and the vowel adapts to match the direct object pronoun.
5
| IOP | DOP (o) | DOP (a) | DOP (os) | DOP (as) |
6
|-----|-----------|-----------|------------|------------|
7
| me | mo | ma | mos | mas |
8
Example 1 (me + o → mo):
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Ele deu o livro a mim. (He gave the book to me.)
10
Ele mo deu. (He gave it to me.)
11
Example 2 (me + a → ma):
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Podes emprestar a caneta a mim? (Can you lend the pen to me?)
13
Podes ma emprestar? (Can you lend it to me?)
14
Example 3 (me + os → mos):
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Trouxeste os documentos a mim? (Did you bring the documents to me?)
16
Trouxeste-mos? (Did you bring them to me?)
17
2. Indirect Object Pronoun te (to you, informal singular):
18
Similarly, when the IOP te combines with the DOPs, it becomes to, ta, tos, tas. The initial t of te is preserved.
19
| IOP | DOP (o) | DOP (a) | DOP (os) | DOP (as) |
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|-----|-----------|-----------|------------|------------|
21
| te | to | ta | tos | tas |
22
Example 1 (te + o → to):
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Entreguei o recado a ti. (I delivered the message to you.)
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Entreguei-to. (I delivered it to you.)
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Example 2 (te + a → ta):
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Vou dar a chave a ti. (I'm going to give the key to you.)
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Vou ta dar. (I'm going to give it to you.)
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Example 3 (te + as → tas):
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Enviaste as fotos a ti? (Did you send the photos to yourself?)
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Enviaste-tas? (Did you send them to yourself?)
31
3. Indirect Object Pronoun lhe (to him/her/you formal singular):
32
This is one of the most common and crucial fusions. Lhe combines with the DOPs to form lho, lha, lhos, lhas. The lh sound is distinct in Portuguese.
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| IOP | DOP (o) | DOP (a) | DOP (os) | DOP (as) |
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|-----|-----------|-----------|------------|------------|
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| lhe | lho | lha | lhos | lhas |
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Example 1 (lhe + o → lho):
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Eu entreguei o relatório a ele. (I delivered the report to him.)
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Eu lho entreguei. (I delivered it to him.)
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Example 2 (lhe + a → lha):
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O gerente ofereceu a posição a ela. (The manager offered the position to her.)
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O gerente lha ofereceu. (The manager offered it to her.)
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Example 3 (lhe + os → lhos):
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Mandei os documentos a você. (I sent the documents to you [formal].)
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Mandei-lhos. (I sent them to you.)
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4. Indirect Object Pronoun nos (to us):
46
The fusion involving nos undergoes a specific phonetic change. The final s of nos drops, and an l is inserted before the direct object pronoun. This results in no-lo, no-la, no-los, no-las. The hyphenation indicates that nos has undergone a transformation.
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| IOP | DOP (o) | DOP (a) | DOP (os) | DOP (as) |
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|-----|-----------|-----------|------------|------------|
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| nos | no-lo | no-la | no-los | no-las |
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Example 1 (nos + o → no-lo):
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Eles trouxeram o presente para nós. (They brought the gift for us.)
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Eles no-lo trouxeram. (They brought it for us.)
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Example 2 (nos + a → no-la):
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Apresentaram a proposta a nós. (They presented the proposal to us.)
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Apresentaram-no-la. (They presented it to us.)
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Example 3 (nos + os → no-los):
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Podes enviar os ficheiros para nós? (Can you send the files to us?)
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Podes no-los enviar? (Can you send them to us?)
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5. Indirect Object Pronoun vos (to you, informal plural/formal singular archaic):
60
Similar to nos, the final s of vos drops, and an l is inserted. This forms vo-lo, vo-la, vo-los, vo-las. While grammatically correct, these forms are much less common in modern Portuguese, especially in spoken European Portuguese. Their usage is predominantly found in older texts, very formal writing, or specific regional dialects.
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| IOP | DOP (o) | DOP (a) | DOP (os) | DOP (as) |
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|-----|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
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| vos | vo-lo | vo-la | vo-los | vo-las |
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Example 1 (vos + o → vo-lo):
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O rei ofereceu o perdão a vós. (The king offered the pardon to you [plural/archaic].)
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O rei vo-lo ofereceu. (The king offered it to you.)
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6. Indirect Object Pronoun lhes (to them/you formal plural):
68
This fusion presents a unique situation. Although the IOP lhes is plural, when it fuses with the DOPs, the resulting forms are identical to those of singular lhe: lho, lha, lhos, lhas. The plural marker of lhes is effectively absorbed, and the number (singular or plural) of the direct object determines the final form. This means that lhes + o becomes lho, while lhes + os becomes lhos.
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| IOP | DOP (o) | DOP (a) | DOP (os) | DOP (as) |
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|-----|-----------|-----------|------------|------------|
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| lhes | lho | lha | lhos | lhas |
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Example 1 (lhes + o → lho):
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Perguntei o preço a eles. (I asked the price to them.)
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Perguntei-lho. (I asked it to them.)
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Example 2 (lhes + a → lha):
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Enviei a carta a elas. (I sent the letter to them [feminine].)
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Enviei-lha. (I sent it to them.)
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Example 3 (lhes + as → lhas):
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Contei as novidades a vocês. (I told the news to you [formal plural].)
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Contei-lhas. (I told them to you.)
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Verb Endings and Pronoun Fusion:
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It is crucial to understand how these fused pronouns interact with the verb itself, especially when the verb ends in -r, -s, or -z. This is a broader rule for all enclitic object pronouns (o, a, os, as, and their fused variants) and ties in closely with the related rule on lo/la variants.
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Verbs ending in -r, -s, or -z: When these consonants are present at the end of a verb, they are dropped before the pronoun attaches, and an l is inserted before the fused pronoun.
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dar (verb) + lhe + o → dá-lho (Not dar-lho) - The final r of dar is dropped, and l is inserted.
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fazer (verb) + lhe + a → fá-lha (Not faz-lha or faz-lhe-a) - The final z is dropped, and l is inserted.
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fazemos (verb) + lhe + os → fazemo-lhos (Not fazemos-lhos) - The final s is dropped, and l is inserted.
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Verbs ending in diphthongs or nasal vowels (-ão, -em, -õe): These verbs do not undergo consonant changes, but often add an n before the pronoun, though this is more typical for direct object pronouns alone (viram-no), it also applies to fusions in some contexts. However, for mo, to, lho fusions, the verb form usually remains unchanged before the hyphen:
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Deram-lho. (They gave it to him/her/you/them.)
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Põem-lho. (They put it on him/her/you/them.)
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Future and Conditional Tenses (Mesoclisis): In more formal or literary contexts, particularly in European Portuguese, these fused pronouns can attach within the verb in the future simple and conditional tenses. The pronoun splits the infinitive from the personal ending.
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Dá-lho-ei. (I will give it to him/her/you.) (dar + lhe + o + ei)
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Dá-lha-íamos. (We would give it to him/her/you.) (dar + lhe + a + íamos)
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While less common in everyday speech, recognizing mesoclisis is vital for reading.

When To Use It

The appropriate use of pronoun fusions like mo, to, lho varies significantly between European Portuguese (EP) and Brazilian Portuguese (BP), and by the register of communication.
In European Portuguese (EP):
These fused forms are an integral part of everyday spoken and written language. They are not considered overly formal or archaic; rather, they are the standard, natural way to express the combination of an indirect and direct object pronoun. You will encounter them in all registers: casual conversation, formal speeches, news reports, official documents, and literature.
Their omission in contexts where they would naturally occur can sound stilted or unnatural to a native EP speaker.
  • Efficiency in Speech: Native EP speakers use these forms instinctively to maintain fluidity and conciseness.
  • "Já lho disse várias vezes!" (I've already told him/her/you several times!)
  • "Quando é que ma entregas?" (When are you going to hand it [f.] to me?)
  • Formal and Informal Contexts: Unlike in BP, these fusions do not mark a distinction in formality. They are simply the correct grammatical structure.
  • A friend might ask: "Quando mas trazes?" (When are you bringing them [f.] to me?)
  • An official might state: "O relatório foi enviado, lho confirmamos." (The report was sent, we confirm it to you.)
In Brazilian Portuguese (BP):
In stark contrast to EP, pronoun fusions are largely absent from spoken Brazilian Portuguese and are mostly confined to highly formal written language, classic literature, legal documents, or academic texts. Using them in casual conversation in Brazil would sound highly archaic, affected, or even humorous. Brazilian Portuguese speakers typically prefer alternative constructions.
  • Literary/Formal Use: If you are reading 19th-century Brazilian novels or legal texts, you will frequently encounter these forms. For advanced learners targeting C1/C2 proficiency, especially in reading comprehension, recognizing them is crucial.
  • "Prometo lho entregar amanhã." (I promise to deliver it to him/her tomorrow.) - Found in formal writing.
  • Avoidance in Speech: In spoken BP, the combination of two object pronouns is usually expressed by separating them or by using a prepositional phrase with the indirect object. For example, instead of "Eu lho dou," a BP speaker would say: "Eu dou isso pra ele" (I give that to him) or "Eu o dou a ele." This preference for more explicit and less agglutinated forms is a defining characteristic of modern spoken BP.
For All Learners (Reading/Listening Comprehension):
Regardless of whether you primarily learn EP or BP, you must be able to recognize and understand these pronoun fusions. Historical texts, classic literature, and formal media from both varieties will utilize them. Even in contemporary BP, formal writing may include them.
Therefore, passive understanding is non-negotiable for anyone aspiring to a comprehensive grasp of the Portuguese language. It allows you to correctly identify the direct and indirect objects in a sentence, which is fundamental to accurate comprehension.

Common Mistakes

Learners at the B2 level often grapple with pronoun fusions due to their complexity and the significant dialectal differences. Understanding these common pitfalls can help you avoid them.
1. Misinterpreting the Meaning of the Fused Pronoun:
Perhaps the most frequent error is misunderstanding the compound nature of forms like lho. Learners often mistakenly assume lho means only "him/her/you" or only "it." However, lho (and lha, lhos, lhas) inherently means "it/them (DOP) to him/her/you/them (IOP)". The fused pronoun simultaneously expresses both the direct and the indirect object.
  • Incorrect: "Lho vi na rua." (I saw him/her/you in the street.) -> This is wrong because lho includes a direct object. You just saw him/her/you, not "it to him/her/you."
  • Correct: "O vi na rua." (I saw him/her/you in the street.) - Here, o is a simple direct object pronoun.
  • Correct (fusion): "Contei a história a ele. Contei-lha." (I told the story to him. I told it to him.) - lha = "a história (it, feminine) a ele (to him)."
2. Confusion Between lhe and lhes in Fusion:
As detailed in the formation section, both lhe (singular IOP) and lhes (plural IOP) result in the same fused forms: lho, lha, lhos, lhas. The plurality of the indirect object is not carried into the fused pronoun. This can cause confusion regarding the recipient's number.
  • The rule: The singular/plural marker on the fused pronoun (-o vs. -os) indicates the number of the direct object, not the indirect object. The context must clarify whether the indirect object was singular (lhe) or plural (lhes).
  • lhe (to him) + o (the book) = lho
  • lhes (to them) + o (the book) = lho
  • lhe (to him) + os (the books) = lhos
  • lhes (to them) + os (the books) = lhos
  • Example of Error: Expecting lhes + o to become lhos when the direct object is singular.
  • Dei o presente a eles. Dei-lho. (I gave the gift to them. I gave it to them.) - lho is correct for a singular presente (it).
3. Incorrect Application of no-lo/vo-lo Changes:
The phonetic changes involving nos and vos (dropping s, inserting l) are specific. Learners sometimes forget the l insertion or the hyphenation, or apply it to me/te/lhe which do not undergo this specific alteration.
  • Incorrect: "Eles trouxero-nos-o." (Instead of trouxeram-no-lo.) - The verb ending change and l insertion are missed.
  • Correct: "Eles trouxeram-no-lo." (They brought it to us.)
4. Overuse in Brazilian Portuguese:
Brazilian Portuguese speakers, when learning EP, might struggle to integrate these forms naturally. Conversely, EP learners might mistakenly assume these forms are universally absent from BP and fail to recognize them in formal BP texts. A common error for BP learners is to attempt using these fusions in spoken conversation, leading to an extremely unnatural and archaic sound.
  • BP Speaker Error: Saying "Vou lho entregar" in casual conversation. This would be understood but would sound like a character from a period drama.
  • Preferred BP: "Vou entregar isso pra ele." or "Vou entregar o documento a ele."
5. Incorrect Pronoun Placement:
These fused pronouns almost always appear as enclitics (after the verb) in affirmative sentences, or in mesoclisis for future/conditional tenses in EP. Proclisis (before the verb) only occurs in specific contexts (e.g., negative sentences, certain adverbs, relative clauses). Placing them incorrectly (e.g., "Eu lho não dou" instead of "Eu não lho dou" in EP) is a common mistake.
  • Correct EP Enclisis: "Comprei um presente e dei-lho hoje." (I bought a gift and gave it to him/her today.)
  • Correct EP Proclisis (with negation): "Nunca lho darei." (I will never give it to him/her.)
6. Confusion with Simple Direct Object Pronouns (-lo/-la):
Remember that forms like fá-lo (make it) are different from fá-lho (make it for him/her). The l in fá-lo comes from the verb ending change (the -z of faz dropped). In fá-lho, the lho is the fused pronoun itself, which also benefits from the verb ending change.
Incorrect
✗Eu fiz o trabalho.
✓Eu fê-lo. (fê-lo = fiz + o, with z drop and l insertion.)
✗Eu fiz o trabalho para ele.
✓Eu fê-lho. (fê-lho = fiz + lhe + o, with z drop and l insertion, and lhe + o fusion.)

Real Conversations

To truly grasp pronoun fusions, observe their natural occurrence in authentic Portuguese communication. While their presence varies regionally, their role in conveying information remains constant.

In European Portuguese (EP):

These forms are pervasive and integral to fluent communication. You will hear and see them daily.

- Daily Interaction:

- Friend: "Já viste o filme novo?" (Have you seen the new movie?)

- You: "Sim, já lho vi ontem. Achei-o fantástico!" (Yes, I saw it [the film] yesterday. I found it fantastic!) - Here, lho refers to o filme for the direct object and a ti (to you) for the indirect, meaning "I saw it for you/us" or "I saw it regarding your question." This is an idiomatic use where lhe can sometimes carry a subtle dative of interest. The o in achei-o is a simple direct object pronoun for o filme.

- Work Email:

- "Prezado Colega, o documento que pediu já foi processado. Anexo lho envio." (Dear Colleague, the document you requested has already been processed. I attach it to you.) - lho = o documento (it) + a si (to you, formal).

- News Report:

- "O governo apresentou uma nova proposta. O primeiro-ministro disse-lha hoje à nação." (The government presented a new proposal. The prime minister said it [the proposal] to the nation today.) - lha = a proposta (it, feminine) + à nação (to the nation, represented by lhe).

- Casual Text Message (EP):

- "A chave está no balcão. Quando vieres, ma trazes?" (The key is on the counter. When you come, will you bring it to me?) - ma = a chave (it, feminine) + a mim (to me).

In Brazilian Portuguese (BP):

As previously discussed, pronoun fusions are generally avoided in spoken BP. However, they appear in specific contexts, making recognition vital.

- Formal Literature/Academic Texts:

- "A sabedoria, se não a aplicardes, de nada vos valerá; mas se a cultivardes, ela vos fará sábios." (Wisdom, if you do not apply it, will be worth nothing to you; but if you cultivate it, it will make you wise.) - This is an example where a BP text might use standard pronoun placement rather than fusion. However, in older or highly formal versions, a construction like "se a aplicardes, de nada vo-lo valerá" might be found, meaning "it (nada) will be worth nothing to you (vos)." Note: This is less common even in literary BP than the simple DOP with vos.

- A sentence like "Entregar-lho-ei amanhã" (I shall deliver it to him tomorrow) would be understood in BP but sounds profoundly literary, evoking a classical style rarely used in modern communication.

- Legal or Bureaucratic Documents: These forms might appear to maintain a formal, traditional tone.

- "Concordo em receber os termos e condições e confirmo que lhes li e compreendi." (I agree to receive the terms and conditions and confirm that I have read and understood them.) - This demonstrates the importance of recognizing the separate usage where fusion doesn't apply.

- In a legal context, if a document needed to explicitly state something given to multiple parties, a fused pronoun might be chosen for conciseness in the written record: "A cópia do contrato foi entregue às partes, e lha foi solicitada a sua assinatura." (The copy of the contract was delivered to the parties, and their signature was requested for it.) - lha = a cópia (it, feminine) + às partes (to them/to the parties).

Observing these patterns helps you not only understand the grammar but also develop an ear for the stylistic nuances of Portuguese across its various forms.

Quick FAQ

Q: Can I just avoid these forms in spoken Brazilian Portuguese?

Absolutely. In casual and even moderately formal spoken Brazilian Portuguese, you should avoid using these fused pronouns. They sound archaic and unnatural. Instead, you would typically use constructions like "Eu dou isso pra ele" (I give that to him) or separate pronouns: "Eu dou o livro a ele" (I give the book to him). However, for reading comprehension, especially of classic literature or formal documents, recognizing them is essential for B2 learners and above.

Q: Why do lhe and lhes both result in lho/lha/lhos/lhas? How do I know if the indirect object was singular or plural?

This is a point of phonetic evolution and linguistic economy. The plural marker of lhes (-s) was historically reduced and lost in this specific agglutination. You deduce whether the indirect object was singular (lhe) or plural (lhes) purely from context. For example, if you know the sentence refers to a single person, lho will mean "it to him/her/you (formal singular)"; if it refers to multiple people, lho will mean "it to them/you (formal plural)." The final vowel (o/a) and suffix (-s) on the fused pronoun (lho vs. lha vs. lhos vs. lhas) only reflect the gender and number of the direct object.

Q: Does the gender of the person receiving the object (indirect object) affect the form of lho/lha?

No. The forms lho, lha, lhos, lhas are determined by the gender and number of the direct object (o, a, os, as), not the gender of the indirect object (lhe, lhes).

  • Comprei um chapéu a Maria. (I bought a hat for Maria.) → Comprei-lho. (lho because o chapéu is masculine singular.)
  • Comprei uma gravata a João. (I bought a tie for João.) → Comprei-lha. (lha because a gravata is feminine singular.)
Q: Are there any verbs that cannot take these fused pronouns?

Generally, verbs that inherently cannot take both a direct and an indirect object will not use these fusions. For instance, an intransitive verb like caminhar (to walk) cannot take a direct object, so pronoun fusions involving DOP would not apply. Similarly, some verbs require specific prepositions for their indirect object that prevent simple lhe/lhes usage, but these are rarer exceptions at this level.

Q: How do no-lo and vo-lo sound when pronounced?

The pronunciation for no-lo/no-la/no-los/no-las and vo-lo/vo-la/vo-los/vo-las typically features a slightly more open o sound for the first part (no/vo) and then the standard o/a sound for the second part. The hyphen indicates a slight pause or clear articulation of both components, though in rapid speech, they blend seamlessly. The l inserted is pronounced clearly.

Q: What about verbs ending in -ão or -em? Do they change before these fusions?

Verbs ending in -ão (e.g., deram, fizeram) or -em (e.g., fazem, têm) do not drop these endings. The fused pronoun attaches directly after the verb with a hyphen, just as other object pronouns would. For example:

  • Eles deram o livro a ele. → Eles deram-lho.
  • Eles fazem o jantar para nós. → Eles fazem-no-lo.
This is consistent with other enclitic pronoun placements for these verb endings.

The Lho Fusion Matrix

Indirect Direct Result
lhe
o
lho
lhe
a
lha
lhe
os
lhos
lhe
as
lhas
lhes
o
lho
lhes
a
lha

Meanings

This rule governs the mandatory contraction of two clitic pronouns when they appear consecutively in a sentence.

1

Indirect + Direct Object

Combining an indirect object (to him/her) with a direct object (it/them).

“Eu vendo-lho agora.”

“Ela entregou-lha ontem.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Portuguese Pronoun Fusions: mo, to, lho
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Verb + lho
Entrego-lho
Negative
Não + lho + verb
Não lho entrego
Question
Verb + lho?
Entrego-lho?
Short Answer
Sim, lho dou
Sim, lho dou

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Eu entrego-lho.

Eu entrego-lho. (Giving a gift)

Neutral
Eu dou-lho.

Eu dou-lho. (Giving a gift)

Informal
Eu dou pra ele.

Eu dou pra ele. (Giving a gift)

Slang
Dou pra ele.

Dou pra ele. (Giving a gift)

Pronoun Fusion Map

LHE + O

Input

  • lhe to him
  • o it

Output

  • lho it to him
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Examples by Level

1

Eu dou o livro.

I give the book.

1

Eu dou o livro a ele.

I give the book to him.

1

Eu dou-lho.

I give it to him.

1

Ele enviou-lha ontem.

He sent it (the letter) to her yesterday.

1

Se puderes, entrega-lhos.

If you can, deliver them to him.

1

Não lhas entregues ainda.

Do not deliver them (the keys) to her yet.

Easily Confused

Portuguese Pronoun Fusions: mo, to, lho vs Se lo (Spanish)

Learners mix up Portuguese 'lho' with Spanish 'se lo'.

Common Mistakes

✗

Dou lhe o

✓

Dou-lho

Must fuse
✗

Lho dou

✓

Dou-lho

Verb first
✗

Dou-lhes-o

✓

Dou-lho

Fusion required
✗

Entrego-lhe-a

✓

Entrego-lha

Fusion required

Sentence Patterns

Eu ___ o presente.

Real World Usage

Formal Email common

Envio-lho em anexo.

Literature very common

Ele entregou-lho.

Speech common

Dou-lho agora.

Legal Document constant

Transmito-lho.

Academic Paper common

Apresento-lho.

Formal Interview occasional

Envio-lho depois.

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💡

Think 'Lho'

Whenever you see 'lhe' and 'o' together, just say 'lho'.
⚠️

Don't use in text

Avoid this in casual WhatsApp messages.
🎯

European Portuguese

Use it freely in Portugal.
💬

Formal tone

It sounds very educated.

Smart Tips

Use 'lho' to sound professional.

Eu envio-lhe o documento. → Eu envio-lho.

Recognize 'lho' as 'lhe' + 'o'.

Ele entregou-lhe o livro. → Ele entregou-lho.

Use 'lho' for natural flow.

Dá-lhe o livro. → Dá-lho.

Always check for fusion.

Eu dou-lhe-o. → Eu dou-lho.

Pronunciation

dou-LHO

Stress

The stress remains on the verb.

Falling

Dou-lho.

Statement of fact

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Lhe + O = Lho. Think of it as 'Lhe' losing its 'e' to hug the 'o'.

Visual Association

Imagine a letter 'e' falling off a 'Lhe' block, allowing it to snap perfectly onto an 'o' block like a puzzle piece.

Rhyme

Lhe plus O, makes it Lho, that is how the pronouns go.

Story

Maria has a gift for João. She wants to give it to him. She says 'Dou-lho'. The gift is now with João.

Word Web

lholhalhoslhaslheo

Challenge

Write 5 sentences using 'lho' today.

Cultural Notes

Very common in daily speech.

Mostly formal/written.

Formal usage.

Derived from Latin 'illi' + 'illum'.

Conversation Starters

“

Onde está o livro? Pode dar-lho?

Journal Prompts

Describe giving a gift.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill the blank

Eu dou o livro a ele. Eu ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: dou-lho
Fusion is required.
Choose the correct form Multiple Choice

Qual é a correta?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Entrego-lha
Lhe + a = Lha.
Fix the sentence Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Eu vendo-lhe-o.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu vendo-lho
Fusion is mandatory.
Transform to fusion Sentence Transformation

Eu entrego o relatório a ela.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu entrego-lha
Lhe + a = Lha.
True or False True False Rule

Lhe + o = Lho?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Verdadeiro
Correct rule.
Complete the dialogue Dialogue Completion

A: Onde está o presente? B: Eu ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: dou-lho
Fusion.
Build the sentence Sentence Building

eu / dar / o / a ele

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu dou-lho
Fusion.
Match Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Lhos
Correct fusion.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill the blank

Eu dou o livro a ele. Eu ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: dou-lho
Fusion is required.
Choose the correct form Multiple Choice

Qual é a correta?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Entrego-lha
Lhe + a = Lha.
Fix the sentence Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Eu vendo-lhe-o.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu vendo-lho
Fusion is mandatory.
Transform to fusion Sentence Transformation

Eu entrego o relatório a ela.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu entrego-lha
Lhe + a = Lha.
True or False True False Rule

Lhe + o = Lho?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Verdadeiro
Correct rule.
Complete the dialogue Dialogue Completion

A: Onde está o presente? B: Eu ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: dou-lho
Fusion.
Build the sentence Sentence Building

eu / dar / o / a ele

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu dou-lho
Fusion.
Match Match Pairs

Lhe + os

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Lhos
Correct fusion.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Match the pronoun combination to its meaning. Match Pairs

Connect the contraction to its components.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["Mo","Tas","Lho","No-los"]
Complete with the correct fused pronoun. Fill in the Blank

Você quer a caneta? Eu ___ dou.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ta
Select the correct formal sentence. Multiple Choice

We sent the contract to the client.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Enviámos-lho.
Arrange the words to form a correct sentence with a contraction. Sentence Reorder

Make a sentence: não / eu / disse / to

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu não to disse.
Translate 'I gave it to her' using a contraction. Translation

I gave it (masculine object) to her.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu dei-lho.
Find the gender agreement error. Error Correction

Ela queria a camisa, então eu lho dei.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ela queria a camisa, então eu lha dei.
Fill in the blank for 'us' + 'them'. Fill in the Blank

Os documentos? O chefe ___ enviou ontem.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: no-los
Which sentence implies 'I told you so'? Multiple Choice

Identify the phrase:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu to disse.
Match the Portuguese to English. Match Pairs

Match the phrases.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["I give it to him","I give it to you","I give it to myself"]
Complete the formal request. Fill in the Blank

Solicito a vossa atenção. Solicito-___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: vo-la

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

Only in formal writing.

No, it's incorrect.

Yes, 'lhes' + 'o' = 'lho'.

Yes, in standard Portuguese.

The pronouns go before the verb.

It takes practice.

In formal contexts.

Write sentences.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish high

se lo

Portuguese uses 'lho', Spanish uses 'se lo'.

French moderate

le lui

No fusion in French.

German low

ihm es

No fusion.

Japanese none

kare ni sore o

No fusion.

Arabic low

u'tihi iyyahu

Different structure.

Chinese none

gei ta ta

No fusion.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Learn These First

A2 Requires

Direct Object Pronouns: Me, Te, O/A (The Shortcut Words)

Overview Mastering direct object pronouns in Portuguese is crucial for moving beyond basic sentence structures and achie...
A2 Requires

Portuguese Indirect Pronouns: to me, to you (me, te, lhe)

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Continue With

C2 Requires

Portuguese Pronoun Contractions: To me/it (mo, lho, ta)

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C1

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B1

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C1

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A2

Portuguese Object Pronouns: me, you, him, her (me, te, o, a)

Overview Portuguese direct object pronouns—`me`, `te`, `o`, `a`, `nos`, `vos`, `os`, `as`—serve a crucial role in gramma...
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