B1 Pronouns 23 min read Medium

Direct vs Indirect Objects (o/a vs lhe)

Use 'o/a' for the thing acted upon, and 'lhe' for the person receiving the result.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'o/a/os/as' for direct objects (who/what) and 'lhe/lhes' for indirect objects (to whom).

  • Direct objects answer 'what' or 'who': Eu vi o carro -> Eu o vi.
  • Indirect objects answer 'to whom': Eu dei o livro a ela -> Eu lhe dei o livro.
  • In Brazil, 'lhe' is often replaced by 'para ele/ela' in casual speech.
Subject + (Direct Object: o/a) + Verb OR Subject + (Indirect Object: lhe) + Verb

Overview

Mastering object pronouns in Portuguese is fundamental for fluent and natural communication. These grammatical elements replace nouns that function as objects within a sentence, preventing redundancy and improving flow. Portuguese distinguishes between two primary types of object pronouns: direct object pronouns (o, a, os, as) and indirect object pronouns (lhe, lhes).

The choice between them hinges on the verb's relationship with its object, specifically whether the object is directly acted upon or indirectly receives the action.

The distinction reflects a core linguistic principle: verb transitivity. Some verbs directly affect an object without prepositions, while others require a preposition, typically a (to), to connect to their indirect recipient. Grasping this nuance allows you to convey who or what is affected by an action with precision, moving beyond simple word-for-word translation to idiomatic Portuguese expression.

This guide will provide a comprehensive framework for understanding, forming, and correctly employing these essential pronouns.

How This Grammar Works

At the heart of object pronouns lies the concept of a verb's action and its recipients. Every declarative sentence involves a subject performing an action (the verb). This action may or may not extend to other elements in the sentence, which are called objects.
Portuguese grammar meticulously categorizes these objects based on their relationship to the verb.
First, consider the subject, the agent performing the action. For instance, in Eu leio o livro (I read the book), Eu is the subject. The action leio (read) is performed by the subject.
Next, the direct object (DO) is the noun or pronoun that receives the verb's action directly, without the mediation of a preposition. It answers the questions "What?" or "Whom?" after the verb. In Eu leio o livro, o livro (the book) is the direct object because it is the thing being read.
You read the book directly. Direct object pronouns replace these nouns. For example, Eu o leio (I read it).
Conversely, the indirect object (IO) is the noun or pronoun that receives the benefit or consequence of the verb's action, typically introduced by a preposition, most commonly a (to). It answers "To whom?" or "For whom?" after the verb. In Eu dou o livro à Maria (I give the book to Maria), à Maria (to Maria) is the indirect object because Maria is the recipient of the book.
She is not being given directly; rather, the book is given to her. Indirect object pronouns replace these nouns. For example, Eu lhe dou o livro (I give her the book).
Understanding verb transitivity is crucial here. Verbs are classified based on the objects they take:
  • Transitive Direct (VT): Verbs that require a direct object. Examples include comer (to eat), beber (to drink), ver (to see), amar (to love). You comer algo (eat something), ver alguém (see someone).
  • Ela comprou um carro. (She bought a car.) -> Ela o comprou. (She bought it.)
  • Transitive Indirect (VI): Verbs that require an indirect object, typically with the preposition a. Examples include telefonar a (to call someone), obedecer a (to obey someone), agradecer a (to thank someone). You telefonar a alguém (call someone), obedecer a algo/alguém (obey something/someone).
  • Ele obedece ao professor. (He obeys the teacher.) -> Ele lhe obedece. (He obeys him.)
  • Transitive Direct and Indirect (VTI): Verbs that take both a direct and an indirect object. Examples include dar (to give), dizer (to say), escrever (to write), enviar (to send). You dar algo a alguém (give something to someone).
  • Nós enviamos a carta aos pais. (We sent the letter to the parents.) -> Nós lhes enviamos a carta. (We sent them the letter.)
Recognizing which type of verb you are using is the primary step in selecting the correct object pronoun. While English often uses a single pronoun form (e.g., "him," "her," "it") for both direct and indirect objects, Portuguese maintains a strict separation for third-person forms, reflecting the distinct grammatical roles.

Formation Pattern

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The formation and placement of Portuguese object pronouns follow systematic rules, though they exhibit notable differences between European Portuguese (EP) and Brazilian Portuguese (BP). The pronouns are categorized by person and number, with a critical distinction for the third person.
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1. First and Second Person Pronouns
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These pronouns are identical for both direct and indirect objects. This simplifies their usage considerably for "me," "you (informal)," and "us."
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| Person | Direct Object | Indirect Object |
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| :-------- | :------------ | :-------------- |
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| 1st Person Singular | me | me |
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| 2nd Person Singular | te | te |
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| 1st Person Plural | nos | nos |
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| 2nd Person Plural | vos | vos |
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Ele me viu. (He saw me.) – me is a direct object.
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Ele me deu um presente. (He gave me a gift.) – me is an indirect object.
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Nós te ajudaremos. (We will help you.) – te is a direct object.
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Nós te escrevemos uma carta. (We wrote you a letter.) – te is an indirect object.
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2. Third Person Pronouns
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Here, the distinction between direct and indirect objects is crucial. These pronouns are also variable in gender and number for direct objects, reflecting the noun they replace.
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| Person | Gender/Number | Direct Object | Indirect Object |
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| :-------- | :------------ | :------------ | :-------------- |
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| 3rd Person Singular | Masculine | o | lhe |
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| | Feminine | a | lhe |
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| 3rd Person Plural | Masculine | os | lhes |
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| | Feminine | as | lhes |
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Eu comprei o livro. (I bought the book.) -> Eu o comprei. (I bought it.)
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Eu comprei a revista. (I bought the magazine.) -> Eu a comprei. (I bought it.)
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Eu dei um presente ao João. (I gave a gift to João.) -> Eu lhe dei um presente. (I gave him a gift.)
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Eu dei um presente à Maria. (I gave a gift to Maria.) -> Eu lhe dei um presente. (I gave her a gift.)
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Notice that lhe and lhes are gender-neutral. They mean "to him," "to her," "to it," or "to you (formal)" in the singular, and "to them" or "to you (plural formal)" in the plural.
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3. Pronoun Placement (Colocação Pronominal)
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The position of object pronouns relative to the verb is a complex aspect of Portuguese grammar, often varying significantly between EP and BP, and depending on grammatical context. There are three main positions:
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Próclise (Proclisis): Pronoun before the verb.
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Ênclise (Enclisis): Pronoun after the verb, attached with a hyphen.
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Mesóclise (Mesoclisis): Pronoun in the middle of the verb (only for future/conditional tenses).
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General Rules for Proclisis (Pronoun before the verb):
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This is the most common placement in Brazilian Portuguese and occurs in both EP and BP when certain "attracting words" (palavras atrativas) precede the verb.
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Negative adverbs: não, nunca, jamais, ninguém, nada, nem.
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Eu não o vi. (I didn't see him.)
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Nunca me disseram isso. (They never told me that.)
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Question words: quem, que, onde, como.
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Onde o encontraste? (Where did you find him?)
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Indefinite pronouns: alguém, tudo, todos, alguns, muito.
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Alguém o chamou. (Someone called him.)
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Demonstrative pronouns: isto, isso, aquilo.
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Isso me irrita. (That annoys me.)
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Conjunctions: que, se, quando, embora, porque.
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Espero que te ajude. (I hope it helps you.)
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Adverbs (excluding those at the beginning of a sentence in EP):
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Aqui se trabalha. (One works here.)
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General Rules for Enclisis (Pronoun after the verb):
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This is the preferred placement in European Portuguese when no attracting word is present. It also occurs in BP in specific situations.
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Beginning of a sentence: In formal EP, a sentence cannot start with an object pronoun. In BP, it is common in informal speech but considered grammatically incorrect formally.
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EP: Vi-o ontem. (I saw him yesterday.)
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BP (informal): O vi ontem. / BP (formal): Eu o vi ontem.
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Imperative verbs (affirmative):
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Ajuda-me! (Help me!)
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Dá-lhe o livro. (Give him the book.)
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Gerunds: (without an auxiliary verb or when the gerund is not preceded by em)
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Fui vendo-o partir. (I was watching him leave.)
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Infinitive verbs: (if not preceded by an attracting word or a preposition + article)
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Quero ajudá-lo. (I want to help him.)
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Phonological Changes with Enclisis (Direct Object Pronouns o, a, os, as):
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When direct object pronouns o, a, os, as attach to the end of a verb, the verb's ending often changes. These rules primarily apply to European Portuguese and formal Brazilian Portuguese when enclisis is used.
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Verbs ending in -r, -s, -z: These letters are dropped, and the pronoun takes an initial l. The verb often receives an accent mark.
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fazer + o -> fazê-lo (to do it)
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compras + a -> compra-la (you buy it)
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fiz + os -> fi-los (I made them)
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Verbs ending in -m, -ão, -õe (nasal sounds): The pronoun takes an initial n.
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falam + o -> fala-no (they speak it)
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põem + o -> põe-no (they put it)
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dão + os -> dão-nos (they give them)
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Indirect object pronouns (lhe, lhes) never undergo these phonological changes. They simply attach with a hyphen: deu-lhe, disse-lhes.
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Mesóclise (Pronoun in the middle of the verb):
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This is a highly formal construction, primarily used in European Portuguese and formal Brazilian Portuguese when the verb is in the future simple (futuro do presente) or conditional (futuro do pretérito) tense, and there is no attracting word.
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Far-te-ei um favor. (I will do you a favor.)
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Dir-lhe-ia a verdade. (I would tell him the truth.)
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This construction separates the verb stem from its ending, inserting the pronoun in between. Its use is declining in informal speech, even in EP, but remains part of formal written language.
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4. Combination of Direct and Indirect Object Pronouns
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When both a direct and an indirect object pronoun are used with the same verb, they combine into a single form. This occurs when the indirect object is lhe or lhes, and the direct object is o, a, os, as.
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lhe + o -> lho
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lhe + a -> lha
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lhe + os -> lhos
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lhe + as -> lhas
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Eu dei o livro a ele. (I gave the book to him.) -> Eu lho dei. (I gave it to him.)
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Ele contou a história a ela. (He told the story to her.) -> Ele lha contou. (He told it to her.)
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These combined pronouns follow the same placement rules (proclisis, enclisis, mesoclisis) as single pronouns.

When To Use It

Object pronouns are deployed to achieve conciseness and avoid repetition when the object of a verb is already known or easily inferable from the context. Their primary function is anaphoric, referring back to something previously mentioned in the discourse. Using them correctly contributes significantly to natural-sounding Portuguese.
1. Replacing Known Nouns
This is the most common application. Once a noun has been introduced, you use a pronoun to refer to it subsequently.
  • Direct Object Replacement: Used when the noun being replaced is the direct recipient of the verb's action.
  • "Já leste o livro?" (Have you read the book yet?)
  • "Sim, já o li." (Yes, I have read it.)
  • "Viste a Maria no café?" (Did you see Maria at the cafe?)
  • "Não, não a vi." (No, I didn't see her.)
  • Indirect Object Replacement: Used when the noun being replaced is the indirect recipient (the one to whom or for whom the action is performed).
  • "Deste o presente ao João?" (Did you give the present to João?)
  • "Sim, já lhe dei." (Yes, I already gave it to him.)
  • "Telefonei às minhas amigas ontem." (I called my friends yesterday.)
  • "Já lhes telefonei." (I already called them.)
2. With Specific Verbs
Certain verbs inherently demand either a direct or an indirect object (or both). Familiarity with these patterns is key.
  • Verbs almost always taking a Direct Object (o, a, os, as):
  • ver (to see): Eu o vi. (I saw him.)
  • comer (to eat): Vou comê-lo. (I'm going to eat it.)
  • ter (to have): Não os tenho. (I don't have them.)
  • fazer (to do/make): Ele não o fez. (He didn't do it.)
  • saber (to know a fact/skill): Ela não o sabia. (She didn't know it.)
  • conhecer (to know a person/place): Não o conheço. (I don't know him.)
  • levar (to take/carry): Posso levá-la? (Can I take her?)
  • Verbs almost always taking an Indirect Object (lhe, lhes): These verbs are typically followed by the preposition a when a noun is used, indicating the indirect recipient.
  • dar a (to give to): Eu lhe dei o livro. (I gave him/her the book.)
  • dizer a (to say/tell to): Ele lhes disse a verdade. (He told them the truth.)
  • falar a (to speak to): Preciso lhe falar. (I need to speak to him/her.)
  • escrever a (to write to): Vou lhe escrever uma carta. (I'm going to write him/her a letter.)
  • telefonar a (to call someone): Ela lhe telefonou ontem. (She called him/her yesterday.)
  • obedecer a (to obey someone): É importante lhes obedecer. (It's important to obey them.)
  • agradecer a (to thank someone): Quero lhe agradecer. (I want to thank him/her.)
  • pedir a (to ask/request from someone): Ele lhe pediu um favor. (He asked him/her a favor.)
3. With Verb Phrases
When dealing with verb phrases (e.g., ir + infinitivo, estar + gerúndio), the pronoun often attaches to the main verb or the auxiliary, depending on the emphasis and regional preference. In BP, it frequently precedes the auxiliary or the main verb. In EP, enclisis with the main verb is common.
  • BP preference: Eu o quero fazer. (I want to do it.) / Eu quero o fazer. (Less common, but possible).
  • EP preference: Eu quero fazê-lo. (I want to do it.)
4. Emphasis and Clarity with Prepositional Phrases
While lhe and lhes are efficient, sometimes for emphasis or clarity, particularly when ambiguity might arise, speakers opt for prepositional phrases like a ele, a ela, a eles, a elas, a você, a vocês.
  • Dei o livro a ele. (I gave the book to him [emphasizing him]). This is more emphatic than Dei-lhe o livro.
  • This is especially common in BP, where lhe usage can be less frequent in informal speech, sometimes being replaced by para ele/ela or even ele/ela directly after the verb in colloquial contexts (though grammatically incorrect in formal writing).

Common Mistakes

Learners frequently encounter specific pitfalls when navigating direct and indirect object pronouns in Portuguese. Awareness of these common errors, and the reasons behind them, is key to developing accuracy.
1. Misusing lhe for Direct Objects (o, a)
This is arguably the most pervasive error. Because lhe is gender-neutral and can mean "him," "her," or "it" (when replacing an indirect object), learners often overgeneralize its use, applying it where a direct object pronoun is required.
  • Incorrect: Eu lhe vi na rua. (I saw to him in the street.)
  • Reason: The verb ver (to see) is a transitive direct verb. You see someone directly, not to someone. The object receives the action of seeing directly.
  • Correct: Eu o vi na rua. (I saw him in the street.)
  • Incorrect: Ela lhe comeu. (She ate to it.)
  • Reason: The verb comer (to eat) is transitive direct. You eat something directly.
  • Correct: Ela o comeu. (She ate it.)
To avoid this, always ask: Does the verb act directly on the object, or does the object receive the action via a preposition (usually a)? If directly, use o/a/os/as. If indirectly, use lhe/lhes.
2. Incorrect Pronoun Placement (Proclisis/Enclisis)
The differences between EP and BP, and formal versus informal contexts, lead to confusion regarding where to place the pronoun.
  • Starting a Sentence with a Pronoun (Formal Contexts): While common in informal BP speech, this is grammatically incorrect in formal writing and EP.
  • Incorrect (formal EP/BP): Me diga a verdade.
  • Correct (formal BP): Diga-me a verdade. or Eu me digo a verdade. (depending on context)
  • Correct (formal EP): Diga-me a verdade.
  • Explanation: In EP, and formally in BP, pronouns do not initiate a sentence unless they are demonstrative or interrogative pronouns (not object pronouns).
  • Mixing Regional Preferences: Using BP placement rules in an EP context (or vice versa) can sound awkward or incorrect.
  • BP tendency: Proclisis is dominant (Eu o vi).
  • EP tendency: Enclisis is dominant in the absence of attracting words (Vi-o).
  • Error example: An EP speaker using Te amo (BP informal) instead of Amo-te (EP standard/BP formal). While Te amo is widely understood due to cultural osmosis, Amo-te remains the grammatically standard form in EP and formal BP.
3. Incorrect Gender and Number Agreement for Direct Objects
Direct object pronouns (o, a, os, as) must agree in gender and number with the noun they replace. Indirect object pronouns (lhe, lhes) do not.
  • Incorrect: Comprei o flores. (Replaced as flores with o.)
  • Reason: Flores is feminine plural. The pronoun must reflect this.
  • Correct: Comprei as. (I bought them [feminine plural].)
  • Incorrect: Dei a eles os livros. (The indirect object a eles is replaced by os.)
  • Reason: A eles is an indirect object. It should be replaced by lhes, not os.
  • Correct: Dei-lhes os livros. (I gave them the books.)
4. Confusing Object Pronouns with Reflexive se
The pronoun se can function as a reflexive pronoun (se lavar - to wash oneself) or as an impersonal pronoun. Learners sometimes mistake it for a direct or indirect object pronoun.
  • Ele se viu no espelho. (He saw himself in the mirror.) – se is reflexive, the action reflects back to the subject.
  • Ele o viu na rua. (He saw him in the street.) – o is a direct object, the action is directed outwards to another person.
The key difference is the direction of the action: reflexive pronouns indicate the action is performed by the subject upon itself, while object pronouns indicate the action is performed by the subject upon another entity.
5. Using lhe with "você" when a Direct Object is needed
In BP, você is often treated like a third-person pronoun. However, learners sometimes incorrectly use lhe to refer to você when a direct object is required.
  • Incorrect: Eu lhe vi. (Meaning "I saw you".)
  • Reason: Ver requires a direct object. In BP, você as a direct object is often just repeated, or o/a is used, or, in very informal speech, te or even você itself is used as a direct pronoun.
  • Correct (formal): Eu o/a vi. (I saw you [masculine/feminine].)
  • Correct (informal BP): Eu te vi. or Eu vi você. (colloquial)
  • Correct (EP): Eu o/a vi. or Eu o/a vejo.
To overcome these errors, consistently analyze the verb's transitivity and the context of the sentence to determine the precise grammatical role of the object you wish to replace.

Real Conversations

Understanding how object pronouns function in theoretical grammar is one step; observing their application in authentic, modern communication is another. Native Portuguese speakers, across different regions and registers, utilize these pronouns to make their language efficient and fluid. Here's how you'll encounter them in everyday scenarios:

1. Casual Texting and Social Media (Brazilian Portuguese)

In informal BP, especially written communication like WhatsApp messages, there's a strong tendency to avoid the formal third-person direct object pronouns (o, a, os, as) and even sometimes lhe. Speakers often opt for simpler, more direct constructions, even if they deviate from prescriptive grammar.

- Formal: "Você viu o filme? Eu o vi ontem." (Did you see the movie? I saw it yesterday.)

- Casual BP: "Cê viu o filme? Eu vi ele ontem." (Did you see the movie? I saw it yesterday.)

- Observation: Here, the subject pronoun ele (him/it) is used as a direct object, which is grammatically non-standard but extremely common and accepted in informal BP. You might also hear "Eu vi ele, sim."

- Formal: "Eu lhe desejo um bom dia." (I wish you a good day.)

- Casual BP: "Te desejo um bom dia." (I wish you a good day.)

- Observation: te (informal second person) often replaces lhe when referring to você in casual contexts, blurring the direct/indirect distinction for second-person references.

2. Formal Emails and Professional Correspondence (Both BP and EP)

In professional or academic settings, adherence to prescriptive grammar is expected. Here, you will consistently find correct pronoun usage.

- Email Query: "Recebi o seu email e o li com atenção." (I received your email and read it carefully.)

- Observation: The direct object pronoun o correctly replaces o seu email to avoid repetition, ensuring formal tone.

- Client Communication: "Agradecemos a sua sugestão e garantimos que lhe daremos um retorno em breve." (We appreciate your suggestion and assure you that we will give you feedback soon.)

- Observation: lhe correctly replaces a você/ao senhor/à senhora (the indirect recipient of the feedback), maintaining formality.

3. Everyday Conversations (European Portuguese)

EP maintains a stronger adherence to object pronoun placement, with enclisis (pronoun after the verb) being the default when no attracting word is present. Mesoclisis, though formal, is also part of EP's grammar.

- Casual chat: "Já viste o João? Vi-o há pouco." (Have you seen João? I saw him a short while ago.)

- Observation: The enclitic vi-o is standard and sounds natural. Starting with O vi would sound distinctly Brazilian or highly informal.

- Offering help: "Posso ajudar-te?" (Can I help you?)

- Observation: Enclisis with the infinitive is common. Te posso ajudar would be more BP-like.

4. Cultural Insights and Regional Nuances

- The "Para ele/ela" Phenomenon (BP): In conversational BP, the use of prepositional phrases like para ele/ela (for him/her) can sometimes replace lhe, even in contexts where lhe would be grammatically more appropriate for an indirect object.

- "Eu dei o livro para ela." (I gave the book for her.) – colloquially replacing Eu lhe dei o livro. This is a common feature of BP that distinguishes it from EP.

- Formal vs. Informal "You": The choice between te (informal) and lhe (formal, when replacing você/o senhor/a senhora) is a significant marker of social distance. In BP, você has become so widespread that te is often used to address você, even in situations that might warrant lhe if strictly following traditional rules. In EP, tu is still prevalent for informal "you", and você carries a more formal connotation.

By observing these patterns in authentic communication, you will not only understand the grammatical rules but also gain an intuitive sense for the stylistic and regional preferences that shape Portuguese language use.

Quick FAQ

Q: Can lhe be used for "you"? If so, when?

Yes, absolutely. Lhe serves as the indirect object pronoun for the formal "you" (você, o senhor, a senhora) in both singular and plural forms (lhes for vocês, os senhores, as senhoras). This is crucial for maintaining formality.

  • Eu lhe enviei o documento. (I sent you [formal singular] the document.)
  • Disse a verdade lhes. (I told you [formal plural] the truth.)
Q: Why do Brazilians say "Eu vi ela" if it's considered grammatically incorrect?

This is a prime example of linguistic evolution and regional variation. While prescriptive grammar dictates Eu a vi (using the direct object pronoun a), Eu vi ela is very common in informal, spoken Brazilian Portuguese. It occurs because:

  • Pronoun Avoidance: Speakers often avoid the specific direct object pronouns (o, a, os, as) due to their complex placement rules and phonological changes (like -lo, -la).
  • Emphasis/Clarity: Using ele/ela (the subject/stressed pronouns) after the verb can sometimes feel more emphatic or clearer in rapid speech.
  • Analogy to English: It mirrors the structure of "I saw her" in English, where "her" is an object form, but ela is technically a subject pronoun in Portuguese.
It's important for learners to recognize this as a colloquialism. Use Eu a vi (or Eu o vi) in formal writing and speech to be grammatically correct. In casual BP conversations, however, you'll hear Eu vi ela frequently, and understanding it is part of conversational fluency.
Q: What happens if I have both a direct and an indirect object pronoun?

When the indirect object pronoun is lhe or lhes and the direct object pronoun is o, a, os, or as, they combine into special forms. The indirect pronoun (lhe/lhes) comes first, and the direct pronoun (o/a/os/as) transforms slightly.

| Combination | Result | Example |
| :-------------- | :----- | :------------------------------ |
| lhe + o | lho | Eu lho dei. (I gave it to him/her.) |
| lhe + a | lha | Ele lha trouxe. (He brought it to him/her.) |
| lhe + os | lhos | Nós lhos mostramos. (We showed them to him/her.) |
| lhe + as | lhas | Quero lhas oferecer. (I want to offer them to him/her.) |
These combined pronouns follow the same placement rules as single pronouns (proclisis, enclisis, mesoclisis).
Q: How do I know if a verb takes a or para for its indirect object? Does it affect the pronoun?

This is an excellent question that delves into verb government. While lhe and lhes specifically replace indirect objects introduced by a (or em in some cases), verbs taking para (for, to) typically use prepositional pronouns (para ele, para ela, etc.) for replacement, rather than lhe. This is because para often implies direction towards or purpose for, rather than simple indirect reception.

  • Eu enviei uma carta para o Brasil. (I sent a letter to Brazil.) -> Eu enviei uma carta para lá. (I sent a letter there.) – Not lhe.
  • Comprei um presente para a Maria. (I bought a gift for Maria.) -> Comprei um presente para ela. (I bought a gift for her.) – Not lhe.
Always confirm the preposition a verb uses to govern its indirect object. If it's a, lhe/lhes are appropriate. If para, then prepositional pronouns are usually required.
Q: Is it always wrong to use para ele/ela instead of lhe?

Not always, but the nuance is important. Using para ele/ela instead of lhe for an indirect object (e.g., Eu dei o livro para ela instead of Eu lhe dei o livro) is very common in informal Brazilian Portuguese. In European Portuguese and formal Brazilian Portuguese, lhe is almost always preferred for indirect objects. When para ele/ela is used, it often adds a slight emphasis on the recipient or the notion of 'for the benefit of,' even if the nuance is subtle. However, for strict grammatical correctness in formal contexts, lhe is the standard for objects introduced by a.

Object Pronoun Table

Person Direct (o/a) Indirect (lhe)
1st Sing
me
me
2nd Sing
te
te
3rd Sing
o/a
lhe
1st Plur
nos
nos
2nd Plur
vos
vos
3rd Plur
os/as
lhes

Meanings

These pronouns replace nouns to avoid repetition, distinguishing between the direct recipient of an action and the indirect beneficiary.

1

Direct Object

Replaces a noun that receives the action directly.

“Eu amo o meu cão -> Eu o amo.”

“Ela comprou a maçã -> Ela a comprou.”

2

Indirect Object

Replaces a noun preceded by 'a' or 'para' (to whom).

“Eu escrevi uma carta a ele -> Eu lhe escrevi uma carta.”

“Ela deu o presente ao João -> Ela lhe deu o presente.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Direct vs Indirect Objects (o/a vs lhe)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Subj + Pron + Verb
Eu o vi.
Negative
Subj + não + Pron + Verb
Eu não o vi.
Question
Pron + Verb + Subj?
O viste?
Indirect
Subj + lhe + Verb
Eu lhe dei.
Plural Direct
Subj + os/as + Verb
Eu os vi.
Plural Indirect
Subj + lhes + Verb
Eu lhes dei.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Eu o vejo.

Eu o vejo. (Daily life)

Neutral
Eu vejo ele.

Eu vejo ele. (Daily life)

Informal
Vi ele.

Vi ele. (Daily life)

Slang
Tô vendo ele.

Tô vendo ele. (Daily life)

Object Pronoun Map

Verb

Direct

  • o/a him/her/it

Indirect

  • lhe to him/her
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Examples by Level

1

Eu o vejo.

I see him.

1

Eu lhe dou um presente.

I give him a gift.

1

Eu a convidei para a festa.

I invited her to the party.

1

Entreguei-lhe o relatório ontem.

I handed him the report yesterday.

1

Não o vi chegar, mas lhe enviei a mensagem.

I didn't see him arrive, but I sent him the message.

1

Aconselhei-o a não o fazer, embora lhe tenha dito a verdade.

I advised him not to do it, although I told him the truth.

Easily Confused

Direct vs Indirect Objects (o/a vs lhe) vs Direct vs Indirect

Learners mix up 'o' and 'lhe'.

Direct vs Indirect Objects (o/a vs lhe) vs Subject vs Object

Using 'ele' instead of 'o'.

Direct vs Indirect Objects (o/a vs lhe) vs Placement

Where to put the pronoun.

Common Mistakes

✗

Eu vi ele.

✓

Eu o vi.

Use 'o' for direct objects.
✗

Eu dei o livro ele.

✓

Eu lhe dei o livro.

Need 'lhe' for indirect.
✗

Eu o dei.

✓

Eu lhe dei.

Giving is indirect.
✗

Eu vi a.

✓

Eu a vi.

Pronoun before verb.
✗

Eu comprei ele.

✓

Eu o comprei.

Use 'o' for objects.
✗

Eu escrevi ele.

✓

Eu o escrevi.

Direct object.
✗

Eu lhe vi.

✓

Eu o vi.

See is direct.
✗

Eu lhe chamei.

✓

Eu o chamei.

Call is direct.
✗

Eu ajudei ele.

✓

Eu o ajudei.

Help is direct.
✗

Eu entreguei o.

✓

Eu o entreguei.

Placement.
✗

Eu lhe vi na rua.

✓

Eu o vi na rua.

See is direct.
✗

Eu lhe conheço.

✓

Eu o conheço.

Know is direct.
✗

Eu lhe amo.

✓

Eu o amo.

Love is direct.

Sentence Patterns

Eu ___ vi.

Eu ___ dei o livro.

Eu não ___ vi.

Eu ___ entreguei o relatório.

Real World Usage

Texting very common

Vi ele ontem.

Job Interview common

Eu o enviei o currículo.

Travel common

Eu o vi no aeroporto.

Food Delivery occasional

Eu lhe dei a gorjeta.

Social Media common

Amo ela!

Literature constant

Ele o olhou nos olhos.

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💡

The 'What' Test

Ask if the object is a 'what' or 'who'. If it's a direct receiver, use 'o/a'.
⚠️

Avoid Leismo

Don't use 'lhe' for direct objects like 'see' or 'love'.
🎯

Formal vs Informal

In Brazil, use 'para ele' in speech, but 'o/a' in writing.
💬

Dialect Differences

European Portuguese speakers use 'lhe' much more than Brazilians.

Smart Tips

Use 'o' or 'a', not 'lhe'.

Eu lhe vi. → Eu o vi.

Use 'lhe'.

Eu dei o livro para ele. → Eu lhe dei o livro.

Put the pronoun after 'não'.

Eu vi não o. → Eu não o vi.

It's okay to use 'para ele' in casual speech.

Eu lhe dei o presente. → Eu dei o presente para ele.

Pronunciation

/ʎe/

Lhe

Pronounced like 'lyeh'.

Declarative

Eu o vejo ↘

Neutral statement

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Lhe is for the 'L' in 'Lend' (to someone). O/A is for the 'O' in 'Object'.

Visual Association

Imagine a person receiving a gift (Lhe) and a person being watched (O/A).

Rhyme

Lhe is for the one who gets, O/A is for the one who is met.

Story

Maria saw the dog (o). She gave the dog a bone (lhe). She loved it (o).

Word Web

oaosaslhelhes

Challenge

Write 5 sentences using 'o' and 5 using 'lhe' today.

Cultural Notes

In Brazil, 'lhe' is rarely used in speech, replaced by 'para ele'.

In Portugal, 'lhe' is used frequently and correctly.

Both dialects use 'o/a/lhe' in formal writing.

Derived from Latin accusative and dative cases.

Conversation Starters

“

Você o conhece?

“

Você lhe deu o presente?

“

Você a viu ontem?

“

Você lhe enviou o e-mail?

Journal Prompts

Describe a friend using 'o' or 'a'.
Describe a gift you gave to someone.
Write about a movie you saw.
Write a formal email to a boss.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank.

Eu ___ vi na escola.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: o
See is direct.
Choose the correct pronoun. Multiple Choice

Eu ___ dei o livro.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: lhe
Give is indirect.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Eu lhe vi.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu o vi.
See is direct.
Transform to pronoun. Sentence Transformation

Eu vi o carro. -> Eu ___ vi.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: o
Car is direct.
Match the verb to the pronoun. Match Pairs

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

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: o/lhe
Direct/Indirect.
Choose the correct pronoun. Multiple Choice

Eu ___ amo.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: o
Love is direct.
Fill in the blank.

Eu ___ escrevi uma carta.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: lhe
Write to is indirect.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Eu entreguei o presente para ele. -> Eu ___ entreguei.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: lhe
Give to is indirect.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank.

Eu ___ vi na escola.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: o
See is direct.
Choose the correct pronoun. Multiple Choice

Eu ___ dei o livro.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: lhe
Give is indirect.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Eu lhe vi.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu o vi.
See is direct.
Transform to pronoun. Sentence Transformation

Eu vi o carro. -> Eu ___ vi.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: o
Car is direct.
Match the verb to the pronoun. Match Pairs

Ver (o), Dar (lhe)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: o/lhe
Direct/Indirect.
Choose the correct pronoun. Multiple Choice

Eu ___ amo.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: o
Love is direct.
Fill in the blank.

Eu ___ escrevi uma carta.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: lhe
Write to is indirect.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Eu entreguei o presente para ele. -> Eu ___ entreguei.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: lhe
Give to is indirect.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

12 exercises
Complete with the correct Direct Object pronoun. Fill in the Blank

Cadê a caneta? Eu ___ perdi. (Where is the pen? I lost it.)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Complete with the correct Indirect Object pronoun. Fill in the Blank

Vou telefonar ___ amanhã. (I will call [to] him tomorrow.)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: lhe
Select the correct European Portuguese form. Multiple Choice

Vou fazer o bolo.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Vou fazê-lo.
Fix the pronoun usage. Error Correction

Nós lhe convidamos para a festa.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nós o convidamos para a festa.
Which sentence means 'I love her'? Multiple Choice

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu a amo.
Fill in the blank. Fill in the Blank

Eles ___ deram o dinheiro? (Did they give you the money?)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: te
Order the words to say 'I sent him a message' (Standard/Formal). Sentence Reorder

mensagem / uma / lhe / enviei

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Enviei-lhe uma mensagem
Match the verb phrase to the correct pronoun replacement. Match Pairs

Match the pairs

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["Comer o p\u00e3o : Com\u00ea-lo","Ver a menina : V\u00ea-la","Dizer ao pai : Dizer-lhe","Ouvir os sons : Ouvi-los"]
Complete the sentence. Fill in the Blank

Encontramo-___ no parque. (We met him at the park.)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: no
Let's try a nasal ending (3rd person plural). Fill in the Blank

Elas compraram os sapatos. Elas ___ compraram.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: os
Translate 'I told him' to Portuguese using a pronoun. Translation

I told him.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu lhe disse.
Which option is correct for 'They saw us'? Multiple Choice

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eles nos viram.

Score: /12

FAQ (8)

No, 'lhe' is for indirect objects (people).

It's a common colloquial preference for clarity.

Before the verb in standard sentences.

Yes, 'o' is masculine, 'a' is feminine.

Use 'os' and 'as' for direct, 'lhes' for indirect.

Yes, very frequently.

Yes, if they are the direct object.

If you can add 'to' before the person.

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

lo/le

Portuguese is stricter about 'o' for direct objects.

French high

le/lui

French word order is more rigid.

German moderate

Akkusativ/Dativ

German uses cases on the noun itself.

Japanese low

Particles

Japanese doesn't use pronouns as often.

Arabic moderate

Suffixes

Arabic suffixes are attached to the end of the verb.

Chinese low

Word order

Chinese has no pronoun conjugation.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
To Him & To Her: Indirect Pronouns (lhe, lhes)
Next
Pronouns with Infinitives: Lo, La, Los, Las

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