Direct object pronouns in Italian

Learn how to use Direct object pronouns with examples.
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Direct object pronouns

Direct object pronouns (me, him, us, etc.) are used to avoid repetition when there is no preposition (in, at, of, etc.) after the verb. They are used with verbs such as vedere (to see), conoscere (to know), chiamare (to call), sentire (to hear/to feel), volere (to want), comprare (to buy), etc.

Anna compra il libro. → Anna lo compra.

Anna buys the book. → Anna buys it.

– Conosci mia nipote? – Sì, la conosco.

-Do you know my niece? -Yes, I know her.

SINGOLAREPLURALE
1ÂȘ personaLoro mi conosconoNoi ci conosciamo
2ÂȘ personaLei ti conosceLui vi conosce
3ÂȘ persona♂Tu lo conosci

♀Tu la conosci

♂Io li conosco

♀Io le conosco

Notes:

  • The direct object pronouns – mi (me), ti (singular “you”), lo (him; it), la (her; it), ci (us), vi (plural “you”), li (masculine “them”) and le (feminine “them”) – generally come before the verb in Italian, whereas they come after the verb in English (e.g. I see him).

Li ho chiamati. (= Ho chiamato loro)

I called them.

Non la conosco. (= Non conosco lei)

I don't know her.

  • They only come after the verb when the verb is in the infinitive (-are, -ere or -ire form), gerund (-ndo form, equivalent to “-ing” in English) or affirmative imperative.

Non vedo l'ora di vederla. (= Non vedo l'ora di vedere lei)

I can't wait to see her.

Aiutaci! (= Aiuta noi!)

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