Indirect & Direct Object Pronouns in Portuguese
Introduction
In Portuguese, object pronouns are crucial for conveying meaning in sentences. They replace nouns and help avoid repetition, providing clarity and fluidity in communication.
Direct Object Pronouns
Direct object pronouns replace the noun directly receiving the action of the verb.
Common Direct Object Pronouns
| Pronoun | English Translation |
|---|---|
| me | me |
| te | you |
| o | him/it |
| a | her/it |
| nos | us |
| vos | you (plural) |
| os | them (masculine) |
| as | them (feminine) |
Examples
- Eu vi o carro. ➜ Eu o vi.
- (I saw the car. ➜ I saw it.)
- Maria comprou a bolsa. ➜ Maria a comprou.
- (Maria bought the bag. ➜ Maria bought it.)
- Nós conhecemos Paulo e João. ➜ Nós os conhecemos.
- (We met Paulo and João. ➜ We met them.)
Indirect Object Pronouns
Indirect object pronouns replace the noun indirectly receiving the action of the verb, usually preceded by a preposition like “to” or “for.”
Common Indirect Object Pronouns
| Pronoun | English Translation |
|---|---|
| me | to me |
| te | to you |
| lhe | to him/her |
| nos | to us |
| vos | to you (plural) |
| lhes | to them |
Examples
- Eu dei o livro ao João. ➜ Eu lhe dei o livro.
- (I gave the book to João. ➜ I gave him the book.)
- Ela contou a história para Maria. ➜ Ela lhe contou a história.
- (She told the story to Maria. ➜ She told her the story.)
- Nós enviamos uma carta aos nossos amigos. ➜ Nós lhes enviamos uma carta.
- (We sent a letter to our friends. ➜ We sent them a letter.)
Combining Direct and Indirect Object Pronouns
In Portuguese, both direct and indirect object pronouns can appear in the same sentence, following specific rules for order and placement.
Structure
The typical order is: Indirect Object Pronoun + Direct Object Pronoun.
Examples
- Vou dar o livro ao Pedro. ➜ Vou lhe dar o livro.
- (I will give the book to Pedro. ➜ I will give him it.)
- Ela enviou a mensagem para nós. ➜ Ela nos enviou a mensagem.
- (She sent the message to us. ➜ She sent us it.)
- Eles contaram a verdade aos pais. ➜ Eles lhes contaram a verdade.
- (They told the truth to the parents. ➜ They told them it.)
Sentence Placement and Examples
Direct Object Pronouns in Sentences
- João viu o filme. ➜ João o viu.
- Ela encontrou a chave. ➜ Ela a encontrou.
- Nós ajudamos nossos amigos. ➜ Nós os ajudamos.
Indirect Object Pronouns in Sentences
- Eu escrevi uma carta para Ana. ➜ Eu lhe escrevi uma carta.
- Miguel deu um presente ao professor. ➜ Miguel lhe deu um presente.
- Eles contaram a notícia para nós. ➜ Eles nos contaram a notícia.
Conclusion
Understanding the use of direct and indirect object pronouns in Portuguese is essential for clear and effective communication. By replacing nouns with these pronouns, speakers can make sentences more concise and avoid unnecessary repetition.