While direct object pronouns answer the question what?
or whom? Indirect object pronouns answer the question to whom? or for whom? Also, they're the
same as the Direct Object Pronouns except for the pronouns in the Third
Person (i.e. to him; to her; to them).
| Singolare |
Singular |
|
Plurale |
Plural |
| mi |
(to/for) me |
|
ci |
(to/for) us |
| ti |
(to/for) you (informal) |
|
vi |
(to/for) you (informal) |
| gli |
(to/for) him, it |
|
loro |
(to/for) them (m. & f.) |
| le |
(to/for) her, it |
|
|
|
| Le |
(to/for) you (formal f. & m.) |
|
Loro |
(to/for) you (formal f. & m.) |
The direct object is governed directly by the verb, for example, in the
following statement: Romeo loved her.
The Indirect Object in an English sentence often stands where you would
expect the direct object but common sense will tell you that the direct object
is later in the sentence, e.g.: Romeo bought her a bunch of flowers.
The direct object — i.e. the thing that Romeo bought is “a bunch of flowers”;
Romeo didn't buy “her” as if she were a slave. So the pronoun her in the
sentence actually means "for her" and is the Indirect Object.
Examples:
» Qulacuno mi ha mandato una cartolina dalla
Spagna
Someone (has) sent me a postcard from
Spain.
» Il professore le ha spiegato il
problema
The teacher (has) explained the problem to
her.
» Gli hai detto di comprare un regalo per sua
madre?
Did you tell him/them to buy a present for
(his/their) mother.
» Voglio telefonargli
I want to phone him.
» Il signor Brambilla
ci ha insegnato l'italiano
Mr Brambilla taught us
Italian.
» Cosa gli dici?
What
are you saying to him/to them?
» Lucia,tuo padre vuole
parlarti!
Lucia, your father wants to speak to
you!
» Non gli ho mai chiesto di aiutarmi
I (have) never asked him to help me.
» Non
oserei consigliarti
I would not dare to advise
you
» Le ho regalato un paio di orecchini
I gave her a present of a pair of earrings.
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