Indirect Object Pronouns in Portuguese

Overview

Indirect Object Pronouns (Pronomes de Objeto Indireto) is a beginner (CEFR A1) topic in Portuguese grammar. Indirect object pronouns (me, te, lhe, nos, vos, lhes) for 'to/for someone'. Lhe = to him/her (formal you), lhes = to them. Position rules same as direct pronouns.

Understanding indirect object pronouns is essential for building correct Portuguese sentences and communicating effectively. This concept is introduced at the A1 level and forms part of the foundation for more advanced grammar structures.

Whether you are learning Brazilian or European Portuguese, mastering indirect object pronouns will significantly improve your ability to express yourself naturally and accurately in a variety of contexts.

How It Works

Indirect object pronouns (to/for someone):

Person	Pronoun	Example
eu	me	Deu-me o livro.
tu	te	Dou-te o livro.
ele/ela/voce	lhe	Telefono-lhe.
nos	nos	Disseram-nos.
eles/elas/voces	lhes	Escrevo-lhes.

1st/2nd person forms (me, te, nos) are identical for direct and indirect. Only 3rd person differs: o/a (direct) vs lhe (indirect).

Usage: Dou o livro ao Joao. becomes Dou-lhe o livro. (I give him the book.)

Examples in Context

Portuguese	English	Note
Dou-te o livro.	I give you the book.
Telefono-lhe.	I call him/her.
Digo-vos a verdade.	I tell you the truth.
Escrevo-lhes uma carta.	I write them a letter.
Dou-lhe o livro.	I give him the book.
Perguntei-lhe.	I asked him/her.
Disseram-nos a verdade.	They told us the truth.
Mandei-lhes uma mensagem.	I sent them a message.
Conta-me tudo!	Tell me everything!

Common Mistakes

Wrong pronoun placement

• Wrong: Placing the pronoun in the wrong position relative to the verb
• Right: Follow Portuguese pronoun placement rules (which differ between BR and PT)
• Why: Pronoun position in Portuguese follows complex rules that differ between variants.

Confusing direct and indirect pronoun forms

• Wrong: Using a direct object pronoun where an indirect one is needed
• Right: Identify whether the pronoun replaces a direct or indirect object
• Why: Third-person pronouns differ between direct (o/a) and indirect (lhe) functions.

Forgetting pronoun-verb contractions

• Wrong: Not adjusting the pronoun form after certain verb endings
• Right: Apply the required changes: o becomes lo after -r, no after nasals
• Why: Portuguese has mandatory phonological adjustments when pronouns attach to verbs.

Usage Notes

This concept appears across both Brazilian and European Portuguese, though specific usage patterns may differ between the two variants. At the A1 level, focus on understanding the core patterns before worrying about regional differences.

In everyday conversation, indirect object pronouns is used frequently in both formal and informal contexts. Pay attention to how native speakers use it in the media you consume, and note any differences between Brazilian and Portuguese sources.

Practice Tips

1. Practice indirect object pronouns with authentic Portuguese texts, listening for how native speakers use these forms in context.
2. Create flashcards with complete example sentences rather than isolated words to reinforce natural patterns.
3. Write short paragraphs using indirect object pronouns and compare them with native-written texts to identify areas for improvement.

Related Concepts

• Prerequisite: Subject Pronouns -- provides the foundational knowledge needed for indirect object pronouns