What Are Indirect Object Pronouns in Portuguese?
Indirect object pronouns are used to indicate to whom or for whom the action of the verb is performed. In English, these correspond to words like “to me,” “to him,” “to us,” etc. In Portuguese, these pronouns help avoid repetition and make your speech more fluid and natural.
List of Portuguese Indirect Object Pronouns
Below is a table with the Portuguese indirect object pronouns and their English equivalents:
- me – to me
- te – to you (informal singular)
- lhe – to him, to her, to you (formal singular)
- nos – to us
- vos – to you (plural, mostly used in Portugal)
- lhes – to them, to you (formal plural)
Where Do Indirect Object Pronouns Go in a Sentence?
The placement of indirect object pronouns in Portuguese varies depending on the verb tense, whether the sentence is affirmative, negative, or imperative, and whether the language is formal or informal. Here are the main rules to remember:
Before the Verb (Proclitic Position)
In most spoken and written Portuguese, especially in Brazil, indirect object pronouns usually come before the verb:
- Ele me deu um presente. (He gave me a gift.)
- Ela te enviou uma mensagem. (She sent you a message.)
After the Verb (Enclitic Position)
In more formal or literary Portuguese, and after certain conjunctions or in affirmative imperatives, the pronoun may come after the verb, often joined by a hyphen:
- Dê-me o livro. (Give me the book.)
- Envie-lhe a carta. (Send him/her the letter.)
Within Negative and Interrogative Sentences
In negative and interrogative sentences, the pronoun almost always comes before the verb:
- Você não me contou a verdade. (You didn’t tell me the truth.)
- Por que ele lhe disse isso? (Why did he say that to you?)
How to Use Indirect Object Pronouns with Verbs
Not all verbs take indirect object pronouns. In Portuguese, the verbs that require these pronouns are those that are typically followed by the preposition “a” (to). Some common examples include:
- dar (to give)
- enviar (to send)
- dizer (to say, to tell)
- mostrar (to show)
- explicar (to explain)
For example:
- Vou te explicar a lição. (I will explain the lesson to you.)
- Ele nos mostrou as fotos. (He showed us the photos.)
Combining Indirect and Direct Object Pronouns
Sometimes, you may need to use both a direct and an indirect object pronoun in the same sentence. In Portuguese, the indirect object pronoun comes before the direct object pronoun:
- Ele me o deu. (He gave it to me.)
However, in practice, native speakers often use the full form for clarity: Ele me deu o livro. (He gave me the book.)
Note that in spoken Brazilian Portuguese, the use of both pronouns together is less common, and speakers usually opt for a noun instead of the direct object pronoun for clarity.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t confuse indirect object pronouns with direct object pronouns. For example, “me” is both a direct and indirect object pronoun, but “lhe” is only indirect.
- Use “lhe” and “lhes” for formal situations or when referring to people you address formally.
- Remember to adjust the pronoun for the person and number: “te” for informal you, “nos” for us, “lhes” for them.
Practice Makes Perfect
The best way to master indirect object pronouns in Portuguese is through regular practice. Try listening to native speakers, reading Portuguese texts, and using platforms like Talkpal to practice in real-life scenarios. You can also write your own sentences using the pronouns and check them with a tutor or language partner.
Conclusion
Understanding and using indirect object pronouns correctly is essential for clear and effective communication in Portuguese. With the guidelines and examples provided, you’ll be able to construct more natural sentences and understand native speech better. For more in-depth practice and personalized feedback, consider using Talkpal’s interactive language tools designed to help you master Portuguese and other languages. Happy learning!
