Italian Direct Object Pronouns: A Complete Beginner-Friendly Guide

In this post we’ll learn how to use Italian direct object pronouns. As in most languages, direct object pronouns help you avoid lots of unnatural repetition, and they make your Italian sound more natural. So they’re an important part of basic Italian grammar.

First, we’ll define what exactly a direct object is, and we’ll show examples of both direct object nouns and pronouns. After that we’ll look at the forms of Italian direct object pronouns. Next, we’ll learn where direct object pronouns are placed in the sentence. Then we’ll see some examples of Italian direct object pronouns being attached to infinitives or gerunds. Finally, we’ll have a practice exercise so that you can test yourself.

What Are Direct Objects?

A direct object answers the question what? or who(m)? in relation to the verb. It receives the action directly. For example, if the verb is see, the direct object is what or who(m) you see. For example:

• Vedo Maria.
  I see Maria.
• La vedo.
  I see her.

In the first sentence, Maria is the direct object. Maria is a noun, and we can replace the noun with the pronoun la (her) in the second sentence. La is an example of an Italian direct object pronoun.

Forms of Italian Direct Object Pronouns

Each Italian subject pronoun has a corresponding direct object pronoun.

Remember just a few points regarding pronouns in Italian:

• Subject pronouns are often dropped, but direct object pronouns aren’t.
• There are a few different ways to say you:
  • The pronoun tu is singular and informal, used for example when speaking to one friend or family member.
  • The pronoun Lei is singular and formal, used to show respect, for example to older strangers or in formal contexts.
  • The pronoun voi is plural and informal, used when speaking to two or more friends or family members. However, voi is usually used for formal plural contexts, too, since Loro can sound overly formal and stuffy.
  • The pronoun Loro is plural and (very) formal. It’s mostly used in legal or diplomatic situations, or perhaps with clients to show very high formality.
• Use li or Li for all-male or mixed groups. Only use le or Le for entirely female groups.
• The pronouns lo and la may refer to people (him and her) or to things (it). La refers to feminine nouns, and lo refers to masculine nouns. The same is true of the plural li and le.

Placement of Italian Direct Object Pronouns

Italian direct object pronouns can either come before the conjugated verb, or attached to an infinitive, gerund, or command.

With Conjugated Verbs

The most common placement of Italian direct object pronouns is right before the conjugated verb. In negatives, it comes between non and the conjugated verb.

• Mi vedi?
  Do you see me?
• Lo mangio.
  I’m eating it.
• Non la conosco.
  I don’t know her.
• Li sentiamo.
  We hear them.
• Non lo vedo ogni giorno.     
  I don’t see him every day.
• Non la capisco.
  I don’t understand her.
• Li ascoltiamo attentamente.              
  We listen to them carefully.
• Vi sento bene.
  I hear you well.
• Le compro spesso.
  I often buy them.
• Non ti sento.
  I don’t hear you.

With Infinitives

When there is a conjugated verb followed by an infinitive, for example in a construction with a modal like volere (want) or dovere (must), there are two placement options. First, you can keep the pronoun before the conjugated verb, as above. Or you can attach the pronoun to the infinitive, minus its final e.  Both forms are correct.

• La voglio vedere.
  I want to see her.
• Lo devo comprare.
  I have to buy it.
• Voglio vederla.
  I want to see her.
• Devo comprarlo.
  I have to buy it.

With Gerunds

Remember that the Italian present progressive tense is formed with stare + gerundio (the –ando/-endo form of the verb). For example:

• Sto mangiando.
  I am eating.
• Cosa stai facendo?
  What are you doing?

If there is a direct object pronoun in a present progressive construction, you have two options. First, you can put the pronoun before the conjugated form of stare. This is more common in standard spoken Italian.

• Lo sto mangiando.
  I am eating it.
• Ti sta chiamando.
  He is/She is calling you.
• La stiamo cercando.
  We are looking for her.

Second, you can attach the pronoun to the end of the gerund. This form is also correct but less common in speech, and sometimes more common in literary or poetic usage.

• Sto mangiandolo.
  I am eating it.
• Sta chiamandoti.
  He is/She is calling you.
• Stiamo cercandola.
  We are looking for her.

Practice 1

Let’s practice. Translate each of these commands.

1. Ti vedo.
2. Non lo conosco.
3. La voglio invitare alla festa.  
4. Devo prenderli subito.  
5. Ci chiami dopo?
6. Lo sto leggendo.
7. Ti sto aspettando.
8. Li stiamo guardando.
9. Stiamo guardandoli.
10. Non la sto ascoltando.

Direct Object Pronouns in Commands

In commands, Italian direct object pronouns change position depending on whether the command if affirmative (do it!) or negative (don’t do it!), and whether it’s informal (tu/voi) or form (Lei/Loro). Remember that the Loro (polite plural) is pretty rare and extremely formal. You can use the voi forms to address groups of people in most situations.

Italian Direct Object Pronouns in Affirmative Commands with tu or voi

In affirmative commands that are informal (commands given to a tu or a voi), the direct object pronoun is attached to the end of the verb.

• Questa pizza è deliziosa! Mangiala!
  This pizza is delicious! Eat it!
• Ecco un regalo per te. Prendilo.
  Here’s a gift for you. Take it.
• Portami con te!
  Bring me with you!
• Quelle scarpe sono bellissime. Comprale!
  Those shoes are beautiful. Buy them!
• Fatelo, bambini!
  Do it, kids!
• Avete fatto i compiti, ragazzi? Finiteli!
  Finish them, kids!

In tu commands with some common verbs – fare (to do), dire (to say), dare (to give) – you usually drop the final vowel of the full command, and then double the consonant of the direct object pronoun.

• Fallo!
  Do it!
  (fai + lo)
• Dallo a Roberto.
  Give it to Roberto.
  (dai + lo)
• Dilla!
  Say it!
  (dì + la)

Italian Direct Object Pronouns in Affirmative Commands with Lei or Loro

In formal affirmative commands, the direct object pronoun remains separated from the verb and comes before it. Remember that the Loro forms are considered hyper formal in modern Italian, and the voi forms are used instead.

• Lo faccia!
  Do it.
• Signora, lo firmi.
  Ma’am, sign it.
• Signori, li firmino, per favore.
  Please sign them, sirs. [legal, bureaucratic, more natural is: Signori, firmateli, per favore.]
• Signore, la chiudano, per favore.
  Close it, please, Ladies. [very formal, more natural is: Signore, chiudetela, per favore.]

Italian Direct Object Pronouns in Negative Commands with tu or voi

In negative tu or voi commands, there are two placement options for direct object pronouns. The pronoun can either come between the non and the verb form, or it can be attached to the end of the command. Remember that negative tu commands just use the infinitive, and you must remove the –e before attaching the pronoun.

• La mela?
  (tu) Non la mangiare! Non mangiarla!
  (voi) Non la mangiate! Non mangiatela!
  The apple? Don’t eat it!
• Quel film?
  (tu) Non lo guardare! Non guardarlo!
  (voi) Non lo guardate! Non guardatelo!
  That film? Don’t watch it!
• La finestra?
  (tu) Non l’aprire! Non aprirla!
  (voi) Non l’aprite! Non apritela!
  The window? Don’t open it!
• I documenti?
  (tu) Non li prendere! Non prenderli!
  (voi) Non li prendete! Non prendeteli!
  The documents? Don’t take them!

Italian Direct Object Pronouns in Negative Commands with Lei or Loro

In negative formal commands, you do not have the option of attaching the pronoun to the verb. It must come between non and the command form. And as always, remember that Loro commands are increasingly rare and stuffy sounding in modern Italian. They’re typically replaced by voi, which can sound polite without being overly formal.

• Non lo firmi!
  Don’t sign it!
• Non la guardi!
  Don’t watch it!
• Non li prendano.
  Don’t take them! (rare)
• Non le aprano.
  Don’t open them! (rare)

Practice

Let’s practice again. Give the tu, Lei, and voi forms for each of these commands. Remember that in some cases there are two different possible word orders; give both.

1. Close it! (la porta)
2. Don’t open it! (la finestra)
3. Sign them! (i documenti)
4. Say it!
5. Don’t say it!

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Answer Key

Practice 1

1. I see you.
2. I don’t know him.
3. I want to invite her to the party.
4. I have to take them right away.
5. You’ll call us later?
6. I’m reading it.
7. I am waiting for you.
8. We are watching them.
9. We are watching them.
10. I am not listening to her.

Practice 2

1. (tu) Chiudila! (Lei) La chiuda! (voi) Chiudetela!
2. (tu) Non la aprire!/ Non aprirla! (Lei) Non la apra! (voi) Non apritela! / Non la aprite!
3. (tu) Firmali! (Lei) Li firmi! (voi) Firmateli!
4. (tu) Dillo!  (Lei) Lo dica! (voi) Ditelo!
5. (tu) Non lo dire! / Non dirlo! (Lei) Non lo dica! (voi) Non ditelo! / Non lo dite!

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio