Italian A2: Direct vs Indirect Object Pronouns Made Easy (mi, ti, lo, la, gli, le)

Ever hear Italians say Ti chiamo, Lo vedo, or Gli scrivo and wonder why sometimes it’s lo, other times gli? Today we’ll demystify Italian object pronouns so you can speak more smoothly in everyday situations.

The quick test: direct vs indirect

  • Direct object answers “chi?/che cosa?” (who/what).
  • Indirect object answers “a chi?/per chi?” (to whom/for whom).

If you can ask the verb “what?” and get a thing/person, it’s usually direct. If you can add “a” (to), it’s usually indirect.

Italian
Vedo Marco. → Lo vedo.
I see Marco. → I see him.
Italian
Telefono a Maria. → Le telefono.
I phone Maria. → I phone her.
Italian
Invito gli studenti. → Li invito.
I invite the students. → I invite them.
Italian
Scrivo a Paolo. → Gli scrivo.
I write to Paolo. → I write to him.
🧠 Direct or indirect? Choose the right pronoun

Where do pronouns go?

  • Before a conjugated verb: Lo vedo. Le telefono.
  • With an infinitive, you can attach the pronoun: Voglio comprarla. Or place it before the main verb: La voglio comprare.
  • In negatives: Non lo vedo. Non gli scrivo.
  • In compound tenses, direct pronouns often trigger agreement: L’ho vista (I saw her); Li ho visti (I saw them). Keep it in mind, but at A2 focus on placement.
comprare infinitive lo direct pronoun (him/it)
🔠 Put the words in order

Build a natural Italian sentence with a pronoun before the verb.

🔠 Put the words in order

Pronoun attached to the infinitive is common here.

Verb patterns to remember

Some common verbs prefer direct vs indirect objects:

  • vedere, guardare, aiutare, chiamare → direct
  • telefonare a, scrivere a, mandare a, dare a → indirect (to someone)

Memorize a few high-frequency verbs and your pronoun choice becomes easier.

telefonare a
to phone (someone)
verb
Gli telefono alle otto.
I’ll phone him at eight.
vedere
to see
verb
Lo vedo ogni giorno.
I see him every day.
scrivere a
to write to
verb
Le scrivo una cartolina.
I’m writing her a postcard.
mandare a
to send to
verb
Ti mando le foto.
I’ll send you the photos.

Domani scrivo. (a Sara)

Luisa è qui, vedo tra poco.

Puoi portare il libro? Sì, porto oggi.

Devi telefonare a Paolo? Sì, telefono più tardi.

Formal and polite forms

In formal situations (e.g., speaking to a customer or an elder), Italian uses special pronouns:

  • Direct: La (you formal, object). Example: La chiamo più tardi.
  • Indirect: Le (to you formal). Example: Le scrivo subito.

You will hear these in shops, offices, and customer service.

💬 At the library

Tiny agreement peek (optional)

When the direct pronoun comes before the auxiliary, the past participle often agrees:

  • L’ho vista (Maria → feminine).
  • Li ho chiamati (gli amici → masculine plural). Don’t worry if this feels advanced—getting the pronouns right is the priority.
Telefona lui domani. → Gli telefona domani. Use the indirect pronoun gli (to him) before the verb. La chiamo a Maria. → La chiamo. / Chiamo Maria. Chiamare takes a direct object; don’t add a. Scrivo le. → Le scrivo. Pronouns go before the conjugated verb.

Quick practice: mix and match

Try turning these noun phrases into pronouns:

  • Vedo Paolo → Lo vedo
  • Telefono a tua madre → Le telefono
  • Invito le ragazze → Le invito
  • Mando un messaggio a voi → Vi mando un messaggio
  • Chiamo gli studenti → Li chiamo

If you’re unsure, ask the verb: who/what (direct) vs to whom (indirect).

🧠 Pronoun placement check

Wrap-up

  • Direct: lo/la/li/le (what/who). Indirect: gli/le/gli (to whom).
  • Place pronouns before the conjugated verb, or attach to the infinitive.
  • Learn verb patterns: telefonare/scrivere a → indirect; vedere/chiamare → direct.

Keep listening for Ti chiamo!, Le scrivo!, Lo so! in real conversations. The more you notice, the more natural it will feel. Buono studio!