Direct object pronouns
Direct object pronouns (me, him, us, etc.) are used to avoid repetition when there is no preposition (in, at, of, etc.) after the verb. They are used with verbs such as vedere (to see), conoscere (to know), chiamare (to call), sentire (to hear/to feel), volere (to want), comprare (to buy), etc.
Anna compra il libro. â Anna lo compra.
Anna buys the book. â Anna buys it.
â Conosci mia nipote? â SĂŹ, la conosco.
-Do you know my niece? -Yes, I know her.
| SINGOLARE | PLURALE | |
|---|---|---|
| 1ÂȘ persona | Loro mi conoscono | Noi ci conosciamo |
| 2ÂȘ persona | Lei ti conosce | Lui vi conosce |
| 3ÂȘ persona | âTu lo conosci âTu la conosci | âIo li conosco âIo le conosco |
Notes:
- The direct object pronouns â mi (me), ti (singular âyouâ), lo (him; it), la (her; it), ci (us), vi (plural âyouâ), li (masculine âthemâ) and le (feminine âthemâ) â generally come before the verb in Italian, whereas they come after the verb in English (e.g. I see him).
Li ho chiamati. (= Ho chiamato loro)
I called them.
Non la conosco. (= Non conosco lei)
I don't know her.
- They only come after the verb when the verb is in the infinitive (-are, -ere or -ire form), gerund (-ndo form, equivalent to â-ingâ in English) or affirmative imperative.
Non vedo l'ora di vederla. (= Non vedo l'ora di vedere lei)
I can't wait to see her.
Aiutaci! (= Aiuta noi!)
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