Direct Object Pronouns

In brief

Use a direct object pronoun to replace the person or thing directly affected by an action: instead of repeating Marco in Conosco Marco, say Lo conosco (I know him). Choose the Italian form to match the person or noun being replaced.

Form

mi (me), ti (you), lo (him/it, masculine), la (her/it, feminine), ci (us), vi (you, plural), li (them, masculine or mixed), le (them, feminine) + conjugated verb: Lo vedo.

Usage

• Put the pronoun before a conjugated verb, even though English normally puts the object after it: La chiamo means I call her.
• For objects, choose lo/la or li/le according to the Italian noun’s gender and number, not the English word it or them.
• With an infinitive, the pronoun can attach to its end: Voglio comprarlo means I want to buy it.

Examples

• Conosci Marco? Sì, lo conosco. — Do you know Marco? Yes, I know him.
• Dov’è la borsa? La vedo sul tavolo. — Where’s the bag? I see it on the table.
• Cerchi le chiavi? Le cerco adesso. — Are you looking for the keys? I’m looking for them now.
• Mi senti? Sì, ti sento. — Can you hear me? Yes, I can hear you.

Common mistake

❌ Vedo lo ogni giorno.

✅ Lo vedo ogni giorno.

Unlike English, Italian normally places a direct object pronoun before a conjugated verb.

Remember

Ask who or what receives the action directly; then place the matching pronoun before the conjugated verb.