Direct Pronouns (Lo, La, Li, Le)

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Shopping Without Repetition

When shopping, we often repeat the same nouns. Instead of saying "I like these shoes, I will buy these shoes," in Italian we use direct object pronouns to replace the noun and sound like a native speaker!

The Four Direct Pronouns

  • lo (masculine singular): replaces il (it)
  • la (feminine singular): replaces la (it)
  • li (masculine plural): replaces i (them)
  • le (feminine plural): replaces le (them)

How They Work

Unlike English, Italian direct pronouns usually go before the conjugated verb.

Hai visto questa giacca? Sì, la compro. (Have you seen this jacket? Yes, I'm buying it.)

Watch Out with Compound Tenses!

When using the past tense (like passato prossimo with avere), pronouns lo and la change to l' before a vowel, and the past participle must agree in gender and number with the pronoun!

Hai comprato la camicia? Sì, l'ho comprata. (Did you buy the shirt? Yes, I bought it.)

Words

lo
it (masculine singular)
Prendo lo zaino? Sì, prendilo.Should I take the backpack? Yes, take it.
la
it (feminine singular)
Mi piace questa gonna, la provo.I like this skirt, I'll try it on.
li
them (masculine plural)
I pantaloni sono belli, li compro.The trousers are nice, I'm buying them.
le
them (feminine plural)
Le scarpe sono comode, le prendo.The shoes are comfortable, I'll take them.
provare
to try on
Posso provare questa giacca?Can I try on this jacket?
camerino
fitting room
Dove si trova il camerino?Where is the fitting room located?
sconto
discount
C'è uno sconto su questo vestito?Is there a discount on this dress?
cassa
cash desk
Pago alla cassa.I'll pay at the cash register.
taglia
size
Avete una taglia più grande?Do you have a larger size?
prezzo
price
Il prezzo è troppo alto.The price is too high.

Lessons are prepared with the help of AI.

Patterns

Lo compro ___

I am buying it (masculine) - used when purchasing a specific masculine item.

Lo compro subito.I am buying it right away.

Posso provare ___?

Can I try [item] on? - used in clothing shops.

Posso provare questa camicia?Can I try this shirt on?

Li prendo ___

I'll take them (masculine plural) - used for multiple masculine items.

Li prendo perché sono in offerta.I'll take them because they are on sale.