Indirect Pronouns

Indirect pronouns replace a noun used as a direct object preceded by the preposition "a" (to). We have already seen these pronouns used with verbs like piacere (to like), bastare (to be enough), mancare (to miss), and servire (to need).

Indirect pronouns must agree in gender and number with the noun they replace.

• Quando vedo Luca, gli restituisco il libro.

  When I see Luca, I return his book to him.

• È il compleanno di Sara e le regalo dei fiori

  It's Sara's birthday, and I give her flowers.

• Sono uscito con gli amici e gli ho offerto una cena.

  I went out with my friends and offered them dinner.

• Mi fai un caffè?
  Can you make me a coffee?

• Ti offro una pizza.
  I'll offer you a pizza.

• Claudio ha dei gusti strani: non gli piacciono i gelati.
  Claudio has strange tastes: he doesn’t like ice cream.

• Livia ha quasi finito l’università: le manca un solo esame.
  Livia has almost finished university: she only has one exam left.

• Ci presenti la tua ragazza?
  Will you introduce your girlfriend to us?

• Vi serve qualcosa?
  Do you need anything?

• Laura e Dino si sposano: cosa gli regaliamo?
  Laura and Dino are getting married: what should we give them?

As mentioned, indirect object pronouns agree in gender and number with the noun they replace: "gli" is used for singular masculine, "le" for singular feminine; for the plural, there is a single form for both masculine and feminine ("gli" or "loro").

• Non voglio vedere Marco: gli devo dei soldi.
  I don’t want to see Marco: I owe him money.

• Se vai dalla professoressa, le porti questo libro, per favore?
  If you go to the professor, can you bring her this book, please?

• Paolo e Luigi vanno in centro: gli dai un passaggio?
  Paolo and Luigi are going downtown: can you give them a ride?

• Quando vedrò Anna e Luisa gli parlerò.
  When I see Anna and Luisa, I will talk to them.

• Sono sicura che capiranno quando spiegherò loro la situazione.
  I am sure they will understand when I explain the situation to them.

When indirect object pronouns are used together with an infinitive verb (usually after dovere, potere, volere, sapere), they can be attached to the infinitive verb (which loses its final vowel). The meaning of the sentence does not change whether the pronoun is placed before the verb or attached to the infinitive:

• Volete parlargli?
  Do you want to talk to him?

• Posso offrirti qualcosa?
  Can I offer you something?

• Dobbiamo telefonarle.
  We need to call her.

• Sai dirmi dove abitano?
  Can you tell me where they live?

Indirect object pronouns do not attach to the infinitive when used after the verbs "fare" and "lasciare."

• Perché non gli lasciate guardare la televisione?
  Why don’t you let him watch TV?

• Vengono i bambini: cosa gli farò fare?
  The children are coming: what will I have them do?

To emphasize the pronoun or highlight a contrast, tonic forms of indirect pronouns are used:

• Stai parlando a me o a lei?
  Are you talking to me or to her?

• Telefono a voi, ma non a loro.
  I will call you, but not them.

• Devi dire tutto a lui, non a me.
  You must tell everything to him, not to me.

Tonic forms are preceded by the preposition "a" and usually follow the verb (except with the verb "piacere"):

• A noi piace leggere, a voi non piace?
  We like reading, don’t you?

Tonic forms are also used after all other prepositions and expressions like "anche (pure), neanche (nemmeno, neppure), meno che (eccetto che, salvo che, tranne che), come, quanto."

• Esci con me stasera?
  Are you going out with me tonight?

• L’ho fatto per voi!
  I did it for you!