Pronomi diretti

Direct Object Pronouns
The direct object is the word that answers “what?” or “who?” after the verb.
For example:
I want a cappuccino → What do I want? → "a cappuccino" is the direct object.
I’m meeting my friends → Who am I meeting? → "my friends" is the direct object.

Instead of repeating the noun, we can replace it with a direct object pronoun.

Examples:
  • Vuoi un caffè? (Do you want a coffee?)
  • Sì, lo voglio. (Yes, I want it)

  • Vedi i tuoi genitori stasera? (Are you seeing your parents tonight?)
  • Sì, li vedo. (Yes, I see them)

Here are some other examples of using direct pronouns:
  • Mia madre mi chiama ogni sera. (My mother calls me every evening)
  • Ti conosco bene. (I know you well)
  • Compro il pane e lo mangio subito. (I buy the bread and eat it immediately)
  • Compro la pizza e la mangio a casa. (I buy the pizza and eat it at home)
  • A: "Ehi! Vedi Marco e me? Siamo qui, ci vedi?" B: "Sì, vi vedo". (A. "Hey! Do you see Marco and me? Where here, do you see us?" B: "Yes, I see you")
  • Vedo Paolo e Luca ogni giorno. Li vedo al lavoro. (I see Paolo and Luca every day. I see them at work.)
  • Compro le mele e le mangio a colazione. (I buy the apples and eat them for breakfast)
ESERCIZI
When using a direct object pronoun with a passato prossimo or another compound verb, the last letter of the verb must agree with the direct object pronoun.

Examples:
  • Ho letto i libri → Li ho letti (I read the books → I read them)
  • Ho incontrato le amiche → Le ho incontrate (I met my friends (female) → I met them)


In case of a modal or phrasal verb (volere, potere, dovere, sapere, cominciare a, stare per, finire di) followed by an infinitive, the direct object pronoun can either be used before the verb or after the infinitive.

Examples:
  • Ho comprato delle scarpe nuove. Le vuoi vedere? / Vuoi vederle? (I bought some new shoes. Do you want to see them? / Do you want to see them?)
  • Posso rivederti domani? / Ti posso rivedere domani? (Can I see you again tomorrow? / Can I see you again tomorrow?)
The direct object pronoun can also replace a phrase. For example:
  • Dov'è la stazione? (Where is the station?)
  • Non lo so. [I don't know it (it = where the station is)]