Indirect object pronouns: lui, leur

Indirect object pronouns: lui, leur

An indirect object is à + a person. Replace the whole of it with lui (one person) or leur (more than one):

123

1. 1Paul
2. 2le livre
3. 3à Marie

Paul donne le livre à Marie. The book is the direct object; Marie, after à, the indirect object.

• Je parle aux enfants. - I'm talking to the children. So: Je leur parle. - I'm talking to them.
• Je donne le livre à Paul. - I'm giving the book to Paul. So: Je lui donne le livre. - I'm giving him the book.

In the last example the book stays where it was, and only à Paul becomes lui.

Leur the pronoun is not the possessive leurs. A pronoun before a verb never takes an s: Je leur parle. (I'm talking to them.)

Which one does the verb want?

The verb decides, not the English. Most verbs take a direct object; a group of verbs about speaking and giving take à before the person. Four common verbs trick English speakers because English adds a preposition that French does not have:

• Je regarde Marie. - I'm looking at Marie. So: Je la regarde.
• Je réponds à Paul. - I'm answering Paul. So: Je lui réponds.

The common à verbs are the speaking and giving verbs:

Learn each verb with its à attached.