2Module 7

Two Objects in One Sentence

Dois Complementos numa Frase

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Key Concept

When a verb has both a direct and an indirect object, you can replace one or both with pronouns. When both are replaced, Portuguese merges them into a single combined form.

Many verbs take two objects: a direct object (the thing) and an indirect object (the person). In European Portuguese you can replace either or both with clitic pronouns. When both are replaced, the indirect (lhe/lhes) and direct (o/a/os/as) pronouns merge into combined forms: lho, lha, lhos, lhas.

Key Phrase — Try saying it!

Eu dei um livro à Maria.

1Basic Example

dei

I gave a book to Maria.

Directo

(a book)

“gave what?”

o

Indirecto

(Maria)

“gave to whom?”

lhe

2Replacements

Replace Direct Object only

Replace "the book" with "it"

dei-o

Replace Indirect Object only

Replace "Maria" with "her"

dei-lhe

3Advanced — The Combo

If you want to replace both at the same time, Portuguese merges the two pronouns together:

MergeResult
lhe + olho
lhe + alha
lhe + oslhos
lhe + aslhas

Full combo sentence

dei-lho.

I gave it to her.

4Side by Side

SentenceMeaning
dei I gave a book to Maria.
dei-o I gave it to Maria.
dei-lhe I gave her a book.
dei-lho.I gave it to her.

Tip: The combo form (lho, lha, lhos, lhas) is quite advanced — A1/A2 level just needs to understand the concept, no need to memorise yet!

More Examples

deu namorada.
João gave flowers to his girlfriend.
deu-as namorada.
João gave them to his girlfriend.
deu-lhe
João gave her flowers.
deu-lhas.
João gave them to her.
explicou lição
The teacher explained the lesson to the students.
explicou-a
The teacher explained it to the students.
explicou-lhes lição.
The teacher explained the lesson to them.
explicou-lha.
The teacher explained it to them.
enviou
He sent a letter to his father.
enviou-a
He sent it to his father.
enviou-lhe
He sent him a letter.
enviou-lha.
He sent it to him.
mostrámos fotos
We showed the photos to Ana.
mostrámo-las
We showed them to Ana.
mostrámos-lhe fotos.
We showed her the photos.
mostrámos-lhas.
We showed them to her.
comprou presente
The mother bought a gift for her son.
comprou-o
The mother bought it for her son.
comprou-lhe presente.
The mother bought him a gift.
comprou-lho.
The mother bought it for him.
trouxe documentos
I brought the documents to the lawyer.
trouxe-os
I brought them to the lawyer.
trouxe-lhe documentos.
I brought him the documents.
trouxe-lhos.
I brought them to him.
contou história
She told the story to the children.
contou-a
She told it to the children.
contou-lhes história.
She told them the story.
contou-lha.
She told it to them.
vizinha.
You gave the cake to the neighbour.
deste-o vizinha.
You gave it to the neighbour.
deste-lhe
You gave her the cake.
deste-lho.
You gave it to her.
Practice Time
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