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A2 (Elementary)Lesson 5: Object Pronouns & Basic Placement
Direct object pronouns replace nouns that receive the action of a verb, with Brazilian Portuguese strongly preferring placement before the verb (proclisis) unlike European Portuguese, creating a simpler but distinctly Brazilian pattern.
me = me (eu)
te = you (tu) - informal, regional
o/a = him/her/it/you (ele/ela/vocĂȘ)
nos = us (nĂłs)
os/as = them/you all (eles/elas/vocĂȘs)
Brazil prefers pronouns BEFORE verb
VocĂȘ uses 3rd person: o/a not te
Often dropped in colloquial speech
These little words prevent repetitive speech and make Portuguese flow naturally! Instead of "Eu vi Maria ontem. Eu encontrei Maria no shopping" you say "Eu a encontrei no shopping." But Brazilian placement rules differ from textbooks â knowing when to say "me ajuda" vs. "ajuda-me" marks you as speaking real Brazilian Portuguese. Master these and you'll sound natural, from casual "Me liga!" to understanding when someone says "Te amo" vs. "Amo vocĂȘ."
subject + direct object pronoun + verb OR verb + direct object pronoun (formal/specific contexts)
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| Subject | Direct Object | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| eu | me | Ele me viu | He saw me |
| tu | te | Eu te amo | I love you |
| ele | o | Eu o conheço | I know him |
| ela | a | NĂłs a encontramos | We found her |
| vocĂȘ | o/a | Vou ajudĂĄ-lo/la | I'll help you |
| nĂłs | nos | Ela nos chamou | She called us |
| eles | os | Eu os vi | I saw them |
| elas | as | Ele as conhece | He knows them |
"Me liga quando chegar" (Call me when you arrive)
"Te espero na porta" (I'll wait for you at the door)
"NĂŁo o vi hoje" (I didn't see him today)
"A encontrei no shopping" (I met her at the mall)
"Ele nos convidou para jantar" (He invited us for dinner)
"te amo â€ïž" (I love you)
"me add no grupo" (add me to the group)
"te mando o endereço" (I'll send you the address)
"nĂŁo me esquece" (don't forget me)
VocĂȘ uses 3rd person but context matters:
To one person: "Eu o/a vi" (I saw you)
Gender must match the person
Many just say: "Eu vi vocĂȘ"
Grammar says no, Brazilians say yes:
Traditional: â "Me chama JoĂŁo"
Reality: â "Me chama JoĂŁo"
Traditional: â "Te amo"
Reality: â "Te amo"
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