Indirect object pronouns: me, te, lhe, nos, lhes

• me = to/for me

• te = to/for you (tu) - regional

• lhe = to/for you/him/her (você/ele/ela)

• nos = to/for us

• lhes = to/for you all/them (vocês/eles/elas)

• Brazil prefers pronouns BEFORE verb

• Colloquial: "para mim/você/ele" instead of "me/lhe"

• Common verbs: dar, dizer, perguntar, mostrar

Indirect objects are essential for everyday interactions – from "Me dá um café?" (Give me a coffee?) to "Te ligo mais tarde" (I'll call you later). But here's the catch: Brazilians often say "Vou falar para ele" instead of textbook "Vou lhe falar," so knowing both forms helps you understand everyone from professors to street vendors. Master these patterns and you'll handle everything from asking favors to giving gifts naturally!

Indirect Object Pronoun Forms

Daily Requests

• "Me passa o sal?" (Pass me the salt?)

• "Te ligo mais tarde" (I'll call you later)

• "Posso lhe fazer uma pergunta?" (Can I ask you a question?)

• "Me faz um favor?" (Do me a favor?)

• "Nos ajuda aqui?" (Help us here?)

Giving and Receiving

• "Vou te dar um presente" (I'll give you a gift)

• "Ela me emprestou o carro" (She lent me the car)

• "Te trouxe uma lembrança" (I brought you a souvenir)

• "O professor nos deu muito dever" (The teacher gave us a lot of homework)

Verbs that look indirect but aren't

Some verbs take direct objects in Portuguese:

• Escutar alguém (not "escutar a alguém")

• Ajudar alguém (not "ajudar a alguém")

• ❌ "Lhe escuto" → ✅ "O/A escuto"

The lhe/você gender problem

"Lhe" doesn't show gender, causing confusion:

• "Lhe dei o livro" (gave him? her? you?)

• Solution: "Dei o livro para ele/ela/você"

Te vs. Lhe for você