Singular Dative with Definite Accusative

Level 4

Central-type clusters replace singular li with hi after a definite third-person direct object; Valencian commonly keeps li first.

How It Works

In the Central-type pattern, li plus el becomes l'hi, li plus la becomes la hi, li plus els becomes els hi, and li plus les becomes les hi. The final hi identifies the recipient in these combinations; it need not refer to a place.

Valencian standard commonly retains li before the object: li'l, li la, li'ls, li les. Neither regional system should be presented as an error in the other. Use one coherent pattern in the surrounding text.

These combinations concern definite third-person objects. With a neuter object, li ho remains a distinct combination; with a partitive quantity, examine li'n or its regional equivalent rather than extending this table blindly.

Examples (3)

  1. El llibre, l'hi donaré demà.

    The book, I will give it to her tomorrow.

  2. La carta, la hi portaré avui.

    The letter, I will take it to him today.

  3. El llibre, li'l donaré demà. (Valencià.)

    The book, I will give it to her tomorrow. (Valencian.)

How It Connects

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Singular Dative with Definite AccusativeLevel 4

Learn This First

Identify the definite direct object’s gender and number before combining or resuming it. Identify the recipient and its number before combining it with another object. Choose the basic two-clitic order before adding functions or changing spelling.

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