lhe (objeto indireto de você)

Indirect Object with Você

Level 2

Lhe (plural: lhes) is an indirect object pronoun. It replaces phrases like a você or para ele. It is gender-neutral and used primarily with the formal/standard 3rd person address (você/o senhor).

How It Works

The pronoun lhe is a versatile tool in Portuguese grammar, but its usage varies significantly between Brazil and Portugal.

1. Grammatical Function
It serves as the indirect object, meaning it replaces a noun that follows prepositions like a or para. Unlike direct object pronouns (o/a), lhe is gender-neutral; it remains the same whether the recipient is male or female.

2. Placement (Clitic Position)

  • European Portuguese (EP): Usually follows the verb (enclisis), e.g., Eu dei-lhe.
  • Brazilian Portuguese (BP): Usually precedes the verb (proclisis) in speech, e.g., Eu lhe dei.
  • Negatives: Negative words like não or nunca always pull the pronoun to the front: Não lhe disse nada.

3. Regional Differences
In Portugal, lhe is used constantly in all levels of speech. In Brazil, it is common in formal writing and in the Northeast region. In casual conversation in cities like Rio or São Paulo, Brazilians often prefer using para + pronoun (e.g., para você) instead of lhe.

4. Possessive Dative
In more formal or literary styles, lhe can indicate possession: O frio gelou-lhe os ossos (The cold froze his/her/your bones).

Examples (5)

  1. Eu lhe darei o livro amanhã.

    I will give you/him/her the book tomorrow.

    Word by Word: I to-you/him/her will-give the book tomorrow.

    Here, 'lhe' replaces 'a você' or 'a ele/ela' as the recipient of the book.

  2. O diretor quer falar-lhe agora.

    The director wants to speak to you/him/her now.

    Word by Word: The director wants to-speak-to-you/him/her now.

    This uses the European Portuguese style of attaching the pronoun to the end of the infinitive verb.

  3. Nós lhes enviamos o convite por e-mail.

    We sent you (plural)/them the invitation by email.

    Word by Word: We to-them/you-all sent the invitation by email.

    'Lhes' is the plural form, used for 'vocês', 'eles', or 'elas'.

  4. Não lhe contei o segredo.

    I didn't tell you/him/her the secret.

    Word by Word: Not to-you/him/her I-told the secret.

    The negative word 'não' forces the pronoun to come before the verb (proclisis).

  5. Eu lho entreguei ontem.

    I delivered it to you/him/her yesterday.

    Word by Word: I to-him-it delivered yesterday.

    In European Portuguese, 'lhe' + 'o' (it) contracts into 'lho'. This is rare in Brazil.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'lhe' as a direct object (e.g., for 'to see' or 'to love').

    Eu lhe amo.
    Eu o amo. / Eu amo você.

    'Amar' is a direct transitive verb. 'Lhe' should only be used with verbs that require the prepositions 'a' or 'para' (indirect objects).

  • Mixing 'te' and 'lhe' when addressing the same person.

    Eu te vi e lhe dei um oi.
    Eu o vi e lhe dei um oi.

    'Te' belongs to the 'tu' family, while 'lhe' belongs to the 'você' family. In formal Portuguese, you should stay consistent within one pronoun system.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

lhe (objeto indireto de você)Level 2Indirect Object with Você

Learn This First

To understand the use of 'lhe' as an indirect object for 'você', learners must first be familiar with the general system of indirect object pronouns and the distinction between the informal 'tu' and the more formal/standard 'você' address forms.

Words in This Pattern