-lo/-la

Object Pronoun After -R/-S/-Z Verbs

Level 3

When a verb ends in -r, -s, or -z and you attach a direct object pronoun (him, her, it, them), the verb's final consonant drops and the pronoun becomes -lo, -la, -los, or -las.

How It Works

This pattern is essential for using enclisis correctly with specific verb endings.

1. The Transformation Rules:

  • -ar verbs: Drop the -r and add an acute accent to the á. Example: cantar + o = cantá-lo.
  • -er verbs: Drop the -r and add a circumflex accent to the ê. Example: comer + a = comê-la.
  • -ir verbs: Drop the -r. The i usually does not need an accent. Example: abrir + os = abri-los. (Exception: use an accent if it forms a hiatus, like substituí-lo).
  • -s and -z endings: Drop the consonant and apply the 'L' form. Example: tu fazes + o = faze-lo; ele faz + o = fá-lo.

2. Regional Differences:
In European Portuguese, this is the everyday standard for speech and writing. In Brazilian Portuguese, this form is considered very formal or literary. Brazilians typically prefer proclisis (Eu o vi) or colloquial subject pronoun usage (Eu vi ele).

3. Important Note:
If a word 'attracts' the pronoun to the front of the verb (like a negation word 'não'), the pronoun reverts to its standard form (o, a, os, as) and the verb keeps its original ending. Example: Vou comprá-lo vs. Não o vou comprar.

Examples (5)

  1. Eu quero comprar o carro. Vou comprá-lo amanhã.

    I want to buy the car. I am going to buy it tomorrow.

    Word by Word: I want to-buy the car. I-go buy-it tomorrow.

    The infinitive 'comprar' ends in -r. We drop the -r, add an accent to the 'a', and attach '-lo'.

  2. Se tens a chave, dá-la ao teu pai?

    If you have the key, do you give it to your father?

    Word by Word: If you-have the key, give-it to-the your father?

    The verb 'dás' (you give) ends in -s. We drop the -s and the pronoun 'a' becomes '-la'.

  3. Ele fez o exercício e fê-lo muito bem.

    He did the exercise and he did it very well.

    Word by Word: He did the exercise and did-it very well.

    The verb 'fez' ends in -z. We drop the -z, add an accent to the 'e', and attach '-lo'.

  4. Preciso de ler estas revistas. Vou lê-las hoje.

    I need to read these magazines. I'm going to read them today.

    Word by Word: I-need of to-read these magazines. I-go read-them today.

    The infinitive 'ler' ends in -r. We drop the -r, add a circumflex accent to the 'e', and attach '-las'.

  5. É um segredo, mas vou dizer-lo... não, vou dizê-lo agora.

    It's a secret, but I'm going to say it... no, I'm going to say it now.

    Word by Word: It-is a secret, but I-go to-say-it... no, I-go say-it now.

    Corrects the common mistake of keeping the -r. 'Dizer' becomes 'dizê-lo'.

Common Mistakes

  • Forgetting to drop the final consonant of the verb.

    Vou comprar-lo.
    Vou comprá-lo.

    You must remove the -r, -s, or -z before attaching the 'L' form of the pronoun.

  • Omitting the required accent mark on -ar and -er verbs.

    Eu vou comela.
    Eu vou comê-la.

    Without the accent (á or ê), the stress would incorrectly shift to the pronoun syllable. Note: 'comê-la' is correct, 'comela' is wrong.

  • Using the 'L' form in a proclitic (before the verb) position.

    Não lo vi.
    Não o vi.

    The -lo/-la forms only exist when attached to the end of a verb. If the pronoun moves to the front, it returns to o/a/os/as.

How It Connects

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

-lo/-laLevel 3Object Pronoun After -R/-S/-Z Verbs

Learn This First

To learn the -lo/-la pronoun forms, you first need to be comfortable with basic direct object pronouns and how they normally attach to the end of verbs. You also need to recognize verb endings in the infinitive and certain conjugations, as the final consonants -r, -s, and -z are what trigger this specific spelling and pronunciation change.

Words in This Pattern

lola