Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes

Learn French direct object pronouns like me, te, le/la, nous, vous, and les to replace nouns efficiently in sentences, as in Il me choisit (He chooses me) and Il les choisit (He chooses them).
  1. All pronouns can replace a person.
  2. Only the pronouns "le/la/les" can replace things.
Singulier (Singular)Pluriel (Plural)
MeIl me choisit (He chooses me)NousIl nous choisit (He us chooses)
TeIl te choisit (He chooses you)VousIl vous choisit (He chooses you)
Le/ laIl le/la choisit (He him/her chooses)LesIl les choisit (He chooses them)

Exceptions!

  1. Before a vowel, the pronouns m'/t'/l' are used

Exercise 1: Les pronoms compléments directs

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

les, nous, me, te, vous, le, la

1. Une chemise :
Je ... prends si c'est ma taille.
(I'll take it if it's my size.)
2. Un manteau :
Elle ... porte pour aller au travail.
(She wears it to go to work.)
3. Des vêtements :
Nous ... essayons dans la cabine.
(We try them on in the fitting room.)
4. Toi :
Je ... vois souvent ici.
(I often see you here.)
5. Moi :
Tu ... demandes souvent mon avis.
(You often ask me for my opinion.)
6. Toi et moi :
Ils ... montrent les nouveaux manteaux.
(They show us the new coats.)
7. Des voitures :
Il ... vend aussi en bleu.
(He also sells them in blue.)
8. Toi et lui :
Je ... appelle demain pour confirmer.
(I will call you tomorrow to confirm.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. Je porte la chemise que tu ___ donnée.

(I am wearing the shirt you ___ gave me.)

2. Tu ___ le pantalon bleu ?

(Are you ___ the blue pants?)

3. Nous choisissons les chaussures, puis nous ___ essayons.

(We choose the shoes, then we ___ try them on.)

4. Il ___ un manteau élégant.

(He ___ an elegant coat.)

5. Vous cherchez le sac à main ? Je ___ vois là-bas.

(Are you looking for the handbag? I ___ see it over there.)

6. Elle essaie la jupe, mais elle ne ___ veut pas.

(She tries on the skirt, but she does not ___ want it.)

Understanding Direct Object Pronouns in French

This lesson covers the use of direct object pronouns in French, an essential grammar point for constructing clear and concise sentences. Direct object pronouns replace the noun that receives the action directly, helping to avoid repetition and maintain the flow of conversation or writing.

Key Direct Object Pronouns

Below are the direct object pronouns you'll learn:

SingularPlural
me (me) — Il me choisit ('He chooses me')nous (us) — Il nous choisit ('He chooses us')
te (you, singular informal) — Il te choisit ('He chooses you')vous (you, plural or formal) — Il vous choisit ('He chooses you')
le / la (him / her / it) — Il le/la choisit ('He chooses him/her/it')les (them) — Il les choisit ('He chooses them')

Usage Tips

  • These pronouns are used to replace a direct object (a person or a thing that the verb acts upon).
  • All pronouns can replace people, but only le, la, les replace things or objects.
  • When the pronoun precedes a verb starting with a vowel or mute 'h', use the contracted form m', t', l' instead of me, te, le/la. For example, Je t'aime ('I love you').

Examples and Common Expressions

Here are some natural examples to illustrate:

  • Je porte la chemise que tu m'as donnée. ('I am wearing the shirt that you gave me.')
  • Tu essayes le pantalon bleu? ('Are you trying the blue pants?')
  • Nous choisissons les chaussures, puis nous les essayons. ('We choose the shoes, then we try them on.')
  • Vous cherchez le sac à main? Je le vois là-bas. ('Are you looking for the handbag? I see it over there.')

English vs. French Direct Object Pronouns

In English, direct object pronouns like me, you, him, her, it, us, them are used after the verb or sometimes after prepositions, whereas in French, they always come before the verb. For example, English: "He chooses me"; French: "Il me choisit." This order is fundamental to master for accurate sentence structure in French.

Additionally, English pronouns do not change form based on gender for direct objects, but in French, le is used for masculine nouns and la for feminine nouns. Remembering the gender of French nouns will help you choose the correct pronoun.

Practical Vocabulary Highlight

  • choisir — to choose
  • porter — to wear / carry
  • essayer — to try (on)
  • chercher — to look for

Understanding these verbs along with their pronoun complements will boost your ability to express preferences and actions efficiently in French.

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This content has been designed and reviewed by the coLanguage pedagogical team: About coLanguage

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Alessia Calcagni

Languages for communication in international enterprises and organizations

Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia

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Last Updated:

Wednesday, 16/07/2025 23:21