A2.6 - At the hotel

Indirect object pronouns

I pronomi oggetto indiretto

I pronomi oggetto indiretto indicano a chi è destinata un'azione.

(Indirect object pronouns show who an action is meant for.)

What these pronouns do (the “to someone” part)

Indirect object pronouns replace a + person (to someone).

  • mi = to me
  • ti = to you (singular)
  • gli = to him
  • le = to her
  • ci = to us
  • vi = to you (plural)
  • loro = to them

Key idea: you are not replacing the thing (the key, the room), but the receiver of the action.

How to recognize them quickly (A2 method)

  1. Find the verb: give, explain, show, ask, offer, talk.
  2. Ask: “To whom?” (A chi?)
  3. Replace a + person with the right pronoun.
Sentence core Question Answer → pronoun
Do la chiave a Marco. A chi do la chiave? Gli do la chiave.
Spiego il problema a Sara. A chi spiego il problema? Le spiego il problema.
Il receptionist parla a me. A chi parla? Il receptionist mi parla.

Word order: where the pronoun goes

In normal sentences, the indirect pronoun goes before the verb.

  • Il receptionist mi spiega tutto.
  • Le spiego il problema.
  • L’impiegata vi offre aiuto.

If you keep a + name, it often sounds heavier and is used for emphasis.

  • Neutral: Mi parla.
  • Emphasis/contrast: Parla a me, non a te.

The special case: “loro” (to them)

Loro is the exception in this unit: it does not go before the verb.

  • ✅ Do la tessera a loro.
    • Also correct: Do la tessera loro.
  • ❌ Loro do la tessera.

Self-check: if you mean “to them”, place loro after the verb.

Don’t mix up “gli / le” (him vs her)

English “to him / to her” is clear. Italian needs two different pronouns:

Person Pronoun Example
to him (a lui) gli Gli do la chiave.
to her (a lei) le Le do la chiave.

Common mistake: using gli when you mean a woman. At A2, keep it simple: gli = him, le = her.

Typical hotel verbs that want an indirect pronoun

  • parlare a (to talk to): Mi parla / Ti parla / Gli parla…
  • spiegare (a) (to explain to): Mi spiega / Le spiega…
  • dare (a) (to give to): Mi dà la chiave / Gli do la chiave…
  • mostrare (a) (to show to): Ci mostra la stanza…
  • offrire (a) (to offer to): Vi offre aiuto…
  • chiedere (a) (to ask someone): Vi chiediamo un’informazione…

Mini check: if you can add “to someone” in English, you probably need an indirect pronoun in Italian.

2 fast self-checks before you speak

  1. Am I replacing a receiver?
    • receiver → mi/ti/gli/le/ci/vi/loro
    • thing (key/room/problem) → that’s not today’s topic
  2. Position:
    • Before the verb: mi/ti/gli/le/ci/vi
    • After the verb: loro
  1. Indirect pronouns answer the questions “to whom?” and “to what?”
Significato (Meaning)A chi?Esempio (Example)
Mi (to me)A me (to me)Il receptionist mi parla (The receptionist speaks to me)
Ti (to you (singular, informal))A te (to you (singular, informal))Il receptionist ti spiega tutto (The receptionist explains everything to you)
Gli (to him)A lui (to him)Gli do la chiave (I give him the key)
Le (to her)A lei (to her)Le spiego il problema (I explain the problem to her)
Ci (to us)A noi (to us)Il receptionist ci mostra la stanza (The receptionist shows us the room)
Vi (to you (plural))A voi (to you (plural))L'impiegata vi offre aiuto (The employee offers you help)
Loro (to them)A loro (to them)Do le chiavi a loro (I give the keys to them)

Exceptions!

  1. 'Loro' is never used before the verb.

Exercise 1: Multiple choice

Instruction: Choose the correct answer

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1. Scusi, può darmi la chiave? Il receptionist ___ la dà subito.

Excuse me, can you give me the key? The receptionist gives it to ___ right away.

2. Signora, ___ spiego come usare l'ascensore.

Ma’am, I’ll explain to ___ how to use the elevator.

3. Ho un problema con il rumore: può parlarne al servizio di pulizia? Sì, ___ parlo subito.

I have a problem with the noise: can you talk about it to the cleaning service? Yes, I’ll talk to ___ right away.

4. Ecco le chiavi: do la tessera a ___ e poi facciamo il check-in.

Here are the keys: I give the card to ___ and then we check in.

Exercise 2: Rewrite the phrases

Instruction: Rephrase each sentence by replacing the part with "a + person" with the correct indirect object pronoun (mi, ti, gli, le, ci, vi, loro). Remember: 'loro' is placed after the verb. Example: "Parlo a te" → "Ti parlo".

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Show/Hide translation Show/Hide hints
  1. Il receptionist spiega tutto a me.
    ⇒ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Example
    Il receptionist mi spiega tutto.
    (The receptionist explains everything to me.)
  2. Dai il numero della camera a lui.
    ⇒ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Example
    Gli dai il numero della camera.
    (You give him the room number.)
  3. Noi chiediamo un'informazione a voi.
    ⇒ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Example
    Noi vi chiediamo un'informazione.
    (We ask you for some information.)
  4. Io racconto il problema a lei.
    ⇒ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Example
    Le racconto il problema.
    (I explain the problem to her.)

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Fabio Pirioni

Bachelor in Humanities

University of Udine

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Last Updated:

Thursday, 16/04/2026 00:40