français · B1 · grammar · 4 minutes
Order of two object pronouns
Place me/te/se/nous/vous before le/la/les, then lui/leur, y, and en.
Understand the choice
Two-pronoun sentences are easier when each full complement is restored first. Identify the direct object and recipient separately, replace each, then apply the fixed ordering rather than English sequence.
Core rule: Before most conjugated verbs, object pronouns follow the order: me/te/se/nous/vous + le/la/les + lui/leur + y + en.
Notice it in context
Je prête la voiture à Léa, puis je la lui laisse pour le week-end.
I lend the car to Léa, then leave it with her for the weekend.
La replaces la voiture; lui replaces à Léa; direct la precedes indirect lui.
Ces photos, je vais te les envoyer.
These photos, I am going to send them to you.
Before the infinitive, te precedes direct-object les.
Il nous en parle souvent.
He often talks to us about it.
Nous precedes en; en replaces de the topic.
What to remember
- In affirmative commands, order and forms change: donne-le-moi.
- A pronoun cluster belongs before the infinitive when that infinitive governs the objects.
Common trap: Do not mirror English “leave it to her” as lui la. Standard order is la lui.