italiano · B1 · grammar · 4 minutes
Combined object pronouns
Combine indirect mi/ti/gli/le/ci/vi with lo/la/li/le or ne in a fixed fused order.
Understand the choice
Combined pronouns become manageable by restoring both complements first. Identify recipient and thing, convert each, then fuse in Italian order rather than copying English.
Core rule: Before lo/la/li/le/ne, mi/ti/ci/vi change to me/te/ce/ve and gli/le fuse as glielo/gliela/glieli/gliele/gliene.
Notice it in context
Do il documento a Sara e glielo mando oggi.
I give the document to Sara and send it to her today.
Glielo combines gli = to Sara and lo = documento before mando.
Queste foto? Te le invio domani.
These photos? I will send them to you tomorrow.
Te marks recipient and le replaces feminine plural foto.
Avete bisogno di copie? Ce ne servono due.
Do you need copies? We need two.
Ce marks to us; ne replaces copies; due remains.
What to remember
- Written glielo and related forms are one word.
- With an infinitive, the cluster can attach: voglio mandarglielo.
Common trap: Do not say gli lo as two separate unstressed words; fuse glielo.