Compliment personal pronouns can perform two functions:
- Direct (object) compliment: Anna ascolta me (Anna listens to me)/Anna mi ascolta(Anna listens to me).
- Indirect compliment: Anna pensa a me (Anna thinks of me)/Anna mi pensa(Anna thinks of me).
Both Functions can have two forms: (Tonica and Atona)
The forms (Atona/Tonica) vary depending on whether they perform the function of direct (object) compliment or indirect (object) compliment.
2. La forma atona / The unstressd form.
La Forma atona: is an unstressed (or weak) form, which relies on the verb:
- Anna mi ascolta(Anna listens to me).
- Anna mi pensa (Anna thinks of me).
| Forma Atona Complimento diretto (ogetto) | Forma Atona Complimento indiretto (di termine) |
| mi | mi (= a me) |
| ti | ti (= a te) |
| lo/si | gli/si (= a lui) |
| la/si | le/si (= a lei) |
| ne | |
| ci | ci (= a noi) |
| vi | vi (= a voi) |
| li/si | gli/si (= a loro) m.plu |
| le/si | gli/si (= a loro) f.plu |
In atonic forms (forme atone) the relevant element is the verb, on which the accent of the voice falls.
- Non è stato possibile parlargli.
- (It was not possible to speak to him).
- Vi inviterò a casa mia la settimana prossima
- (I will invite you to my house next week).
The weak form is used only to indicate the complement of the term >> a chi? (to whom?) and they normally precede the verb.
- Ti consiglio di non dire sciocchezze.
- (I advise you not to talk nonsense).
- Telefonerò a voi domani = Vi telefonerò domain.
- (I’ll call you tomorrow).
- Porta le fotocopie a noi = Portaci le fotocopie.
- (Bring the photocopies to us = Bring us the photocopies).
Direct and indirect pronouns
As we can see in the table the unstressed form (atonic) can be direct or indirect.
- Direct pronouns are used when the object in the sentence is direct, without any preposition (accusative case).
- Indirect pronouns are used when the object in the sentence is indirect and is accompanied by the preposition a (dative case).
| Pronomi diretti (Direct pronouns) | Pronomi indiretti (Indirect pronouns) |
| Noi mangiamo spesso la pasta Noi la mangiamo spesso | Domani telefoneremo a Maria Domani le telefoneremo |
| Noi mangiamo spesso il pane Noi lo mangiamo spesso | Domani telefoneremo a Franco Domani gli telefoneremo |