French distinguishes between lui and le/la in ways that English doesn't, so choosing the right form changes meaning and emphasis. This guide goes through when to use each pronoun with clear examples.
Lui
Lui is an indirect object pronoun for "him" or "to him" and is used after verbs that take an indirect object. It also appears in emphatic contexts and after prepositions. Use lui when the action is directed toward someone indirectly.
Le
Le is a direct object pronoun for "him" or "it" and replaces a masculine noun that receives the action directly. It appears immediately before the verb and is used with verbs that take a direct object. Use le when you can substitute the noun that the verb acts on directly.
La
La is a direct object pronoun for "her" or "it" and replaces a feminine noun that receives the action directly. Like le, it appears before the verb and substitutes a noun that the verb directly affects. Use la to replace a feminine noun serving as the direct object.
Key Difference
The key difference is whether the pronoun represents a direct or indirect object. Le/la are direct object pronouns, while lui is an indirect object pronoun for persons. Using one instead of the other can change the sentence's meaning or make it ungrammatical.
Emphatic Uses
Lui can also be used for emphasis or contrast in short answers and after prepositions, whereas le/la cannot. For example, you can say "C'est lui" to emphasize identity. Use lui in these emphatic or disjunctive positions.
Summary
Use le and la for direct objects that the verb acts on, and use lui for indirect objects that receive the action indirectly or follow prepositions. Remember that lui can also serve an emphatic role. Choosing the correct pronoun ensures precise and natural French.
Last updated: Fri Oct 24, 2025