lui/lɥi/
pronoun · A1 · Frequency 93
pronounmasculine
Meanings
him; masculine 3rd-person singular stressed pronoun
Lui is typically used as the object of a preposition (e.g., “avec lui”), as the predicate of a linking verb (e.g., “c’est lui”), or in disjunctive use for emphasis.
Examples
Je parle souvent de lui avec mes collègues.
I often talk about him with my colleagues.
C'est lui qui a réservé la table pour ce soir.
He is the one who reserved the table for tonight.
Lui, il préfère travailler le matin.
He prefers to work in the morning.
Collocations
- avec luiwith him
- c’est luiit is him
Common mistakes
Je lui vois demain.
Je le vois demain.
The pronoun lui is used after a preposition or as a disjunctive pronoun, not as the direct object of voir; use le here.
Related words
Grammar note
Lui is the third-person masculine singular personal pronoun used only after prepositions, as the predicate of a linking verb, in disjunctive use, or as a stressed subject.
pronouncommon
Meanings
him, her; the third-person singular personal pronoun used as an indirect object
Used as an indirect object pronoun, typically with verbs to indicate the recipient of an action.
him, her; stressed personal pronoun used for emphasis or in isolation
Used as a stressed personal pronoun, often for emphasis or standing alone, such as after prepositions or as a subject complement.
Examples
Je lui prête mon parapluie pour le trajet.
I lend him or her my umbrella for the journey.
Le médecin lui a conseillé de se reposer.
The doctor advised him or her to rest.
Nous lui enverrons les documents demain matin.
We will send the documents to him or her tomorrow morning.
Collocations
- donner luito give to him/her
- c’est luiit is him/her
- avec luiwith him/her
Common mistakes
Je lui vois souvent.
Je le vois souvent.
The lemma lui is a third-person singular indirect-object pronoun in standard French and cannot directly replace the direct object of voir.
Related words
synonymlui-mêmehimself
- synonymlehim (direct object pronoun)
- antonymelleshe/her
Grammar note
As an indirect object pronoun, lui is fixed as the third-person singular indirect object and cannot be used as a direct object. As a stressed pronoun, lui is used for emphasis or in isolation.