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lhes. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
lhes, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
lhes in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
lhes you have here. The definition of the word
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Portuguese
Etymology
From Latin illis, dative plural of ille. Compare Galician lles, Spanish les.
Pronunciation
Pronoun
lhes m pl or f pl by sense
- dative of eles and elas
- Synonyms: a eles, a elas, para eles, para elas
- dative of vocês, os senhores, and as senhoras
- Synonyms: a vocês, aos senhores, às senhoras, para vocês, para os senhores, para as senhoras
- (colloquial, Brazil, proscribed) accusative of vocês
- Synonym: vocês
- (colloquial, Brazil, proscribed) accusative of eles and elas
- Synonyms: eles, elas
Usage notes
- Like other Portuguese clitic pronouns, lhes should not be used to begin a sentence. In this situation, place the pronoun after the verb, attached with a hyphen. However, this rule is not followed in Brazilian speech, which always places clitic pronouns before the verb or avoids them entirely by the use of strong subject pronouns following the verb.
- In Brazilian speech, lhes is most commonly used only to replace vocês, not eles or elas.
- Dei-lhes uma camisa. (Portugal) ― I gave them/you (plural) a shirt.
- Lhes dei uma camisa. (Brazil) ― I gave you (plural) a shirt.
- Dei para vocês uma camisa. (Brazil) ― I gave you (plural) a shirt.
- Dei para eles/elas uma camisa. (Brazil) ― I gave them a shirt.
- Synonyms are preferred instead, if used after the verb and its direct object.
See also