“Les” and “leur” are both third-person pronouns, but they serve different functions in French grammar.

đŸ”„ Key Differences Between “Les” and “Leur”

PronounTypeFunctionUsed for?Example
LesDirect object pronounReplaces direct objects (things or people)Plural (them)Je vois mes amis → Je les vois. (I see them.)
LeurIndirect object pronounReplaces indirect objects (à + people)Plural (to them)Je parle à mes parents → Je leur parle. (I talk to them.)

🧐 When to Use “Les” vs. “Leur”

The key difference lies in whether the verb takes a direct object or an indirect object.

✹ 1. “Les” → Direct Object Pronoun (No Preposition)

  • “Les” replaces a plural direct object (them).
  • The verb does NOT take a preposition before the object.

✅ Examples with “Les” (Replacing Direct Objects)

  • J’adore les films français. → Je les adore.
    (I love them.)
  • Nous avons invitĂ© nos amis. → Nous les avons invitĂ©s.
    (We invited them.)
  • Il connaĂźt ces acteurs. → Il les connaĂźt.
    (He knows them.)

🔮 How to Identify?
If you can replace the noun with “quoi ?” (what?) or “qui ?” (who?) directly after the verb, use “les”.

🎯 2. “Leur” → Indirect Object Pronoun (Ă  + People)

  • “Leur” replaces a plural indirect object (to them).
  • The verb takes the preposition “Ă ” before the object.

✅ Examples with “Leur” (Replacing Indirect Objects)

  • Je donne un cadeau Ă  mes amis. → Je leur donne un cadeau.
    (I give them a gift.) 🎁
  • Nous Ă©crivons Ă  nos parents. → Nous leur Ă©crivons.
    (We write to them.) ✍
  • Il parle Ă  ses professeurs. → Il leur parle.
    (He speaks to them.) đŸ—Łïž

🔮 How to Identify?
If the verb is normally followed by “Ă  quelqu’un” (to someone), use “leur” instead of repeating the full noun.

🚀 Common Mistakes and Tricky Cases

Here are some verbs that frequently cause confusion:

VerbTakes Direct Object?Takes Indirect Object (Ă  quelqu’un)?
Regarder (watch)✅ Oui (Je les regarde.)❌ Non
Écouter (listen to)✅ Oui (Je les Ă©coute.)❌ Non
Aider (help)✅ Oui (Je les aide.)❌ Non
TĂ©lĂ©phoner (call)❌ Non✅ Oui (Je leur tĂ©lĂ©phone.)
RĂ©pondre (reply to)❌ Non✅ Oui (Je leur rĂ©ponds.)

⛔ Common Error:
❌ Je leur regarde. → WRONG (because “regarder” takes a direct object)
✅ Je les regarde. → RIGHT

🎭 What About “Leur” as a Possessive Adjective?

Don’t confuse “leur” (indirect pronoun, ’to them’) with “leur” (possessive adjective, ’their’).

WordTypeExample
Leur (Indirect pronoun)Replaces “to them”Je leur parle. (I speak to them.)
Leur / Leurs (Possessive adjective)Means “their”C’est leur maison. (It’s their house.)

đŸ”„ Final Summary

PronounTypeReplaces What?Used With?Example
LesDirect object pronoun“Them” (no preposition)Verbs that do NOT use “Ă ”Je les vois. (I see them.)
LeurIndirect object pronoun“To them”Verbs that take “Ă ”Je leur parle. (I speak to them.)

🎯 Test Yourself!

Which is correct?

  1. Il _______ donne un cadeau. (les / leur)
  2. Je _______ regarde avec admiration. (les / leur)
  3. Nous _______ Ă©crivons souvent. (les / leur)
  4. Je _______ entends parler de ce film. (les / leur)