"I read him a newspaper."

Translation: Io gli leggo un giornale.

[OneSizeFitsAll]

I'm confused. Why does 'Gli leggo un giornale' mean that I read HIM the newspaper? Gli is masculine, so I guess that's where the 'him' came from, but since its plural, wouldn't it mean 'them' instead?
I'm sorry if I sound stupid, I must be missing something. Could anyone explain?
-one confused amateur

[deactivated user]

I am here too.... I couldn't understand where is here plural noun, or where is here article "l" and "lo" >>>if there used "gli"?! I am confused too. I dont think so that I missed something. maybe it is right but why was not explained in lessons?

[GinaCarrie]

I agree.

[eliza1919]

I thought gli ment the !!!!

[Flosssss]

It seems a bit strange (and not a great idea) to introduce particles out of nowhere....this is a more advanced concept than what has been covered to this point so it is understandable that those starting from the beginning would not understand the different use of gli! :(

[Sergeikov]

I agree

[BBritta2]

So do I.

[ddalejandro]

this sentence came out of nowhere and the concept was not introduced

[maddyis7]

I know it seems confusing, at first, and this is covered quite a lot further on in DL Lessons, But the person to whom you are doing an action, is written first. This literarily translates as "Him, I read a paper" or - to him, I read a paper.
Also a later lesson on pronouns will clarify, that whilst indeed "Gli" is masculine plural, as in "Gli uomini" (Used as 'the' ) it is also the singular pronoun for 'him' Hope this helps.

The other correct translation shown by DL is "Io gli leggo un giornale" Which is literarily I, Him, read a paper" It is just the way Italian is, and you will soon get used to it...Though it took me quite a while! :)

BTW This post was written after the post which for some reason appears below and states "Nonsense" so is not referring to my post!

[MusicalMandie16]

Thank you! This makes so much sense!

[divatin]

I understood Marziota's explanation but, still didn't get the Gli thing. I also guess that should be a lesson given in a more difficult or simply different level explaining how to use it in this case, because I got to be a little lost here.

[bandcamp]

I am extremely confused on the translation. How does "Io leg go a lui un giornale" translate to "I read him a newspaper"??

[shaunrasmusen]

I think it's saying, "I read to him a newspaper" but I may be wrong

[mikeforbes]

The little word a means to. So if we change the word order it becomes I read a newspaper to him.

[isaiah51]

I am a little confused on this one. Wouldn't this read something more to the effect of "the men read the newspaper" since there isn't really an implication that I am doing the reading?

[marziotta]

There is an implication I am doing it. "LeggO"

io leggO

tu leggI

lui leggE

noi leggiAMO

voi leggETE

loro leggONO

"Gli" = "a lui" (Gli is here a particle - if there is no noun after it, that makes it an article)

The sentence in Italian without implying or using particles would be

"Io leggo a lui un giornale"

The better translation that comes to my mind is the one given by Duo.

"The men read the newspaper" would translate into "Gli uomini leggono il giornale"

[Dhaemon]

Well in that case then Duo Lingo should introduce 'Io leggo a lui un giornale' first. As a lead into ' Gli leggo un giornale'.

This problem introduces a whole new concept of use, while using new vocabulary, that I have not seen before in my italiano progress via Duolingo.

Agreed, that is a great explanation Marziotta :)

[SeamusCoon]

Thanks for the explanation. But didn't you make a typo? Shouldn't it be "if there IS a noun after it, that make it an article"?

[luisitho]

great explanation marziotta, thanks =D

[alotchka]

"gli leggo un giornale" is what I wrote & it came out as a mistake ????????

[DaniloJova]

Report a problem

[TylerDanger]

Why is it "leggo a lui" and not just "leggo lui" what does the a do?

[deactivated user]

the 'a' implies that you are reading to him, that is to say you aren't reading him, but reading to him. We often drop the 'to' in English.

[GinaCarrie]

I was confused about this too. Thanks for the explanation!

[an114]

i dont understand this shouldn't "Gli leggo un giornale." translate as "I read the newspaper." ?

[rasha.kana]

Bh

[rasha.kana]

I wnt yo

[vevunka]

Ok this is weird. The sentence right before this one I had to translate. The same thing. I read him a message. And it said it's supposed to be. Io leggo a lui un giornale.. why is it saying now this unexplainable sentence with gli?? Its weird.

[AmyAcoy]

Me too... Very confused. Where must i put them.

[e3m3]

I believe that it has to do with reflexive pronouns. Such as in English, He brushed his teeth. Or, in Spanish, él se cepilla los dientes. Possibly, in Italian, gli is a reflexive pronoun as well.

[sinasohil2]

Why my answer is not correct ?2 forms are correct .i read him a newspaper means gli leggo un giornale

[wawayu198969]

The reason of the "Gli" put there,who know?pleases in Chinese

[eizzle.mor]

Did any one else put io lo leggo un giornale?

[p8c]

I guessed by elimination and i think by assuming words can take multiple used depending on context. it is what we do naturally as children when learning to speak and i just guessed correctly.

[Lawrence49]

I used the perfect in my translation - ho gli letto un giornale; I don't see why that is wrong.

[kubatopusinami]

Someone starting fresh near 23rd June follow me

[Jean_Vu]

I got "io leggo a lui un giornale". Still don't know how it's like that.

[margaretwestcott]

I was wondering why its not 'Ho letto un giornale'