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

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! :(

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

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!

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.

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

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?

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

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

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

Bh

I wnt yo

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.

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

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.

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

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

Did any one else put io lo leggo un giornale?

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.

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

Someone starting fresh near 23rd June follow me

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

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