How do you use 'lui' and 'leur' in French?

Answer 1

Lui (to/for him/her) and leur (to/for them) replace a phrase of à/pour and a person(s).

lui/leur precedes the conjugated verb.

Tu leur offres un vase. - You give them a flower vase.

Je ne lui parle pas d'habitude. - I don't usually talk to him.

lui/leur precedes the infinitive.

Tu peux lui offrir une fleur. - You can give her a flower.

Je ne vais pas leur acheter de bracelet. - I won't buy them a bracelet.

lui/leur succeeds a positive command with a hyphen.

Donne-lui un cadeau.- Give him a gift.

Offre-leur des bonbons. - Give them some candy.

lui/leur precedes a negative command's conjugated verb.

Ne lui parle pas! - Don't talk to her!

Answer 2

"Lui" is used to refer to a singular indirect object (him/her) while "leur" is used for a plural indirect object (them). They come before the verb in a sentence. For example, "je lui parle" (I speak to him/her) and "je leur donne des cadeaux" (I give them gifts).