Why does acheter use indirect object pronouns?

Question

I don't understand why you would say "Je leur ai acheté" rather than "Je les ai acheté." Isn't that a direct object, the thing being bought?

jlliagre · Accepted Answer · 2018-05-11 10:05:41Z

2

The two sentences have a different meanings.

Je les ai acheté.

Indicates that you buy something (les), so it could be translated like "I've bought them"

Je leur ai acheté

Indicates that you buy something from somebody (leur), so it could be translated like "I've bought from them."

jlliagre

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answered May 11 '18 at 9:57

Calins

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Sans oublier Je les leur ai acheté – mouviciel May 11 '18 at 12:54
Je leur ai acheté peut vouloir aussi dire qu'on a acheté quelque chose pour quelqu'un (des enfants par exemple). – SdaliM May 11 '18 at 13:32
On ne fait pas l’accord ? je les ai acheté**(e)s** ? – D. Ben Knoble May 11 '18 at 13:58

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