Use of Lui

Una M.A2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Use of Lui

Hi there I am wondering if you could explain why the Lui is used in l'accordeon lui touchait le menton instead of L'accordeon qui touchait le menton ? So it would literally translate to " the accordion to her touched her chin "

Sincerely

Una

Asked 4 years ago
Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

This is a particularly French construction:

L'accordeon lui touchait le menton -- (literally:) The accordion her touched the chin.

The proper translation would, of course, be: the accordion touched her chin. Note that in French (and the literal English version) lui/her are not possessive pronouns but indirect object pronouns. In the proper English version, however, "her" is a possessive pronoun.

Una M.A2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Thank you Chris

Use of Lui

Hi there I am wondering if you could explain why the Lui is used in l'accordeon lui touchait le menton instead of L'accordeon qui touchait le menton ? So it would literally translate to " the accordion to her touched her chin "

Sincerely

Una

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
I'll be right with you...