Learn Portuguese (Portugal): Queremos sugerir-lhes um bom plano.

Queremos sugerir-lhes um bom plano.

We want to suggest a good plan to them.

Breakdown of Queremos sugerir-lhes um bom plano.

a / an / some (all forms)

Questions & Answers about Queremos sugerir-lhes um bom plano.

Why do we use the pronoun -lhes here instead of -los?

Lhes is an indirect object pronoun, meaning it stands for "to them" or "for them". We use it because we are suggesting a plan to someone. If we used the direct object pronoun -los, the sentence would mean we are suggesting the people themselves!

Why is -lhes attached to sugerir instead of Queremos?

When a conjugated verb is followed by an infinitive (like Queremos sugerir), the pronoun is usually attached to the infinitive with a hyphen. You could technically attach it to the first verb (Queremos-lhes sugerir), but attaching it to the infinitive is the most common and natural choice here.

Could lhes also mean "to you" in this sentence?

Yes! The indirect object pronoun lhes can mean "to them" (masculine or feminine) or "to you" (plural, referring to vocês). Without more context, this sentence could also be translated as "We want to suggest a good plan to you all."

Why is the adjective before the noun (bom plano) instead of after it?