Indirect objects are the nouns in a phrase for whom or to whom the action of the verb happens. In the sentence “I brought him an apple” the indirect object is “him”. “An apple” is the direct object and “I” is the subject.

When a personal pronoun is used as an indirect object in Portuguese they are generally the same as the direct object pronouns with the exception of the third-person. In that case lhe is used for o/a and lhes for os/as:

   First-Person
   Passa-me a bola.
   Give me the ball.

   Third-Person
   Ele lhe pass a bola.
   He gives him/her the ball.