Aiutarlo

Aiutarlo is the Italian infinitive phrase meaning “to help him.” It combines the verb aiutare (to help) with the masculine direct object pronoun lo, which refers to a specific male person. The construction is used to express the action of helping someone who is the object of the sentence.

Usage and function: Aiutarlo appears as a non-finite form after other verbs that express desire, ability, necessity, or intention, for example voglio aiutarlo (I want to help him), posso aiutarlo (I can help him), devo aiutarlo (I must help him). It can also follow a preposition to indicate purpose, as in per aiutarlo. In sentences with a finite verb, the pronoun may precede the conjugated verb (Lo aiuto) or be attached to the infinitive when another verb governs it (Voglio aiutarlo).

Pronoun placement: The direct object pronoun lo is a clitic. When used with an auxiliary or modal structure, it typically attaches to the infinitive, forming aiutarlo (for example, Voglio aiutarlo). In other constructions, the pronoun can stand before the conjugated verb (Lo aiuto) or before a non-finite form when appropriate. The imperative form also appears as Aiutalo! (Help him!).

Etymology and related forms: Aiutarlo derives from aiutare, which comes from Latin adiutare. Related forms include aiuto (help), aiutarsi (to help each other), and other person/tense variations of aiutare.

In summary, aiutarlo is a common Italian infinitive construction used to express the act of helping a specific male person, with pronoun placement governed by the surrounding verb structure.