Pagándolo

Pagándolo is the gerund form of pagar with the direct object pronoun lo attached, used to indicate the ongoing act of paying something that has been mentioned previously. The pronoun lo stands for a masculine singular object; if the object is feminine or plural, la, los, or las would replace lo, resulting in pagándola, pagándolos, etc.

Grammatical usage. Pagándolo typically appears with estar or other verbs that express aspect, as in Estoy pagándolo or Sigo pagándolo, to emphasize the ongoing action of paying. When the pronoun is placed before the conjugated verb, it can also occur: Lo estoy pagando. Both placements are accepted in modern Spanish, though attaching the pronoun to the gerund is common to highlight the action being performed.

Meaning and nuance. The construction usually conveys paying off a debt, paying for something in installments, or continuing the process of payment. Examples include: Estoy pagándolo poco a poco (I’m paying it off little by little); Lo estoy pagando ahora (I’m paying it now); Lo estoy pagando a plazos (I’m paying it in installments).

Notes. Pagándolo is a specific case of using a gerund with a clitic pronoun. Other related forms include pagar (to pay), pagaré (I will pay), and the general use of gerunds with direct object pronouns in Spanish syntax. See also: pagar, gerundio, pronombres de objeto directo.