Utiligi

Utiligi is an Esperanto verb meaning "to use" or "to apply". It is composed of the root util-, derived from the Latin utilis meaning useful, and the infinitive suffix -i, which is standard for Esperanto verbs. The verb can be conjugated like any regular Esperanto verb: utiligas (simple present), utilis (simple past), utilos (future), utiligante (present participle), utiligata (passive participle). Utiligi can appear in both affirmative and negative constructions, for instance, mi ne utiligas ilian programaron.

In everyday Esperanto usage, utiligi is often employed in contexts where something is employed to achieve a purpose or to function effectively. It contrasts with outras verbs such as "uzio" (use, noun) or "fruigo" (utilization, noun). Translators typically render utiligi as "to use" in English, though some nuance may require "to apply" or "to exploit", depending on context. In academic texts, utiligi appears frequently in discussions of technology, methodology, or linguistic phenomena.

While utiligi is a regular verb, its root segues into related words that share the same semantic field, such as utiligita (useful) or utiligeco (usefulness). Esperanto speakers often cite utiligi in instructional materials to illustrate affixation, demonstrating how a Latin root becomes an Esperanto verb through the application of the -i suffix. Its simplicity makes it a staple of Esperanto pedagogy, helping learners understand verb construction, agreement, and tense.