aplicála

Aplicála is a term used in Romance-language linguistics to denote the form that results when the second-person singular imperative of a verb is combined with a feminine direct object clitic. In many Iberian Romance varieties, the pronoun la attaches to the imperative, creating an enclitic construction that is analyzed as a single word or tightly bound unit. The phenomenon illustrates how clitic pronouns can fuse with verb forms in mood and person-marking systems.

Morphology and orthography. The base verb in question is typically a transitive -ar verb such as aplicar or a cognate in related languages. When the feminine direct object clitic la is attached, the resulting form is written in one of several ways depending on the orthographic standard: the hyphenated form apica-la or the fused form such as aplicála in some conventions. The clitic la refers to a feminine object (for example, la crema, la solución). Accent placement and hyphenation can vary by language and dialect, affecting pronunciation and clarity.

Usage. This construction is most common in informal instructions, recipes, and conversational speech where brevity is valued. It occurs with feminine direct objects and is primarily seen in second-person singular imperatives. In practice, pronoun placement can influence prosody, and speakers may insert a pause or stress on la to emphasize the object.

Examples. Aplica-la ahora. Aplica-la con cuidado. In both cases, la stands for a feminine object previously identified in the discourse.

See also. Clitic pronouns, imperative mood, Romance languages, enclitic constructions.