assaggiarlo

Assaggiarlo is the infinitive phrase formed by the Italian verb assaggiare with the masculine direct object pronoun lo attached, meaning “to taste it.” This construction is used when the action of tasting is performed on a specific item, such as food or drink. The same pattern applies with other pronouns to refer to feminine or plural objects (la, lo, li, le).

Usage of assaggiare centers on sampling a small amount to test flavor, quality, or readiness. It is commonly employed in culinary contexts, but can also refer to tasting wines, sauces, or other consumables to decide whether they meet expectations. In sentences with a finite verb, the pronoun accompanies the conjugated form (e.g., lo devo assaggiare, voglio assaggiarlo). The imperative form follows the same rule, as in assaggialo (Taste it).

Grammatical notes: assaggiarlo expresses a specific act directed at a known object. You can replace lo with la, li, or le to match the object’s gender and number (e.g., assaggiarla, assaggiarli, assaggiarle). The noun corresponding to the act is l’assaggio, meaning “the tasting” or “the sample,” and related verbs include degustare and assaporare, which carry nuances of deliberate savoring or evaluating quality beyond a simple sample.

See also: assaggiare, assaggio, degustare, assaporare.