ocupalo

Ocupalo is a Spanish-language term formed by the verb ocupar in the imperative mood, combined with the direct object pronoun lo. It translates roughly as “occupy it” and is used as a direct call to action. The phrase can function as a standalone slogan or appear in longer expressions such as Ocupa esto (occupy this) or Ocúpalo ya (occupy it now). Accent placement may vary, but standard spelling in many dialects uses Ocúpalo, with an acute accent on the first syllable.

In usage, ocupalo is associated with acts of occupying space—whether buildings, land, or symbolic space—in protest, community organizing, or campaigns framed as reclaiming or repurposing space for collective use. It is commonly encountered in political discourse, social movements, and online campaigns that aim to mobilize participants to take action.

Linguistically, ocupalo illustrates how Spanish combines an imperative form with a clitic pronoun to create concise, emphatic commands. Variants may occur depending on region and grammar, including different pronoun placements or related forms (e.g., ocúpalo, ocupadlo). The concept is closely related to broader patterns of occupation as civil action or protest.

See also: Occupy movement, Occupation, Civil disobedience, Direct action, Protest slogan.