trattarlo

Trattarlo is the Italian infinitive form of the verb trattare combined with the direct object pronoun lo, meaning “to treat him” or “to treat it” when the referent is masculine singular. The construction is used to indicate the action directed at a masculine singular object, and it appears in contexts ranging from interpersonal relations to handling or dealing with a matter.

Grammatically, trattarlo is a non-finite form built from trattare plus the clitic pronoun lo. Italian allows other gender and number combinations by replacing lo with la (feminine singular), li (masculine plural), or le (feminine plural), yielding trattarla, trattarli, or trattarle respectively. Pronouns attached to infinitives follow specific placement rules in longer clauses; in many sentences the infinitive with attached pronoun serves as the object of a conjugated verb, for example: deve trattarlo bene (“he/she must treat him well”) or voglio trattarlo come un pari (“I want to treat him as an equal”).

Usage and nuance, trattarlo can express a range of senses related to treatment or handling. It can refer to how a person is treated in social or professional contexts, how a patient is cared for in medical settings, or how a matter is managed or negotiated. The choice of wording can convey respect, courtesy, or critique, depending on tone and context.

See also: trattare, Italian clitic pronouns, direct object pronouns.