utilitzarlo

Utilitzarlo is a form that combines a Catalan verb with a direct object clitic. The underlying verb is utilitzar, meaning “to use.” In standard Catalan orthography the infinitive is utilitzar, and when adding the masculine direct object pronoun it becomes utilitzar-lo, meaning “to use it.” The form utilitzarlo appears in contexts influenced by Spanish or in informal writing, but the canonical Catalan spelling is utilitzar-lo.

The construction is used with clitic pronouns attached to the verb and agrees in gender and number with the object. For example: Vull utilitzar-lo means “I want to use it.” Deixa-ho per a després would be similar for “leave it (neuter) for later,” while No l'utilitzis encara means “Do not use it yet.” When referring to a feminine object, the pronoun would be utilitzar-la (to use it, feminine).

Pronunciation in Catalan follows the standard reading of utilitzar, with the clitic attached as a suffix: utilitzar-lo is pronounced approximately as [utilitzar-lɔ], with the l’ or -l- linking to the consonant that begins the pronoun. In Catalan, when the object is feminine or when elide before vowels, forms adapt to l’ before vowels (for example, l’utilitzes).

Usage notes: utilitzar-lo is common in everyday Catalan and in bilingual or code-switching contexts. In formal writing or strictly Catalan contexts, readers may prefer utilitzar-lo. For feminine objects, use utilitzar-la; for neutral or plural objects, adjust the pronoun accordingly (utilitzar-los or utilitzar-les).

See also: Catalan pronouns, Catalan verb utilisar, clitic placement in Catalan.