atraparlo
ah-trah-PAR-loh
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
El perro vio el juguete y corrió para atraparlo.
A1The dog saw the toy and ran to catch it.
Si el ladrón escapa, la policía intentará atraparlo.
A2If the thief escapes, the police will try to catch him.
Lanzó la pelota muy alto, pero logré atraparlo.
B1He threw the ball very high, but I managed to catch it.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'lo' at the end
The 'lo' at the end of 'atraparlo' means 'it' or 'him.' In Spanish, when you use the base form of a verb (the infinitive), you can stick this extra word directly to the end.
Pronoun Placement
When the verb changes for a person (like 'lo atrapo'), the 'lo' moves to the front. It only stays on the end for the base form, commands, or 'ing' forms.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Incorrect Pronoun Order
Mistake: "Lo atrapar quiero."
Correction: Quiero atraparlo.
⭐ Usage Tips
Gender and 'lo'
Use 'atraparlo' for masculine objects (like 'el balón') or for men/boys. If you are catching a feminine object (like 'la pelota'), you would say 'atraparla'.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: atraparlo
Question 1 of 2
What does the 'lo' in 'atraparlo' refer to?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Can 'atraparlo' mean 'to understand'?
While 'atrapar' usually means physical catching, it can occasionally mean 'to grasp' an idea, though 'entender' or 'captar' are much more common for that context.
When should I use 'atraparla' instead?
Use 'atraparla' if the thing you are catching is a feminine noun, like 'la mariposa' (the butterfly) or 'la idea' (the idea).