manejarlo
“manejarlo” means “to drive it” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to drive it, to operate it
Also: to control it
📝 In Action
Quiero aprender a manejarlo antes del viaje.
A2I want to learn how to drive it before the trip.
Es fácil; solo tienes que manejarlo con cuidado.
A2It's easy; you just have to operate it carefully.
to manage it, to handle it
Also: to deal with it
📝 In Action
Necesitamos un experto para manejarlo con calma.
B1We need an expert to handle it (the situation) calmly.
Ella sabe manejarlo, aunque sea difícil.
B1She knows how to manage it, even if it's difficult.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: manejarlo
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'manejarlo' in the context of handling a difficult situation?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
The Spanish word 'manejar' comes from the Latin word *manus*, meaning 'hand.' This connection shows that the original meaning involved controlling something physically with your hands, which evolved into handling, driving, and managing.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'lo' attached to the end of the verb?
'Lo' (meaning 'it') attaches to the end of the verb only when the verb is in its infinitive form ('to manage'), the -ing form ('manejando'), or an affirmative command ('¡Maneja!'). In all other tenses, 'lo' goes before the conjugated verb (e.g., 'Lo manejo').
Is 'manejar' used everywhere for 'to drive'?
While widely understood, 'manejar' is the standard term for 'to drive' in much of Latin America (Mexico, Central America, etc.). In Spain, 'conducir' is often preferred for driving a car.