manejarlo
/mah-neh-HAHR-loh/
to drive it
Depicting 'manejarlo' in the context of driving a vehicle: to drive it.
manejarlo(Verb)
to drive it
?referring to a vehicle
,to operate it
?referring to a machine or tool
to control it
?physical control
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Verb + Pronoun Combo
When the verb is in its 'to...' form (infinitive), the pronoun 'lo' (meaning 'it') gets glued right onto the end, forming one word: 'manejarlo'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Placement is Key
You can also put 'lo' before the conjugated verb: 'Lo quiero manejar' (I want to drive it). But when the verb is alone, like after 'poder' or 'querer,' attaching it to the infinitive ('manejarlo') is very common.
Illustrating 'manejarlo' as the action of managing or organizing a project, business, or budget: to manage it.
manejarlo(Verb)
to manage it
?a business, a budget, a project
,to handle it
?a situation, a problem, stress
to deal with it
?a difficulty
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
The Meaning of 'Lo'
In 'manejarlo,' the 'lo' acts as a placeholder for a thing you already mentioned, like 'el coche' (the car), 'el presupuesto' (the budget), or even 'el estrés' (the stress).
Neuter 'Lo'
Sometimes 'lo' refers to a whole idea or situation, not just a physical thing. This is called the neuter use of 'lo,' and it translates simply as 'it' or 'the situation.'
⭐ Usage Tips
Focus on Control
Think of 'manejar' as exercising control. Whether it's controlling a vehicle or controlling a difficult situation, the core meaning is the same: taking charge.
🔄 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
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.