Inklingo

perderlo

pehr-DEHR-lohpeɾˈðerlo

perderlo means to lose it in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to lose it

Also: to lose him
VerbA1stem-changing (e to ie) er
A person looking confused while searching through their empty pockets for a set of keys.
gerundperdiéndolo
past Participleperdido
infinitiveperderlo

📝 In Action

Tengo el paraguas, pero no quiero perderlo.

A1

I have the umbrella, but I don't want to lose it.

Él es mi mejor amigo y no quiero perderlo.

A2

He is my best friend and I don't want to lose him.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • extraviarlo (to misplace it)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • miedo a perderlofear of losing it/him
  • intentar no perderloto try not to lose it

to miss it

VerbA2stem-changing (e to ie) er
A person standing on a sidewalk waving their hand as a yellow bus drives away in the distance.
gerundperdiéndolo
past Participleperdido
infinitiveperderlo

📝 In Action

El autobús viene ya; no podemos perderlo.

A2

The bus is coming now; we can't miss it.

Habrá un concierto mañana, no quiero perderlo.

B1

There will be a concert tomorrow, I don't want to miss it.

Word Connections

Antonyms

  • alcanzarlo (to catch it (the bus/train))

Common Collocations

  • perderlo por pocoto miss it by a little bit

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yolo perdiera
lo perdieras
él/ella/ustedlo perdiera
nosotroslo perdiéramos
vosotroslo perdierais
ellos/ellas/ustedeslo perdieran

Present Subjunctive

yolo pierda
lo pierdas
él/ella/ustedlo pierda
nosotroslo perdamos
vosotroslo perdáis
ellos/ellas/ustedeslo pierdan

Indicative

Preterite

yolo perdí
lo perdiste
él/ella/ustedlo perdió
nosotroslo perdimos
vosotroslo perdisteis
ellos/ellas/ustedeslo perdieron

Imperfect

yolo perdía
lo perdías
él/ella/ustedlo perdía
nosotroslo perdíamos
vosotroslo perdíais
ellos/ellas/ustedeslo perdían

Present

yolo pierdo
lo pierdes
él/ella/ustedlo pierde
nosotroslo perdemos
vosotroslo perdéis
ellos/ellas/ustedeslo pierden

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: perderlo

Question 1 of 1

How would you say 'I am going to lose him'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
🎵 Rhymes
hacerloverloquererlo
📚 Etymology

From the Spanish verb 'perder' (from Latin 'perdere' meaning to destroy or lose) combined with the pronoun 'lo' (from Latin 'illum').

First recorded: 12th Century (root verb)

Cognates (Related words)

French: perdreItalian: perdere

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can 'perderlo' be used for a girl?

No. If you are talking about a female person or a feminine object (like 'la llave'), you must use 'perderla'.

Why is it not 'lo perder'?

In Spanish, if the verb is in its basic infinitive form, the pronoun 'lo' must either go before a conjugated verb or stick to the end of the infinitive. 'Perderlo' is the correct way to attach it.