ponerla

/poh-NEHR-lah/

to put it

A hand carefully placing a brightly colored dress onto a wooden hanger inside a closet.

This illustrates the literal action of 'putting it' (the dress) somewhere.

ponerla(Contraction)

A1irregular er

to put it

referring to a feminine object like 'la llave' or 'la ropa'

Also:

to place it

referring to a feminine object

📝 In Action

Necesito ponerla en la mesa antes de que lleguen los invitados.

I need to put it (e.g., 'la botella') on the table before the guests arrive.

Si no quieres que se moje, debes ponerla bajo techo.

If you don't want it (e.g., 'la bicicleta') to get wet, you must put it under cover.

💡 Grammar Points

Pronoun Attachment Rule

'Ponerla' is the base form of the verb ('poner') with the direct object pronoun 'la' attached. This attachment is mandatory when using 'poner' as an affirmative command (e.g., 'Ponla!') and optional with infinitives ('Voy a ponerla' or 'La voy a poner').

Identifying 'It'

The 'la' in 'ponerla' always refers to a feminine noun that was previously mentioned or is understood from the context, such as 'la radio' or 'la comida'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Stress Shift

When you attach the pronoun, the natural stress of the word often moves. 'Poner' is stressed on the last syllable, but 'ponerla' is stressed on the second-to-last syllable: po-NEHR-la.

A finger turning the volume dial on a brightly colored, vintage radio, causing musical notes to visibly emanate from the speaker.

Here, 'ponerla' means to 'turn it on,' like activating the radio or music.

ponerla(Contraction)

A2irregular er

to turn it on

referring to a TV, radio, or music ('la música')

Also:

to set it

referring to an alarm ('la alarma')

📝 In Action

¡Qué aburrido! ¿Puedes ponerla, por favor?

How boring! Can you put it on (the music/la música), please?

No olvides ponerla a las 7 de la mañana.

Don't forget to set it (the alarm/la alarma) for 7 in the morning.

Word Connections

Synonyms

encenderla (to turn it on)

Antonyms

apagarla (to turn it off)

Two simple, stylized human silhouettes standing very close together, their heads and shoulders overlapping slightly, suggesting intimacy.

In slang, 'ponerla' is a vulgar way to refer to sexual intimacy or 'hooking up.'

ponerla(Contraction)

C1irregular er

to hook up

vulgar/slang for sexual intercourse

Also:

to get laid

vulgar/slang

📝 In Action

No fue a la discoteca solo a bailar, su meta era ponerla.

He didn't go to the club just to dance, his goal was to hook up (have sex).

⭐ Usage Tips

Warning on Register

This meaning is highly vulgar and inappropriate for any formal setting. Use only with extreme caution among very close friends who understand and share the same informal register.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: ponerla

Question 1 of 1

Which meaning of 'ponerla' is used in the sentence: 'Debes ponerla en tu mochila si no quieres perder la billetera.'

📚 More Resources

Word Family

poner(to put, to place) - verb

la(it (feminine direct object)) - pronoun

puesto(placed, position) - noun/adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is 'la' attached to the end of the verb?

Spanish has a rule that requires object pronouns (like 'la', 'lo', 'me') to be attached directly to the end of the infinitive form (the base verb). This creates a single word, like 'ponerla' or 'hacerlo'.

Can I separate 'poner' and 'la'?

Yes, often you can! When 'poner' is part of a two-verb phrase (like 'quiero ponerla'), you can choose to attach it ('quiero ponerla') or place it before the conjugated verb ('la quiero poner'). Both are correct ways to say 'I want to put it'.