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ponerlo

/poh-NEHR-loh/

to put it

A human hand gently placing a small, red block onto a wooden table.

Ponerlo (to put it) refers to physical placement.

ponerlo(Verb (Infinitive + Pronoun))

A1irregular er

to put it

?

physical placement

,

to place it

?

physical placement

Also:

to set it down

?

physical placement

📝 In Action

Necesitas leer el libro antes de ponerlo en la estantería.

A1

You need to read the book before putting it on the shelf.

No puedo ponerlo ahí, no hay espacio suficiente.

A2

I can't put it there, there isn't enough space.

¿Dónde quieres que ponga el paquete? Quiero ponerlo cerca de la puerta.

B1

Where do you want me to put the package? I want to put it near the door.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • colocarlo (to place it)
  • situarlo (to locate it)

Common Collocations

  • ponerlo en orden – to put it in order
  • ponerlo en su sitio – to put it in its place

💡 Grammar Points

Infinitive + Pronoun Rule

"Ponerlo" is made of the verb "poner" (to put) and the pronoun "lo" (it). In Spanish, you attach the pronoun to the end of the verb when the verb is in the infinitive (the base form).

The Meaning of 'Lo'

The 'lo' here is a placeholder for a specific thing that is masculine and singular (like 'el libro' or 'el teléfono'). It means 'it' or 'him' and receives the action of the verb.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Incorrect Placement of 'Lo'

Mistake: "Quiero lo poner en la mesa."

Correction: Quiero ponerlo en la mesa. (When you have two verbs together, the pronoun can attach to the second verb or go before the first one: 'Lo quiero poner' or 'Quiero ponerlo'.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Stress Change

When you attach 'lo' to the infinitive, the stress stays on the last syllable of the verb: po-NER-lo. No extra accent mark is needed here, unlike with the gerund or command forms.

A finger pressing a large green power button on a simple, round device, causing a bright light to emit from the device.

Ponerlo (to turn it on) is used for activating devices or lights.

ponerlo(Verb (Infinitive + Pronoun))

A2irregular er

to turn it on

?

devices, lights, music

,

to start it

?

machines, engines

Also:

to play it

?

music or video

📝 In Action

Hace frío. ¿Puedes ponerlo (el calentador) en cinco minutos?

A2

It's cold. Can you turn it (the heater) on in five minutes?

La radio no funciona. ¿Sabes cómo ponerlo?

B1

The radio isn't working. Do you know how to turn it on?

La canción es genial. Vamos a ponerlo otra vez.

B2

The song is great. Let's play it again.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • encenderlo (to turn it on)
  • activarlo (to activate it)

Antonyms

  • apagarlo (to turn it off)

💡 Grammar Points

Alternative to 'Encender'

While 'encender' is the most direct translation for 'to turn on,' many Spanish speakers use 'ponerlo' when referring to activating a device, especially music or a movie.

Figurative Use of 'Poner'

This meaning is an extension of the idea of 'setting' or 'starting' something. Think of it as 'setting the device into motion.'

⭐ Usage Tips

Watch the Gender

Remember that 'lo' is masculine. If you are turning on a feminine object (like 'la luz' - the light), you must use 'ponerla' instead of 'ponerlo'.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: ponerlo

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'ponerlo'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

poner(to put, to place) - verb
la puesta(the setting (e.g., of the sun)) - noun
la posición(position, placement) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

When does 'lo' attach to the end of 'poner'?

The pronoun 'lo' attaches to the end of 'poner' only when 'poner' is in its infinitive form ('ponerlo'), the gerund form ('poniéndolo'), or an affirmative command form ('ponlo'). In all other tenses, 'lo' must go before the conjugated verb (e.g., 'Yo lo puse').

What if I want to say 'put them'?

If the objects you are putting are plural and masculine (like 'los vasos'), you would use the plural pronoun 'los' and say 'ponerlos.' If they are feminine (like 'las llaves'), you would use 'ponerlas.'