Inklingo

protegerla

pro-te-HER-lah/pɾoteˈxeɾla/

protegerla means to protect her in Spanish (referring to a female person or animal).

to protect her, to protect it

Also: to keep her safe
VerbA2spelling change (g to j) er
A large, gentle hand holding a small umbrella over a tiny kitten to keep it dry during a light rain.
gerundprotegiéndola
past Participleprotegido
infinitiveproteger

📝 In Action

Prometí protegerla de cualquier peligro.

A2

I promised to protect her from any danger.

La naturaleza es frágil y debemos protegerla.

B1

Nature is fragile and we must protect it.

Es mi responsabilidad protegerla.

A1

It is my responsibility to protect her.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • cuidarla (to take care of her)
  • defenderla (to defend her)
  • resguardarla (to shelter her/it)

Antonyms

  • abandonarla (to abandon her)
  • dañarla (to damage her/it)
  • desprotegerla (to leave her unprotected)

Common Collocations

  • protegerla deto protect her from
  • querer protegerlato want to protect her
  • intentar protegerlato try to protect her

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesla protegieran
yola protegiera
la protegieras
vosotrosla protegierais
nosotrosla protegiéramos
él/ella/ustedla protegiera

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesla protejan
yola proteja
la protejas
vosotrosla protejáis
nosotrosla protejamos
él/ella/ustedla proteja

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesla protegieron
yola protegí
la protegiste
vosotrosla protegisteis
nosotrosla protegimos
él/ella/ustedla protegió

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesla protegían
yola protegía
la protegías
vosotrosla protegíais
nosotrosla protegíamos
él/ella/ustedla protegía

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesla protegen
yola protejo
la proteges
vosotrosla protegéis
nosotrosla protegemos
él/ella/ustedla protege

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: protegerla

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly means 'I need to protect her'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
🎵 Rhymes
verlacomerlaperla
📚 Etymology

From the Latin 'protegere', which literally means 'to cover in front' (pro- = in front, tegere = to cover).

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: protectFrench: protégerItalian: proteggere

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why isn't it 'protegerlo'?

'Protegerlo' is used if the person or object being protected is masculine. 'Protegerla' is specifically for feminine nouns or females.

Can I say 'la proteger'?

Almost! You can say 'la quiero proteger' (putting 'la' before the first verb) or 'quiero protegerla' (attaching it to the end). Both are correct.