Gramatical function of "la".

Question

In the phrase, "Maite la pasó pésimo", what is the function of "la"?

Answer 1

"Pasarla" means to "have a __ time" as in a "good time" or in this case, a "terrible time". "La pasó" is just the conjugated version of "pasarla".

Answer 2

PumpkinCalabaza is correct, but to use the feminine "la" there has to be something else mentioned or some context given to indicate that the thing passed was feminine gender, such as "la noche", "la fiesta", etc.

If the thing passed is not mentioned anywhere, the pronoun reverts to the masculine "lo".

Answer 3

"Pasarla" is a "Pronominal Verb", so it has to take a direct object pronoun. That's the function served by "la".

A more literal translation might be "Maite experienced herself a dreadful time".

At least, that's my understanding of pronominal verbs. But I do know they must have a D.O.P.

I think I've seen this sentence somewhere before. Where is it from?

Answer 4

I suspect that the "la" is a direct object pronoun referring to "Maite" which I am guessing is a feminine name. So I would translate the sentence something like terror passed through (possessed) Maite.

The direct object pronoun in this case is not translated because Maite is identified in the same sentence. However Maitie might not be necesssary if from the context it was clear that the La referred to Maite in a prior sentence.

My quess.