In Nahuatl, there are two applicative forms: the common form ends in -lia; the other more rare, in -ia. Traditionally regarded as ending in -ia as a variant with the same function. However, in urban Nahuatl as well as in a dialect spoken in Tacuapan, municipality of Cuetzalan (Sierra Norte de Puebla), the two forms are clearly distinguished by their function. In this paper we describe these functions.