conducir
Lemma Details
Translation: to drive; to lead; to conduct; to guide; to steer; to direct; to transport
Part of Speech: verb
Etymology: From Latin 'conducere', meaning 'to bring together' or 'to lead with', formed from 'con-' (with, together) and 'ducere' (to lead). This same Latin root gives us English words like 'conduct', 'conduit', and 'duke' (originally a military leader). The semantic evolution from 'leading together' to 'driving' reflects how controlling vehicles is a form of guidance or direction.
Commonality: 90%
Guessability: 70%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Yo conduzco al trabajo todos los días.
I drive to work every day.
Ella conduce un autobús escolar.
She drives a school bus.
El camino conduce al lago.
The path leads to the lake.
Su comportamiento condujo a problemas.
His behavior led to problems.
El director conduce la orquesta con pasión.
The director conducts the orchestra with passion.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'conduct' in English - when you conduct an orchestra, you lead or direct it, just as you direct a car when driving.
- Con-ducir sounds like 'con-duce' - you're 'ducing' (leading) a vehicle with ('con') you.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Cultural Context
In Spanish-speaking countries, 'conducir' is the standard term for driving vehicles. The concept of driving is associated with significant cultural milestones, as getting a driver's license ('carnet de conducir') is an important rite of passage. In many Latin American countries, driving practices and road rules may differ from those in English-speaking countries.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'conducir' means 'to drive' or 'to lead', 'producir' means 'to produce' or 'to create'. They share the '-ducir' ending but have different meanings and uses.
Confused word:
La fábrica produce automóviles.
The factory produces cars.
Notes: Both are irregular verbs that follow similar conjugation patterns in Spanish.
Mnemonic: ConDUCIR is about being a DRIVER, while ProDUCIR is about being a PRODUCER.
Explanation: 'Conducir' means to drive or lead, while 'reducir' means to reduce or decrease something.
Confused word:
Necesitamos reducir los gastos.
We need to reduce expenses.
Notes: Both verbs end in '-ducir' and share similar conjugation patterns.
Mnemonic: REducir has to do with making things smaller (REducing), while ConDucir is about leading or driving.