Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| guidare | /ɡwiˈda.re/ |
| condurre | /konˈdur.re/ |
The primary way to express the action of driving is using guidare. While it is used for operating a vehicle, it also carries the meaning of guiding or leading. In computing contexts, related concepts for a 'drive' include lettore for a device that reads or writes to storage and disco for a mass-storage device.
Which one should you use?
guidare is the most common verb used for operating a vehicle and also means to guide or lead. In contrast, condurre is a more formal or technical term that can mean 'to drive' (such as a vehicle) or 'to conduct' (such as a research study). When discussing the general ability to drive a car, always use guidare.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of guidare is /ɡwiˈda.re/. It has three syllables, and the stress is on the second syllable.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use guidare to mean driving a nail into wood or 'driving a point home'. In Italian, this verb is strictly used for steering or guiding a vehicle or a person.
Did you know?
- While guidare describes the act of driving, an Italian 'driver' in a sports race is called pilota, which is the same word used for a 'pilot' of an aircraft.
- The word guidare comes from Germanic roots via Old Occitan, rather than from Latin.
- The word lettore means 'reader', which is why it is used for a computer 'drive' that reads data, rather than a word meaning 'steerer'.
Examples in context
- Non bere e guidare.Don't drink and drive.This sentence is useful for the warning 'Don't drink and drive'.Tatoeba #744401 by Guybrush88, translation #453605 by CM
- Lei non sa guidare.She can't drive.This sentence is useful for expressing the ability 'She can't drive'.Tatoeba #2723516 by Guybrush88, translation #2077782 by Spamster
- A chi tocca guidare?Whose turn is it to drive?This sentence is useful for asking 'Whose turn is it to drive?'Tatoeba #6816512 by Guybrush88, translation #2775339 by CK
- Devo guidare fino all'aeroporto.I have to drive to the airport.
- Ho preso lezioni per imparare a guidare.I took lessons to learn how to drive.
- Vuoi che ti porti a casa? Possiamo andare in macchina.Do you want me to give you a ride home? We can go by car.
- Sabato sera usciamo e andiamo in macchina in centro.On Saturday night, let's go out and drive downtown.
- 622 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chiara and Alessandro are preparing for a road trip.
- ChiaraAlessandro, ti va di guidare oggi?Alessandro, do you feel like driving today?
- AlessandroSì, preferisco guidare io la macchina.Yes, I prefer to drive the car.
- ChiaraVa bene, allora io controllo la mappa.Okay, then I will check the map.
- AlessandroPerfetto, partiamo subito!Perfect, let's leave right away!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “drive” translations and entries guidare, condurre, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries condurre, guidare, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
