conduzco
/konduθko/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I drive" is translated into Spanish as conduzco.
conduzco is used when the speaker is stating that they operate a vehicle.
Which one should you use?
While conduzco is correct, in many Latin American-speaking countries, the verb manejo is much more common for the English "I drive".
How does it change in a sentence?
conduzco is the first-person singular present indicative of the verb conducir. The subject pronoun yo (I) is often omitted because the verb ending conduzco already indicates the first-person singular.
How do you pronounce it?
/konduθko/
Did you know?
- The word conductor in English refers to a person in charge of a train or an orchestra, but in Spanish, it is the most common word for a car driver. This shared root highlights the connection between steering a vehicle and guiding a path.
- The verb manejar is so dominant in the Americas that it is used for almost any machine with a control, such as manejar una computadora for using a computer in some regions.
- In a legal context across the Spanish-speaking world, you will almost always see conducir used in traffic laws and driver's licenses, even in countries where everyone says manejo in conversation.
Examples in context
- Yo conduzco un descapotable.I drive a convertible.This sentence shows the use of conduzco with a convertible.Tatoeba #10201345 by Seael, translation #2325144 by CK
- Conduzco una furgoneta negra.I drive a black van.This sentence shows the use of conduzco with a black van.Tatoeba #10273396 by manufrutos, translation #10270813 by CK
- Cada día conduzco más de cien kilómetros.Every day I drive more than a hundred kilometers.This sentence shows the use of conduzco to describe daily distance driven.Tatoeba #6672123 by arh, translation #7815414 by shekitten
- Conduzco desde hace más de veinte años.I have been driving for over twenty years.
- Manejo un vehículo grande para transportar mercancías.I drive a large vehicle for transporting goods.
- Conduzco todos los días para ir al trabajo en mi coche.I drive every day to go to work in my car.
- Manejo un carro antiguo pero confiable.I drive an old but reliable car.
- Conduzco despacio en áreas residenciales.I drive slowly in residential areas.
- Manejo un taxi para ganarme la vida.I drive a taxi to make a living.
- Manejo por la carretera panorámica todos los fines de semana.I drive along the scenic route every weekend.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Mateo are discussing how they get to work.
- MaríaYo conduzco al trabajo todos los días.I drive to work every day.
- Mateo¿Y tú conduces un coche viejo, María?And do you drive an old car, María?
- MaríaNo, conduzco un coche nuevo.No, I drive a new car.
- MateoQué suerte, yo conduzco el autobús.How lucky, I drive the bus.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
