Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| producir | /pɾoduˈθiɾ/ /pɾoduˈsiɾ/ |
| elaborar | /elaboˈɾaɾ/ |
| confeccionar | /konfeɡθjoˈnaɾ/ /konfeɡsjoˈnaɾ/ |
The verbs provided in this entry specifically focus on the act of manufacturing, producing or creating something rather than the general 'to do' or 'to make' found in common daily activities.
Which one should you use?
producir is the broadest and most formal term, used frequently in scientific, industrial or economic contexts to describe yielding a result or a physical substance. elaborar is used when the making involves a more detailed, manual or intellectual process, such as preparing a report or a complex recipe. confeccionar is specifically used for the making of garments, clothing or items that require assembly and sewing.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/pɾoduˈθiɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often look for hacer to translate 'make', but hacer is a general verb for 'to do' or 'to make' (like making a bed). Use the specific forms provided here when you mean the actual act of manufacturing or producing something.
Did you know?
- While confeccionar is primarily used for clothing, it can also be used in formal legal contexts to describe the making of a contract or an official document.
- The word producir is used to describe the act of causing an emotion or a physical reaction, such as when a sound 'produces' a feeling of calm.
- The term elaborar can be used for things that are not physical at all, such as 'making' or 'developing' an idea or an excuse.
Examples in context
- Ellos sabían producir hierro.They knew how to make iron.This sentence is useful for showing how to use producir regarding industrial production.Tatoeba #1387743 by marcelostockle, translation #802189 by Source_VOA
- Le confeccionaré un traje nuevo.I'll make you a new suit.This sentence demonstrates the use of confeccionar for making clothing.Tatoeba #2087270 by marcelostockle, translation #17462 by CK
- El oxígeno reacciona con el hidrógeno para producir agua.Oxygen reacts with hydrogen to make water.This sentence shows how producir is used in a scientific context regarding chemical reactions.Tatoeba #4437507 by duendebit, translation #4436189 by DostKaplan
- Hacer una tortaMake a cake
- Hacer una manualidadMake a craft
- Hacer una pinturaMake a painting
- Crear una canciónMake a song
- Fabricar automóvilesMake cars
- Fabricar mueblesMake furniture
- Realizar una presentaciónMake a presentation
- Realizar un estudio de mercadoMake a market study
- Elaborar una estrategiaMake a strategy
- Elaborar un informeMake a report
- hacer la camaMake the bed
- hacer la compraDo the shopping
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are discussing their factory's goals.
- AlejandroNecesitamos producir más piezas este mes.We need to produce more pieces this month.
- MaríaEs difícil producir tanto con una máquina.It is difficult to produce so much with one machine.
- Alejandro¿Podemos comprar otra máquina, María?Can we buy another machine, María?
- MaríaTengo que hablarlo con el gerente primero.I have to talk about it with the manager first.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “make” translations and entries producir, elaborar, confeccionar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
