Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| gestionar | /xestjoˈnaɾ/ | |
| manejar | /maneˈxaɾ/ | |
| gerenciar | /xeɾenˈθjaɾ/ /xeɾenˈsjaɾ/ |
|
| gerentear | /xeɾenteaɾ/ (from spelling rules) | Chile |
| manachear | /manat͡ʃeˈaɾ/ | US |
Manejar is used when the sense of managing implies physical control, handling a situation or driving a vehicle. Gestionar is used for managing processes, paperwork or administrative tasks. Gerenciar is used specifically in a corporate or professional context to refer to managing a company or a department. In formal settings, you might also use dirigir to emphasize leading or guiding others or supervisar when the focus is on overseeing a process or individuals.
Which one should you use?
manejar implies control or handling a situation, while gestionar refers to administrative or procedural management. For executive or business-level management, gerenciar is the specialized term.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Chile, the term gerentear is used to mean performing management duties or acting as a manager. In the United States, the Spanglish term manachear is used by some Spanish speakers, derived from the English word 'manage'.
How do you pronounce it?
/xestjoˈnaɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often use manejar for all types of management, such as managing a business. To be more precise in a professional context, you should use gestionar or gerenciar instead.
Did you know?
Examples in context
- No tiene la habilidad para manejar ese grupo.He doesn't have the ability to manage that group.This sentence uses manejar to describe the ability to manage a group.Tatoeba #2970275 by pipus_net, translation #2969330 by megamanenm
- Él tiene la capacidad suficiente para gestionar un negocio.He has enough ability to manage a business.This sentence uses gestionar to describe the ability to manage a business.Tatoeba #9678862 by Eremon, translation #284829 by CK
- No puedo manejar una compañía. Es demasiado difícil para mí.I cannot manage a company. It's too hard for me.This sentence uses manejar to express the difficulty of managing a company.Tatoeba #1686256 by marcelostockle, translation #1686004 by Amastan
- El gerente gestiona eficientemente los recursos de la empresa.The manager efficiently manages the company's resources.
- María dirige el departamento de ventas con gran habilidad.María manages the sales department with great skill.
- ¿Puedes manejar todos los asuntos pendientes?Can you manage all the pending matters?
- Mi amigo lleva el negocio familiar con mucho éxito.My friend manages the family business very successfully.
- Lucy se encarga de llevar las redes sociales de la empresa.Lucy manages the company's social media accounts.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At the office, discussing a new assignment.
- DanielSofía, ¿puedes gestionar este evento?Sofía, can you manage this event?
- SofíaSí, Daniel, yo puedo gestionarlo.Yes, Daniel, I can manage it.
- DanielPerfecto, confío en tu capacidad.Perfect, I trust your ability.
- SofíaGracias, me pondré con ello ahora.Thanks, I will get on it now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “manage” translations and entries gestionar, manejar, gerenciar, manachear, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gerenciar, gestionar, manejar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
