dirigir
/diɾiˈxiɾ/
The English verb 'steer' can be translated into Spanish as dirigir, conducir or guiar.
Meaning: transitive: guide the course of (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| dirigir | /diɾiˈxiɾ/ |
| conducir | /konduˈθiɾ/ /konduˈsiɾ/ |
| guiar | /ˈɡjaɾ/ /ɡiˈaɾ/ |
The term 'steer' is translated into several Spanish verbs depending on whether you are physically steering a vehicle, guiding a person or managing a metaphorical direction like an organization.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on the context of the steering. Use dirigir when the sense is metaphorical, such as directing a company, a meeting or a project. Use guiar when the sense involves guiding a person or providing direction along a specific path.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/diɾiˈxiɾ/
Did you know?
- While English uses 'steer' for both a boat and a car, Spanish often uses timonear specifically for steering a ship using a rudder, while conducir is for land vehicles.
- The verb guiar does not come from Latin like most Spanish words, but likely from the Frankish word wītan. It entered Spanish through Old Occitan, a language spoken in parts of southern France and Spain.
- The word conducir can be used as a reflexive verb conducirse to describe how a person behaves or 'steers' their own conduct in a social situation.
Examples in context
- Él sabe dirigir el barco con precisión.He knows how to steer the boat with precision.
- Debes dirigir el coche con cuidado en la lluvia.You must steer the car carefully in the rain.
- Ella quiere dirigir la nave hacia el puerto.She wants to steer the ship toward the port.
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are learning to sail a small boat.
- SofíaDaniel, ¿puedes dirigir el bote hacia la derecha?Daniel, can you steer the boat to the right?
- DanielSí, Sofía, voy a dirigirlo ahora mismo.Yes, Sofía, I am going to steer it right now.
- Sofía¡Muy bien! Lo estás haciendo excelente.Very good! You are doing excellent.
- DanielGracias, es más difícil de lo que parece.Thanks, it is harder than it looks.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “steer” translations and entries dirigir, conducir, guiar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries conducir, dirigir, guiar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
