conducir un coche
/konduθiɾ un kot͡ʃe/from spelling rules
To drive a car in Spanish is conducir un coche.
This phrase is used to describe the action of operating and controlling a motor vehicle. You can replace un coche with un vehículo if you wish to refer more broadly to any motor vehicle.
Which one should you use?
In Spain, the verb conducir is the standard way to express driving a vehicle. However, in Latin America, the verb manejar is more commonly used to mean 'to drive'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, it is common to hear the phrase manejar un auto. In Costa Rica, the word carro may be used instead of vehículo or auto in both formal and informal contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb conducir is an irregular verb in the first person singular present indicative, where it changes to conduzco.
How do you pronounce it?
/konduθiɾ un kotʃe/
Did you know?
- The word coche originates from the Hungarian village of Kocs, which became famous in the 15th century for its innovative vehicle suspension systems.
- In some Latin American contexts, manejar can be used figuratively to mean managing a complex situation or controlling another person.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, the verb manejar is used for both driving a car and handling objects with the hands. This reflects a broader conceptual link between steering a vehicle and manual dexterity.
Examples in context
- No sé conducir un coche.I do not know how to drive a car.This sentence is useful for expressing a lack of skill or knowledge regarding how to drive a car using conducir un coche.Tatoeba #1359573 by Shishir, translation #258394 by CC
- Él sabe conducir un coche.He knows how to drive a car.This sentence is useful for stating that someone has the ability to drive a car using conducir un coche.Tatoeba #1638500 by teskmon, translation #529941 by blay_paul
- Sé cómo conducir un coche.I know how to drive a car.This sentence is useful for expressing how one knows how to drive a car using conducir un coche.Tatoeba #3349996 by Shishir, translation #258393 by CK
- El señor Gómez conduce un automóvil nuevo.Mr. Gomez drives a new car.
- La conductora maneja el vehículo con precaución.The driver operates the vehicle with caution.
- Mi hermana maneja un carro viejo pero confiable.My sister drives an old but reliable car.
- Julio conduce un coche rojo de última generación.Julio drives a state-of-the-art red car.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are discussing their travel plans.
- LucíaAlejandro, ¿sabes conducir un coche?Alejandro, do you know how to drive a car?
- AlejandroSí, aprendí el año pasado.Yes, I learned last year.
- LucíaPerfecto, entonces puedes conducir un coche hoy.Perfect, then you can drive a car today.
- AlejandroClaro, yo me encargo del viaje.Sure, I'll take care of the trip.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries coche, conducir, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
