Conducir vs Manejar: What’s the Difference Between These Two Spanish Verbs?
Conducir and manejar are both used interchangeably in Spanish-speaking countries. However, they differ in meaning and use. Conducir and manejar mean “to drive,” among other things.
Second-guessing which verb to choose is common. Yet, making the distinction is actually easier than you think! Even native speakers struggle in recognizing the difference.
Join me in this blog post where I examine the different uses, meanings, and conjugation of both verbs.
Let ‘s unravel the dilemma between manejar vs conducir!
The Meaning of Manejar
Manejar is a transitive verb that means “to handle.” However there are different meanings that stand out. Manejar works as an intransitive verb when it means “to drive.”
Let’s examine each one the different meanings of manejar with examples.
To Drive
This is the most common meaning of the verb manejar. It’s used in Spanish-speaking Latin American countries to refer to the action of steering a wheel of a vehicle, or transportation mode.
Example Sentences
Mi mamá no sabe manejar (auto) mecánico.
My mom can’t drive a stick.
¿Ya sabes manejar motocicleta?
Do you know how to drive a motorcycle?
If you drive a car, this interesting blog post about Car Parts in Spanish is guaranteed to support you in your trip to the mechanic.
To Handle
The verb manejar is used in this context to refer to handling or controlling a situation or resource.
Example Sentences
El banco maneja mucho dinero.
The bank handles a lot of money.
Mi mamá estaba nerviosa pero manejo bien la situación.
My mom was nervous but she handled the situation well.
To Operate
The verb manejar means “to operate” machinery, supplies, or equipment.
Example Sentences
¿Sabes manejar químicos?
Can you operate chemicals?
¿Ya estás manejando la maquinaria nueva?
Are you operating the new machinery?
To Use
The verb manejar is often used in Spanish to refer to the use of information.
Example Sentences
Manejar información confidencial requiere precaución.
Using confidential information requires precaution.
Si manejas un informe, trabajas más rápido.
If you use a report, you work faster.
To Run or To Manage
The verb manejar in Spanish stands for “to manage” or “to run” a company or institution. It also means managing a team, staff, or squad.
Example Sentences
Yo soy el encargado de manejar la oficina de correos.
I’m in charge of managing the mail room.
Mi esposo maneja una empresa de mercadeo.
My husband runs a marketing company.
Mi jefe maneja muy bien al personal.
My boss manages the staff very well.
To Get By
In this context the verb manejar means “to get by” or “to cope.”
Example Sentences
Mi hermano se maneja solo en otro país.
My brother gets by on his own in another country.
Mi mamá maneja muy bien situaciones de estrés.
My mom copes really well with stressful situations.
To Behave
The verb manejar means comportarse (to behave) when used in this context. You use the verb manejar in reflexive forms: se maneja or manejarse.
Example Sentences
Mi hijo se manejó muy bien en su primer día de escuela.
My son behaved so well on his first day of school.
Ella no se maneja bien cuando trabaja en equipo.
She doesn’t behave when she has to work in a team.
Conjugation of Manejar
Conjugating the verb manejar in Spanish requires you to follow the rules for -AR verbs.
You can refresh this information and examine how to conjugate the different tenses of manejar by reading this useful blog post about -AR Verbs in Spanish.
Let’s examine the present conjugation of manejar in detail.
Example Sentences
Yo manejo muy bien el estrés.
I handle stress very well.
¿Tú manejas automóvil?
Do you drive a car?
El maneja maquinaria pesada.
He handles heavy machinery.
Ella maneja un equipo grande.
She manages a large team.
¿Usted maneja motocicleta?
Do you drive a motorcycle?
Nosotros manejamos un restaurante.
We run a restaurant.
Ellos se manejan bien en público.
They handle themselves well in public.
Common Spanish Expressions With Manejar
Ella maneja un autobús.
She drives a bus.
¿Sabes manejar esa máquina?
Do you know how to handle that machine?
Estoy aprendiendo a manejar.
I’m learning to drive.
¿Quién va a manejar a casa?
Who ‘s driving home?
Maneja con cuidado.
Drive safely.
¿Hace cuánto manejas la empresa?
How long have you been running the company?
¿Sabes manejar esta situación?
Can you handle this situation?
El ya no puede manejar este asunto.
He can’t handle this matter anymore.
No puedo manejar esta situación yo sola.
I can’t handle this situation on my own.
El examen de manejo es muy fácil.
The driving test is very easy.
The Meaning of Conducir
The verb conducir has different meanings. It varies in its application and often means “to drive,” “to lead,” “to conduct,” or “to host.” Let’s examine each one of them.
To Drive
When the verb conducir is used in this context, it means operating a vehicle. Conducir is used in Spain.
Example Sentences
Ya sé conducir, al fin pasé el examen.
I know how to drive, I finally passed the test.
No me gusta conducir, el tráfico me estresa.
I don’t like driving, traffic stresses me out.
Qué despacio conduces.
You drive slowly.
To Lead
The verb conducir works in this scenario to refer to consequences relative to a specific event or situation. It means direction.
Example Sentences
No seguir las señales de tránsito conduce a recibir una multa.
Not obeying traffic signs leads to receiving a ticket.
Una mala dieta conduce a problemas de salud.
A bad diet leads to health problems.
To Act
When you use conducir to describe a person’s behavior, you use the verb in a reflexive form. You use conducirse.
Example Sentences
Mi hijo se conduce bien como presidente de la clase.
My son acts well as class president.
No sabes conducirte como invitado, tienes que ser más cordial.
You don’t know how to act as a guest, you need to be nicer.
To Conduct Oneself
The verb conducir in Spanish is used to describe motives and reasons for carrying an action. It means “to be driven by.”
Example Sentences
Muchas personas son conducidas por los vicios hacia actos criminales.
Many people are driven by vice towards crime.
Me condujo mi impulso durante la competencia.
My impulse conducted me during the competition.
To Transmit or To Carry
Conducir is used in Spanish to refer to materials or objects that carry or transmit an impulse, energy, fluid, current, or draft.
Example Sentences
El plástico no conduce electricidad.
Plastic doesn’t transmit electricity.
Esta tubería conduce aguas negras.
This pipe carries sewage.
To Host
The word conducir is used to explain the act of hosting or presenting a show or event.
Example Sentences
Mi mejor amigo es conductor de televisión.
My best friend is a television host.
Ryan Seacrest conduce American Idol.
Ryan Secrest hosts American Idol.
Conjugation of Conducir
Conducir in Spanish is an irregular verb. When conducir is conjugated in preterite the c becomes a j. This can be confusing so it’s best to see it with some examples.
Let ‘s take a look.
Present Conjugation of Conducir
Example Sentences
Yo conduzco un Mercedes Benz.
I drive a Mercedes Benz.
¿Tú conduces un programa de televisión? Siento que te he visto antes.
You host a television show? I feel like I’ve seen you before.
Usted conduce de forma muy precavida.
You drive in a very safe manner.
Nosotros conducimos al trabajo todos los días.
We drive to work every day.
¿Ustedes conducen el evento?
You’re hosting the show?
Ellos conducen la motocicleta los domingos.
They drive a motorcycle on Sundays.
Preterite Conjugation of Conducir
| Pronoun | Conjugation |
| yo (I) | yo conduje |
| tú (you) | tú condujiste |
| él (he) | él condujo |
| ella (she) | ella condujo |
| usted (you) | usted condujo |
| nosotros (we) | nosotros condujimos |
| ustedes (you) | ustedes condujeron |
| ellos, ellas (they) | ellos condujeron |
Example Sentences
Yo conduje por muchas horas, estoy cansadísimo.
I drove for many hours, I’m very tired.
¿Tú condujiste sin cinturón de seguridad?
You drove without a seat belt?
Él condujo de mi casa hacia la playa.
He drove from my house to the beach.
Ustedes condujeron toda la mañana, necesitan dormir antes de salir otra vez.
You drove all morning, you need to sleep before going out again.
Ellos condujeron el evento de forma profesional.
They hosted the event in a professional way.
Discover 50 Irregular Preterite Spanish Verbs in this fun and educational blog post.
Common Spanish Expressions Using Conducir
Necesito tramitar mi licencia de conducir.
I need to get my driver’s license.
No tener metas conduce al fracaso.
Not having goals leads to failure.
Esto no conduce a nada.
This leads to nothing.
Esta situación no parece conducir a ningún lugar.
This situation doesn’t seem to lead anywhere.
Mi conductor de televisión favorito es Don Francisco.
My favorite television host is Don Francisco.
Conducir Vs Manejar Practice Quiz
Take this lesson for a spin and put it to practice with this quiz.
1. ¿Tienes licencia de __________?
2. El metal puede _________ electricidad.
3. Soy de Guatemala y aprendí a _________ a los 16 años.
4. Si eres de España ¿A qué edad aprendiste a _______?
5. ¿Sabes __________ una empresa?
6. Estoy muy nerviosa, no sé si voy a poder _______ el examen.
7. ¿Estás listo para __________ el programa?
8. Voy a _________ 8 horas hoy, necesito descansar.
9. Mentir no te va a ____________ a nada bueno.
10. Si tú vas a ________ el evento, sé que todo va a salir bien.
Aprender español conduce a cosas buenas
Learning Spanish leads to good things!
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, opportunities for Spanish-speakers are expected to increase 46% by 2022. People who are bilingual are also able to earn more competitive job salaries in the workplace.
Join a free class with our certified Spanish-speaking teachers from Guatemala. When you converse with a native speaker, you’re able to fast-track your fluency and pick up commonly used expressions and idioms.
Improve your Spanish today and access high-quality professional opportunities. The results after just one class are guaranteed to blow your mind.
Ready to learn more Spanish grammar and vocabulary? Check these out!
- What is the Conditional Tense in Spanish?
- Learn These 20 Types of Fish in Spanish [+ More Vocab]
- 200+ Beginner Spanish Vocabulary Words PDF: Learn Spanish Fast!
- The Most Extensive Guide Ever to House Vocabulary in Spanish
- Master All the Forms of Ser in Spanish: Your Ultimate Grammar Guide
- 20 Most Common Subjunctive Triggers in Spanish
- ‘How Much Is It?’ in Spanish: A Guide to Travel and Shopping
- Familial Bonds: Expressing ‘Sister-in-Law’ in Spanish and Family Vocabulary
- 29 Cool and Catchy Spanish Phrases To Use With Friends [+Audio] - January 8, 2023
- A Fun Kids’ Guide to Opposites in Spanish (Free Lesson and Activities) - December 29, 2022
- 10 Fun Spanish Folk Tales for Kids - December 10, 2022
