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canalizar

ka-na-lee-SAR/kanaliˈθaɾ/

to channel

Also: to direct
VerbB1spelling change ar
A child focusing their energy into a bright, glowing ball of light between their hands.
gerundcanalizando
past Participlecanalizado
infinitivecanalizar

📝 In Action

Necesitas canalizar tu energía en algo productivo.

B1

You need to channel your energy into something productive.

La ONG canaliza las donaciones hacia las familias más necesitadas.

B2

The NGO channels donations toward the families in most need.

Es importante canalizar la frustración a través del deporte.

C1

It is important to channel frustration through sports.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • encauzar (to channel/guide)
  • dirigir (to direct)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • canalizar esfuerzos – to channel efforts
  • canalizar recursos – to channel resources
  • canalizar la ira – to channel anger

to channel

Also: to pipe
VerbB2spelling change arformal
A stone trench guiding a stream of clear water through a garden.
gerundcanalizando
past Participlecanalizado
infinitivecanalizar

📝 In Action

El gobierno decidió canalizar el río para evitar inundaciones.

B2

The government decided to channel the river to prevent floods.

Están canalizando la fibra óptica por toda la ciudad.

C1

They are ducting the fiber optic cables throughout the city.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • entubar (to pipe)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • canalizar aguas residuales – to channel sewage water

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedescanalizaran
yocanalizara
túcanalizaras
vosotroscanalizarais
nosotroscanalizáramos
él/ella/ustedcanalizara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedescanalicen
yocanalice
túcanalices
vosotroscanalicéis
nosotroscanalicemos
él/ella/ustedcanalice

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedescanalizaron
yocanalicé
túcanalizaste
vosotroscanalizasteis
nosotroscanalizamos
él/ella/ustedcanalizó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedescanalizaban
yocanalizaba
túcanalizabas
vosotroscanalizabais
nosotroscanalizábamos
él/ella/ustedcanalizaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedescanalizan
yocanalizo
túcanalizas
vosotroscanalizáis
nosotroscanalizamos
él/ella/ustedcanaliza
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "canalizar" in Spanish:

to channel→to direct→to pipe→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: canalizar

Question 1 of 3

Which of the following is the correct 'I' form in the past tense (Preterite)?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
canal(channel/canal) — Noun
canalización(channeling/piping) — Noun
acanalado(grooved/fluted) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the noun 'canal' (channel), which comes from the Latin 'canalis' (a water pipe or groove), combined with the suffix '-izar' (to make or do).

First recorded: 18th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: canaliserEnglish: channelize

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'canalizar' only apply to water?

No! While it originally comes from water channels, it is very frequently used for energy, money, resources, and emotions.

What is the difference between 'dirigir' and 'canalizar'?

'Dirigir' is general (to lead or direct), while 'canalizar' implies taking something that might be scattered or messy and giving it a specific path or direction.

Is 'canalicé' irregular?

It is considered a 'spelling-change' verb. The sound remains the same, but the letter changes to follow Spanish spelling rules.