conducta
/kon-DÚK-ta/
behavior
The word conducta means behavior, or a general way of acting.
conducta(Noun)
behavior
?general way of acting
,conduct
?general actions
way of acting
?mannerisms
📝 In Action
La conducta de los niños fue excelente durante la visita al museo.
A2The children's behavior was excellent during the museum visit.
Su conducta agresiva en el juego preocupó a los padres.
B1His aggressive behavior in the game worried the parents.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Feminine
Remember that 'conducta' is always a feminine noun, so you must use 'la' or 'una' before it, and any adjectives describing it must also be feminine (e.g., 'buena conducta').
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing up the verb
Mistake: "La conducta de la profesora fue conducir bien."
Correction: La conducta de la profesora fue buena. (The verb 'conducir' means 'to drive' or 'to lead', not 'to behave' in this context.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'Tener'
To talk about someone's ongoing behavior, you often use the verb 'tener' (to have): 'Él tiene una conducta extraña' (He has strange behavior).
Conducta can also refer to an official conduct record, or documentation showing behavior.
conducta(Noun)
conduct record
?official document showing behavior
,track record
?professional history of actions
ethical behavior
?professional standards
📝 In Action
El informe de conducta del estudiante se envió a la universidad.
B2The student's conduct report was sent to the university.
La junta directiva investigará la conducta financiera del gerente.
C1The board of directors will investigate the manager's financial conduct.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Contexts
This meaning is often paired with specific adjectives like 'ética' (ethical), 'profesional' (professional), or 'social' (social) to define the specific area of behavior being judged.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: conducta
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'conducta' in its most formal, official sense?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'conducta' related to the English word 'conduct'?
Yes, they are direct relatives (cognates). They both come from the same Latin root meaning 'to lead together' or 'to guide,' which is why they share the meaning of 'behavior' or 'management of oneself.'
Why is 'conducta' feminine, even though some abstract nouns can be masculine?
'Conducta' ends in -a and is feminine (la conducta). While some abstract nouns ending in -a are masculine (like 'el día'), the vast majority, especially those derived from Latin abstract nouns, follow the standard pattern of being feminine.