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conductor

kon-dook-TOR/kon.dukˈtoɾ/

driver

Also: operator
NounmA1
Mexico
A person wearing a professional uniform sitting in the driver's seat of a large vehicle, hands gripping the steering wheel, focused on the road ahead.

📝 In Action

El conductor del autobús fue muy amable.

A1

The bus driver was very kind.

Necesito mi licencia de conductor para alquilar el coche.

A2

I need my driver's license to rent the car.

El conductor tuvo que frenar de golpe para evitar un accidente.

B1

The driver had to brake suddenly to avoid an accident.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • chofer (chauffeur/driver (often professional))
  • automovilista (motorist)

Common Collocations

  • conductor de taxi – taxi driver
  • conductor designado – designated driver

conductor

Also: director
NounmB1
A well-dressed person standing on a small wooden platform, holding a white baton high in the air, actively directing an orchestra.

📝 In Action

El famoso conductor de la orquesta sinfónica saludó al público.

B1

The famous conductor of the symphony orchestra greeted the audience.

Ser un buen conductor requiere mucha pasión y oído musical.

B2

Being a good conductor requires a lot of passion and a musical ear.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • conductor de orquesta – orchestra conductor

conductor

Also: medium
NounmB2formal
A close-up view of a thick, shiny, coiled copper wire, emphasizing its role as a material that conducts heat or electricity.

📝 In Action

El cobre es un excelente conductor de electricidad.

B2

Copper is an excellent conductor of electricity.

Los metales suelen ser buenos conductores térmicos.

C1

Metals tend to be good thermal conductors.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • transmisor (transmitter)

Antonyms

  • aislante (insulator)

Common Collocations

  • conductor eléctrico – electrical conductor
  • material conductor – conducting material

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "conductor" in Spanish:

conductor→director→driver→medium→operator→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: conductor

Question 1 of 2

Which of the following is NOT a good synonym for 'conductor' in the context of driving?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
conducir(to drive, to lead, to conduct) — Verb
la conducción(driving, conducting, management) — Noun
conductora(female driver/conductor) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes directly from the Latin 'conductor,' meaning 'one who leads' or 'one who hires.' It is based on the verb 'conducere,' which means 'to lead together' or 'to guide.' This core meaning of 'guiding' is why it applies equally to driving a car, leading an orchestra, or channeling electricity.

First recorded: Medieval Spanish (via Latin roots)

Cognates (Related words)

English: conductorPortuguese: condutor

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'chofer' the same as 'conductor'?

'Conductor' is the general, neutral term for anyone who drives. 'Chofer' (chauffeur) often specifically refers to a professional driver, like a taxi driver or someone hired to drive you.

How do I say 'female driver'?

You change the ending to 'conductora'. The word 'conductor' ends in 'r', so the feminine version adds an 'a': 'la conductora'.