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derivar

deh-ree-BARdeɾiˈβaɾ

“derivar” means “to refer” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to refer, to redirect

Also: to hand over
VerbB1regular ar
A friendly doctor handing a colorful envelope to a patient, pointing towards a nearby building.
gerundderivando
past Participlederivado
infinitivederivar

📝 In Action

Mi médico me derivó a un especialista de rodilla.

B1

My doctor referred me to a knee specialist.

Te voy a derivar con el departamento de atención al cliente.

A2

I am going to redirect you to the customer service department.

El caso fue derivado al tribunal superior.

B2

The case was referred to the high court.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • derivar a un especialista – to refer to a specialist
  • derivar una llamada – to transfer a call

to stem from, to derive from

Also: to result in
VerbB2regular ar
A small stream of water flowing out from a large, mossy rock in a forest.
gerundderivando
past Participlederivado
infinitivederivar

📝 In Action

Muchos problemas actuales derivan de la falta de comunicación.

B2

Many current problems stem from a lack of communication.

La palabra 'leche' deriva del latín.

A2

The word 'leche' derives from Latin.

Esta discusión podría derivar en un gran conflicto.

C1

This discussion could result in a major conflict.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • derivar de una idea – to stem from an idea
  • derivar en algo – to result in something

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yoderivara
túderivaras
él/ella/ustedderivara
nosotrosderiváramos
vosotrosderivarais
ellos/ellas/ustedesderivaran

Present Subjunctive

yoderive
túderives
él/ella/ustedderive
nosotrosderivemos
vosotrosderivéis
ellos/ellas/ustedesderiven

Indicative

Preterite

yoderivé
túderivaste
él/ella/ustedderivó
nosotrosderivamos
vosotrosderivasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesderivaron

Imperfect

yoderivaba
túderivabas
él/ella/ustedderivaba
nosotrosderivábamos
vosotrosderivabais
ellos/ellas/ustedesderivaban

Present

yoderivo
túderivas
él/ella/ustedderiva
nosotrosderivamos
vosotrosderiváis
ellos/ellas/ustedesderivan
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "derivar" in Spanish:

to redirect→to refer→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: derivar

Question 1 of 3

If a doctor says 'Te voy a derivar al cardiólogo', what is happening?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
la deriva(drift/adrift) — Noun
la derivación(derivation/referral) — Noun
derivado(derivative/derived) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'derivare', which literally meant 'to lead water from a source' (de- meaning 'from' and rivus meaning 'stream').

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: deriveFrench: dériverItalian: derivare

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'derivar' a regular verb?

Yes! It follows the standard pattern for all verbs ending in -ar, making it quite easy to conjugate.

Can I use 'derivar' for math?

Yes, in mathematics, 'derivar' is the term used for 'to differentiate' or 'to find the derivative'.

What is the difference between 'derivar de' and 'derivar en'?

'Derivar de' means to come from a source (origin), while 'derivar en' means to end up in a certain result or situation (outcome).