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derivar

deh-ree-BAR/deɾiˈβaɾ/

“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

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

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

present

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

indicative

preterite

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

imperfect

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

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesderivan
yoderivo
túderivas
vosotrosderiváis
nosotrosderivamos
él/ella/ustedderiva
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).