directo
/dee-REK-toh/
direct
El camino más directo es el más corto. (The most direct path is the shortest.)
directo(adjective)
direct
?shortest route
,straight
?path or line
nonstop
?travel, flight
,immediate
?consequence
📝 In Action
Necesito un vuelo directo a Madrid, sin escalas.
A1I need a direct flight to Madrid, without layovers.
Este es el camino más directo para llegar al centro.
A1This is the most direct road to get to the center.
La conexión fue directa y funcionó muy bien.
A2The connection was direct and worked very well.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
As an adjective, 'directo' must change its ending to match the thing it describes. Use 'directa' for feminine words (la ruta directa) and add '-s' for plurals (los vuelos directos).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Adjective and Adverb
Mistake: "Usar 'directo' para describir un verbo: 'Viajamos directo a la casa.'"
Correction: Use the adverb form 'directamente': 'Viajamos directamente a la casa.' (Though colloquially, 'directo' is sometimes used as an informal adverb.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Adverb Use
In most formal or written situations, if you mean 'directly' (describing how something is done), you should use the '-mente' form: 'directamente'.
Una persona directa expresa sus ideas con claridad. (A direct person expresses their ideas clearly.)
directo(adjective)
straightforward
?personality or manner
,frank
?communication
blunt
?can sometimes imply rudeness
📝 In Action
Mi jefe es muy directo y siempre dice la verdad, aunque duela.
B1My boss is very straightforward and always tells the truth, even if it hurts.
Prefiero que seas directa conmigo y me digas lo que piensas.
B1I prefer you to be frank with me and tell me what you think.
El programa está siendo transmitido en directo. (The program is being transmitted live.)
directo(noun)
live broadcast
?media/television
,live show
?performance
live
?when used in the phrase 'en directo'
📝 In Action
El concierto se transmitió en directo desde Barcelona.
A2The concert was broadcast live from Barcelona.
¿Viste el directo de la banda anoche?
B1Did you watch the band's live show last night?
💡 Grammar Points
Use of 'en directo'
When talking about media (TV, radio, web), you almost always use the fixed phrase 'en directo' to mean 'live' or 'unrecorded,' often describing how an action is done.
⭐ Usage Tips
Spain vs. Latin America
In Spain, 'en directo' is the standard way to say 'live' (for media). In many parts of Latin America, you will hear 'en vivo' instead, which means the same thing.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: directo
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'directo' as a noun?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'directo' and 'directamente'?
'Directo' is usually an adjective describing a noun (e.g., 'the direct flight,' 'el vuelo directo'). 'Directamente' is an adverb used to describe how an action is performed (e.g., 'go directly,' 've directamente').
When should I use 'en directo' versus 'en vivo'?
They both mean 'live' when talking about media (TV, radio, concerts). 'En directo' is preferred in Spain, while 'en vivo' is the standard choice throughout most of Latin America.