Inklingo

dirigen

dee-REE-hen/diˈɾixen/

dirigen means they lead in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

they lead, they run

Also: you all lead
VerbA2spelling change ir
A person standing at the front of a small group of hikers, pointing toward a mountain path.
past Participledirigido
infinitivedirigir
gerunddirigiendo

📝 In Action

Ellos dirigen una empresa de tecnología muy exitosa.

A2

They run a very successful technology company.

Ustedes dirigen el proyecto con mucha paciencia.

B1

You all lead the project with a lot of patience.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • gestionan (they manage)
  • guían (they guide)
  • mandan (they command)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • dirigen la miradathey look towards/aim their gaze
  • dirigen el tráficothey direct traffic

they direct

Also: they conduct
VerbB1spelling change ir
A person standing on a podium with a baton, waving their arms in front of a group of musicians with violins.
past Participledirigido
infinitivedirigir
gerunddirigiendo

📝 In Action

Esas directoras dirigen películas de acción.

B1

Those directors direct action movies.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • dirigen una orquestathey conduct an orchestra

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesdirijan
vosotrosdirijáis
él/ella/usteddirija
nosotrosdirijamos
dirijas
yodirija

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesdirigieran
vosotrosdirigierais
él/ella/usteddirigiera
nosotrosdirigiéramos
dirigieras
yodirigiera

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesdirigieron
vosotrosdirigisteis
él/ella/usteddirigió
nosotrosdirigimos
dirigiste
yodirigí

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesdirigían
vosotrosdirigíais
él/ella/usteddirigía
nosotrosdirigíamos
dirigías
yodirigía

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesdirigen
vosotrosdirigís
él/ella/usteddirige
nosotrosdirigimos
diriges
yodirijo

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "dirigen" in Spanish:

they conductthey directthey leadthey run

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: dirigen

Question 1 of 2

How do you say 'They run the hospital'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
🎵 Rhymes
corrigeneligenexigen
📚 Etymology

From the Latin 'dirigere', which means 'to set straight' or 'to guide'. It is a combination of 'dis-' (apart) and 'regere' (to rule or guide).

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: directFrench: diriger

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can 'dirigen' mean 'you all'?

Yes! In Spain, you use 'dirigís' for 'you all' (informal), but in Latin America, 'dirigen' is used for 'you all' in every situation.

Is 'dirigen' used for physical directions?

Yes, but usually we use 'dirigirse' (to head towards). For example: 'Ellos se dirigen al norte' (They are heading north).