producir
/proh-doo-SEER/
to produce
Producir: to produce (to make or manufacture something).
producir(verb)
to produce
?to make or manufacture something
,to yield
?to harvest crops or generate results
to generate
?power or income
📝 In Action
Esta fábrica produce más de cien coches al día.
A2This factory produces more than a hundred cars a day.
La tierra produjo una cosecha excelente este año.
B1The land yielded an excellent harvest this year.
Necesitamos producir más energía renovable.
B2We need to generate more renewable energy.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Yo' Form Trick
In the 'yo' form of the present tense (I produce), the 'c' changes to 'zc' (produzco). This pattern is shared by many verbs ending in -ucir, like conducir or traducir.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the 'J' in the Past
Mistake: "Yo producí (using the regular pattern)"
Correction: Yo produje. The preterite (simple past) uses an irregular 'j' stem, making it 'produje, produjiste,' etc.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use for Economic Activity
This meaning is perfect for talking about economics, farming, or industry. Think of it as 'bringing something into existence'.
Producir: to cause (to make something happen).
producir(verb)
to cause
?to make something happen
,to provoke
?to trigger a reaction or feeling
to bring about
?formal way of saying 'to cause'
📝 In Action
Su comentario produjo mucha confusión en la audiencia.
B1His comment caused a lot of confusion in the audience.
La tormenta produjo cortes de electricidad en toda la región.
B2The storm brought about power outages throughout the region.
Esa canción me produce mucha nostalgia.
B1That song makes me feel a lot of nostalgia (produces nostalgia in me).
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'Producir' for Feelings
Unlike English, which often uses 'make me feel,' Spanish frequently uses 'producir' when an external thing generates an internal emotion: 'Me produce alegría' (It makes me happy).
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Contexts
This meaning is slightly more formal or emphatic than simply using 'causar' (to cause). It emphasizes the creation of the effect.
Producir: to produce (to finance and manage a film or show).
producir(verb)
to produce
?to finance and manage a film or show
to stage
?a theatrical performance
📝 In Action
Mi hermana quiere producir un documental sobre la vida marina.
B2My sister wants to produce a documentary about marine life.
El estudio invirtió mucho dinero para producir esa película.
C1The studio invested a lot of money to produce that movie.
⭐ Usage Tips
Professional Jargon
When you hear 'producir' in a media context, it refers to the financial and logistical management of the project, not usually the artistic direction.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: producir
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'producir' in the sense of 'to cause an emotional reaction'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'producir' the best word for 'to make'?
It depends! If you mean 'to manufacture, create, or yield results,' yes. If you mean 'to make/force someone to do something,' use 'hacer.' If you mean 'to cook,' use 'hacer' or 'cocinar.' 'Producir' is usually reserved for large-scale creation or generating effects.
Why does the 'yo' form change to 'produzco'?
This is a common change in Spanish verbs where the infinitive ends in '-ucir'. The 'c' changes to 'zc' before the 'o' to keep the sound consistent and strong, following a pattern shared by verbs like 'conducir' (to drive) and 'traducir' (to translate).