Inklingo

How to Say "i address" in Spanish

English → Spanish

dirijo

/dee-REE-ho//diˈɾixo/

verbB1
Use 'dirijo' when you are managing, leading, or directing something, like a project, a department, or an event.
A person in a professional suit standing at the front of a large meeting table, gesturing toward a colorful project board while a team looks on.

Examples

Yo dirijo el equipo de marketing.

I manage the marketing team.

Yo dirijo el departamento de ventas.

I manage the sales department.

Dirijo mis esfuerzos a terminar el proyecto hoy.

I am directing my efforts toward finishing the project today.

Me dirijo a usted para pedirle un favor.

I am addressing you to ask a favor.

The G-to-J Spelling Switch

In Spanish, the letter 'g' sounds like an 'h' before 'e' or 'i', but like a hard 'g' (as in goat) before 'o'. To keep the raspy 'h' sound in the 'I' form, we swap the 'g' for a 'j'.

Avoid the 'G' in Writing

Mistake: “Yo dirigo”

Correction: Yo dirijo. Remember to use a 'j' so it doesn't sound like 'dee-REE-go'.

trato

/TRAH-toh//ˈtɾa.to/

verbA1
Use 'trato' when you mean 'I address someone' in the sense of how you speak to them or refer to them, often using titles like 'usted' or 'tú'. It can also mean 'I try'.
A small, determined character stretching and reaching on their tiptoes to successfully touch a bright red apple hanging from a tree branch.

Examples

Yo trato a mis clientes con respeto.

I treat my clients with respect.

Yo trato de aprender algo nuevo cada día.

I try to learn something new every day.

Siempre trato a mis amigos con respeto.

I always treat my friends with respect.

Lo trato de 'usted' porque es mi jefe.

I address him with the formal 'you' because he is my boss.

How to Say 'To Try To'

This is a super useful structure: 'tratar de' + the basic form of a verb (like 'hablar', 'comer', 'vivir'). For example, 'Trato de comer más verduras' means 'I try to eat more vegetables.'

Forgetting 'de'

Mistake: “Yo trato aprender español.”

Correction: Yo trato de aprender español. When you mean 'to try to do something', you almost always need that little word 'de' after 'tratar'.

Confusing 'dirijo' with 'trato'

Learners often confuse 'dirijo' (to manage/direct) with 'trato' (to treat/address someone). Remember that 'dirijo' refers to leading or managing an entity, while 'trato' is about the manner in which you interact with or speak to a person.

Related Translations

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