Inklingo

How to Say "i manage" in Spanish

English → Spanish

manejo

/ma-NE-ho//maˈnexo/

verbA1general
Use 'manejo' when you are operating or driving something, like a vehicle, or when you are administering or supervising something in a more general sense.
A person's hands neatly sorting and organizing several distinct stacks of colorful documents on a clean wooden desk, representing the act of managing tasks.

Examples

Yo manejo un camión muy grande.

I drive a very large truck.

Manejo bien la presión en el trabajo.

I handle pressure well at work.

Siempre manejo mi propio dinero.

I always manage my own money.

Simple Regular Verb

The verb 'manejar' is an easy 'ar' verb! It follows the standard pattern, meaning you don't have to worry about tricky stem changes or irregular forms.

dirijo

/dee-REE-ho//diˈɾixo/

verbB1formal
Choose 'dirijo' when you are in a leadership position, specifically directing or running a department, project, or company.
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 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'.

llevo

/YEH-voh//ˈʎeβo/

verbB1general
Use 'llevo' when you are describing the kind of life you lead or are in charge of a general situation or state of being.
A cheerful figure standing on a hill, confidently pointing the way forward for a line of small, following creatures, symbolizing leadership.

Examples

Llevo una vida muy tranquila en el campo.

I lead a very quiet life in the countryside.

Yo llevo la contabilidad de la pequeña empresa de mi familia.

I handle the accounting for my family's small business.

Le llevo veinte euros a mi hermano.

My brother is twenty euros ahead of me. (I am ahead of my brother by 20 euros - in a game/bet)

Manejo vs. Dirijo

Learners often confuse 'manejo' and 'dirijo'. Remember that 'manejo' is typically for operating physical things (like a truck) or general supervision, while 'dirijo' implies a more formal leadership role in an organization or project.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.