Inklingo

How to Say "leading" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word forleadingis llevandouse 'llevando' when 'leading' means physically guiding or accompanying someone, often in a direction or to a destination.

llevando🔊A2

Use 'llevando' when 'leading' means physically guiding or accompanying someone, often in a direction or to a destination.

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delantero🔊A2

Use 'delantero' when 'leading' refers to a position at the front, such as in a queue, a vehicle, or a sequence.

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conduciendo🔊B1

Use 'conduciendo' when 'leading' implies guiding, directing, or managing a process, project, or group, often in a more abstract or formal sense.

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protagonista🔊B1

Use 'protagonista' when 'leading' describes the main or most important role in a play, movie, or even a situation.

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directivo🔊B1

Use 'directivo' to describe someone who holds a management or leadership position within an organization or company.

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dirigente🔊B2

Use 'dirigente' for the 'leading' or ruling class or group that is in charge of a country, organization, or movement.

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English → Spanish

llevando

yeh-VAHN-dohʝeˈβando

VerbA2General
Use 'llevando' when 'leading' means physically guiding or accompanying someone, often in a direction or to a destination.
A bright red car driving down a road, with a smiling driver and a passenger visible inside the vehicle.

Examples

Mi hermano me está llevando a la estación de tren.

My brother is taking me to the train station.

Mi padre me está llevando al aeropuerto.

My father is taking me to the airport.

El GPS nos está llevando por una ruta más larga.

The GPS is leading us on a longer route.

Action to a Destination

When 'llevando' means taking someone somewhere, it usually needs the preposition 'a' (to) followed by the destination.

delantero

deh-lan-teh-rohdelanˈteɾo

AdjectiveA2General
Use 'delantero' when 'leading' refers to a position at the front, such as in a queue, a vehicle, or a sequence.
A bright red car with its front headlights and grill highlighted, showing the front position.

Examples

El coche delantero es de color azul.

The front car is blue.

Prefiero sentarme en el asiento delantero.

I prefer to sit in the front seat.

El coche tiene un golpe en el faro delantero izquierdo.

The car has a dent in the front left headlight.

La parte delantera del edificio es de cristal.

The front part of the building is made of glass.

Matching the Word

This word changes its ending to match what you are describing. Use 'delantero' for masculine things (like 'el asiento') and 'delantera' for feminine things (like 'la rueda').

Placement

In Spanish, this word usually comes after the thing you are describing, unlike in English where 'front' comes before.

Don't use 'frente' for position

Mistake:El frente asiento.

Correction: El asiento delantero. Use 'delantero' as a describing word, while 'frente' is usually a noun meaning the forehead or the front of a battle.

conduciendo

kon-doo-see-EN-dohkon.duˈsjen.do

VerbB1General
Use 'conduciendo' when 'leading' implies guiding, directing, or managing a process, project, or group, often in a more abstract or formal sense.
A cheerful tour guide holding a small bright flag leading a small line of two tourists across a sunny outdoor path.

Examples

El CEO está conduciendo la estrategia de la empresa.

The CEO is leading the company's strategy.

El profesor estaba conduciendo una investigación muy compleja.

The professor was leading a very complex investigation.

Ella es excelente conduciendo negociaciones difíciles.

She is excellent at guiding difficult negotiations.

Adverbial Use (How)

This form can be used alone to explain how an action is performed: 'Aprendió leyendo y conduciendo a su equipo' (He learned by reading and leading his team).

protagonista

pro-ta-go-NEES-tahpɾotaɣoˈnista

AdjectiveB1General
Use 'protagonista' when 'leading' describes the main or most important role in a play, movie, or even a situation.
A large, bright red bird leading a flock of smaller blue birds through a sunny sky.

Examples

Ella tuvo el papel protagonista en la obra de teatro.

She had the leading role in the play.

Consiguió un papel protagonista en la serie.

He got a leading role in the series.

Esa empresa tiene un lugar protagonista en el mercado.

That company has a leading place in the market.

La actriz protagonista no vino al estreno.

The lead actress didn't come to the premiere.

Describing things

When used as a description, it stays the same for both masculine and feminine things (un papel protagonista / una función protagonista).

directivo

dee-rek-TEE-bohdiɾekˈtiβo

AdjectiveB1Formal
Use 'directivo' to describe someone who holds a management or leadership position within an organization or company.
A person organizing a complex colorful puzzle on a desk to show management and coordination.

Examples

El comité directivo aprobó el nuevo presupuesto.

The management committee approved the new budget.

Ella ocupa un cargo directivo en la organización.

She holds a managerial position in the organization.

El comité directivo se reúne mañana por la mañana.

The steering committee meets tomorrow morning.

Necesitamos mejorar nuestras capacidades directivas.

We need to improve our management skills.

Matching with Nouns

As a descriptive word, it must match the gender of the noun. For 'the position' (el puesto), use 'directivo'. For 'the board' (la junta), use 'directiva'.

Word Order

dirigente

dee-ree-hen-tehdiɾiˈxente

AdjectiveB2Formal
Use 'dirigente' for the 'leading' or ruling class or group that is in charge of a country, organization, or movement.
A bright red bird flying at the front of a flock of blue birds in a V-formation.

Examples

Los políticos y empresarios forman la clase dirigente.

Politicians and business people form the ruling class.

La clase dirigente debe escuchar las demandas del pueblo.

The ruling class must listen to the people's demands.

Pertenece al grupo dirigente de la organización.

They belong to the leading group of the organization.

Matching the noun

Even though it ends in 'e', if you describe more than one thing, add an 's' (las clases dirigentes).

Verb vs. Adjective Confusion

Learners often confuse verbs like 'llevando' (taking/accompanying) and 'conduciendo' (guiding/managing) with adjectives like 'delantero' (front) or 'protagonista' (main role). Remember to choose based on whether you are describing an action of guiding or a position/role.

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