Inklingo

How to Say "managing" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word formanagingis manejandouse 'manejando' when you are actively controlling or directing a business, project, or situation, especially in a practical, hands-on way.

manejando🔊B1

Use 'manejando' when you are actively controlling or directing a business, project, or situation, especially in a practical, hands-on way.

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conduciendo🔊B1

Choose 'conduciendo' when referring to leading or running a project, research, or initiative, often implying guidance and direction.

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llevando🔊B1

Use 'llevando' when describing the act of running or operating a business or project, sometimes with a sense of responsibility for its outcome.

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tirando🔊B1

Employ 'tirando' in informal contexts to express coping or getting by with difficult circumstances, implying survival rather than active management.

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administrador🔊B2

Use 'administrador' when referring to a role, position, or entity that has administrative power or authority within an organization.

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gestor🔊C1

Utilize 'gestor' to describe a committee or entity specifically tasked with handling or overseeing operations, often in a temporary or transitional capacity.

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English → Spanish

manejando

mah-neh-HAHN-dohma.neˈxan.do

GerundB1General
Use 'manejando' when you are actively controlling or directing a business, project, or situation, especially in a practical, hands-on way.
A stylized illustration of a person sitting at a desk, neatly organizing and controlling various colorful stacks of paperwork and folders, symbolizing management.

Examples

Ella está manejando muy bien la crisis de la empresa.

She is managing the company's crisis very well.

El director ha estado manejando las finanzas desde su casa.

The director has been handling the finances from home.

Adverbial Use

Sometimes 'manejando' can describe how an action is performed, acting like an adverb: 'Ganó el debate manejando los datos con habilidad' (He won the debate, handling the data skillfully).

conduciendo

kon-doo-see-EN-dohkon.duˈsjen.do

VerbB1General
Choose 'conduciendo' when referring to leading or running a project, research, or initiative, often implying guidance and direction.
A cheerful tour guide holding a small bright flag leading a small line of two tourists across a sunny outdoor path.

Examples

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).

llevando

yeh-VAHN-dohʝeˈβando

VerbB1General
Use 'llevando' when describing the act of running or operating a business or project, sometimes with a sense of responsibility for its outcome.
A competent person standing behind a large wooden desk that holds several organized stacks of colored papers, symbolizing management and organization.

Examples

Ella está llevando la empresa a la quiebra.

She is running the company toward bankruptcy.

El equipo está llevando el proyecto con mucho éxito.

The team is handling the project very successfully.

Figurative Use

In this context, 'llevando' means managing or directing, often used when discussing how a process or responsibility is currently being handled.

tirando

tee-RAHN-dohtiˈɾando

Continuous Verb Form (Gerund)B1Informal
Employ 'tirando' in informal contexts to express coping or getting by with difficult circumstances, implying survival rather than active management.
A cheerful cartoon figure sitting at a small, humble table, diligently sewing a colorful patch onto a worn piece of clothing, symbolizing resourcefulness.

Examples

La vida es difícil, pero vamos tirando.

Life is hard, but we are getting by (managing).

Con el sueldo de mi esposa, estamos tirando hasta que encuentre un trabajo.

With my wife's salary, we are managing until I find a job.

— ¿Cómo te va con la renta? — Ahí, tirando.

— How are you doing with the rent? — Hanging in there (getting by).

Idiomatic Use with 'Ir'

When used figuratively, 'tirando' is almost always paired with 'ir' (to go) in the progressive form ('voy tirando', 'vamos tirando') to mean 'we are moving forward, but barely'.

administrador

ad-mee-nee-stra-DORaðministɾaˈðoɾ

AdjectiveB2Formal
Use 'administrador' when referring to a role, position, or entity that has administrative power or authority within an organization.
A pair of hands carefully organizing small colorful blocks into neat rows on a desk.

Examples

Él tiene un cargo administrador en el comité.

He holds a managing position on the committee.

Adjective placement

When used as a description, it almost always comes after the thing it describes (the noun).

gestor

hes-TORxesˈtoɾ

AdjectiveC1Formal
Utilize 'gestor' to describe a committee or entity specifically tasked with handling or overseeing operations, often in a temporary or transitional capacity.
A small, colorful factory building with smooth gears turning on the side to show it is operating.

Examples

La comisión gestora se encargará de organizar las elecciones.

The management committee will be in charge of organizing the elections.

Buscamos un perfil con gran capacidad gestora.

We are looking for a profile with great management capacity.

Adjective Placement

As an adjective, it usually comes after the noun it describes: 'capacidad gestora' (managing ability).

Active Management vs. Coping

Learners often confuse 'manejando' or 'conduciendo' (active control/leadership) with 'tirando' (coping/getting by). Remember that 'tirando' is used for informal situations where you're just surviving, not actively directing something. The others imply more direct control or responsibility.

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