Inklingo

How to Say "managing" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “managing” is “manejando” — use this when describing the active control or direction of a business, project, or difficult situation, implying direct involvement and skill..

manejando🔊B1

Use this when describing the active control or direction of a business, project, or difficult situation, implying direct involvement and skill.

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llevando🔊B1

Use this verb when indicating the responsibility for running or directing a business or project, often implying a degree of leadership and ongoing action.

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conduciendo🔊B1

This translation implies leading or steering a project or investigation, often with a focus on guiding its direction and progress.

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tirando🔊B1

Use this informal term to describe coping with or getting by in a difficult situation, emphasizing survival rather than active control.

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administrador🔊B2

Employ this when referring to a formal role, position, or power related to administration or management within an organization.

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English → Spanish

manejando

mah-neh-HAHN-doh/ma.neˈxan.do/

GerundB1General
Use this when describing the active control or direction of a business, project, or difficult situation, implying direct involvement and skill.
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).

llevando

yeh-VAHN-doh/ʝeˈβando/

VerbB1General
Use this verb when indicating the responsibility for running or directing a business or project, often implying a degree of leadership and ongoing action.
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.

conduciendo

/kon-doo-see-EN-doh//kon.duˈsjen.do/

VerbB1General
This translation implies leading or steering a project or investigation, often with a focus on guiding its direction and progress.
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).

tirando

/tee-RAHN-doh//tiˈɾando/

Continuous Verb Form (Gerund)B1Informal
Use this informal term to describe coping with or getting by in a difficult situation, emphasizing survival rather than active control.
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-DOR/aðministɾaˈðoɾ/

AdjectiveB2Formal
Employ this when referring to a formal role, position, or power related to administration or management 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).

Distinguishing 'Manejando', 'Llevando', and 'Conduciendo'

Learners often confuse 'manejando', 'llevando', and 'conduciendo' when referring to running a project or business. 'Manejando' implies more direct control and skill in handling a situation, while 'llevando' and 'conduciendo' focus more on the leadership and direction of an ongoing endeavor.

Related Translations

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