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How to Say "to administer" in Spanish

English → Spanish

administrar

ad-mee-nees-TRARadminisˈtɾaɾ

verbC1formal
Use 'administrar' when referring to the formal giving of medicine, justice, or religious sacraments.
A person using a small spoon to give liquid medicine to a child.

Examples

El juez administrará justicia.

The judge will administer justice.

La enfermera le administró la vacuna.

The nurse administered the vaccine to him.

El juez debe administrar justicia de manera imparcial.

The judge must administer justice in an impartial way.

Medical context

When giving medicine, you often use 'le' or 'me' to show who is receiving the action.

Confusing with 'dar'

Mistake:El doctor dio la medicina.

Correction: El doctor administró la medicina. While 'dar' is correct, 'administrar' is the precise term used in medical reports.

gestionar

hes-tyo-NARxes.tjo.ˈnaɾ

verbB1
Use 'gestionar' when talking about managing resources, budgets, or leading a team or project.
A friendly team leader pointing at a colorful chart while three team members listen attentively in a bright office.

Examples

Ella gestiona un equipo de veinte personas con mucho éxito.

She manages a team of twenty people very successfully.

Es difícil gestionar una empresa durante una crisis.

It is difficult to manage a company during a crisis.

Aprendimos a gestionar los recursos de forma eficiente.

We learned to manage resources efficiently.

A Regular Friend

This verb follows the standard 'ar' pattern perfectly. If you can conjugate 'hablar,' you can conjugate 'gestionar'!

Who are you managing?

If you are managing a person or a group of people, remember to use the 'personal a' (e.g., 'Gestiono a mis empleados').

Managing to vs. Managing

Mistake:Gestioné terminar mi tarea.

Correction: Logré terminar mi tarea.

suministrar

soo-mee-nees-trarsuminisˈtɾaɾ

verbB2
Use 'suministrar' specifically for providing or supplying medicine or a medical treatment.
A person gently placing a small bandage on another person's arm.

Examples

La enfermera suministró la dosis correcta de insulina.

The nurse administered the correct dose of insulin.

Es peligroso suministrar medicamentos sin receta.

It is dangerous to administer medications without a prescription.

Medical Accuracy

This word is preferred in medical reports over 'dar' because it implies following a specific protocol or dosage.

Suministrar vs. Soportar

Mistake:Me suministraron el dolor.

Correction: Suministrar means to give or provide, not to endure. To say you endured pain, use 'soportar' or 'aguantar'.

practicar

prak-ti-KARprak.tiˈkaɾ

verbC1formal
Use 'practicar' when referring to the performance of a medical procedure, like an injection or an operation.
A surgeon wearing blue scrubs, a mask, and a cap, holding a small surgical instrument precisely in their hands, ready to perform a procedure.

Examples

El cirujano debe practicar la operación esta tarde.

The surgeon must perform the operation this afternoon.

La policía practicó un registro en la casa del sospechoso.

The police conducted a search of the suspect's house.

Formal Procedures

In formal Spanish, 'practicar' is often preferred over 'hacer' (to do) when referring to carrying out official or technical procedures.

Administrar vs. Suministrar

Learners often confuse 'administrar' and 'suministrar' when discussing medicine. Remember, 'administrar' is broader (justice, sacraments too), while 'suministrar' is specifically about providing or supplying medicine or treatment.

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