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"Dirigir" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to manage", and "dirigirse" is a pronominal verb which is often translated as "to walk". Learn more about the difference between "dirigir" and "dirigirse" below.
dirigir(
dee
-
ree
-
heer
)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to manage (business)
No le gusta mucho dirigir el hotel; preferiría trabajar en un restaurante.She doesn't really like managing the hotel; she'd prefer to work in a restaurant.
b. to run (business)
Mi papá dirige su propia empresa de productos orgánicos.My father runs his own organic goods business.
c. to lead (organization)
Eso ocurrió cuando Barack Obama dirigía a los demócratas.That happened when Barack Obama was leading the Democrats.
d. to oversee (activity, operation)
¿Sabes quién va a dirigir la operación de rescate?Do you know who's overseeing the rescue operation?
a. to direct
Realmente necesitan alguien que dirija el tráfico en ese paso de peatones.They really need someone to direct traffic at that pedestrian crossing.
a. to direct (film, show)
Alfonso Cuarón ganó un Oscar por dirigir "Gravity".Alfonso Cuarón won an Oscar for directing "Gravity."
b. to conduct (musical group)
Pablo dirige la orquesta que toca los domingos en la plaza central.Pablo conducts the orchestra that plays in the central square on Sundays.
a. to supervise
Ella me dirigió la tesis de doctorado.She supervised my PhD thesis.
a. to steer (car, ship)
Dirigió el coche con cuidado por el borde del acantilado.He steered the car carefully along the edge of the cliff.
El capitán dirigió el buque hacia el faro.The captain steered the ship toward the lighthouse.
a. to address
Necesito dirigir esta carta a la chica que conocimos en Bolivia. ¿Sabes su dirección?I need to address this letter to the girl we met in Bolivia. Do you know her address?
a. to direct
Dirigió la mirada hacia la foto de su querido abuelo difunto.She directed her gaze towards the photo of her dear, departed grandfather.
dirigirse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
pronominal verb
a. to walk
El protagonista se dirigió hacia la estación sin alentar su paso.The protagonist walked toward the station without slowing down.
a. to address
Perdón, ¿a quién te diriges?Excuse me, whom are you addressing?
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dirigirse(
dee
-
ree
-
heer
-
seh
)
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
pronominal verb
a. to walk
El protagonista se dirigió hacia la estación sin alentar su paso.The protagonist walked toward the station without slowing down.
a. to address
Perdón, ¿a quién te diriges?Excuse me, whom are you addressing?
dirigir
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to manage (business)
No le gusta mucho dirigir el hotel; preferiría trabajar en un restaurante.She doesn't really like managing the hotel; she'd prefer to work in a restaurant.
b. to run (business)
Mi papá dirige su propia empresa de productos orgánicos.My father runs his own organic goods business.
c. to lead (organization)
Eso ocurrió cuando Barack Obama dirigía a los demócratas.That happened when Barack Obama was leading the Democrats.
d. to oversee (activity, operation)
¿Sabes quién va a dirigir la operación de rescate?Do you know who's overseeing the rescue operation?
a. to direct
Realmente necesitan alguien que dirija el tráfico en ese paso de peatones.They really need someone to direct traffic at that pedestrian crossing.
a. to direct (film, show)
Alfonso Cuarón ganó un Oscar por dirigir "Gravity".Alfonso Cuarón won an Oscar for directing "Gravity."
b. to conduct (musical group)
Pablo dirige la orquesta que toca los domingos en la plaza central.Pablo conducts the orchestra that plays in the central square on Sundays.
a. to supervise
Ella me dirigió la tesis de doctorado.She supervised my PhD thesis.
a. to steer (car, ship)
Dirigió el coche con cuidado por el borde del acantilado.He steered the car carefully along the edge of the cliff.
El capitán dirigió el buque hacia el faro.The captain steered the ship toward the lighthouse.
a. to address
Necesito dirigir esta carta a la chica que conocimos en Bolivia. ¿Sabes su dirección?I need to address this letter to the girl we met in Bolivia. Do you know her address?
a. to direct
Dirigió la mirada hacia la foto de su querido abuelo difunto.She directed her gaze towards the photo of her dear, departed grandfather.
Copyright © 2025 Curiosity Media Inc.