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"Piloto" is a form of "piloto", a noun which is often translated as "pilot". "Pilota" is a form of "pilotar", a transitive verb which is often translated as "to pilot". Learn more about the difference between "piloto" and "pilota" below.
el piloto, la piloto(
pee
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loh
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toh
)This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
1. (profession)
a. pilot (of an aircraft)
El piloto se desmayó y el copiloto tomó el control del avión.The pilot fainted and the copilot took control of the plane.
b. driver (de un coche)
Sacaron a la piloto del coche destrozado antes de que se prendiera fuego.The driver was pulled out of the wrecked car before it burst into flames.
c. rider (of a motorcycle or bicycle)
El piloto que me chocó dejó su moto tirada y se fue corriendo.The rider who collided with me abandoned his bike and ran off.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
2. (automobile)
a. taillight
Alguien rompió el piloto de su Mercedes-Benz con un bate.Someone smashed the taillight of his Mercedes-Benz with a bat.
b. rear light
El piloto se enciende cuando se pisa los frenos.The rear light will go on when you step on the brakes.
a. pilot light
Oigo el gas pero el piloto no se prende.I hear the gas but the pilot light won't go on.
pilotar(
pee
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loh
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tahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (aviation)
a. to pilot
Mi sueño siempre ha sido pilotar un helicóptero, así que me apunté a la escuela de pilotos.My dream has always been to pilot a helicopter, so I enrolled in flight school.
b. to fly
Suspendieron al oficial por pilotar su caza de manera peligrosa.The official was suspended for flying his fighter plane dangerously.
2. (automobile)
a. to drive
Felipe pilotaba el kart a gran velocidad cuando perdió el control.Felipe was driving the go-kart at high speed when he lost control.
b. to ride (motorcycle)
A lo largo de mi carrera profesional en el motocross, he pilotado muchos tipos distintos de moto.Throughout my professional career in motocross, I have ridden many different types of bikes.
3. (nautical)
a. to pilot
Mike confesó que nunca había pilotado una embarcación tan grande.Mike confessed that he'd never piloted such a large ship.
b. to steer
Rogelio dejó a su nieto pilotar el barco un rato porque las condiciones del mar eran buenas.Rogelio let his grandson steer the boat for a while because the sea conditions were calm.
c. to navigate
Sería peligroso pilotar el buque de carga con fuerte marejada.It would be dangerous to navigate the cargo ship with such a strong swell.
4. (figurative) (to manage)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
a. to steer
Necesitamos a alguien con experiencia que pilote el proyecto y lo lleve a buen puerto.We need someone with experience to steer the project and bring it to a successful conclusion.
b. to guide
Nuestra directora pilota la escuela con firmeza y decisión. Nunca antes había funcionado tan bien.Our principal guides the school firmly and decisively. It has never worked so well before.
c. to run
Es su hija mayor quien pilota ahora la empresa.It's his eldest daughter who runs the firm now.
