Signification
To operate a vehicle with caution and attention to safety.
Contexte culturel
The DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico) is famous for its hard-hitting road safety campaigns. The phrase 'conducir con cuidado' is often linked to these emotional ads that show the consequences of not doing so. In Mexico, 'manejar' is used almost exclusively. Saying 'conducir' might sound like you are from a dubbed movie or a formal document. Argentines use 'manejar' and often use the 'voseo' imperative: 'manejá con cuidado'. The traffic in Buenos Aires is known for being 'picante' (spicy/intense), making this advice very common. Colombians are known for being very polite. You might hear 'conduzca con cuidadito' (using the diminutive) to make the advice sound warmer and less like a command.
Regional Choice
Use 'manejar' in the Americas and 'conducir' in Spain to sound more like a local.
Imperative Forms
Don't forget the 'z' in the formal command: 'Conduzca' (Ud.) and 'Conduzcan' (Uds.).
Signification
To operate a vehicle with caution and attention to safety.
Regional Choice
Use 'manejar' in the Americas and 'conducir' in Spain to sound more like a local.
Imperative Forms
Don't forget the 'z' in the formal command: 'Conduzca' (Ud.) and 'Conduzcan' (Uds.).
Intensifiers
Add 'mucho' or 'sumo' before 'cuidado' to emphasize the need for safety in dangerous conditions.
Social Ritual
Saying 'conduce con cuidado' is a common way to end a conversation with someone who is about to drive; it shows you care.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'conducir' in the imperative (tú).
¡________ con cuidado! Hay mucho hielo en la carretera.
The informal imperative for 'tú' is 'conduce'.
Which phrase is the most natural way to tell a friend to drive safe in Mexico?
Selecciona la opción más común en México:
In Mexico and most of Latin America, 'manejar' is preferred over 'conducir'.
Match the Spanish phrase with its English equivalent.
Empareja las frases:
These are the standard translations for these road-related terms.
Complete the dialogue with the most appropriate phrase.
Madre: Ya es muy tarde y está oscuro. Hijo: No te preocupes, mamá. Madre: Vale, pero ________.
The mother is giving a command/advice, so the imperative 'conduce' is required.
In which situation would you most likely hear 'conduzca con precaución'?
Escoge la situación adecuada:
'Conducir con precaución' is a more formal variation used in official contexts like news or traffic signs.
🎉 Score : /5
Aides visuelles
Spain vs. Latin America
Banque d exercices
5 exercices¡________ con cuidado! Hay mucho hielo en la carretera.
The informal imperative for 'tú' is 'conduce'.
Selecciona la opción más común en México:
In Mexico and most of Latin America, 'manejar' is preferred over 'conducir'.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the standard translations for these road-related terms.
Madre: Ya es muy tarde y está oscuro. Hijo: No te preocupes, mamá. Madre: Vale, pero ________.
The mother is giving a command/advice, so the imperative 'conduce' is required.
Escoge la situación adecuada:
'Conducir con precaución' is a more formal variation used in official contexts like news or traffic signs.
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
12 questions'Conducir con cuidado' is more common in daily speech, while 'conducir con precaución' is more formal and often used in official signs or news.
Yes, but it sounds less natural than 'conducir con cuidado'. Spanish speakers prefer the 'con + noun' structure.
No, for bicycles it's better to use 'ir en bici' or 'montar en bici'.
The most common way is 'maneja con cuidado'.
No, it's irregular in the first person singular (conduzco) and in the subjunctive/imperative forms.
It is the legal term for reckless driving, the opposite of driving with care.
No, for planes you use 'pilotar'.
In Spanish, many adverbial phrases with 'con' omit the article (e.g., con paciencia, con alegría).
Not at all! It is actually considered very polite and caring.
Usually 'manejá con cuidado' using the voseo imperative.
Yes, you can 'conducir' a project or a situation with care.
It comes from the Latin 'cogitatus', meaning 'thought'.
Expressions liées
Tener cuidado
similarTo be careful
Ir con pies de plomo
similarTo go with lead feet
Conducción temeraria
contrastReckless driving
Pisar el acelerador
contrastTo step on the gas
Estar al volante
builds onTo be at the wheel
Manejar un asunto
specialized formTo handle a matter
