At the A1 level, 'conduire' is introduced primarily as 'to drive a car'. Learners focus on the present tense for the first person: 'Je conduis'. You learn it in the context of daily activities and transportation. It is an irregular verb, so A1 students usually memorize the basic forms: je conduis, tu conduis, il conduit. The focus is on simple sentences like 'Je conduis une voiture rouge' or 'Mon père conduit bien'. At this stage, the goal is simply to distinguish it from other modes of transport like 'prendre le bus' or 'aller à pied'. You might also see it on signs or in basic vocabulary lists about the city. The reflexive form 'se conduire' and the abstract 'conduire à' are generally not taught at this level to avoid confusion. The past participle 'conduit' might be introduced in very basic past tense sentences, but the primary focus remains on the present indicative.
At the A2 level, 'conduire' expands to include 'to lead' or 'to take someone somewhere'. You learn the full present tense conjugation, including the plural forms with the 's' sound (nous conduisons, vous conduisez, ils conduisent). You also start using the passé composé: 'J'ai conduit'. A2 learners use 'conduire' to describe their commute or giving someone a ride: 'Je conduis mes enfants à l'école'. The concept of 'permis de conduire' (driving license) becomes relevant as learners talk about their lives and abilities. You might also encounter the verb in simple instructions or directions. The distinction between 'conduire' (driving) and 'mener' (leading) starts to become important, though the focus remains on the physical act of driving. You begin to understand that 'conduire' requires an object (the car) or a destination (to the station).
At the B1 level, you begin to use 'conduire' in more abstract and professional contexts. You use it to describe leading a project ('conduire un projet') or conducting a meeting. The reflexive form 'se conduire' (to behave) is introduced, allowing you to discuss social situations: 'Il s'est mal conduit pendant la fête'. You also start using the construction 'conduire à' to express consequences: 'Cette décision peut conduire à des problèmes'. Your mastery of tenses expands to the imparfait ('Je conduisais') and the futur simple ('Je conduirai'). B1 learners are expected to use 'conduire' accurately in stories and descriptions, moving beyond simple transportation to more complex social and logical connections. You also learn related nouns like 'la conduite' (driving/behavior) and 'le conducteur' (the driver).
At the B2 level, 'conduire' is used fluently in a variety of registers. You can discuss complex topics like 'la conduite du changement' (change management) or 'conduire une politique étrangère' (conducting foreign policy). You understand the nuances between 'conduire', 'mener', and 'diriger' and can choose the most appropriate verb for the context. You use 'conduire à' to build logical arguments in essays: 'L'urbanisation galopante conduit à une perte de biodiversité'. The subjonctif forms ('que je conduise') are used correctly in complex sentences. B2 learners also recognize 'conduire' in technical or scientific texts, such as 'conduire une étude' or 'matériau qui conduit la chaleur'. You are comfortable with the verb's irregular stems across all major tenses and can use it metaphorically without hesitation.
At the C1 level, you use 'conduire' with stylistic precision. You might use it in formal writing to describe the 'conduite à tenir' (the course of action to follow) in a professional or ethical dilemma. You appreciate the verb's role in classical literature and high-level journalism. You can discuss the 'fil conducteur' (the common thread or leitmotif) of a book or a speech. Your use of 'se conduire' includes subtle moral judgments and social commentary. You are aware of rare or formal uses, such as 'conduire un deuil' (to lead a funeral procession/mourning). In academic contexts, you use 'conduire' to describe the methodology of research with sophisticated vocabulary. The verb becomes a tool for expressing complex causal relationships and leadership dynamics in nuanced, persuasive language.
At the C2 level, 'conduire' is a versatile instrument in your linguistic repertoire. You use it with the ease of a native speaker, incorporating it into idiomatic expressions and complex rhetorical structures. You can analyze the 'conduite' of a complex legal case or a national economy. You understand the etymological roots (from Latin 'conducere') and how they relate to other 'ducere' derivatives like 'produire' or 'séduire'. You can use the verb in highly formal or poetic contexts, perhaps using the passé simple ('il conduisit') in a narrative. You have a perfect grasp of the subtle differences in meaning when 'conduire' is used in physics, music, law, and everyday life. Your ability to use 'conduire' to weave together cause, effect, leadership, and movement is seamless and sophisticated.

conduire 30秒で

  • Conduire is the primary French verb for 'to drive' a car or vehicle, essential for daily travel conversations and navigating transportation.
  • Beyond driving, it means 'to lead' or 'to guide' people, projects, or processes, making it a key verb for leadership and management.
  • The construction 'conduire à' is used to express causality, showing how one event or action leads to a specific logical consequence.
  • In its reflexive form 'se conduire', it describes a person's behavior or conduct in social, professional, or moral situations.

The French verb conduire is a versatile and essential pillar of the French language, primarily categorized under the CEFR A2 level but possessing nuances that stretch into C2 academic discourse. At its most fundamental level, it translates to 'to drive' a vehicle or 'to lead' someone or something. However, to truly master conduire, one must understand its dual nature: the physical act of navigation and the metaphorical act of guidance or result-oriented progression. In the physical sense, it replaces the English 'to drive' when referring to cars, buses, or trucks. Unlike 'rouler' (to roll/drive along) or 'piloter' (to pilot a plane or race car), conduire implies the active control and responsibility of the operator. Beyond the steering wheel, it functions as 'to lead' or 'to conduct'. This is where we see its relationship with words like 'conductor' in English. Whether you are leading a guest to their room or a researcher is conducting an experiment, conduire is the verb of choice. It captures the essence of movement with intent.

Physical Operation
The act of operating a motor vehicle (car, truck, van).
Guidance
Physically escorting or leading a person or animal to a destination.
Causality
Leading to a specific result or consequence (conduire à).
Behavior
In its reflexive form 'se conduire', it describes how one behaves.

Il est important de bien conduire pour assurer la sécurité de tous les passagers dans le véhicule.

Cette route étroite nous conduit directement au sommet de la montagne escarpée.

Le guide va conduire les touristes à travers les ruines anciennes du château médiéval.

Ses efforts constants vont le conduire à une réussite professionnelle bien méritée.

Il faut savoir se conduire avec dignité lors des cérémonies officielles importantes.

In professional contexts, conduire is frequently used in the phrase 'conduire un projet' (to lead/manage a project) or 'conduire une réunion' (to conduct a meeting). This elevates the word from a simple daily action to a leadership competency. In the scientific world, one might 'conduire une étude' (conduct a study). The breadth of this verb is immense, covering everything from a teenager getting their license to a CEO steering a multinational corporation. Understanding the context—whether it's mechanical, social, or abstract—is key to using it correctly. For instance, 'conduire à' is a powerful construction used to describe logical outcomes: 'L'excès de vitesse conduit à des accidents' (Speeding leads to accidents). Here, the verb acts as a bridge between cause and effect, illustrating the path taken by events.

Using conduire correctly requires attention to its conjugation and its prepositional partners. As a third-group verb ending in -re, it follows the pattern of verbs like traduire (to translate) and produire (to produce). The singular forms are straightforward: je conduis, tu conduis, il conduit. However, the plural forms introduce a 's' sound: nous conduisons, vous conduisez, ils conduisent. This phonetic shift is crucial for oral fluency. In the past tense (passé composé), the auxiliary is avoir and the past participle is conduit. For example, 'J'ai conduit toute la nuit' (I drove all night). When using it to mean 'to drive a car', you don't usually need a preposition before the vehicle: 'Je conduis une Peugeot'. However, when expressing a destination or a result, the preposition à is mandatory.

Direct Object
Used when driving a vehicle: 'Elle conduit le bus'.
Indirect Object (à)
Used for destinations or results: 'Cela conduit à la faillite'.
Reflexive (se)
Used for behavior: 'Il se conduit mal en classe'.

Nous conduisons prudemment quand il pleut sur l'autoroute.

Vous conduisez cette équipe vers un succès sans précédent.

Est-ce que tu conduis une voiture manuelle ou automatique ?

When you want to say 'to drive someone somewhere', the structure is conduire [quelqu'un] à [endroit]. For example: 'Je vais te conduire à la gare' (I will drive/take you to the station). This is a very common daily usage. It's also important to note the difference between conduire and emmener. While emmener also means 'to take someone', conduire specifically highlights the act of leading or driving them there. In a more abstract sense, 'conduire une politique' means to carry out a policy. This usage is common in news and political discourse. Mastery of conduire also involves knowing its derivatives, such as conducteur (driver/conductor) and conduite (driving/conduct/behavior). The word 'conduite' is used in 'permis de conduire' (driving license), a term every learner should know.

You will encounter conduire in a vast array of settings, from the mundane to the highly specialized. In daily life, it is the standard word for driving. You'll hear it at the 'auto-école' (driving school), during police checks ('Votre permis de conduire, s'il vous plaît'), and in casual conversations about travel. In the workplace, it shifts toward management. A manager might say, 'Je conduis ce projet depuis six mois'. In a cultural context, you'll hear it in music; an 'orchestre' is led by a 'chef d'orchestre' who 'conduit' the musicians. In scientific and academic circles, it describes the execution of protocols: 'conduire une expérience' (to conduct an experiment) or 'conduire un entretien' (to conduct an interview). Even in philosophy or ethics, the reflexive 'se conduire' appears frequently when discussing moral behavior.

On the Road
'Attention, il conduit trop vite !' (Watch out, he's driving too fast!)
In the Office
'Qui va conduire la réunion de demain ?' (Who is going to lead tomorrow's meeting?)
In News/Politics
'Le gouvernement conduit une réforme majeure.' (The government is leading a major reform.)

Le GPS nous conduit souvent par des chemins de campagne pittoresques.

Les recherches scientifiques conduisent à de nouvelles découvertes médicales.

Listen for it in metaphors as well. Someone might say 'Cela ne conduit à rien' (That leads to nothing/is going nowhere) to express frustration with a situation. In literature, conduire is used to describe the flow of a narrative or the development of a character. It is a verb of movement, both literal and figurative. Whether you are reading a car manual, a management textbook, or a classic novel, conduire will appear as the engine of action. It is also found in technical fields like electricity, where a material 'conduit l'électricité' (conducts electricity). This scientific usage mirrors the English 'conduct', making it a helpful cognate for English speakers in technical contexts. Overall, its presence in the French language is ubiquitous, making it a high-frequency verb that rewards deep study.

One of the most frequent errors for learners is the confusion between conduire and mener. While both can mean 'to lead', conduire usually implies a physical path, a vehicle, or a structured process, whereas mener is more about being the head of a group or leading a life (mener une vie). Another common pitfall is conjugation. Many students forget the 's' in the plural forms, saying 'nous conduisons' incorrectly or misspelling the past participle 'conduit' as 'conduisé'. Remember: conduire is a third-group verb, not a first-group -er verb. Additionally, English speakers often try to use 'driver' as a verb (driver), which doesn't exist in standard French. You must use conduire. Another mistake is using 'conduire' for bicycles or motorcycles; for these, French speakers often prefer 'faire du vélo' or 'piloter' (for high-speed motorbikes), though 'conduire une moto' is acceptable.

Conjugation Error
Saying 'Je conduisais' (Imperfect) is correct, but 'Je conduisait' for 'I' is wrong.
Preposition Error
Forgetting the 'à' in 'conduire à' (leading to).
False Cognate Confusion
Using 'conduire' when 'diriger' (to manage/direct) might be more appropriate for people.

Faux: Je conduit ma bicyclette. (Mieux: Je fais du vélo.)

Faux: Il conduit à le succès. (Correct: Il conduit au succès.)

Finally, avoid using conduire when you mean 'to take' an object to a place; use 'apporter' or 'emporter' instead. Conduire is for people or vehicles. For example, you don't 'conduire' a pizza to a friend's house; you 'apportes' it. However, you can 'conduire' your friend to the pizza parlor. Another nuance is the difference between 'conduire' and 'rouler'. 'Rouler' focuses on the movement of the vehicle on the road ('On roulait à 100 km/h'), while 'conduire' focuses on the person operating it. If you say 'Je roule', it sounds like you are the one with wheels! Always say 'Je conduis' if you are the driver. These small distinctions separate intermediate learners from advanced speakers.

To expand your vocabulary around conduire, it's helpful to look at its synonyms and related verbs. Mener is the closest synonym, often used for leading a group or a path leading somewhere ('Ce chemin mène au village'). Diriger is more about management and direction, used for companies, orchestras, or directing someone's attention. Piloter is used for planes, boats, and sometimes high-performance cars or complex projects. Guider implies showing the way, often with a sense of help or instruction. Transporter is used when the focus is on moving goods or people from point A to point B without necessarily focusing on the act of driving. Entraîner can mean 'to lead to' in a more forceful or consequential way ('Cela a entraîné une crise').

Mener
To lead, often used for paths or leading a group ('mener la danse').
Diriger
To direct or manage ('diriger une entreprise').
Piloter
To pilot or steer ('piloter un avion').
Guider
To guide or show the way ('guider un aveugle').

Le capitaine dirige le navire avec une grande expertise technique.

Ce sentier de randonnée mène à une cascade cachée magnifique.

In terms of behavior, synonyms for 'se conduire' include se comporter and agir. 'Se comporter' is the most direct equivalent to 'to behave'. In a professional context, 'conduire un projet' could be replaced by 'gérer un projet' (to manage a project) or 'mener à bien un projet' (to successfully carry out a project). Understanding these alternatives allows you to be more precise. For example, while 'conduire une voiture' is standard, 'piloter une Formule 1' conveys the specialized skill involved. Similarly, 'mener une enquête' sounds more investigative than 'conduire une enquête', though both are used. By choosing the right synonym, you show a deeper grasp of French register and context.

How Formal Is It?

発音ガイド

韻が合う語
-uise

難易度

知っておくべき文法

Irregular -re verb patterns

Preposition 'à' for destination/result

Reflexive verb conjugation

Adverb placement with verbs

Passé composé with 'avoir'

レベル別の例文

1

Je conduis une petite voiture.

I drive a small car.

Present tense, 1st person singular.

2

Tu conduis très bien.

You drive very well.

Present tense, 2nd person singular.

3

Il ne conduit pas la nuit.

He does not drive at night.

Negative construction with 'ne...pas'.

4

Elle conduit son frère à l'école.

She drives her brother to school.

Direct object (frère) + destination.

5

Nous conduisons lentement.

We drive slowly.

Present tense, 1st person plural (note the 's').

6

Vous conduisez un camion ?

Do you drive a truck?

Interrogative sentence.

7

Ils conduisent à Paris.

They drive in Paris.

Present tense, 3rd person plural.

8

Je veux apprendre à conduire.

I want to learn to drive.

Infinitive after 'apprendre à'.

1

J'ai conduit pendant trois heures.

I drove for three hours.

Passé composé with 'avoir'.

2

Peux-tu me conduire à la gare ?

Can you drive me to the station?

Modal verb 'pouvoir' + infinitive.

3

Elle conduit prudemment sous la pluie.

She drives carefully in the rain.

Adverb 'prudemment' modifying the verb.

4

Nous conduisons nos amis au restaurant.

We are driving our friends to the restaurant.

Plural conjugation.

5

Il a enfin son permis de conduire.

He finally has his driving license.

Noun phrase 'permis de conduire'.

6

Vous ne devez pas conduire si vous êtes fatigué.

You must not drive if you are tired.

Modal verb 'devoir' + negative.

7

Le guide conduit le groupe dans le musée.

The guide leads the group in the museum.

Meaning 'to lead/guide'.

8

Est-ce que tu as déjà conduit une automatique ?

Have you ever driven an automatic?

Passé composé in a question.

1

Ce chemin conduit directement au lac.

This path leads directly to the lake.

Metaphorical/spatial 'lead to'.

2

Il se conduit toujours comme un gentleman.

He always behaves like a gentleman.

Reflexive verb 'se conduire' (behavior).

3

Cette erreur peut conduire à de graves problèmes.

This mistake can lead to serious problems.

Causality 'conduire à'.

4

Elle conduit ce projet avec beaucoup de succès.

She is leading this project with much success.

Professional context (leading a project).

5

Je conduisais quand le téléphone a sonné.

I was driving when the phone rang.

Imparfait for ongoing action.

6

Nous conduirons toute la nuit pour arriver tôt.

We will drive all night to arrive early.

Futur simple.

7

Il est interdit de conduire sans assurance.

It is forbidden to drive without insurance.

Impersonal 'il est interdit de'.

8

Vous vous conduisez très mal aujourd'hui !

You are behaving very badly today!

Reflexive plural.

1

Le gouvernement conduit une nouvelle politique économique.

The government is conducting a new economic policy.

Formal/Political register.

2

Il faut que tu conduises plus prudemment.

You must drive more carefully.

Subjonctif présent after 'il faut que'.

3

Ses recherches l'ont conduit à une découverte majeure.

His research led him to a major discovery.

Abstract causality in the past.

4

Elle sait conduire une réunion de manière efficace.

She knows how to conduct a meeting effectively.

Management context.

5

Le cuivre conduit très bien l'électricité.

Copper conducts electricity very well.

Scientific/Technical usage.

6

Ils ont conduit une enquête approfondie sur l'affaire.

They conducted a thorough investigation into the case.

Professional investigation.

7

Sa conduite exemplaire lui a valu une promotion.

His exemplary conduct earned him a promotion.

Noun 'conduite' (behavior).

8

Bien que je conduise, je préfère le train.

Although I drive, I prefer the train.

Subjonctif after 'bien que'.

1

La conduite du changement exige une grande empathie.

Change management requires great empathy.

Business terminology 'conduite du changement'.

2

L'auteur nous conduit à travers les méandres de sa pensée.

The author leads us through the meanders of his thought.

Literary metaphor.

3

Cette rhétorique pourrait conduire le pays à l'impasse.

This rhetoric could lead the country to a deadlock.

Political analysis.

4

Il est crucial de conduire ces entretiens avec impartialité.

It is crucial to conduct these interviews with impartiality.

Formal infinitive usage.

5

Le fil conducteur de son œuvre est la quête d'identité.

The common thread of his work is the quest for identity.

Idiomatic noun phrase 'fil conducteur'.

6

Elle se conduit avec une dignité qui force l'admiration.

She conducts herself with a dignity that commands admiration.

Reflexive with abstract noun.

7

Les essais cliniques sont conduits selon un protocole strict.

Clinical trials are conducted according to a strict protocol.

Passive voice with 'être'.

8

Sa passion l'a conduit à sacrifier sa vie sociale.

His passion led him to sacrifice his social life.

Abstract causality.

1

L'évolution des mœurs conduit à une redéfinition du contrat social.

The evolution of customs leads to a redefinition of the social contract.

Sociological discourse.

2

Il conduisit son armée à la victoire au prix de lourdes pertes.

He led his army to victory at the cost of heavy losses.

Passé simple (literary).

3

La conduite de cette affaire d'État fut entachée d'irrégularités.

The handling of this state affair was marred by irregularities.

High-level political/legal register.

4

Le chef d'orchestre conduit la symphonie avec une maestria inégalée.

The conductor leads the symphony with unmatched mastery.

Artistic context.

5

Toute action inconsidérée pourrait conduire à une déflagration régionale.

Any ill-considered action could lead to a regional explosion.

Geopolitical analysis.

6

Il importe de savoir se conduire en toutes circonstances.

It is important to know how to behave in all circumstances.

Formal 'il importe de'.

7

L'étude, conduite sur dix ans, révèle des tendances alarmantes.

The study, conducted over ten years, reveals alarming trends.

Participial phrase.

8

Sa démarche intellectuelle le conduit à remettre en question les dogmes.

His intellectual approach leads him to question dogmas.

Philosophical context.

よく使う組み合わせ

conduire une voiture
conduire un projet
conduire une étude
conduire à un échec
conduire au succès
conduire prudemment
conduire vite
conduire un changement
conduire une réunion
conduire un entretien

よく混同される語

conduire vs mener (to lead a group/life)

conduire vs rouler (to drive/roll along)

conduire vs diriger (to manage/direct)

間違えやすい

conduire vs

conduire vs

conduire vs

conduire vs

conduire vs

文型パターン

語族

名詞

conducteur
conduite
conduction
conductivité

動詞

reconduire
produire
traduire
réduire

形容詞

conducteur
conductible

使い方

driving

Use for cars, buses, trucks.

leading

Use for people, projects, or paths.

behavior

Always use the reflexive 'se conduire'.

よくある間違い
  • Using 'conduire' for bikes.
  • Forgetting the 's' in 'nous conduisons'.
  • Using 'conduire' without 'à' for consequences.
  • Confusing 'conduire' with 'mener'.
  • Saying 'Je suis conduit' instead of 'J'ai conduit'.

ヒント

Plural Stem

Always add an 's' before the ending in plural forms: nous conduisons.

Vehicle Type

Use 'conduire' for anything with a steering wheel.

Causality

Use 'conduire à' to show logical results in your writing.

The 'UI' Sound

Keep the 'u' and 'i' very close together, like 'wee' but with rounded lips.

Offering a Ride

'Je te conduis' is a very helpful phrase to know.

Project Management

Use 'conduire un projet' to sound professional in French.

Avoid 'Driver'

Never say 'Je drive'. Always use 'Je conduis'.

Abstract Paths

Paths and roads 'conduisent' to places.

Self-Conduct

Use 'se conduire' to describe how someone acts in a situation.

Conductor Link

Link it to 'conductor' to remember the 'lead' meaning.

暗記しよう

記憶術

Think of a 'conductor' leading an orchestra. They 'conduire' the music.

語源

Latin 'conducere'

文化的な背景

Students are taught to 'se conduire' with respect toward teachers.

When driving in France, it is polite to thank other drivers with a small hand gesture.

Leading a meeting (conduire une réunion) in France often involves structured debate.

実生活で練習する

実際の使用場面

会話のきっかけ

"Est-ce que tu aimes conduire ?"

"À quel âge as-tu eu ton permis de conduire ?"

"Qui conduit le mieux dans ta famille ?"

"Où est-ce que ce chemin nous conduit ?"

"Comment se conduit-il en public ?"

日記のテーマ

Décrivez votre premier cours de conduite.

Où aimeriez-vous conduire si vous aviez une voiture de sport ?

Parlez d'un projet que vous avez conduit avec succès.

Pourquoi est-il important de bien se conduire ?

Quelles habitudes peuvent conduire au bonheur ?

よくある質問

10 問

It is better to use 'faire du vélo'. 'Conduire' is usually for motor vehicles.

Conduire is more about the physical act or a structured process. Mener is about being at the head.

Simply say 'Je conduis'.

No, it is an irregular -re verb with a stem change in the plural.

It means 'to behave' or 'to conduct oneself'.

Yes, when followed by the preposition 'à'.

It is 'le permis de conduire'.

The past participle is 'conduit'.

Yes, a 'chef d'orchestre' conducts (conduit) the musicians.

It takes 'avoir'.

自分をテスト 179 問

/ 179 correct

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