Traducir is a Spanish verb meaning to translate. It is used to express the act of converting words, sentences, or texts from one language to another. The verb is most commonly used in educational, professional, and media contexts, reflecting the transfer of meaning across languages.
- to translate (a text, speech, ideas) from one language to another
- Used in contexts of language learning, publishing, interpreting, and media
Conjugation: Regular -ir Verb
**traducir** is an irregular -ir verb, not regular—its stem changes in certain forms.
traducir follows the pattern of other verbs that end in -ucir, and is thus irregular. It is conjugated like producir and conducir, with a stem change to traduj- in the preterite.
| Tense | Example (yo) | Pattern Info |
|---|---|---|
| Infinitive | traducir | to translate |
| Present (yo) | traduzco | (not regular -ir; like conducir: -zco) |
| Present (3rd sg.) | traduce | Regular -ir endings after stem |
| Preterite (yo) | traduje | Stem traduj-, endings: -e, -iste, -o... |
| Imperfect (yo) | traducía | Regular -ir pattern: -ía, -ías, ... |
| Future (yo) | traduciré | Regular future: infinitive + endings |
- Meaning: to translate
- Infinitive: traducir
- Present (yo): traduzco
- Preterite (yo): traduje
- Imperfect (yo): traducía
Present Tense: Active Use
traducir is used for both written and spoken translation in the present tense.
| Subject | Conjugation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| yo | traduzco | Yo traduzco documentos. |
| tú | traduces | Tú traduces bien. |
| él/ella | traduce | Ella traduce películas. |
| nosotros | traducimos | Nosotros traducimos emails. |
| vosotros | traducís | Vosotros traducís textos aquí. |
| ellos | traducen | Ellos traducen las instrucciones. |
- You can translate: documents, songs, movies, emails, instructions, etc.
Preterite Tense: Describing Completed Translation
The preterite is used when the act of translating is finished.
| Subject | Conjugation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| yo | traduje | Yo traduje el informe ayer. |
| tú | tradujiste | Tú tradujiste la carta. |
| él/ella | tradujo | Él tradujo el artículo. |
| nosotros | tradujimos | Tradujimos todo el manual. |
| vosotros | tradujisteis | Tradujisteis los subtítulos. |
| ellos | tradujeron | Ellos tradujeron la novela. |
- Preterite always uses the stem traduj-.
Imperfect Tense: Ongoing or Habitual Translation
Use the imperfect to describe repeated or ongoing translation in the past.
| Subject | Conjugation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| yo | traducía | Yo traducía para esa empresa. |
| tú | traducías | Tú traducías textos cada semana. |
| él/ella | traducía | Ella traducía mientras viajaba. |
| nosotros | traducíamos | Traducíamos correos electrónicos. |
| vosotros | traducíais | Traducíais todo el tiempo. |
| ellos | traducían | Ellos traducían para la radio. |
- This form emphasizes process or habit, not completion.
Summary
- Meaning: to translate
- Type: irregular -ir verb (like conducir)
- Root change: Present “yo” = traduzco; Preterite stem = traduj-
- Usages: Language conversion (written/spoken); active, habitual, or completed contexts
'traducir' means 'to translate.'
Use 'traducir' when converting words or texts between languages, not for creating original content or unrelated actions.
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