to conduct / direct
Loading your saved state.
to conduct
To lead an orchestra, choir, or other music group by giving signals with the hands or a baton.
Sie träumt davon, eines Tages die Berliner Philharmoniker zu dirigieren.
She dreams of one day conducting the Berlin Philharmonic.
to direct
To guide, lead, or steer someone or something in a particular direction.
Ein Polizist stand auf der Kreuzung und dirigierte den Verkehr.
A police officer stood at the intersection and directed the traffic.
The verb 'dirigieren' (to conduct/direct) is related to the noun 'der Dirigent' / 'die Dirigentin' (the conductor). Both words describe the activity of leading a group, usually in a musical context.
Der berühmte Dirigent wird heute Abend das Orchester dirigieren.
The famous conductor will conduct the orchestra this evening.
You can easily recognize the meaning of 'dirigieren' from the object: if it refers to an orchestra, a choir, or a piece of music, it means musical conducting. If it refers to traffic, people, or gazes, it means 'lenken' (to guide/direct) or 'steuern' (to steer/control).
Er dirigierte das Stück mit großer Leidenschaft.
He conducted the piece with great passion.
In a musical context, 'dirigieren' (to conduct) is typically combined with 'ein Orchester' (an orchestra), 'einen Chor' (a choir), 'ein Konzert' (a concert), or the name of a composer or work.
Letztes Jahr durfte er zum ersten Mal eine Oper dirigieren.
Last year, he was allowed to conduct an opera for the first time.
In the meaning of 'lenken' (to direct/guide), the structure 'jemanden/etwas + wohin/auf etwas dirigieren' (to direct someone/something somewhere/onto something) is often used. The preposition indicates the direction or destination.
Der Manager dirigierte die Aufmerksamkeit der Mitarbeiter auf die neuen Quartalszahlen.
The manager directed the employees' attention to the new quarterly figures.
to lead
Führen and dirigieren can both express bringing others in a particular direction. Führen refers to general leadership or accompaniment, while dirigieren places more emphasis on individual signals or interventions used to steer others. Use führen for leading as a whole and dirigieren when specific steering is the focus.
Die Ordner dirigierten die Besucher mit Handzeichen zum freien Ausgang.
The ushers directed the visitors to the available exit with hand signals.
Die Ordner führten die Besucher zum freien Ausgang.
The ushers led the visitors to the available exit.
