dictate

determinar, condicionar

Hacer que algo tenga que suceder de cierta manera o establecer lo que es posible.

En inglés sencillo: If something does this, it decides what must happen or what is possible.

• Cost dictates our choice of materials.
• The room's size dictated the seating plan.
• Their needs will dictate how we spend the money.

Cómo se usa: dictate that… (The weather dictated that we stay indoors.)

Sinónimos: determine, govern

Expresiones frecuentes: dictate the pace, dictate the outcome, dictate our choice

dictar

Decir palabras en voz alta para que otra persona las escriba.

En inglés sencillo: To say words aloud so someone else can write them down.

• Please dictate the address slowly.
• She dictated a letter to her assistant.
• Can I dictate my notes into your phone?

Cómo se usa: dictate something to someone (He dictated a short message to his assistant.)

Expresiones frecuentes: dictate a letter, dictate some notes, dictate a message

ordenar, imponer

Decir a alguien lo que debe hacer, esperando que obedezca.

En inglés sencillo: To tell someone what to do, expecting them to obey.

• You cannot dictate my every move.
• The winners dictated the terms of peace.
• Stop dictating to everyone!

Cómo se usa: dictate to someone (She refuses to let her brother dictate to her.); dictate what someone does (You cannot dictate what your neighbors do.)

Sinónimos: command, order, control

Expresiones frecuentes: dictate terms, dictate to someone, dictate the rules

mandato, dictado

Orden o regla que indica lo que se debe hacer.

En inglés sencillo: An order or rule that tells you what you must do.

• They refused to obey the king's dictates.
• He followed the dictates of his faith.
• Each new dictate restricted their freedom further.

Cómo se usa: the dictates of something (She followed the dictates of her conscience.)

Sinónimos: order, command, decree

Expresiones frecuentes: a moral dictate, a royal dictate, a religious dictate