derivar
verbCEFR B2
What does “derivar” mean in English?
1.to derive from, to stem from
to derive from, to stem from (derivar de — intransitive; have its origin in something)
2.to refer, to redirect
to refer, to redirect (derivar un asunto/consulta a — horizontal referral to a more appropriate department or person)
3.derive, obtain — to get or obtain something from a specified source; 'derivarse de' = to arise from; also: to drift towards
Example sentences
Voy a derivar su consulta al departamento de atención al cliente, que podrá ayudarle mejor.
I am going to refer your enquiry to the customer service department, which will be better placed to help you.
El médico de cabecera la derivó a un especialista para que realizara una prueba diagnóstica específica.
The GP referred her to a specialist for a specific diagnostic test.
No podemos resolver este asunto internamente; lo hemos derivado al equipo jurídico para su valoración.
We cannot resolve this matter internally; we have referred it to the legal team for assessment.
How to use it
Derivar in workplace contexts means 'to refer' or 'to redirect' — to pass a query, complaint, or issue to another person or department. Pattern: derivar un asunto / una consulta / a un cliente a + department/person. It is the standard formal verb for escalating horizontally (to a peer department), distinguishing it from escalar (which implies moving upward in hierarchy). Common in customer service, healthcare, and internal communication: Le voy a derivar a nuestro departamento técnico.
Common mistake
Derivar (refer/redirect) ≠ escalar (escalate up the hierarchy). Derivar moves a matter sideways (to a specialist or peer department); escalar moves it upward (to a manager or senior authority). Using escalar when derivar is intended implies unnecessarily involving senior management. Also: derivar can mean 'to derive from' in grammar/chemistry contexts — the workplace meaning is identified by its object (un asunto, una consulta).