mande
/mahn-deh/
Pardon?
A person listening closely to show they didn't hear something clearly.
mande(interjection)
Pardon?
?When you didn't hear what someone said.
,Yes?
?Responding when someone calls your name.
Tell me
?Politely asking someone to continue speaking.
📝 In Action
—¡Juan! —¿Mande?
A1—Juan! —Yes? (What is it?)
—¿Puedes cerrar la puerta? —¡Mande! No te escuché.
A1—Can you close the door? —Pardon? I didn't hear you.
💡 Grammar Points
A Polite Fixed Phrase
Even though this word looks like a verb, it is used here as a set phrase to show respect when you don't hear someone or are answering a call.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Don't use it everywhere
Mistake: "Using 'mande' in Spain or Argentina."
Correction: In Spain, people usually say '¿qué?' or '¿perdona?'. Using 'mande' might make you sound like you are from a much older generation or from Mexico.
⭐ Usage Tips
When to use it
In Mexico, using '¿Qué?' (What?) can sometimes sound a bit rude or blunt. Using '¡Mande!' is a very safe and polite way to show you are listening.
Sending a message or a request to someone else.
mande(verb)
send
?polite request or wish
,order
?giving a polite command
command
?formal authority
📝 In Action
Mande el paquete mañana, por favor.
B1Please send the package tomorrow.
Espero que ella me mande el dinero.
B1I hope she sends me the money.
💡 Grammar Points
Multi-Purpose Form
The word 'mande' is a Swiss Army knife: it is used to give a polite order to one person, but also to express a wish ('Espero que él mande...').
⭐ Usage Tips
Use it for Polite Commands
When you want to tell a boss or a stranger to 'send' something, 'mande' is the perfect polite form to use.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: mande
Question 1 of 2
You are in a Mexican market and a vendor calls out to you, but you didn't hear what they said. What is the most natural thing to say?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'mande' come from a word meaning 'command'?
Yes, it literally translates to 'Command me'. While some believe it has colonial roots suggesting submissiveness, today it is simply used as a very polite and respectful way to say 'Pardon?' in Mexican culture.
Is 'mande' used in Spain?
Not really. If you use it in Spain, people will know you are likely from Mexico. In Spain, people prefer '¿Cómo?' or '¿Perdona?'.