mando
/mahn-doh/
command
Mando refers to the authority or command structure, often seen in military settings.
mando(noun)
command
?military or authority
,authority
?organizational power
control
?power or influence
📝 In Action
El presidente tomó el mando después de las elecciones.
B2The president took command after the elections.
Necesitamos una persona con mando y experiencia para dirigir el proyecto.
C1We need a person with authority and experience to lead the project.
💡 Grammar Points
Masculine Noun
'Mando' is always masculine, so it uses 'el' (el mando) and adjectives describing it must end in 'o' or be gender-neutral.
Another common meaning of mando is a remote control used to operate electronic devices.
mando(noun)
remote control
?for a TV or device
,controller
?gaming device
handle
?a physical lever or grip
📝 In Action
¿Puedes pasarme el mando de la televisión?
A1Can you pass me the TV remote?
Mi hijo rompió el mando de la consola al perder la partida.
A2My son broke the game controller when he lost the match.
💡 Grammar Points
Mando vs. Control
While 'control remoto' is understood, in Spain and parts of Latin America, 'mando' is the much more common and casual way to refer to the device you hold.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'mando' for general control
Mistake: "No tengo mando sobre mis emociones."
Correction: Say 'No tengo control sobre mis emociones.' Use 'mando' only for physical devices or organizational authority.
When used as a verb, mando means 'I command' or 'I order'.
mando(verb)
I command
?I give an order
,I send
?I dispatch or transmit something
I order
?food or goods
📝 In Action
Yo mando un correo cada mañana.
A1I send an email every morning.
Cuando estoy en la cocina, yo mando.
A2When I am in the kitchen, I command (I call the shots).
💡 Grammar Points
Regular -AR Verb
'Mandar' follows the most common conjugation pattern in Spanish, making it easy to learn all its tenses once you know the -AR rules.
⭐ Usage Tips
Sending vs. Commanding
When 'mandar' means 'to send' (like an email or a package), it often uses the preposition 'a' to indicate the destination (Mando el paquete a Juan).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: mando
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'mando' in its meaning of 'device controller'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'mando' the same as 'control'?
They are related! 'Mando' means command or authority (El mando militar). When referring to the device you hold for a TV or game, 'mando' is a common and casual term, but 'control remoto' (remote control) is also correct, especially in some Latin American regions. 'Control' (by itself) usually means the abstract concept of supervision or power.