mandé
/man-DEH/
Yes?
When someone calls your name, you might reply, 'Mandé?' (Yes?).
mandé(Interjection)
Yes?
?Polite response when someone calls your name
,Pardon?
?Asking someone to repeat what they said
What is it?
?Asking what the caller wants
📝 In Action
—¡Carlos! —¡Mandé!
A1—Carlos! —Yes? / What is it?
No te oí bien, ¿mandé?
A2I didn't hear you well, pardon?
💡 Grammar Points
A Polite Alternative
In many regions (especially Mexico), using '¿Qué?' when someone calls you can sound abrupt or rude. 'Mandé' is the polite, respectful way to acknowledge the call.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using '¿Qué?' instead of '¿Mandé?'
Mistake: "Using '¿Qué?' when an elder calls you."
Correction: Use '¿Mandé?' when speaking to someone you should show respect to (like a teacher, parent, or boss). It shows you are paying attention.
⭐ Usage Tips
Regional Use
This usage is typical in Mexico and Central America. In Spain, you would more commonly use '¿Dime?' or '¿Sí?'
"Mandé" means "I sent," often used for dispatching mail or packages.
📝 In Action
Mandé el paquete ayer por la mañana.
A2I sent the package yesterday morning.
Yo mandé la solicitud a la universidad.
A2I sent the application to the university.
💡 Grammar Points
Preterite Tense
'Mandé' is the simple past (preterite) form for 'I'. It describes a single, completed action in the past, like 'I sent it yesterday'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Preterite and Imperfect
Mistake: "Using 'mandaba' (imperfect) when referring to a single, finished action."
Correction: Use 'mandé' for a specific past event ('I sent the email'). Use 'mandaba' for habitual or ongoing past actions ('I used to send letters').
Use "Mandé" when you need to say "I commanded" or "I ordered."
📝 In Action
Yo mandé que todos regresaran a sus puestos.
B2I commanded that everyone return to their posts.
En ese momento, yo mandé en toda la oficina.
B1At that moment, I was in charge of the whole office.
💡 Grammar Points
Influence and Change
When 'mandar' means 'to command' and is followed by another person doing the action, it usually requires the special verb form (subjunctive): 'Mandé que viniera' (I commanded that he come).
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Contexts
Use this meaning primarily in military, historical, or high-level organizational contexts, or when talking about who is 'the boss'.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: mandé
Question 1 of 2
Which of these situations would most likely use '¡Mandé!' in Mexico?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'mandé' mean two different things: 'I sent' and 'Yes?'
The core word 'mandar' means 'to send' or 'to command.' 'Mandé' is the past tense form 'I sent/commanded.' However, in Mexico, this exact word form evolved into a stand-alone, polite interjection (like saying 'I heard your command/call') which now simply means 'Yes?' or 'Pardon?'
Is it okay to use 'mandé' outside of Mexico?
Yes, but be aware of the context. In most of Latin America and Spain, if you use 'mandé,' people will understand you mean 'I sent' or 'I commanded.' The interjection meaning ('Yes?') is primarily regional to Mexico and Central America.