send an email
in Spanishenviar un correo electrónico
/en-vee-AHR oon kor-RAY-oh eh-lek-TROH-nee-koh/
This is the most standard, universally understood way to say 'send an email.' It's the full, proper term and is appropriate in any context, from formal business to casual conversation.
Whether you 'enviar un correo electrónico' or 'mandar un email,' the goal is the same: getting your message on its way.
💬Other Ways to Say It
mandar un correo electrónico
/mahn-DAHR oon kor-RAY-oh eh-lek-TROH-nee-koh/
Using 'mandar' instead of 'enviar' is extremely common and often feels more natural in everyday speech. For all practical purposes, 'mandar' and 'enviar' are interchangeable when talking about sending things.
enviar/mandar un email
/en-vee-AHR / mahn-DAHR oon ee-MAIL/
This version uses the English word 'email,' which has been widely adopted into Spanish. It's incredibly common, especially in business, tech, and among younger people.
enviar/mandar un correo
/en-vee-AHR / mahn-DAHR oon kor-RAY-oh/
This is a common shortcut where 'electrónico' is dropped. The context makes it clear you're talking about an email and not physical mail ('correo' can also mean 'mail').
pasarme un correo/email
/pah-SAHR-meh oon kor-RAY-oh / ee-MAIL/
'Pasar' literally means 'to pass,' but it's used colloquially to mean 'send over' or 'forward.' It implies sending something you already have.
remitir un correo electrónico
/rreh-mee-TEER oon kor-RAY-oh eh-lek-TROH-nee-koh/
'Remitir' is a very formal verb meaning 'to send' or 'to remit.' It's typically reserved for legal, official, or highly formal business communications.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Here's a quick guide to choosing the best phrase for sending an email based on the situation.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| enviar un correo electrónico | Neutral | Any situation where you want to be perfectly clear and correct. | Never wrong, but can sound slightly stiff in very casual chats. |
| mandar un email | Informal/Neutral | Everyday work and personal conversations; it's the most common choice. | Very official or legal documents where the full Spanish term is preferred. |
| pasarme un correo | Informal | Asking a colleague or friend to forward or send you something. | Making a formal request to a superior or someone you don't know. |
| remitir un correo | Formal | Official documents, legal notices, and highly formal business writing. | Speaking. Using this in a casual conversation would sound very strange. |
📈Difficulty Level
The full phrase 'correo electrónico' has many syllables and can be a mouthful for beginners. The 'rr' in 'correo' can also be tricky.
The structure is a simple verb + noun. The main challenge is remembering the verbs 'enviar' and 'mandar' and how to use them with object pronouns (e.g., 'mándamelo').
There's some nuance in choosing between the formal 'correo electrónico' and the casual 'email', and knowing when to use the very formal 'remitir'.
Key Challenges:
- Pronouncing 'correo electrónico' smoothly.
- Deciding between 'enviar' and 'mandar'.
- Knowing when 'email' is more appropriate than 'correo electrónico'.
💡Examples in Action
Tengo que enviar un correo electrónico muy importante a mi jefe antes de las 5.
I have to send a very important email to my boss before 5.
¿Me puedes mandar un email con el enlace para la videollamada?
Can you send me an email with the link for the video call?
No te preocupes, te paso el correo con las fotos del viaje ahora mismo.
Don't worry, I'll send you the email with the trip photos right now.
Se solicita a todos los empleados remitir su informe de gastos a más tardar el viernes.
All employees are requested to send their expense reports by Friday at the latest.
🌍Cultural Context
'Email' vs. 'Correo Electrónico'
The English word 'email' is so common in the Spanish-speaking world that it's officially recognized by the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE). Using 'email' is perfectly normal and often preferred in tech and business settings, while 'correo electrónico' can sometimes sound a bit more formal or textbook-like.
Formality in Email Etiquette
While the action of 'sending an email' is straightforward, the content of Spanish emails, especially in business, tends to be more formal than in English. Expect to use formal greetings like 'Estimado/a Sr./Sra.' and closings like 'Atentamente' or 'Saludos cordiales' more often.
The Versatility of 'Mandar'
'Mandar' is a powerhouse verb in Spanish. It means 'to send,' but it can also mean 'to order' or 'to command' (like 'El jefe manda aquí' - 'The boss is in charge here'). Don't worry, in the context of emails or packages, it's always understood as 'to send.'
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'a mí' Redundantly
Mistake: "Can you send an email to me? -> '¿Puedes mandar un email a mí?'"
Correction: '¿Me puedes mandar un email?'
Confusing 'Correo' and 'Carta'
Mistake: "I'm going to send a letter. -> 'Voy a mandar un correo.'"
Correction: 'Voy a mandar una carta.'
English Pronunciation of 'Email'
Mistake: "Pronouncing 'email' exactly as in English."
Correction: Pronounce it as 'ee-MAIL'.
💡Pro Tips
Default to 'Mandar un Email'
When in doubt, 'mandar un email' is a safe, common, and natural-sounding choice for most everyday situations. It strikes a great balance between being clear and not sounding overly formal.
Shorten It In Conversation
Once the context of email is established, you don't need to repeat the full phrase. You can simply say 'Te lo mando' ('I'll send it to you') or 'Ya te lo envié' ('I already sent it to you').
Use 'Pasar' for Forwarding
To sound more like a native speaker in an office setting, use 'pasar' when asking someone to send you something they've already received. '¿Me pasas el reporte?' is a very common way to ask 'Can you send me the report?'
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
The use of 'mandar un email' is extremely widespread in both business and personal life. The vosotros form is used for plural informal commands: 'Mandadme el email' ('Send me the email,' speaking to friends).
Mexico
Both 'mandar' and 'enviar' are used with very high frequency, as are 'correo' and 'email'. The choice is often personal preference. It's very common to hear 'Te lo mando por correo' ('I'll send it to you by email').
Argentina
The use of 'mail' is arguably more common than 'email' here. The informal address is 'vos' instead of 'tú,' so you'd hear 'Mandame el mail' instead of 'Mándame el email'.
💬What Comes Next?
After you say you'll send an email
Gracias, quedo al pendiente.
Thanks, I'll be waiting for it.
Perfecto, te aviso en cuanto lo envíe.
Perfect, I'll let you know as soon as I send it.
After you ask someone to send you an email
Claro, te lo mando en un momento.
Sure, I'll send it to you in a moment.
¡Genial, muchas gracias!
Great, thank you very much!
Confirming receipt
Listo, ya te lo mandé. ¿Lo recibiste?
Done, I just sent it. Did you get it?
Sí, ya me llegó. ¡Gracias!
Yes, it just arrived. Thanks!
🔄How It Differs from English
The biggest difference from English is having two very common, interchangeable verbs ('enviar' and 'mandar') for 'to send.' English also doesn't have the formal/informal distinction between a native term ('correo electrónico') and a widely adopted loanword ('email'), as both are the same.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to say 'check your email' in Spanish
This is the logical next action after sending or receiving an email.
How to say 'I received your email' in Spanish
It's the natural way to confirm that the communication was successful.
How to say 'attach a file' in Spanish
This is a very common and necessary action when sending emails.
How to say 'What is your email address?' in Spanish
You need this phrase to know where to send the email in the first place.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: send an email
Question 1 of 3
You're in a very formal business setting, writing an official company-wide announcement. Which phrase is most appropriate?
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between 'enviar' and 'mandar'?
In the context of sending emails, packages, or messages, there is virtually no difference in meaning. 'Mandar' is often considered slightly more common in everyday speech, while 'enviar' is perfectly correct and can feel a touch more standard or neutral. You can use them interchangeably without any issue.
Is it okay to use the English word 'email' when speaking Spanish?
Absolutely! The word 'email' (often pronounced 'ee-MAIL') is extremely common and widely understood across the entire Spanish-speaking world. In many modern office and tech environments, it's used more frequently than the full Spanish term 'correo electrónico'.
How do I say 'to forward an email'?
The technical term is 'reenviar un correo'. However, in casual conversation, it's very common to use the phrase 'pasar un correo', which literally means 'to pass an email'. For example, '¿Me pasas el correo de Juan?' means 'Can you forward me Juan's email?'
If 'correo' means 'mail,' how do people know I mean email?
Context is everything. In today's world, if you're talking about messages in a work or digital setting, 'correo' is automatically understood to mean 'correo electrónico'. If you want to talk about physical mail, it's better to be specific and say 'carta' (letter) or 'paquete' (package).
Is there a short way to say 'email address'?
Yes, while the full term is 'dirección de correo electrónico,' everyone understands if you just say 'correo' or 'email'. For example, to ask for someone's address, you can simply say '¿Cuál es tu correo?' or '¿Me das tu email?'
Do I need to change the ending of 'electrónico'?
No, because it's describing the noun 'correo,' which is masculine. It will always be 'correo electrónico,' never 'correo electrónica.' It's a fixed phrase.
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