Inklingo

How to Say "mandate" in Spanish

English → Spanish

mandato

man-DA-tohmanˈda.to

nounB2formal
Use 'mandato' when referring to the official term or authority granted to a political leader, like a president or mayor, by voters.
A mayor wearing a ceremonial sash standing proudly in front of a city hall building.

Examples

El presidente cumplió su mandato con un índice de aprobación del 60%.

The president completed his mandate with a 60% approval rating.

El presidente terminó su mandato de cuatro años.

The president finished his four-year term.

El pueblo le dio un mandato claro para bajar los impuestos.

The people gave him a clear mandate to lower taxes.

Durante su segundo mandato, la economía mejoró.

During her second term, the economy improved.

Time Expression

When talking about time, 'mandato' describes the entire duration of a leader's power, not just a single day.

Using 'término' for political terms

Mistake:Saying 'su término presidencial'.

Correction: Say 'su mandato presidencial'. In Spanish, 'término' usually means the end of something, not the duration.

poderes

po-DEH-respoˈðeɾes

nounC1formal
Use 'poderes' when referring to official powers, authority, or legal documents that grant someone the right to act on behalf of another, such as power of attorney.
A rolled-up legal scroll tied with a ribbon and bearing a large red wax seal, symbolizing legal authorization.

Examples

Para vender la casa, necesitarás poderes notariales de tu abuela.

To sell the house, you will need notarized powers of attorney from your grandmother.

Necesitamos los poderes notariales para completar la venta de la propiedad.

We need the notarized power of attorney to complete the sale of the property.

El abogado presentó sus poderes ante el juez.

The lawyer presented his credentials (or authorization) before the judge.

Legal Phrase

When used in a legal context, 'poderes' often appears with adjectives like 'notariales' (notarized) or 'legales' (legal) to specify the type of official authorization.

Mandato vs. Poderes

Learners often confuse 'mandato' and 'poderes' because both relate to authority. Remember that 'mandato' specifically refers to a political term or mandate from voters, while 'poderes' is broader, encompassing official instructions and legal authority like power of attorney.

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