Inklingo

How to Say "orders" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “orders” is “pide” — use 'pide' when someone is ordering food or drinks, especially in a restaurant or cafe setting..

pide🔊A2

Use 'pide' when someone is ordering food or drinks, especially in a restaurant or cafe setting.

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órdenes🔊A2

Use 'órdenes' when referring to commands or instructions given by an authority, or for requests for goods or services, especially in a business context.

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encarga🔊A2

Use 'encarga' when someone is requesting a product or service to be prepared or delivered, like ordering a custom item.

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ordena🔊B1

Use 'ordena' when someone in a position of authority is directing someone else to do something.

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instrucciones🔊B1

Use 'instrucciones' to refer to specific directions or mandates given by an authority figure.

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manda🔊A1

Use 'manda' (third-person singular of 'mandar') to indicate that someone is sending something, often emails or messages, which can imply giving an order.

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English → Spanish

pide

PEE-deh/ˈpi.ðe/

VerbA2Informal, General
Use 'pide' when someone is ordering food or drinks, especially in a restaurant or cafe setting.
A customer sitting at a table pointing decisively at a menu while a waiter stands ready with a notepad, symbolizing ordering food.

Examples

Ella siempre pide el café con leche y azúcar.

She always orders coffee with milk and sugar.

El camarero espera mientras usted pide.

The waiter waits while you (formal) order.

¿Qué pide tu hermano en este restaurante?

What does your brother order at this restaurant?

Ordering vs. Paying

Remember that 'pide' is used for placing the order. When you are ready to pay, you 'pide la cuenta' (ask for the bill).

NounA2General, Formal
Use 'órdenes' when referring to commands or instructions given by an authority, or for requests for goods or services, especially in a business context.

Examples

Los soldados siguieron las órdenes sin dudar.

The soldiers followed the orders without hesitation.

encarga

/en-KAR-gah//enˈkaɾ.ɡa/

VerbA2General
Use 'encarga' when someone is requesting a product or service to be prepared or delivered, like ordering a custom item.
A person handing a small handwritten list to a baker behind a counter with fresh bread.

Examples

Él encarga una tarta para la fiesta.

He orders a cake for the party.

La jefa le encarga el informe a Juan.

The boss entrusts the report to Juan.

Ella se encarga de organizar el viaje.

She is in charge of organizing the trip.

What does 'encarga' specifically mean?

This specific form 'encarga' is used for 'he', 'she', 'it', or 'you (formal)' in the present. It is also the command form you use with friends (tú).

Using it with 'Se'

When you see 'se encarga', it means the person is taking responsibility for something, like 'she is handling it'.

Don't forget the 'de'

Mistake: “Él se encarga el proyecto.”

Correction: Él se encarga DE el proyecto (del proyecto). Always use 'de' when saying someone is in charge of something.

NounB1General, Business
Use 'órdenes' when referring to requests for goods or services, especially in a business or transactional context.

Examples

El restaurante está procesando muchas órdenes esta noche.

The restaurant is processing a lot of orders tonight.

ordena

/or-DEH-nah//orˈdena/

VerbB1Formal, Official
Use 'ordena' when someone in a position of authority is directing someone else to do something.
A royal figure in a crown pointing forward with a firm gesture.

Examples

El juez ordena silencio en la sala.

The judge orders silence in the courtroom.

La ley ordena que todos paguen impuestos.

The law mandates that everyone pays taxes.

Triggering a change

When you use 'ordena que' (orders that), the verb that follows must change its form to show it's a command: 'Ordena que vengas' (He orders that you come).

instrucciones

/eens-trook-SYOH-ness//instɾukˈθjones/

NounB1Formal, Official
Use 'instrucciones' to refer to specific directions or mandates given by an authority figure.
A simple illustration of a figure dressed as a ship captain pointing decisively forward, giving a clear command to a crew member.

Examples

El abogado recibió instrucciones del juez.

The lawyer received orders from the judge.

Estamos esperando las instrucciones del cuartel general.

We are waiting for the directives from headquarters.

manda

/MAN-dah//ˈman.da/

VerbA1General, Informal
Use 'manda' (third-person singular of 'mandar') to indicate that someone is sending something, often emails or messages, which can imply giving an order.
A simplified illustration of a boss figure standing on a mound, pointing decisively with a serious expression, commanding a smaller worker figure below who is immediately beginning a task.

Examples

Mi jefe siempre manda correos a medianoche.

My boss always sends emails at midnight.

Ella manda en su casa, no su esposo.

She is in charge of her house, not her husband.

Dile a Ricardo que manda el paquete hoy mismo.

Tell Ricardo to send the package today.

The Informal Command

The 'tú' command form (telling a friend what to do) for almost all regular -ar verbs is the same as the 'él/ella/usted' present tense form. So, 'manda' means both 'he/she orders' AND 'Order! (tú form).'

Confusing 'Manda' (Command) and 'Mande' (Formal Command)

Mistake: “Using 'Manda' when speaking formally to a boss or elder.”

Correction: Use 'Mande' (from the Usted form) when giving a formal instruction: 'Mande usted el documento' (Send the document, formal).

Verb vs. Noun 'Orders'

Learners often confuse the Spanish verbs 'pide'/'encarga' (requesting/ordering goods) with the noun 'órdenes' (commands/instructions). Remember that 'órdenes' is a noun and refers to the commands themselves, while 'pide' and 'encarga' are verbs describing the action of ordering.

Related Translations

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