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How to Say "precept" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “precept” is “mandamiento” — use 'mandamiento' when referring to a formal, often religious or legal, rule or commandment that guides behavior, like the Ten Commandments..

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mandamiento

/man-dah-myehn-toh//mandaˈmjento/

nounB1general
Use 'mandamiento' when referring to a formal, often religious or legal, rule or commandment that guides behavior, like the Ten Commandments.
A stone tablet with hand-carved horizontal lines resting on a mountain top under a bright light.

Examples

Los diez mandamientos son la base de la ley moral.

The ten commandments are the basis of moral law.

Moisés bajó del monte con los diez mandamientos.

Moses came down from the mountain with the ten commandments.

Amar al prójimo es un mandamiento fundamental.

To love one's neighbor is a fundamental commandment.

En su casa, la limpieza era casi un mandamiento.

In her house, cleanliness was almost a commandment (a strict rule).

The '-miento' suffix

The ending '-miento' is very common in Spanish to turn a verb into a naming word (a noun). It usually describes the result of an action. For example, 'mandar' (to command) becomes 'mandamiento' (the command itself).

Confusing 'mando' and 'mandamiento'

Mistake: “Usar el mandamiento de la televisión.”

Correction: Usar el mando a distancia.

máxima

nounC1general
Choose 'máxima' for a personal guiding principle, a wise saying, or a philosophical rule that an individual lives by.

Examples

Su máxima era la honestidad ante todo.

His guiding principle was honesty above all.

Mandamiento vs. Máxima

Learners often confuse 'mandamiento' and 'máxima' because both are rules. Remember that 'mandamiento' is typically a more formal, external decree (like religious commandments), while 'máxima' is a personal, internal guiding principle or life philosophy.

Related Translations

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