Inklingo

How to Say "they sent" in Spanish

English → Spanish

enviaron

en-vee-AH-rohn/emˈbja.ɾon/

Verb (Conjugated Form)A1General
Use 'enviaron' when referring to the act of sending something, especially items, messages, or money, as a completed action in the past.
A high quality storybook illustration showing two small, friendly figures standing side-by-side. They are watching a large, colorful, sealed envelope flying away from them into the distance, illustrating the action of sending something.

Examples

Ellos enviaron la carta ayer.

They sent the letter yesterday.

Mis padres me enviaron dinero para el viaje.

My parents sent me money for the trip.

Ellos enviaron los documentos antes de la fecha límite.

They sent the documents before the deadline.

Ustedes enviaron la confirmación, ¿verdad?

You all sent the confirmation, right?

The Simple Past (Preterite)

This form, 'enviaron,' is used for actions that started and finished completely at a specific point in the past, like 'yesterday' or 'last week.' It focuses on the result.

Who Did the Action?

The '-aron' ending always tells you that the action was done by 'ellos' (they, masculine/mixed), 'ellas' (they, feminine), or 'ustedes' (you all, formal).

Mixing Past Tenses

Mistake: “Using 'enviaban' (imperfect) when referring to a single, completed action: 'Ayer ellos enviaban un email.'”

Correction: Use 'enviaron' (preterite) for single, finished events: 'Ayer ellos enviaron un email.' (Yesterday they sent an email.)

mandaron

/mahn-DAH-rohn//manˈdaɾon/

VerbA1General
Use 'mandaron' when 'they sent' implies giving an order or instruction, or when sending people or specific types of messages.
A group of people standing next to a stack of sealed cardboard boxes with shipping labels on them.

Examples

El jefe mandó a sus empleados a la reunión.

The boss sent his employees to the meeting.

Ellos me mandaron un regalo por mi cumpleaños.

They sent me a gift for my birthday.

¿Ustedes mandaron el correo electrónico ayer?

Did you all send the email yesterday?

When to use 'mandaron'

This is a specific version of the verb 'mandar' used for things that happened in the past. Use it when talking about 'they' or 'you all' (formal) doing the action once.

Don't confuse with present tense

Mistake: “Using 'mandaron' to say 'they send' right now.”

Correction: Use 'mandan' for right now, and 'mandaron' for things that already happened.

Enviaron vs. Mandaron

Learners often confuse 'enviaron' and 'mandaron' because both can mean 'they sent'. Remember that 'enviaron' is more general for sending things or messages, while 'mandaron' often implies an order or dispatch, especially concerning people.

Related Translations

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