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How to Say "to dispatch" in Spanish

English → Spanish

enviar

en-byaremˈbjaɾ

verbA1/B1general
Use 'enviar' when you are sending a package, an official communication like a report or email, or sending a person on a specific mission.
A colorful storybook illustration of a human hand gently tossing a small brown sealed box through the air, symbolizing the act of sending an item.

Examples

Necesito enviar este informe antes de las cinco de la tarde.

I need to send this report before five in the afternoon.

¿Me puedes enviar la ubicación por WhatsApp?

Can you send me the location via WhatsApp?

El presidente envió un mensaje de paz a la nación.

The president sent a message of peace to the nation.

La compañía envió a su mejor abogado a la corte de Nueva York.

The company dispatched (sent) its best lawyer to the New York court.

Irregular Stress Shift

This verb is special because in the present tense forms except 'nosotros' and 'vosotros', the stress shifts onto the 'i' (envío, envías), requiring an accent mark. This makes it sound like three syllables instead of two.

Using Pronoun Helpers

When you send something to someone, you use an indirect object pronoun (me, te, le, nos, os, les) right before the verb: 'Le envío el libro' (I send the book to him/her).

mandar

mahn-DAHRmanˈdaɾ

verbA1general/formal
Use 'mandar' for most general situations of sending something, especially in a formal or official capacity, like an email or a letter.
A cartoon hand dropping a sealed brown package into a bright red mailbox.

Examples

Te voy a mandar un correo electrónico con los detalles.

I am going to send you an email with the details.

¿Puedes mandar este paquete por correo urgente?

Can you send this package by urgent mail?

Nos mandaron a casa temprano porque llovía.

They sent us home early because it was raining.

Direct/Indirect Objects

When you send something (direct object) to someone (indirect object), 'mandar' works just like 'to give': 'Le mandé el libro' (I sent the book to him/her).

Using 'Enviar' vs 'Mandar'

Mistake: “Using 'mandar' exclusively when 'enviar' might sound more official or technical (like sending a signal or a formal document).”

Correction: Both are interchangeable for emails or packages, but 'enviar' is sometimes preferred for purely electronic/technical sending.

despachar

des-pah-CHARdespaˈt͡ʃaɾ

verbB1commerce/service
Use 'despachar' specifically when referring to a shop assistant serving a customer, or sending out goods or mail from a business.
A shopkeeper handing a brown paper bag to a customer across a wooden counter.

Examples

La dependienta está despachando al último cliente.

The shop assistant is serving the last customer.

Necesitamos despachar estos paquetes antes de las cinco.

We need to dispatch these packages before five o'clock.

En esta farmacia despachan medicamentos con receta.

In this pharmacy, they sell/dispense prescription medications.

When to use Despachar vs. Atender

Use 'despachar' specifically when someone is fulfilling a request or selling something across a counter. Use 'atender' for general customer service or help.

Don't confuse with 'office'

Mistake: “Voy al despachar.”

Correction: Voy al despacho. (Despacho is the noun for office; despachar is the action of working or serving.)

General Sending vs. Serving

Learners often confuse 'enviar'/'mandar' with 'despachar'. Remember that 'enviar' and 'mandar' are for sending items or people from one place to another, while 'despachar' is typically used in the context of a business serving a customer or sending out products.

Related Translations

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