Inklingo

How to Say "to order" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to order” is “pedir” — use this when ordering food or drinks in a restaurant, bar, or when requesting something for delivery.

pedir🔊A1

Use this when ordering food or drinks in a restaurant, bar, or when requesting something for delivery.

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ordenar🔊A2

Use this for a formal decree or a direct instruction, often from an authority figure, or when ordering food/products in a more general sense than 'pedir'.

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encargar🔊B1

Use this when requesting something to be made, custom-ordered, or delivered, implying a specific task or creation.

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mandar🔊B1

Use this to give a direct command or instruction, often in a hierarchical or authoritative context, similar to 'to command'.

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decretar🔊B2

Use this for a formal, official decree or command issued by an authority, often with legal or governmental implications.

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recetar🔊A2

This word specifically means 'to prescribe' and is used when a doctor orders a medical treatment or remedy.

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English → Spanish

pedir

peh-deerpeˈðiɾ

verbA1informal
Use this when ordering food or drinks in a restaurant, bar, or when requesting something for delivery.
A server in a restaurant holding a notepad and pen, taking an order from a customer seated at a table who is pointing at a menu.

Examples

¿Qué vas a pedir?

What are you going to order?

Pedimos una pizza para cenar anoche.

We ordered a pizza for dinner last night.

Voy a pedir el pescado, por favor.

I'm going to order the fish, please.

ordenar

or-deh-NARor.ðeˈnaɾ

verbA2
Use this for a formal decree or a direct instruction, often from an authority figure, or when ordering food/products in a more general sense than 'pedir'.
A stern military officer standing tall, pointing a gloved hand forward with a determined expression, commanding attention.

Examples

El presidente ordenó una investigación inmediata.

The president ordered an immediate investigation.

La policía le ordenó detener el coche.

The police commanded him to stop the car.

¿Qué vas a ordenar para cenar?

What are you going to order for dinner?

Ordenamos la pizza por teléfono.

We ordered the pizza by phone.

Action on Others

When this verb means 'to command someone else to do something,' it often uses the special verb form (subjunctive): 'Ordenó que saliéramos' (He ordered that we leave).

Spain vs. Latin America

Mistake: “Using 'ordenar' for food in Spain.”

Correction: In Spain, 'pedir' is much more typical for ordering food ('Voy a pedir una cerveza'). Use 'ordenar' primarily in Latin American contexts for this meaning.

encargar

en-kar-GAReŋ.kaɾˈɣaɾ

verbB1
Use this when requesting something to be made, custom-ordered, or delivered, implying a specific task or creation.
A friendly baker in a white apron handing a freshly baked box of pastries to a waiting customer.

Examples

Encargué una pizza para la cena.

I ordered a pizza for dinner.

Le encargué el proyecto a María.

I put Mary in charge of the project.

Te encargo que compres leche al volver.

I'm asking you to buy milk on your way back.

Two different uses

You can 'encargar' an object (order something) OR 'encargar' a person (give someone a task). The structure changes: 'encargar algo' vs 'encargar a alguien'.

The que construction

When you want someone to do something, use 'encargar que + subjunctive': 'Te encargo que Llegues temprano' (I ask you to arrive early).

Reflexive form

'Encargarse de' means 'to take care of' or 'to handle': 'Yo me encargo de la cocina' (I'll take care of the kitchen).

Missing the preposition

Mistake: “Decir 'encargar algo' when giving a task to a person”

Correction: Use 'encargar algo a alguien': 'Le encargué el trabajo a Juan' (I assigned the work to Juan), not 'encargué Juan el trabajo'.

Wrong verb form after que

Mistake: “Using the infinitive after 'encargar que'”

Correction: Use the subjunctive: 'Te encargo que vengas' (I ask you to come), not 'te encargo venir'.

mandar

mahn-DAHRmanˈdaɾ

verbB1
Use this to give a direct command or instruction, often in a hierarchical or authoritative context, similar to 'to command'.
A cartoon figure wearing a simple uniform standing straight and pointing directly forward with one arm, symbolizing giving an order.

Examples

El capitán mandó a sus hombres que se retiraran.

The captain ordered his men to retreat.

Mi jefe me mandó terminar el informe antes de las cinco.

My boss ordered me to finish the report before five.

Mandaron construir un nuevo puente sobre el río.

They ordered the construction of a new bridge over the river.

The 'Que' Link

When you use 'mandar' to order someone else to do something, you usually connect the two parts of the sentence with 'que' and use the special form of the second verb (subjunctive): 'Mandó que saliéramos' (He ordered us to leave).

Using the wrong preposition

Mistake: “Using 'mandar de hacer algo' instead of 'mandar hacer algo' or 'mandar que...'”

Correction: Often, the structure is just 'mandar' + the action, or 'mandar a alguien que...' (to order someone that...).

decretar

deh-creh-TARde.kɾe.ˈtaɾ

verbB2formal
Use this for a formal, official decree or command issued by an authority, often with legal or governmental implications.
A king in royal robes sitting on a throne holding a rolled parchment with a wax seal.

Examples

El presidente decretó el estado de emergencia ayer.

The president decreed a state of emergency yesterday.

El juez decretó que el juicio se detuviera.

The judge ordered that the trial be stopped.

Es probable que el gobierno decrete nuevas leyes este mes.

It is likely that the government will decree new laws this month.

Using 'que' after 'decretar'

When an authority orders someone to do something using 'decretar que', the following verb must change into the 'wish/command' form (subjunctive). For example: 'Decretó que se hiciera' (He ordered that it be done).

The 'Passive Se' with Decretar

In news headlines, you will often see 'Se decretó...' which means 'It was decreed...' or 'They decreed...'. It is a common way to talk about the action without focusing on who did it.

Using it for casual decisions

Mistake: “Decreté ir al cine con mis amigos.”

Correction: Decidí ir al cine con mis amigos. Use 'decretar' for serious, official, or very firm declarations, not casual choices.

recetar

reh-seh-TAHRreθeˈtaɾ

verbA2
This word specifically means 'to prescribe' and is used when a doctor orders a medical treatment or remedy.
A doctor in a white coat handing a small bottle of medicine to a patient.

Examples

El doctor me recetó unas pastillas para la tos.

The doctor prescribed me some pills for my cough.

No debes tomar nada que no te haya recetado un profesional.

You shouldn't take anything that a professional hasn't prescribed for you.

El especialista le recetó reposo absoluto por dos semanas.

The specialist ordered absolute rest for him for two weeks.

Who receives the prescription?

Use 'me', 'te', 'le', etc., to show who the medicine is for. For example: 'El médico LE recetó medicina' (The doctor prescribed medicine TO HIM).

Medical advice vs. Command

When a doctor suggests what you should do using words like 'suggest' or 'recommend,' Spanish uses a special verb form (the subjunctive). Example: 'Es importante que el médico me RECETE algo' (It's important that the doctor prescribes me something).

Confusing 'to prescribe' with 'to receipt'

Mistake: “Voy a recetar el dinero.”

Correction: Voy a recibir el dinero (o pedir un recibo).

Pedir vs. Ordenar for Food

A common mistake is using 'ordenar' when 'pedir' is more natural for ordering food in a restaurant. While 'ordenar' can be used, 'pedir' is the go-to verb for casual food and drink requests in most Spanish-speaking contexts.

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