How to Say "to rule" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to rule” is “gobernar” — use 'gobernar' when referring to the act of a sovereign power or leader officially governing a country or political entity..
gobernar
/go-ber-NAR//ɡoβerˈnaɾ/
Examples
El presidente gobierna el país con mucha calma.
The president governs the country with a lot of calm.
Es difícil gobernar una empresa tan grande.
It is difficult to run such a large company.
Ella gobierna su casa con mano de hierro.
She rules her house with an iron fist.
The 'Boot' Change
This is a stem-changing verb. The 'e' in the middle changes to 'ie' in all forms EXCEPT 'nosotros' and 'vosotros' (the ones outside the 'boot' shape on a conjugation chart).
Using the 'Special' Form
When you say 'it is important that they govern,' you must use the special subjunctive form: 'Es importante que gobiernen'.
Forgetting the 'i'
Mistake: “Yo goberno el grupo.”
Correction: Yo gobierno el grupo. Because it is a stem-changer, the 'e' needs to expand into 'ie' when you stress that syllable.
mandar
/mahn-DAHR//manˈdaɾ/
Examples
Ella manda en su casa y nadie la contradice.
She rules (is in charge) in her house and no one contradicts her.
El dictador mandó el país por cuarenta años.
The dictator ruled the country for forty years.
Si quieres mandar, tienes que asumir la responsabilidad.
If you want to be in charge, you have to take responsibility.
The Reflexive Form: Mandarse
Using 'mandarse' (like 'se manda') often means 'to be sent' or, informally, can mean 'to dare/to be brave enough to do something,' especially in some regions.
Confusing Authority
Mistake: “Using 'mandar' when you mean 'to manage' or 'to administrate' (like a project).”
Correction: Use 'gestionar' or 'administrar' for management duties; reserve 'mandar' for direct authority or giving orders.
regir
/reh-HEER//reˈxiɾ/
Examples
El consejo rige los destinos de la empresa.
The council rules the company's destiny.
La Constitución rige la vida política del país.
The Constitution governs the political life of the country.
Es difícil regir una nación en tiempos de crisis.
It is difficult to govern a nation in times of crisis.
Spelling Change (G to J)
To keep the 'h' sound (like in 'hot'), the 'g' changes to a 'j' whenever the ending starts with 'a' or 'o' (like 'rijo' or 'rija').
Vowel Change (E to I)
The 'e' in the root changes to an 'i' in most forms, except for the 'we' (nosotros) and 'you all' (vosotros) forms in the present tense.
Using G instead of J
Mistake: “yo rigo”
Correction: yo rijo (The 'g' sound would be hard like 'go' otherwise; we need the 'j' sound).
decretar
/deh-creh-TAR//de.kɾe.ˈtaɾ/
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.
pauta
POW-tah/ˈpaw.ta/
Examples
El director pauta las tareas de cada empleado.
The director sets the guidelines for each employee's tasks.
El artesano pauta el cuero antes de cortarlo.
The craftsman marks lines on the leather before cutting it.
Action of 'Pauta'
The word 'pauta' is the form used for 'he/she/it sets guidelines' or 'you (formal) set guidelines'.
mola
/MOH-lah//ˈmola/
Examples
¡Tu coche nuevo mola un montón!
Your new car is so cool!
Me mola mucho este festival.
I really like this festival / This festival is great.
It works like 'Gustar'
Just like 'gustar,' the thing that is 'cool' is the subject. If you say 'Me mola el libro,' you are literally saying 'The book is cool to me.'
Using it for people you like
Mistake: “Using 'me molas' to mean you are in love.”
Correction: Use 'me gustas' for romantic interest. 'Me molas' usually just means you think that person is a 'cool' person to hang out with.
Governing vs. Being in Charge
Related Translations
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