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"Mandar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to order", and "pedir" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to ask for". Learn more about the difference between "mandar" and "pedir" below.
mandar(
mahn
-
dahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
3. (to lead)
a. to be in command of
Durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial, mi abuelo mandaba el cuerpo de paracaidistas.During World War II, my grandfather was in command of the parachute corps.
b. to be in charge of
¿Quién manda el coro de niños que cantó en el festival?Who is in charge of the children's choir that sang at the festival?
a. to send
Mi mamá me mandó a la panadería a comprar una barra de pan.My mom sent me to the bakery to buy a loaf of bread.
b. to send for
La abuela me mandó a venir a pasar la tarde con ella.Grandma sent for me to come and spend the afternoon with her.
a. to prescribe
El médico le mandó una pastilla para su dolor de cabeza.The doctor prescribed a pill for his headache.
6. (sports)
7. (to hurl) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. to throw
Mandó su anillo de bodas al mar después de divorciarse.She threw her wedding ring into the sea after getting divorced.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
8. (to lead)
a. to be in command
Él manda hasta que el capitán lo releve.He is in command until he is relieved by the Captain.
b. to be in charge
El gerente manda en el departamento de ventas de la compañía.The manager is in charge of the sales department of the company.
mandarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
9. (to concoct) (South America)
Regionalism used in South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela
a. to come out with
Mi hermano siempre se manda cada excusa para no hacer los deberes.My brother always comes out with great excuses to not do his homework.
10. (to finish off) (Caribbean) (River Plate)
Regionalism used in the Caribbean: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico
a. to polish off (food)
Se empachó después de haberse mandado toda la torta.He got an upset stomach after polishing off the whole cake.
b. to knock back (drink)
La salsa estaba tan picosa que se mandó toda la jarra de cerveza.The salsa was so hot that he knocked back the whole pitcher of beer.
11. (colloquial) (to abuse; often used with "con") (Mexico)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Mexico
a. to take advantage
Ese primo tuyo se manda con nosotros.That cousin of yours takes advantage of us.
12. (used to tell someone to do something) (South America)
Regionalism used in South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Mándese sentar.Please sit down.
Dile que se mande cambiar.Tell him to clear off.
a. to get around by oneself
No se manda desde que se rompió la pierna.He can't get around by himself since he broke his leg.
pedir(
peh
-
deer
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to solicit)
b. to ask
No necesitas pedir permiso para ir al baño.You don't have to ask permission to go to the bathroom.
c. to request
Si tienes más de 1,000 puntos, puedes pedir un regalo.If you have more than 1,000 points, you can request a gift.
a. to beg
Había muchos indigentes pidiendo dinero en el metro.There were lots of homeless people begging for money in the metro.
4. (commerce)
b. to ask for (a price)
Están pidiendo $300 por taquilla para el concierto.They're asking $300 per ticket for the concert.
5. (to command)
b. to request
Los clientes pueden pedir en todo momento un libro de reclamaciones.Customers may request a complaints book at any time.
6. (to require)
a. to need
Esta posición pide un mínimo de cinco años de experiencia.This position needs a minimum of five years of work experience.
b. to cry out for
Este cachorro pide atención constantemente.This puppy is constantly crying out for attention.
8. (legal)
a. to ask for
El acusado le pidió al juez una sentencia más corta.The defendant asked the judge for a shorter sentence.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to order
¿Me da un minuto, por favor? Aún no sé lo que voy a pedir.Would you give me another minute, please? I still don't know what I'm going to order.
10. (religious)
a. to pray
Mi abuela siempre pedía por cada uno de sus nietos.My grandmother used to pray for each and every one of her grandchildren.
pedirse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
11. (to claim)
a. to call dibs on (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
¡Me pido el asiento delantero!I call dibs on the front seat!
b. to bag (colloquial) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Alguien ya se había pedido la mesa de la ventana.Someone had already bagged the table by the window.
a. to order oneself
Voy a pedirme un café. ¿Quieres algo?I'm going to order myself a coffee. Do you want something?
