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"Mandar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to order", and "decir" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to say". Learn more about the difference between "mandar" and "decir" 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.
decir(
deh
-
seer
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to speak)
a. to say
¿Qué dices de la nueva ley de transporte?What do you say about the new law on transportation?
c. to believe
¿Quién hubiera dicho que Juliana y Gustavo acabarían juntos?Who would have believed that Juliana and Gustavo would end up together?
5. (to narrate)
a. to recite
Ahora voy a decir un poema nuevo que escribí sobre el amor perdido.Now I will recite a poem I wrote about lost love.
6. (to signify)
a. to tell
El que no le interese planear la boda me dice que Jorge no está listo para casarse.The fact that he's not interested in planning the wedding tells me Jorge's not ready to get married.
8. (religious)
a. to go ahead
¿Le puedo pedir un favor? - ¡Claro! Dime, ¿en qué lo puedo ayudar?Can I ask a favor of you? - Of course! Go ahead, how can I help you?
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
11. (proverb)
a. saying
"De tal palo, tal astilla" es un decir popular."Like father, like son" is a popular saying.
a. manner of speaking
¡No te enfades, mujer! Es solo un decir.Come on, don't get annoyed! It's just a manner of speaking.
decirse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
a. to tell oneself
Me dije que no volvería a empezar a fumar.I told myself that I wouldn't start smoking again.
b. to say to oneself
Me dije a mí misma, esto no parece estar bien.I said to myself, this doesn't feel right.
c. to think to oneself
Me sigo diciendo, ¿qué hubiera pasado si hubiera aceptado ese trabajo?I keep thinking to myself, what would have happened had I taken that job?
