Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Command in Spanish: Orden, Comando & Mandato
Orden · noun (feminine) · OR-dehn
The Spanish word for command depends on the context. 'Orden' is the most versatile, meaning an order or instruction given by an authority. 'Comando' is used in military operations and computer programming. 'Mandato' carries a more formal or legal tone, referring to an official mandate.
Say OR-dehn, stressing the first syllable. For 'comando,' say koh-MAHN-doh, and for 'mandato,' say mahn-DAH-toh.
El capitán dio la orden de avanzar.
The captain gave the command to advance.
Command in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for command, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| orden | command | OR-dehn | Default, widely understood |
| comando | command | used in military and computing contexts | |
| mandato | command | formal or legal usage |
How Native Speakers Use Orden
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Military context
Los soldados obedecieron la orden sin cuestionar.
The soldiers obeyed the command without questioning.
Describing military discipline.
Computing
Escribe el comando en la terminal para ejecutar el programa.
Type the command in the terminal to run the program.
Giving instructions about using software.
Parenting
Mi madre dio la orden de limpiar nuestras habitaciones.
My mother gave the command to clean our rooms.
A parent instructing children.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Orden
Gender confusion with orden
Incorrect: El orden fue clara.
Correct: La orden fue clara.
When 'orden' means a command or instruction, it is feminine (la orden). When it means order as in sequence or tidiness, it is masculine (el orden).
Using comando for everyday orders
Incorrect: El profesor dio un comando a los estudiantes.
Correct: El profesor dio una orden a los estudiantes.
'Comando' is reserved for military or technical contexts. For everyday instructions, 'orden' is the appropriate word.
Lock in Command Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Orden used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using orden in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El capitán dio la orden de avanzar. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Command in Spanish
- When is orden masculine vs. feminine?
- As a feminine noun (la orden), it means a command or instruction, while as a masculine noun (el orden), it refers to the arrangement, sequence, or tidiness of things.
- Can mandato be used in everyday conversation?
- 'Mandato' is quite formal and is typically reserved for legal, political, or religious contexts, such as a presidential mandate or a divine commandment.
- How do you say command in a computing context?
- In computing, 'comando' is the standard term used for keyboard shortcuts, terminal commands, and programming instructions throughout the Spanish-speaking tech world.