mando
/ˈmando/Spain, masculine
The English word controller is translated into Spanish as mando. Wiktionary also lists control.
Meaning: video games: hardware device designed to allow the user to play video games (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| mando | /ˈmando/ | Spain, masculine |
| control | /konˈtɾol/ | Latin America, masculine |
In the context of video games, this refers to the hardware device designed to allow a user to play.
Which one should you use?
The term control is often used in Latin America to refer to gaming hardware, though it can also be used more generally to describe a device used for remote control, such as a TV remote. In contrast, mando is the common term used in Spain.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, mando is the standard term. In much of Latin America, control is commonly used for gaming hardware. In Mexico, mando is frequently used in both formal and informal contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both control and mando are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmando/
Did you know?
- In Spain, if you ask for a control in a non-gaming context, people might think you are referring to a police checkpoint or a security inspection.
- The word control was borrowed into Spanish from the French word contrôle, which itself evolved from a Medieval Latin term for a counter-roll or a duplicate record.
- The word mando comes from the verb mandar, which means 'to command' or 'to order'. This frames the act of gaming as giving orders to the characters on the screen.
Examples in context
- Conecta un controlador, por favor.Please connect a controller.This sentence is useful for requesting the connection of a control.Tatoeba #1258319 by marcelostockle, translation #666481 by qdii
- Un hardware RAID no es administrado directamente por el sistema operativo sino por una tarjeta especializada, llamada controlador RAID.Hardware RAID is not managed directly by the operating system but by a dedicated card, called a RAID controller.This sentence describes a specialized RAID control.Tatoeba #1270912 by marcelostockle, translation #1270286 by sysko
- Necesito un mando de control para mi consola de videojuegos.I need a controller for my video game console.
- El controlador de vuelo es una parte fundamental de la operación del avión.The flight controller is a fundamental part of the airplane's operation.
- El dispositivo de control del robot permite manipular sus movimientos con precisión.The robot's control device allows for precise manipulation of its movements.
- Pásame el mando para jugar a la videoconsola.Pass me the controller to play the video game console.
- No encuentro el control del televisor. ¿Lo viste?I can't find the TV controller. Did you see it?
- Se me ha estropeado el mando de la consola.The console controller has broken on me.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are in the living room playing video games.
- Javier¿Me prestas tu mando un momento?Will you lend me your controller for a moment?
- ElenaClaro, pero ten cuidado con él.Sure, but be careful with it.
- JavierNo te preocupes, lo usaré con cuidado.Don't worry, I will use it carefully.
- ElenaVale, disfruta de la partida.Okay, enjoy the game.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “controller” translations and entries mando, control, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries control, mando, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
