hacer recados
/aθeɾ ɾekados/from spelling rules
In Spanish, running errands is expressed as hacer recados.
The phrase refers to the act of going to several different places to complete small, necessary tasks such as shopping or paying bills.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb hacer (to do/make) and the noun recados (errands/messages).
Which one should you use?
You may encounter hacer mandados, which translates literally to 'do errands' and is widely used across different Spanish-speaking regions.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many parts of Latin America, particularly Mexico and Central America, hacer mandados is more commonly used than hacer recados.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the continuous action of 'running errands' right now, use the gerund form haciendo recados.
How do you pronounce it?
/aθeɾ ɾekados/
Did you know?
- While hacer recados is common, the word recado can also mean a traditional recipe or a spice paste used in Yucatecan cuisine to flavor meats.
- In Mexico and Central America, the word mandado can refer specifically to the groceries themselves, meaning a person might say they are yendo por los mandados to mean they are going to buy food.
- While recados now means 'errands', the word originally referred to a written message or a note sent from one person to another.
Examples in context
- ¿Podría tomarse un momento para realizar algunas diligencias para mí?Could you take a moment to run a few errands for me?
- Necesito que alguien me haga unos mandados.I need someone to run a few errands for me.
- Hoy tengo que hacer unos recados, ¿quieres acompañarme?I have some errands to run today, do you want to come along?
- Voy a salir a hacer mandados esta tarde.I'm going out to run errands this afternoon.
- Cuando vaya al centro comercial, puedo hacer algunas diligencias para ti.When I go to the mall, I can run some errands for you.
- Mañana tengo que hacer un par de recados. ¿Quieres acompañarme?Tomorrow I have to run a couple of errands. Do you want to come along?
- Tengo que salir a hacer unos recados.I have to go out to run some errands.
- Tengo que hacer recados esta tarde.I have to run errands this afternoon.
- ¿Quieres salir conmigo a hacer recados?Do you want to go out with me to run errands?
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are talking in their kitchen in the morning.
- Daniel¿Qué vas a hacer hoy, Lucía?What are you going to do today, Lucía?
- LucíaTengo que hacer recados por la ciudad.I have to run errands around the city.
- DanielYo también tengo que hacer recados.I also have to run errands.
- LucíaEntonces, podemos ir juntos.Then, we can go together.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
