What does it mean word for word?
The word mándame is a combination of the imperative verb manda (send) and the indirect object pronoun me (to me).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The request can be adjusted depending on the level of politeness required. For informal situations, you can use mándame fotos, por favor, Por favor, envíame fotos or ¿Puedes enviarme fotos, por favor? For formal or professional contexts, or when speaking to someone you do not know well, use Por favor, envíeme fotos, ¿Podría enviarme fotos, por favor? or use the verb envíeme instead of mándame to increase politeness.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are referring to a specific set of photos that have already been discussed, it is very common to add the definite article las before fotos, as in mándame las fotos. Additionally, if you only want a single image, you change the plural fotos to the singular una foto, resulting in mándame una foto.
Did you know?
- The root of mándame comes from the Latin mandare, which is also the ancestor of the English word 'mandate'.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, you might hear people ask to 'mándame un WhatsApp' instead of asking for 'fotos', as the app name has become a verb for sending any kind of digital content.
- The verb mandar is so closely tied to authority that saying yo mando is a common way to assert that 'I am the boss'.
Examples in context
- Mándame fotos de tu viaje.Send me photos of your trip.
- Si vas a la fiesta, mándame fotos.If you go to the party, send me photos.
- Mándame fotos de la comida, por favor.Send me photos of the food, please.
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are talking on the phone while Mateo is at a concert.
- Elena¿Cómo es el concierto?How is the concert?
- MateoEs increíble, hay mucha gente.It is incredible, there are many people.
- Elena¡Qué bien! Mándame fotos para ver la banda.That's great! Send me photos to see the band.
- MateoVale, te las mando ahora mismo.Okay, I'll send them to you right now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
