mando a distancia
/mando a distanθja/from spelling rules
The English phrase "tv remote" is translated into Spanish as mando a distancia.
This phrase refers to a handheld device used to control a television from a distance.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of mando (command/control) and a distancia (at a distance).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many parts of Latin America, control remoto is more commonly used than mando a distancia. In Spain, it is very common to colloquially shorten the phrase to just el mando.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, only the noun mando is changed to mandos.
How do you pronounce it?
/mando a distanθja/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking households, el mando is treated as a symbol of power, and the person holding it is jokingly said to have el mando of the house.
- While mando refers to the remote in Spain, in a military context it refers to the actual person in charge or the headquarters of a unit.
- The word mando is derived from the verb mandar, which means 'to order' or 'to command'. Using it for a remote implies the user is giving an order to the machine.
Examples in context
- ¡Devuélveme el mando a distancia!Give me back the TV remote.This sentence is useful for demanding the return of the mando a distancia.Tatoeba #3209163 by Shishir, translation #1127914 by CK
- El mando a distancia de la televisión está debajo del sofá.The TV remote control is under the couch.This sentence is useful for describing the location of the mando a distancia.Tatoeba #1068420 by Shishir, translation #496550 by Swift
- Hay un mando a distancia debajo del sofá.There is a TV remote control under the couch.This sentence is useful for stating that there is a mando a distancia under the couch.Tatoeba #862864 by Nune, translation #39223 by Swift
- ¿Dónde está el control?Where is the remote?
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are sitting in the living room.
- LucíaDaniel, ¿puedes buscar el mando a distancia?Daniel, can you look for the tv remote?
- DanielNo lo encuentro por ninguna parte.I can't find it anywhere.
- LucíaMira si está sobre la mesa.Look if it is on the table.
- DanielAh, aquí está. Lo tenía en la mano.Ah, here it is. I had it in my hand.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry mando a distancia, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, distancia, mando, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
