¿Mande?
Mexico, polite
In Mexico the polite way to say "what?" when you did not hear something is ¿Mande? Elsewhere ¿Cómo? is standard and ¿Eh? is the casual version.
Meaning: asking someone to repeat (interjection)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| ¿Mande? | Mexico, polite |
| ¿Eh? | casual |
| ¿Cómo? | common |
¿Mande? is a courteous reply when someone calls your name or says something you missed. ¿Cómo? asks for repetition.
Which one should you use?
¿Eh? is quick and informal and may sound rude with elders. Saying ¿Qué? can also seem abrupt in some places.
Is it said differently in some regions?
¿Mande? is very Mexican. Visitors may hear it often from shop staff and family.
Did you know?
- Mande comes from mandar and literally means "command me".
Examples in context
- ¿Mande? No te escuché.Pardon? I did not hear you.
- ¿Cómo? Repítelo, por favor.What? Please repeat it.
- ¿Eh? Qué dijiste?Huh? What did you say?
Example conversation
Rita calls her grandmother in a kitchen in Mexico City.
- RitaAbuela, ¿ya comiste?Grandma, have you eaten?
- Abuela¿Mande, mi niña?Pardon, dear?
- RitaQue si ya comiste.I asked if you already ate.
