El mandato informal se usa con amigos, mientras que el formal es para situaciones serias.

to be

Breakdown of El mandato informal se usa con amigos, mientras que el formal es para situaciones serias.

• usar: to use
• con: with
• el amigo: the friend
• para: for
• informal: informal
• el mandato: the command
• mientras que: while
• el formal: the formal one
• la situación: the situation
• serio: serious

Questions & Answers about El mandato informal se usa con amigos, mientras que el formal es para situaciones serias.

Why is se used in se usa?

This is the impersonal or passive se. In Spanish, it can be used to indicate that something “is used” in general, without specifying who is doing the action. In other words, se usa can mean “one uses” or “it is used.”

What is the difference between mandato informal and mandato formal?

The mandato informal is used when addressing friends, relatives, or people you’re on a first-name basis with (using tú). The mandato formal is used with strangers, superiors, or in serious or professional contexts (using usted).

Why does the sentence use mientras que instead of just mientras?

Although mientras can mean “while,” mientras que often conveys a stronger contrast, similar to saying “whereas” in English. It emphasizes the difference between two ideas or actions.

Why do we say para situaciones serias and not something else?

The preposition para in this context indicates the purpose or specific use of the formal command. It answers the question “for what?”—these commands are used for serious or formal situations.

Is mandato informal the same as imperativo informal?

Yes, you’ll also hear imperativo informal. In practical terms, mandato and imperativo can both refer to giving a command in Spanish. The term mandato is a bit more colloquial, while imperativo is more technical.