Un mandato puede ser tan simple como “Camina más rápido”.

A command can be as simple as “Walk faster.”

Breakdown of Un mandato puede ser tan simple como “Camina más rápido”.

• ser: to be
• más: more
• el mandato: the command
• poder: to be able
• simple: simple
• como: as
• Camina: Walk
• rápido: fast

Questions & Answers about Un mandato puede ser tan simple como “Camina más rápido”.

Why is camina used instead of caminar?

When giving a direct command in Spanish (specifically in the informal “tú” form), you use the imperative form. The base verb is caminar, but in the command form for “tú,” it becomes camina. This signals that you are telling someone directly to do something.

Is there a difference between camina más rápido and something like camine más rápido?

Yes. Camina más rápido is for informal situations (using the “tú” form), while camine más rápido is for formal situations (using the “usted” form). The form depends on whether you’re speaking to a friend, family member, or someone you would address more politely.

Could I say camina más rápidamente instead of camina más rápido?

Yes, rápidamente is a valid adverb, but in everyday speech, rápido often functions as both an adjective and an adverb. It’s very common and more natural in many contexts to just say más rápido instead of más rápidamente.

What does mandato mean in this sentence?

A mandato refers to a command or an imperative statement. In Spanish, it’s the direct way of telling someone to do something. In the provided sentence, it’s explaining that a command (mandato) can be something as simple as Camina más rápido.