mandatario
Lemma Details
Translation: president; head of state; ruler; leader; mandatory; agent; representative
Part of Speech: noun
Etymology: From Latin 'mandatarius', derived from 'mandatum' meaning 'command' or 'order'. The word shares roots with English 'mandate' and 'mandatory'. In Spanish political contexts, it evolved to specifically refer to a head of state or president, while retaining its original meaning of someone who carries out a mandate or acts as a representative in legal contexts.
Commonality: 60%
Guessability: 70%
Register: formal
Example Usage
El mandatario firmó el tratado de paz.
The president signed the peace treaty.
Los mandatarios de varios países se reunieron en la cumbre.
The heads of state of several countries met at the summit.
Como mandatario legal, tiene autoridad para firmar documentos en su nombre.
As a legal representative, he has authority to sign documents on your behalf.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'mandate' + '-ario' (person who has something) = person who has a mandate to rule
- Connect it to 'mandatory' - a mandatario makes mandatory decisions for a country
- Remember 'mand-' root means 'to order/command' - a mandatario gives orders
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
In Latin American Spanish, 'mandatario' is commonly used in news and political discourse to refer to presidents and heads of state. The term emphasizes the person's role as one who has received a mandate from the people or constitution to govern. In legal contexts, it retains its meaning as an agent or representative.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Mandatario' refers to a person (president, representative) while 'mandatorio' is an adjective meaning 'mandatory' or 'required'.
This word:
El mandatario anunció nuevas medidas económicas.
The president announced new economic measures.
Notes: In some contexts, 'mandatorio' is considered an anglicism influenced by English 'mandatory', with the more traditional Spanish term being 'obligatorio'.
Mnemonic: 'Mandatario' ends in '-ario' like many nouns referring to people (secretario, bibliotecario), while 'mandatorio' ends in '-orio' like many adjectives (obligatorio).
Explanation: 'Mandatario' is the representative or agent who acts on behalf of someone, while 'mandante' is the principal who gives authority to the mandatario.
Confused word:
El mandante dio instrucciones claras a su abogado.
The principal gave clear instructions to his lawyer.
Notes: These terms are especially important in legal contexts where the relationship between principal and agent is being described.
Mnemonic: Think of 'mandante' as the one who 'manda' (commands), while 'mandatario' is the one who carries out those commands.