neutral📍 Mexico — general
¿Mande?
Literal meaning: "Command me?"
Pardon? / Yes? (when someone calls you)
MAHN-deh
What does it mean?
"¿Mande?" is the distinctively Mexican response when you didn't hear someone or when someone calls your name. Other Spanish-speaking countries use "¿Qué?" or "¿Cómo?" — but in Mexico, "mande" is the polite default. It signals respect and attentiveness.
How to use it
Universally polite — works with strangers, elders, hotel staff, coworkers, anyone. In other Latin American countries this can sound overly formal or even archaic; in Mexico it's the natural everyday response.
Example sentences
— Diana! / — Yes?
— ¡Diana! / — ¿Mande?
Sorry, what did you say?
Perdón, ¿mande?
Yes, can I help you?
¿Mande? ¿En qué le ayudo?
Related phrases
More mexico-everyday phrases
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