Mandato vs. Mandado: Term of Office or Official Order?
Mandato is authority or a term of office; mandado is an order or something commanded.
Real Life Portuguese · 6 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
Mandato with t names an authorization, a representative role, or the period someone holds an elected office. You can talk about the início do mandato (start of the term) or a mandato de representação (a mandate to represent someone).
Use mandato for authority or a term of office
In elections, mandato usually refers to the time in office. In contracts or legal contexts, it can name delegated authority. The surrounding subject tells you which meaning is intended.
O mandato da prefeita termina no próximo ano.
The mayor’s term ends next year.
O advogado recebeu mandato para representar a empresa.
The lawyer received authority to represent the company.
A comissão cumpriu seu mandato.
The committee fulfilled its mandate.
Use mandado for an order or the result of mandar
Mandado with d can mean an order or command. It is also the past participle of mandar in some uses. In Brazilian legal language, mandado appears in names such as mandado de segurança; this is a specific legal instrument, so learners should not infer legal advice from the vocabulary alone.
A memory cue is the verb mandar: a mandado is something ordered. Mandato, with t, is the authority or period granted to someone.
O juiz expediu um mandado.
The judge issued a warrant/order.
Ela recebeu um mandado de segurança.
She received a writ of mandamus.
O pedido foi mandado para o setor correto.
The request was sent to the correct department.
Put it into practice
Mandato is a mandate, authorization, or term in office. Mandado is an order or a form related to mandar.
Quick practice
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