How to Say ‘Running Errands’ in Spanish | Phrases Locals Actually Say

Most speakers say hacer mandados for daily errand-running, with a few regional swaps that sound just as natural.

If you want a Spanish phrase that matches the daily feel of “running errands,” you’re here. English packs a lot into two words: quick stops, a short list, a bit of hustle, and the sense that you’ll be back soon. Spanish can say all that too, but it usually does it with a verb + noun pair, not a single “phrasal verb” chunk.

This article gives you the go-to translations, shows where each one fits, and hands you lines you can drop into real talk. You’ll finish knowing what to say to a friend, a coworker, or a host family—without sounding like a textbook.

What “Running errands” means in plain Spanish

Before picking words, lock in the meaning. “Running errands” usually means doing several small tasks outside the house: shopping, mailing something, grabbing a prescription, paying a bill, returning a package, or stopping by the bank. It’s often time-boxed, and it’s often casual—something you do between bigger plans.

Spanish tends to name the tasks as “errands” (mandados, recados, diligencias) and pair them with a doing verb like hacer (“to do/make”). In some places, people also say they’re “going to do” those errands with ir a.

How to say ‘Running Errands’ in Spanish with natural options

Here are the phrases you’ll hear most. You don’t need all of them. Pick one that matches where you’re speaking and how formal the moment feels.

Hacer mandados

Hacer mandados is a widely understood way to say you’re out doing errands. It’s common in many Latin American countries and is often the safest choice in day-to-day chat.

Hoy tengo que hacer mandados. (Today I have to run errands.)
Estoy haciendo mandados, luego te llamo. (I’m running errands; I’ll call you later.)

Hacer diligencias

Hacer diligencias can sound a bit more formal. It often points to paperwork, offices, and “adulting” tasks—bank, government office, notary, bills. People still use it in regular speech, but it carries a slightly more serious tone than mandados.

Tengo que hacer unas diligencias en el centro. (I need to run some errands downtown.)
Estoy en diligencias; regreso en una hora. (I’m out on errands; I’ll be back in an hour.)

Hacer recados

Hacer recados is another solid option, heard in Spain and in parts of Latin America. In Spain, it can feel like the default for “I’ve got a few stops to make.” If you’re learning Spanish, this one is handy.

Salgo a hacer recados. (I’m heading out to run errands.)
Estoy haciendo recados por el barrio. (I’m running errands around the neighborhood.)

Ir de compras and other near matches

Sometimes English speakers say “running errands” when they mostly mean shopping. In that case, ir de compras is cleaner than forcing an “errands” phrase. If your stops are only shopping stops, say that.

Voy de compras. (I’m going shopping.)
Estoy comprando unas cosas. (I’m buying a few things.)

Dar una vuelta

Dar una vuelta means “to take a spin / go out for a bit.” In some places, it works as a soft, casual way to hint that you’re stepping out and may do a couple of stops. It’s vague on purpose, so use it when the details don’t matter.

Voy a dar una vuelta y vuelvo. (I’m stepping out and I’ll be back.)
Estoy dando una vuelta, luego paso por tu casa. (I’m out for a bit; I’ll swing by your place later.)

Choosing the right phrase by place and situation

Spanish varies by region, and “errands” words are a prime spot where that shows. You don’t have to chase perfection. If you choose one of the three core options—hacer mandados, hacer recados, or hacer diligencias—you’ll be understood in most settings.

Use mandados for daily stops and a friendly tone. Use recados if you’re around Spain or you’ve heard locals say it. Use diligencias when your stops involve offices, forms, and lines.

If you’re not sure what your listener prefers, pair the phrase with a tiny detail. It clears up meaning fast and keeps the talk smooth: “I’m running errands—bank and pharmacy” becomes a simple Spanish line.

Estoy haciendo mandados: el banco y la farmacia.
Salgo a hacer recados, vuelvo en un rato.

Quick comparison of common translations

The table below helps you pick a phrase in seconds. Read down the “When it fits” column and choose the one that matches your plan.

Spanish phrase	Natural English sense	When it fits
Hacer mandados	Run errands, do quick tasks	daily stops; widely used in much of Latin America
Hacer recados	Run errands, make a few stops	Common in Spain; also used in parts of Latin America
Hacer diligencias	Handle errands, take care of matters	Paperwork, offices, bills, bank; slightly formal tone
Ir a hacer mandados	Go run errands	When you’re about to leave right now
Salir a hacer recados	Head out to run errands	Casual, spoken line when stepping out
Andar haciendo mandados	Be out running errands	When you’ve been out for a while, moving stop to stop
Estar en diligencias	Be out on errands	Short status update; works well on the phone or in a text
Dar una vuelta	Step out for a bit	When you want to keep it vague; errands may be part of it

Sentence patterns that sound like real speech

Once you’ve picked a noun—mandados, recados, or diligencias—the rest is plug-and-play. Spanish uses a few patterns again and again, and they’re easy to borrow.

Pattern 1: Tengo que + infinitive

This is your honest, daily “I’ve gotta.” It’s direct, friendly, and works in almost any setting.

Tengo que hacer mandados después del trabajo.
Tengo que hacer recados antes de la cena.
Tengo que hacer unas diligencias mañana.

Pattern 2: Voy a + infinitive

Use this when you’re about to do it, or you’re stating your next move.

Voy a hacer mandados; vuelvo en media hora.
Voy a hacer recados por la mañana.

Pattern 3: Estoy + gerund

This is the “I’m in the middle of it” form. It’s perfect for a call, a message, or a quick check-in.

Estoy haciendo mandados, ¿qué necesitas?
Estoy haciendo recados; te escribo luego.

Pattern 4: Ando + gerund

Ando adds a sense of being out and about, going from place to place. It’s common in many Latin American regions and can feel more conversational than estoy.

Ando haciendo mandados, te marco más tarde.
Ando en diligencias por el centro.

Mini glossary for errands you can name out loud

When you can name one or two stops, your Spanish sounds sharper and your listener understands faster. Here are common errands with plain, usable phrasing.

Money and paperwork

Ir al banco (go to the bank)
Pagar una factura (pay a bill)
Hacer un trámite (do a procedure / handle a form)
Ir a la oficina de correos (go to the post office)

Health and home

Pasar por la farmacia (stop by the pharmacy)
Recoger una receta (pick up a prescription)
Comprar comida (buy groceries)
Dejar la ropa en la tintorería (drop off clothes at the dry cleaner)

Packages and returns

Enviar un paquete (send a package)
Devolver una compra (return a purchase)
Recoger un pedido (pick up an order)

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Some English habits don’t map neatly onto Spanish. These quick fixes save you from awkward phrasing.

Mixing up “errands” with “chores”

In English, “chores” are often inside the house: dishes, laundry, cleaning. Spanish has quehaceres and tareas for that. “Errands” are outside stops. If you mean outside stops, stick with mandados, recados, or diligencias.

Overusing a literal “correr” idea

“Running errands” doesn’t mean you’re sprinting. Spanish won’t usually translate the “running” part. Don’t reach for correr unless you truly mean physical running.

Forgetting the little words that make it sound natural

Spanish often uses unos / unas to mean “a few.” That tiny word makes your line sound like normal speech.

Tengo que hacer unos recados.
Voy a hacer unas diligencias.

Ready-to-use lines for texts and quick chats

If you want copy-and-paste phrases for messages, these match the moments people use most: delaying a call, explaining why you’re out, or setting a return time.

Short status updates

Estoy haciendo mandados. Te llamo luego.
Salí a hacer recados. Vuelvo en un rato.
Estoy en diligencias. Regreso más tarde.

When someone asks “Where are you?”

Estoy fuera, haciendo mandados.
Ando haciendo recados por el centro.
Voy al banco y a la farmacia.

When you’re inviting someone along

Voy a hacer mandados, ¿vienes conmigo?
Tengo que hacer unos recados, ¿me acompañas?

Errand phrase builder you can reuse anywhere

This second table gives you flexible templates. Swap the last slot (bank, pharmacy, supermarket) and you’ve got endless natural lines.

What you mean	Spanish template	One natural sample
Leaving now	Voy a + hacer + (mandados/recados/diligencias)	Voy a hacer mandados; vuelvo en media hora.
Out right now	Estoy + haciendo + (mandados/recados)	Estoy haciendo recados; te escribo luego.
Out and about	Ando + haciendo + (mandados/recados)	Ando haciendo mandados por el barrio.
Errands with details	Estoy haciendo + (mandados/recados): + lugar 1 y lugar 2	Estoy haciendo mandados: el banco y la farmacia.
Office-style tasks	Tengo que + hacer + unas diligencias + en/para + lugar	Tengo que hacer unas diligencias en el centro.
Vague stepping out	Voy a + dar una vuelta + y + vuelvo	Voy a dar una vuelta y vuelvo.

Simple practice plan for making it stick

Memorizing a phrase is easy. Using it under pressure is the real test. Try this routine for a couple of days. It takes five minutes.

Pick one main phrase: hacer mandados or hacer recados.
Write three lines with three patterns: tengo que, voy a, estoy.
Say them out loud while doing something mundane: pouring coffee, packing a bag, locking the door.
Next day, swap in a place word: el banco, la farmacia, la tienda.
On day three, add a time cue: en media hora, en un rato, más tarde.

After repeats, the phrase stops being “something you learned” and starts being something you say. That’s the goal.