ordena

Ordena is a verb form found in Spanish and Portuguese, originating from the verb ordenar. It is used to convey actions related to ordering, arranging, or sorting, and can also carry the sense of giving an instruction or command. In both languages, the form reflects person and tense, so its meaning varies with context.

In Spanish, ordena is the third-person singular present indicative of ordenar, and also serves as the second-person singular informal imperative (tú) or the formal imperative with usted in some contexts. This means it can mean “he/she orders,” “you order” (formal or informal as a command), or a command such as “Order (it)!” when addressed to someone you know. The verb also covers the sense of tidying or arranging, for example, “ordena la habitación” meaning “tidy up the room” or “put the room in order.” In everyday use, ordenar can also mean to sort or organize items, such as lists or files.

In Portuguese, ordena is the present indicative form for ele/ela or você, meaning “he/she orders” or “you order.” It can also appear as the affirmative tú-like command in some regional varieties. As in Spanish, the notion extends to arranging, organizing, or sorting, for instance, “ordena a lista” meaning “sorts the list.”

Etymology traces both Spanish and Portuguese orden/ordenar to the Latin ordinare, linked to ordo (order). The core meaning across languages is the act of placing items in order, whether by instruction, preference, or systematic arrangement. Related terms include ordenar, orden, and ordenamiento, reflecting the broad semantic field of sequencing and command.