Orden

Orden
 

I am confused about the word la orden and el orden. Can someone clarify the meanings?

"La orden" is used when instructions are given to be obeyed; it can also be a religious group, and what you ask for in a restaurant.
- El general dio la orden de atacar al amanecer. (The general gave the order to attack at dawn.)
- Tengo órdenes de no dejar salir a nadie. (My orders are not to let anyone go out.)
- El párroco de la iglesia del pueblo es de la orden de los Jesuitas. (The local priest belongs to the Jesuit order.)
- (Talking to the waiter) Disculpe, ¿me puede tomar la orden? (Excuse-me, could you take my order, please?)


"El orden" is used when something can be arranged or there's some sort of hierarchy.
- Pon tu ropa en orden, por colores. (Arrange your clothes in order, by color.)
- No dejes juguetes por todos lados. Quiero que la casa esté en orden. (Don't leave toys everywhere. I want the house to be tidy.)
- La ceremonia se realizó conforme al orden establecido. (The ceremony was held as it was programmed from the start.)
- Me gustan las fresas, las manzanas y los mangos. En ese orden. (I like strawberries, apples and mangoes. In that order.)
- Quiero que hagas las cosas en orden: primero te lavas las manos y luego te sientas a comer. (I want you to do everything in order: first you wash your hands and then you sit at the table.)
- Las leyes que se proponen son un atentado al orden político. (The laws being proposed are an attack against the political order.)
- Niños, vamos a salir todos en orden. (Children, we're all going out in an orderly manner.)

That helps. Thank you.

Glad to help.
I had never thought about this word, but now I see how confusing it can be. :D