How to Say "Attendance" in Spanish

asistencia

/asisˈtenθja/

Attendance in Spanish is translated as asistencia.

Asistencia is a noun used to refer to the persons present at an event or the number of people who have attended. It can also mean the act of helping or providing aid (assistance). When you want to specify what one is attending, it is common to use the preposition a (for example, asistencia a la reunión for attendance at the meeting). To describe the level of attendance, you can use asistencia completa for full attendance or asistencia parcial for partial attendance. Note that while asistencia is the noun for attendance, if you want to perform the action of taking attendance in a classroom or meeting, you should use the verbal phrase pasar lista.

Meaning: persons present, their number (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The word asistencia comes from the verb asistir, which means to attend or to assist.

Which one should you use?

In Spanish, asistencia carries a dual meaning: it can refer to the act of attending an event (attendance) or the act of helping someone (assistance/aid). Use presencia when you want to refer specifically to someone's presence or the fact that they are physically at a location.

Is it said differently in some regions?

In Argentina, Uruguay and parts of Chile, the term concurrencia is used in formal contexts and may imply the attendance of spectators or an audience. In Spain, comparecencia may be used in legal or administrative contexts to refer to the duty of attending a court hearing or an official appearance.

How do you pronounce it?

/asisˈtenθja/

What mistakes should you avoid?

English speakers may mistakenly use asistencia to mean 'presence' in a physical sense. However, presencia is often more natural when referring to someone's actual presence at a location.

Did you know?

In professional sports commentary in Spanish, an asistencia is the specific term used for an 'assist' when a player helps another score a goal.
The dual meaning of asistencia as both 'attendance' and 'aid' is reflected in the term asistencia social, which translates to 'social work' or 'social welfare'.
In some Spanish-speaking regions, if you talk about asistencia in a medical context, it refers to 'healthcare' or 'medical aid' rather than people being present.

Examples in context

Su asistencia no es necesaria.
Your attendance isn't necessary.
This sentence shows how to express that your attendance is not required using asistencia.
Tatoeba #2259964 by cueyayotl, translation #2259963 by _undertoad
Nosotros solicitamos tu asistencia a la reunión.
We request your attendance at the meeting.
This sentence demonstrates requesting someone's attendance at a meeting using asistencia.
Tatoeba #1205655 by marcelostockle, translation #51299 by orcrist
La asistencia es obligatoria para todos los miembros.
Attendance is compulsory for all members.
This sentence illustrates how to state that attendance is compulsory using asistencia.
Tatoeba #5974228 by albrusgher, translation #273751 by CM
La asistencia a la reunión es obligatoria.
Attendance at the meeting is mandatory.
La concurrencia a la conferencia fue numerosa.
The attendance at the conference was numerous.
Agradezco la presencia de todos en este evento.
I appreciate everyone's attendance at this event.
¿Vas a asistir a la fiesta de cumpleaños?
Are you going to attend the birthday party?
3 more sentences on Tatoeba

Example conversation

A teacher and a student are discussing a class.

Lucía

Alejandro, la asistencia hoy fue muy baja.
Alejandro, the attendance today was very low.
Alejandro

Es verdad, Lucía. Muchas personas faltaron.
That is true, Lucía. Many people were absent.
Lucía

Necesito registrar la asistencia en este papel.
I need to record the attendance on this paper.
Alejandro

Yo puedo ayudarte con eso.
I can help you with that.

Sources

Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry asistencia, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.

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How to Say “Attendance” in Spanish