necesito atención
/neθesito atenθjon/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I need attention" is translated into Spanish as necesito atención.
This phrase is used to express a desire for others to notice or care for someone.
Which one should you use?
You might use Quiero que me hagan caso if you want to express the sentiment "I want you to listen to me" or "I want you to take notice of me" in an informal way. For a formal tone, Requiero atención can be used to emphasize the necessity of attention.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase necesito atención, the word necesito is the first-person singular present indicative of necesitar (to need).
How do you pronounce it?
/neθesito atenθjon/
Did you know?
- The phrase prestar atención is commonly used instead of dar atención. It uses the verb prestar, which means 'to lend', suggesting that attention is a resource borrowed for a time.
- In a social context, necesito atención can sound like a medical emergency, whereas emotional needs are typically expressed using cariño or 'affection'.
- The English word 'attention' and the Spanish word atención share the same Latin ancestor, 'attendere', which literally means 'to stretch toward'.
Examples in context
- Necesito atención de mis padres.I need attention from my parents.
- A veces siento que necesito atención.Sometimes I feel like I need attention.
- No es que sea egoísta, solo necesito atención.It is not that I am selfish, I just need attention.
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are talking about their emotional well-being.
- MateoLucía, últimamente me siento muy solo.Lucía, lately I feel very lonely.
- Lucía¿Crees que necesitas atención?Do you think you need attention?
- MateoSí, creo que necesito atención de mis amigos.Yes, I think I need attention from my friends.
- LucíaYo siempre estaré aquí para ti, Mateo.I will always be here for you, Mateo.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries atención, CC BY-SA 4.0.
