prestar atención
/pɾestaɾ atenθjon/from spelling rules
To pay attention in Spanish is prestar atención.
The phrase is used when you want to say that someone should listen or watch carefully in order to understand something.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is built from the verb prestar, which means to lend or to provide and the noun atención, meaning attention.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some parts of Latin America, the word fíjate is used to mean 'pay attention' or 'take note'.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are specifying the object that you are paying attention to, you must use the preposition a after the phrase, forming prestar atención a.
How do you pronounce it?
/pɾestaɾ atenθjon/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the verb pagar (which means to pay money) to translate this phrase. Instead, use prestar.
Did you know?
- The word atención comes from the Latin attendō, which is built from the root ten- meaning 'to stretch'. Paying attention is metaphorically stretching your mind toward something.
- The term fíjate is used in Latin America to say 'pay attention', but it comes from the verb fijar, which means 'to fix' or 'to fasten' something in place.
- The word atención is shared with English, but in Spanish, it is also frequently used as a polite way to announce a public warning or an airport announcement.
Examples in context
- Prestar atención a Tom.Pay attention to Tom.This sentence is useful for showing how to use the phrase with a specific person with prestar atención.Tatoeba #5952285 by albrusgher, translation #3185815 by CK
- Tienes que prestar atención.You need to pay attention.This sentence shows how to express a necessity using prestar atención.Tatoeba #3717407 by Seael, translation #3232789 by CK
- Ahora prestar atención, niños.Now pay attention, children.This sentence demonstrates how to use the phrase as a command with prestar atención.Tatoeba #5952271 by albrusgher, translation #2366742 by AlanF_US
- Pon atención a lo que te voy a decirPay attention to what I'm about to tell you
- Oye, necesito que me prestes atención por un momentoHey, I need you to pay attention to me for a moment
- Estate atento a las instruccionesPay attention to the instructions
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
In a classroom during a lecture.
- JavierDebes prestar atención a la clase.You must pay attention to the class.
- LucíaLo siento, Javier, voy a prestar atención.I am sorry, Javier, I will pay attention.
- JavierEs importante prestar atención para aprender.It is important to pay attention to learn.
- LucíaTienes razón, lo tendré en cuenta.You are right, I will keep that in mind.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries atención, prestar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
