pendente
/pẽˈdẽ.t͡ʃi/
The English phrase "pending" translates to Portuguese as pendente.
The word pendente describes something that has begun but is not yet completed. In business or administrative contexts, it is commonly used to describe tasks, processes or payments that are unresolved or awaiting action.
Meaning: begun but not completed (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective pendente must agree in number with the noun it modifies. Use pendentes for plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
pendente is pronounced /pẽˈdẽ.tʃi/. It has three syllables, and the stress is on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- In Portuguese, a 'pendente' can also refer to a piece of jewelry, specifically a dangling earring or a pendant, which is a literal interpretation of something hanging.
- If you are waiting for a decision, you might say it is 'pendente de decisão', but in very informal Brazilian Portuguese, people might simply say it is 'na mão de alguém', meaning it is 'in someone's hand'.
- While pendente describes an unresolved task, the word pendular is used to describe something that swings back and forth like a pendulum, sharing the same Latin root.
Examples in context
- O documento está pendente.The document is pending.
- Estamos aguardando a confirmação.We are awaiting confirmation.
- O pagamento ainda está em aberto.The payment is still pending.
- Precisamos resolver essa pendência.We need to resolve this pending matter.
- Estamos a aguardar pela tua resposta.We are awaiting your reply.
- A aprovação do projeto continua pendente.The project approval remains pending.
- Existem várias tarefas pendentes no sistema.There are several pending tasks in the system.
Example conversation
Beatriz and Rodrigo are discussing a project at work.
- BeatrizRodrigo, você terminou o relatório?Rodrigo, did you finish the report?
- RodrigoAinda não, ele continua pendente.Not yet, it is still pending.
- BeatrizPrecisamos disso para a reunião.We need this for the meeting.
- RodrigoVou resolver isso agora, Beatriz.I will resolve this now, Beatriz.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry pendente, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
