Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| pendiente | /penˈdjente/ |
| en cola | /en kola/ (from spelling rules) |
Pendiente is primarily used to describe something that has begun but is not yet completed, or something that remains unresolved. In a literal sense, it can also describe something that is hanging or dangling from an object. When you want to say something is 'pending [something],' such as 'pending approval,' you often use the phrase pendiente de.
Which one should you use?
Use pendiente to refer to something that is unresolved, unfinished or awaiting a conclusion. In contrast, use en cola when specifically referring to items that are waiting in a processing queue, such as digital requests or physical lines (meaning 'in queue').
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, the phrase a la espera can be used interchangeably with en espera de to denote that something is pending.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, pendiente must agree in number with the noun it modifies. For example, it becomes pendientes for plural nouns. When using the word to mean 'awaiting' or 'subject to,' it is frequently followed by the preposition de.
How do you pronounce it?
/penˈdjente/
Did you know?
- While pendiente means 'pending', it is also the standard Spanish word for a 'slope' or 'incline' on a hill or road.
- In a completely different context, pendientes is the common Spanish word for 'earrings'.
- The word cola used in the phrase en cola has two completely different origins. It can refer to a 'queue' from the Latin 'cauda' meaning 'tail', or it can refer to 'glue' from the Greek 'kólla'.
Examples in context
- Este pedido está pendiente de pago.This order is pending payment.This sentence shows how to use pendiente to describe an order awaiting payment.Tatoeba #6452938 by diegohn, translation #11101534 by DJ_Saidez
- Hay muchas más demandas pendientes.Numerous other lawsuits are pending.This example uses pendientes to refer to multiple lawsuits that are unresolved.Tatoeba #10273036 by Seael, translation #5725631 by CM
- Ya hemos concluido todas las tareas pendientes.We've finished all the pending tasks.This sentence demonstrates using pendientes to describe finished tasks that were previously awaiting completion.Tatoeba #11460937 by arh, translation #11462969 by DJ_Saidez
- El informe está en espera de aprobación.The report is pending approval.
- Estamos pendientes de la respuesta del cliente.We are awaiting the client's response.
- Aún no he terminado el proyecto.I haven't finished the project yet.
- Todavía falta organizar la fiesta de cumpleaños.We still need to organize the birthday party.
- Estamos a la espera de la confirmación.We are waiting for confirmation.
- Tengo varias tareas pendientes.I have several pending tasks.
Example conversation
María and Javier are in an office discussing a project.
- María¿Qué asuntos quedan todavía pendientes?What matters are still pending?
- JavierSolo queda un informe pendiente, María.Only one report is pending, María.
- MaríaEntiendo, ¿puedes terminarlo hoy?I see, can you finish it today?
- JavierSí, lo tendré listo esta tarde.Yes, I will have it ready this afternoon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pending” translations and entries pendiente, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cola, en, pendiente, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
