Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| asignatura pendiente | /asiɡnaˌtuɾa penˈdjente/ | feminine |
| asunto pendiente | /asunto pendjente/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
This phrase refers to a matter that still has to be dealt with. For example, saying tengo una asignatura pendiente is a common way to express that you have something you still need to do or a debt you need to settle.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase asignatura pendiente literally translates to pending subject or pending school subject. The alternative form asunto pendiente literally means pending matter or pending affair.
Which one should you use?
While both refer to things that need attention, asignatura pendiente is often used metaphorically to describe a personal or social debt or a task one has failed to complete. In contrast, asunto pendiente is more neutral and refers to any task or matter yet to be resolved.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The phrase pega pendiente is a colloquialism used in some Latin American countries, especially in Central America.
How does it change in a sentence?
Asignatura pendiente is feminine, and asunto pendiente is masculine. If you want to express the plural 'unfinished businesses', you must change both the noun and the adjective to their plural forms, such as asuntos pendientes.
How do you pronounce it?
/asiɡnaˌtuɾa penˈdjente/
Did you know?
- The word pendiente is used both to describe a task that is 'pending' and as the common noun for an 'earring'.
- While asignatura pendiente literally means a school subject a student failed to pass, it is used metaphorically to describe any life goal or personal regret.
- The Spanish word asunto is a cognate of the English word 'assume' because both originate from the Latin word assūmptus.
Examples in context
- Tengo pendientes en el trabajoI have unfinished business at work
- Tenemos varios trabajos inconclusos que debemos terminarWe have several unfinished projects to complete
- Debemos tratar estos asuntos sin resolverWe need to address these unresolved matters
- Tengo cosas pendientes que hacerI have things left to do
- Tenemos asuntos inconclusos que resolverWe have unfinished matters to solve
- Nos quedan algunas tareas pendientes antes de finalizar el proyecto.We have a few pending tasks before completing the project.
- Debemos ocuparnos de los asuntos sin resolver antes de proceder.We need to address the unresolved matters before moving forward.
- Tengo muchas cosas pendientes para mañana, ¡no me da tiempo!I have a lot of pending things for tomorrow, I won't have enough time!
- No podemos tener asuntos inconclusos, debemos resolverlos pronto.We can't have unfinished matters, we need to solve them soon.
- Tengo una asignatura pendiente con mi familia.I have some unfinished business with my family.
- Esa es una asignatura pendiente de resolver.That is an unfinished matter that needs to be resolved.
- No quiero dejar ninguna asignatura pendiente en el trabajo.I don't want to leave any unfinished business at work.
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are discussing their professional responsibilities.
- Lucía¿Has terminado todos tus informes, Mateo?Have you finished all your reports, Mateo?
- MateoNo, todavía tengo una asignatura pendiente.No, I still have one piece of unfinished business.
- LucíaDebes resolver esa asignatura pendiente hoy mismo.You must resolve that unfinished business today.
- MateoLo haré antes de salir de la oficina.I will do it before leaving the office.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “unfinished business” translations and entries asignatura pendiente, asunto 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 asignatura, asunto, pendiente, CC BY-SA 4.0.
