atender
Lemma Details
Translation: to attend to; to pay attention to; to take care of; to assist; to serve; to look after; to respond to
Part of Speech: verb
Etymology: From Latin 'attendere', which combines 'ad' (to, toward) and 'tendere' (to stretch, extend). The English cognate 'attend' shares this same Latin root. The core meaning involves directing one's focus or effort toward something or someone, which is preserved in both languages. The Spanish 'atender' emphasizes the act of giving care or service, while maintaining the sense of directing attention that is found in the original Latin.
Commonality: 90%
Guessability: 70%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
¿Quién atiende esta tienda?
Who runs this store?
El médico atiende a los pacientes todos los días.
The doctor attends to patients every day.
Por favor, atiende a lo que te estoy diciendo.
Please, pay attention to what I'm telling you.
Tengo que atender una llamada importante.
I have to take an important call.
La enfermera atendió mis heridas con cuidado.
The nurse treated my wounds carefully.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'attend' in English, but with a stronger emphasis on service and care.
- Remember 'a-TEND-er' as stretching your attention TO someone or something that needs it.
- Visualize a waiter 'attending to' customers' needs in a restaurant.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
In Spanish-speaking countries, 'atender' is commonly used in service contexts, such as customer service ('atender al cliente') or medical care ('atender a un paciente'). It carries a sense of professional responsibility and care that goes beyond simply paying attention.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'atender' means 'to attend to' or 'to pay attention to', 'entender' means 'to understand'. They sound similar but have different meanings and uses.
Notes: Both verbs are commonly used in everyday conversation but in different contexts. 'Atender' is about giving service or attention, while 'entender' is about comprehension.
Mnemonic: 'Atender' starts with 'A' for 'Attention', while 'Entender' starts with 'E' for 'Comprehension' (Entendimiento).
Explanation: 'Atender' means to attend to or assist, while 'tender' means to stretch out, lay out, or hang (clothes).
Confused word:
Voy a tender la ropa.
I'm going to hang the clothes.
Notes: 'Tender' is the root verb from which 'atender' derives, with the 'a' prefix adding the directional sense.
Mnemonic: Think of 'tender' as 'to tend' (like tending a garden) or stretching something out, while 'atender' adds the 'a' prefix to indicate directing attention toward something.