atención
/ah-ten-see-OHN/
attention
The primary meaning of atención is 'attention' or 'mental focus'. The child is demonstrating atención by concentrating intently on the butterfly.
📝 In Action
Por favor, presta atención.
A1Please, pay attention.
El niño intentaba llamar la atención de su madre.
A2The boy was trying to get his mother's attention.
Gracias por su atención.
A1Thank you for your attention.
💡 Grammar Points
You 'Lend' Attention, You Don't 'Pay' It
In Spanish, the phrase is 'prestar atención'. 'Prestar' means 'to lend'. Think of it as lending your focus to something for a moment. The verb 'pagar' (to pay) is almost always just for money.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'pagar' instead of 'prestar'
Mistake: "Necesito pagar atención en la clase."
Correction: Necesito prestar atención en la clase. Remember, attention is something you 'lend' (prestar), not something you 'pay' (pagar).
⭐ Usage Tips
Saying Something 'Caught Your Eye'
To say something caught your attention or stood out, you can use the phrase 'me llamó la atención'. For example, 'Ese vestido me llamó la atención' (That dress caught my eye).
This meaning of atención refers to 'service' or 'care', often used in contexts like atención al cliente (customer service).
atención(Noun)
service
?customer service, care
care
?kindness, thoughtfulness
,courtesy
?a polite gesture
📝 In Action
La atención al cliente en esta tienda es fantástica.
B1The customer service in this store is fantastic.
Necesito atención médica urgente.
B1I need urgent medical care.
Agradezco todas tus atenciones durante mi visita.
B2I appreciate all your kindness/attentiveness during my visit.
⭐ Usage Tips
Using the Plural 'Atenciones'
When you use the plural form, 'atenciones', it often refers to specific acts of kindness, courtesy, or hospitality. It's a warm way to thank someone for how they've treated you.
Used as an interjection, ¡Atención! means 'Attention!' or 'Listen up!', used to quickly command focus or give a warning.
atención(Interjection)
Attention!
?a command to listen
Listen up!
?informal command
,Excuse me!
?to get someone's attention
📝 In Action
¡Atención, por favor! El vuelo a Madrid va a embarcar.
A2Attention, please! The flight to Madrid is now boarding.
¡Atención! Cuidado con el escalón.
A2Attention! Watch out for the step.
⭐ Usage Tips
For Announcements and Warnings
You'll hear '¡Atención!' used on its own to quickly get a group to listen. It's used everywhere, from train stations and airports to classrooms and meetings.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: atención
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'atención' to talk about good service at a hotel?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Spanish speakers say 'prestar atención' instead of 'pagar atención' like in English?
It's a great question because it highlights a key difference between the languages. In Spanish, your focus is seen as something you 'lend' ('prestar'), not something you 'pay' with ('pagar'). The verb 'pagar' is almost exclusively for money. Memorizing 'prestar atención' as a single chunk is the best way to get it right every time.
What's the difference between 'atención' and 'cuidado'?
They can both translate to 'care', but they have different vibes. 'Atención' is about mental focus ('pay attention') or service ('customer care'). 'Cuidado' is about being careful to avoid danger or a mistake ('Be careful!' is '¡Cuidado!').