pendiente
/pen-DYEN-teh/
pending
When something is pendiente, it is waiting to be dealt with, like a sealed package waiting to be opened.
pendiente(adjective)
pending
?waiting to be dealt with
,outstanding
?still needing completion
unfinished
?a task or project
,unresolved
?a problem or issue
📝 In Action
Tengo muchos correos pendientes que responder.
A2I have many pending emails to answer.
Esa deuda sigue pendiente después de un mes.
B1That debt is still outstanding after a month.
Dejamos la conversación pendiente para mañana.
B2We left the conversation unfinished for tomorrow.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
As an adjective, 'pendiente' adjusts its ending to match the noun it describes (e.g., 'tareas pendientes', 'trabajo pendiente').
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Estar' vs. 'Ser'
Mistake: "Misusing 'ser' instead of 'estar' (e.g., 'La tarea es pendiente')."
Correction: Use 'estar' to describe the temporary state of being unfinished: 'La tarea está pendiente'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with 'Dejar'
You can use 'dejar pendiente' (to leave pending) when you purposefully postpone something: 'Dejamos pendiente la decisión'.
Pendiente can refer to an earring, a piece of jewelry worn on the ear.
📝 In Action
Compré un par de pendientes de plata.
A1I bought a pair of silver earrings.
Mi hija solo tiene un pendiente en una oreja.
A2My daughter only has one earring in one ear.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Trap
Even though 'pendiente' (the word) ends in '-e', when referring to jewelry, it is masculine: 'el pendiente'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Regional Variation
In many parts of Latin America, the word 'aretes' is more common than 'pendiente' for earrings.
A pendiente is also a slope or incline, like a steep hill.
📝 In Action
Tuvimos que subir una pendiente muy pronunciada.
B1We had to climb a very steep slope.
La casa está construida en la pendiente de la colina.
B2The house is built on the hillside.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Distinction
When 'pendiente' refers to a slope or incline, it is always feminine: 'la pendiente'. This is different from the masculine noun 'el pendiente' (earring).
To be pendiente means to be attentive and paying close attention.
pendiente(adjective)
attentive
?paying attention
,aware
?watching out for something
watching over
?taking care of someone
📝 In Action
Estoy pendiente de que me llamen del banco.
B1I am waiting for/keeping an eye out for the bank to call me.
Ella siempre está pendiente de sus hermanos menores.
B2She is always looking after her younger siblings.
El camarero está muy pendiente de las mesas.
B2The waiter is very attentive to the tables.
💡 Grammar Points
Fixed Phrase
This meaning almost always requires the verb 'estar' (to be) followed by the preposition 'de' (of/about): 'estar pendiente de algo/alguien'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Missing Preposition
Mistake: "Saying 'Estoy pendiente tu llamada'."
Correction: You must include 'de': 'Estoy pendiente de tu llamada' (I'm waiting for your call).
⭐ Usage Tips
Vigilance vs. Waiting
This phrase can mean either actively paying attention ('monitoring') or passively waiting for something to happen.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: pendiente
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'pendiente' to mean 'earring'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if 'pendiente' means 'earring' (masculine) or 'slope' (feminine)?
You can tell by the article used before it: 'el pendiente' (masculine) is the earring, and 'la pendiente' (feminine) is the slope. The context of the sentence will also make it clear.
Does 'pendiente' change its ending when used as an adjective?
No. When 'pendiente' is used as an adjective (meaning 'pending' or 'attentive'), it always keeps the '-e' ending, regardless of whether the noun it describes is masculine or feminine, singular or plural (e.g., 'el trabajo pendiente', 'las tareas pendientes').