How to Say "attentive" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “attentive” is “atento” — use 'atento' when someone is actively focusing their mind or senses on something specific, like instructions, a lesson, or a person speaking..
atento
/ah-TEN-toh//aˈtento/
Examples
El niño estaba atento a las instrucciones del profesor.
The child was attentive to the teacher's instructions.
Ella es muy atenta cuando lee un libro difícil.
She is very focused when she reads a difficult book.
Matching the Ending
As an adjective, 'atento' changes its ending to match the person or thing it describes: atento (masculine singular), atenta (feminine singular), atentos (masculine plural), atentas (feminine plural).
Using 'a'
When you say what someone is attentive to, you almost always need the little word 'a' (to/at): 'atento a la pantalla' (attentive to the screen).
Missing the Preposition
Mistake: “Estaba atento el programa.”
Correction: Estaba atento **al** programa. (You must use 'a' before the thing you are focused on.)
pendiente
pen-DYEN-teh/penˈdjen.te/
Examples
Estoy pendiente de que me llamen del banco.
I am waiting for/keeping an eye out for the bank to call me.
Ella siempre está pendiente de sus hermanos menores.
She is always looking after her younger siblings.
El camarero está muy pendiente de las mesas.
The waiter is very attentive to the tables.
Fixed Phrase
This meaning almost always requires the verb 'estar' (to be) followed by the preposition 'de' (of/about): 'estar pendiente de algo/alguien'.
Missing Preposition
Mistake: “Saying 'Estoy pendiente tu llamada'.”
Correction: You must include 'de': 'Estoy pendiente de tu llamada' (I'm waiting for your call).
Atento vs. Pendiente
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