Inklingo

How to Say "focused" in Spanish

English → Spanish

atento

/ah-TEN-toh//aˈtento/

AdjectiveA2General
Use 'atento' when describing someone who is mentally engaged and paying close attention to their surroundings or a specific task, like listening or observing.
A storybook illustration of a child sitting attentively, focused intently on a bird singing nearby.

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.)

fijado

fee-HA-doh/fiˈxaðo/

VerbB1General
Use 'fijado' (from the verb 'fijar') when you mean that attention has been specifically directed or fixed upon something, often implying noticing or observing it closely.
A curious person looking closely at a small ladybug on a leaf.

Examples

¿Te has fijado en su nuevo peinado?

Have you noticed her new hairstyle?

Hemos fijado la reunión para el lunes.

We have set the meeting for Monday.

The 'Done' Form

This is the form of the verb used after 'haber' (to have). It stays as 'fijado' regardless of who did the action when used in this way (e.g., 'nosotros hemos fijado').

Atento vs. Fijado

Learners often confuse 'atento' and 'fijado' because both relate to attention. Remember that 'atento' describes a state of being mentally engaged and aware, while 'fijado' implies directing your attention onto something specific, often something you've just noticed.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.