Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Attention in Spanish: Atención
Atención · noun · ah-tehn-see-OHN
The English word 'attention' translates to atención in Spanish, a feminine noun used in expressions like prestar atención (to pay attention), llamar la atención (to attract attention), and ¡atención! as a warning.
Pronounce atención as ah-tehn-see-OHN, stressing the final syllable.
Presta atención a lo que dice el profesor.
Pay attention to what the teacher says.
How Native Speakers Use Atención
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Classroom instruction
Los alumnos necesitan prestar más atención en clase.
Students need to pay more attention in class.
A teacher addressing her class.
Warning sign
¡Atención! Piso mojado.
Attention! Wet floor.
A caution sign in a public space.
Focus in class
Los estudiantes deben prestar atención durante la clase de historia.
Students must pay attention during history class.
A teacher reminding students to focus.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Atención
Direct translation of 'pay attention'
Incorrect: Paga atención a la lección.
Correct: Presta atención a la lección.
In Spanish, the expression is prestar atención (lend attention), not pagar atención. Pagar means to pay money.
Wrong gender
Incorrect: El atención del doctor fue muy bueno.
Correct: La atención del doctor fue muy buena.
Atención is feminine, requiring la and feminine adjective agreement: buena, not bueno.
Lock in Attention Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Atención used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using atención in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Presta atención a lo que dice el profesor. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Attention in Spanish
- How do you say 'attention' in Spanish?
- Attention is atención in Spanish, a direct cognate that looks and sounds similar but requires Spanish pronunciation and grammar rules.
- How do you say 'pay attention' in Spanish?
- The correct expression is prestar atención (literally 'lend attention'), not pagar atención, which is a common English-speaker mistake.
- What does 'llamar la atención' mean?
- Llamar la atención has two meanings: to attract attention or stand out, and to scold or reprimand someone, depending on context.