Atender

Atender is a Spanish verb with several related meanings centered on giving attention or service. It most commonly means to attend to or take care of someone or something, as in atender a un cliente (to attend to a customer) or atender las necesidades de una familia (to meet a family’s needs). It also means to pay attention, listen, or heed, as in atender a los detalles (to attend to the details) or no atender a las advertencias (to ignore the warnings). Another sense is to be present at an event or activity, though asistir is more often used for “to attend” as a participant.

In everyday use, atender requires a direct reference to what is being attended and often uses the preposition a with a person: atender a alguien. It can describe actions such as answering a call (atender una llamada), handling a problem (atender un problema), or fulfilling requirements (atender a los requisitos). In service contexts, a waiter or clerk attends to customers (atiende a los clientes). Distinctions with other verbs include asistir, which emphasizes being present at an event, whereas atender centers on giving service or attention.

Etymology and forms: atender comes from Latin attendere (ad- “toward” + tendere “to stretch, extend, attend”). It is a regular -er verb in its conjugation. Key forms include: present indicativo: atiendo, atiendes, atiende, atendemos, atienden; pretérito perfecto simple: atendí, atendiste, atendió, atendimos, atendieron; imperfecto: atendía, atendías, atendía, atendíamos, atendían; futuro: atenderé, atenderás, atenderá, atenderemos, atenderán. Gerundio: atendiendo; participio: atendido. Imperative forms: atiende (tú), atienda (usted), atendamos, atiendan.

Examples: La enfermera atiende a los pacientes. Debes atender las llamadas de emergencia. El gerente atiende la reclamación de los clientes. El equipo atiende a los detalles para cumplir el protocolo.