Atentamente

Atentamente is a Spanish term used primarily as a formal closing in letters and emails. As an adverb, it can mean “attentively” or “carefully,” but in epistolary use it functions as a valediction translating roughly to “sincerely” or “yours faithfully.” In print or formal correspondence, “Atentamente,” is typically placed after the body and before the sender’s name, signaling respect toward the recipient and the subject matter.

Etymology: Atentamente comes from the adjective atento (“attentive”) plus the suffix -mente, which forms adverbs of manner. The root word traces to Latin attentus, through the evolution of Romance languages into Spanish, where the form acquired its current fixed role in formal writing.

Usage notes: It is common in Spain and Latin American countries as a closing for formal correspondence. Variants include “Muy atentamente” (very sincerely) and phrases such as “Le saludo atentamente” (I greet you attentively). In contemporary emails, closings like “Atentamente,” “Un cordial saludo,” or “Saludos cordiales” are widely used, with the choice depending on the level of formality and regional conventions. In informal communication, other closings or direct salutations are typically preferred.