Bedeutung
To concentrate or focus on something.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Spain, 'prestar atención' is very common in schools, but 'poner atención' is used in more casual warnings. You'll also hear '¡Ojo!' (Eye!) as a shorthand for 'pay attention/watch out'. Mexicans often use 'ponerse las pilas' (put in your batteries) as a more energetic way to tell someone to pay attention and get to work. In Argentina, the use of 'voseo' changes the command to 'Poné atención' (with an accent on the e). It sounds more forceful and direct. Colombians are known for being very polite. You might hear 'Hágame el favor de poner atención', adding a layer of formal courtesy even in casual settings.
The 'A' Rule
Always remember the 'A'. Poner atención A algo. It's the most common mistake for English speakers.
No 'Pagar'
If you say 'pagar atención', people will understand you, but you will immediately sound like a non-native speaker.
Bedeutung
To concentrate or focus on something.
The 'A' Rule
Always remember the 'A'. Poner atención A algo. It's the most common mistake for English speakers.
No 'Pagar'
If you say 'pagar atención', people will understand you, but you will immediately sound like a non-native speaker.
Eye Contact
In Spanish culture, 'poner atención' usually involves direct eye contact. Looking away while someone speaks is a sign that you are NOT putting attention.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'poner'.
Yo siempre _______ atención en la clase de español.
The subject is 'Yo', so you need the irregular first-person singular form 'pongo'.
Which sentence is correct?
Select the natural Spanish way to say 'Pay attention to the teacher'.
Spanish uses 'poner' and the preposition 'a'.
Fill in the missing word in the dialogue.
A: ¿Por qué no entiendes? B: Porque no puedo _______ atención con este ruido.
The standard collocation is 'poner atención'.
Match the command to the situation.
A teacher speaking to a group of 20 students.
The plural imperative for 'ustedes' is 'pongan'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Poner vs. Pagar
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenYo siempre _______ atención en la clase de español.
The subject is 'Yo', so you need the irregular first-person singular form 'pongo'.
Select the natural Spanish way to say 'Pay attention to the teacher'.
Spanish uses 'poner' and the preposition 'a'.
A: ¿Por qué no entiendes? B: Porque no puedo _______ atención con este ruido.
The standard collocation is 'poner atención'.
A teacher speaking to a group of 20 students.
The plural imperative for 'ustedes' is 'pongan'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 Fragen'Poner' is more common in daily speech; 'prestar' is more formal. They are interchangeable in 99% of cases.
Yes, it is common in some Latin American countries, but 'poner atención a' is the standard and safest version.
Use '¡Pongan atención!'
Not exactly. 'Hacer caso' usually implies obeying or following advice, while 'poner atención' is just about focus.
Because in Spanish, attention is not seen as a transaction or a currency, but as a physical placement of focus.
You say 'No estaba poniendo atención' or 'No puse atención'.
It can be, depending on the tone. To a child, it's normal. To a boss, it's very rude. Use 'Por favor' to soften it.
It's a slang variation that means 'to wake up and pay attention/get to work'.
Absolutely. It's used to discuss focusing on data, clients, or market trends.
It's irregular: yo puse, tú pusiste, él puso, nosotros pusimos, ellos pusieron.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Prestar atención
synonymTo lend attention
Hacer caso
similarTo listen to/obey
Fijarse
similarTo notice
Estar atento
builds onTo be attentive
Concentrarse
similarTo concentrate
Ignorar
contrastTo ignore
