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B1 adjective 8 Min. Lesezeit

pendiente

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At the A1 level, you should learn 'pendiente' as a way to talk about things that are not finished. It is often used like 'unfinished' or 'waiting.' You might see it on a simple list of homework or chores. For example, if you have homework to do, you can say 'La tarea está pendiente.' It is a useful word for basic organization. You should also know that 'un pendiente' can mean an earring, but as an adjective, it describes something that is waiting. Think of it as a 'to-do' item. At this level, just focus on the basic idea: it's not done yet. You will mostly use it with the verb 'estar' (to be). 'Mi café está pendiente' (My coffee is still coming/waiting). It's a simple but very common word in daily life.

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At the A2 level, you begin to use 'pendiente' in more specific contexts, like shopping or simple work tasks. You might talk about a 'pago pendiente' (a pending payment) or an 'email pendiente' (an email you haven't sent yet). You also start to see the plural form 'pendientes' used as a noun to mean 'tasks to do.' For example, 'Tengo muchos pendientes hoy' (I have many things to do today). This is very common in office talk. You should also be aware of the phrase 'estar pendiente de,' which means to be waiting for or looking out for someone. For example, 'Estoy pendiente de tu mensaje' (I am waiting for/looking out for your message). This level is about moving from simple 'not finished' to 'waiting for something specific.'

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At the B1 level, 'pendiente' becomes a key word for managing your life and work in Spanish. You understand the difference between 'estar pendiente' (to be pending) and 'quedar pendiente' (to remain pending). You use it to describe unresolved issues in meetings, like 'un asunto pendiente.' You also use it more naturally with prepositions, such as 'pendiente de resolución' or 'pendiente de confirmación.' At this level, you should feel comfortable using it to express that you are paying attention to something: 'Estamos muy pendientes de las noticias.' It reflects an intermediate ability to describe states of uncertainty or ongoing processes. You can now distinguish between the adjective 'pendiente' and the noun 'el pendiente' (the earring) or 'la pendiente' (the slope).

At the B2 level, you use 'pendiente' with greater precision and in more formal registers. You might use it in legal or administrative contexts, such as 'una causa pendiente' (a pending court case) or 'una asignatura pendiente' (a subject you still need to pass to graduate). This last one is also used metaphorically to talk about life goals you haven't achieved yet. You are also capable of using the word to describe complex social dynamics, such as being 'siempre pendiente de lo que dicen los demás' (always worried about/attentive to what others say). Your use of 'quedar pendiente' is now nuanced, often using it to defer topics in a discussion: 'Dejemos ese punto pendiente para la próxima reunión.' You understand the professional weight the word carries.

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At the C1 level, you grasp the subtle metaphorical uses of 'pendiente.' You might use it to describe a state of suspense or tension in a narrative: 'El público estaba pendiente de cada palabra del orador.' You can use it in high-level business Spanish to discuss 'cuentas pendientes' (outstanding accounts or, idiomatically, 'old scores to settle'). You understand that 'pendiente' can imply a moral or professional obligation that has not been met. Your vocabulary includes derivatives and related concepts, and you can switch between the adjective and the noun forms effortlessly. You also understand regional variations, such as where 'pendiente' is the preferred word for 'earring' versus 'arete' or 'zarcillo,' and you never confuse the meanings in professional writing.

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At the C2 level, 'pendiente' is a tool for sophisticated expression. You use it in complex sentence structures to describe intricate legal, philosophical, or technical states. You might use it in literary analysis to discuss 'tramas pendientes' (unresolved plot lines) or in political science to discuss 'asignaturas pendientes de la democracia' (unresolved challenges of democracy). Your mastery includes the ability to use the word in idioms and fixed expressions with perfect timing and tone. You understand the etymological roots (from the Latin 'pendere', to hang) and how that 'hanging' sensation informs all its modern meanings. Whether you are writing a legal brief or a poetic reflection, 'pendiente' is used with absolute precision to convey exactly the right degree of incompletion or attentiveness.

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pendiente in 30 Sekunden

Primarily means 'pending' or 'unresolved' in professional and personal contexts regarding tasks or decisions.
Commonly used with the verbs 'estar' or 'quedar' to describe the status of items on a list.
The phrase 'estar pendiente de' shifts the meaning to 'waiting for' or 'looking out for' someone or something.
Must agree in number and gender with the noun it modifies, and should not be confused with the noun meaning 'earring'.

The Spanish word pendiente is a multifaceted adjective that primarily describes something that has not yet been finished, decided, or resolved. In its most common B1-level usage, it functions similarly to the English words 'pending,' 'unresolved,' or 'outstanding.' Imagine a pile of paperwork on a desk; if those papers haven't been signed or processed, they are pendientes. This term is indispensable in professional, academic, and personal contexts because it allows speakers to categorize tasks and decisions that are in a state of limbo. Beyond just 'unresolved,' it also carries a sense of anticipation or attentiveness when used with the verb estar. For instance, being 'pendiente de alguien' means you are looking out for them or waiting for their arrival. However, the core definition we are exploring here focuses on the status of a situation or task that awaits a final conclusion.

Status of Tasks: When a project or a specific task is not completed, it is described as pendiente. This is the standard term used in 'To-Do' lists (tareas pendientes).

Todavía tengo una factura pendiente de pago desde el mes pasado.

Legal and Formal Contexts: In law or administration, a case or a law that is 'pendiente de aprobación' is one that is currently being reviewed but has not yet been officially enacted.

The versatility of pendiente extends to how we perceive time and responsibility. It is not just a neutral label for an unfinished task; it often implies a weight or a psychological burden. If you have 'muchas cosas pendientes,' you likely feel stressed or busy. This connection between the word and the feeling of 'having something over one's head' is a key nuance for intermediate learners. Furthermore, in the context of physical geography, pendiente can also refer to a slope or incline (e.g., una calle con mucha pendiente), but when used as an adjective for situations, it always points back to the concept of waiting for a resolution. Understanding this word is crucial for navigating any Spanish-speaking workplace where 'pendientes' is the universal shorthand for the backlog of work that needs attention before the day ends.

Using pendiente correctly requires understanding its relationship with auxiliary verbs, primarily estar and quedar. When we say something está pendiente, we are describing its current state of being unresolved. When we say something queda pendiente, we are often indicating that despite other things being finished, this specific item remains to be done. This distinction is subtle but important for achieving a B1/B2 level of fluency. For example, after a long meeting, you might say, 'Todo se resolvió, pero el tema del presupuesto queda pendiente para la próxima semana.' This implies that the budget was the one thing left over. In contrast, 'El presupuesto está pendiente' simply states the fact that it is not yet settled.

La decisión final queda pendiente de la firma del director general.

Agreement and Placement: Place the adjective after the noun in most descriptive cases: 'temas pendientes.' However, when used with 'estar,' it follows the verb: 'Los temas están pendientes.'

Another sophisticated use involves the preposition de. When you are 'pendiente de' something, you are waiting for it or paying close attention to it. This is a very common way to express that you are keeping an eye on a situation. For instance, 'Estoy pendiente del teléfono' doesn't mean you are an unfinished phone; it means you are waiting for a call. This shift from 'unresolved task' to 'attentive waiting' is one of the most frequent sources of confusion for English speakers, who might expect a different word like 'waiting' or 'watching.' By mastering the 'pendiente de' construction, you can express vigilance and anticipation in a way that sounds very natural to native speakers. Whether you are talking about a pending payment or being attentive to a friend's needs, the word remains the same, but the grammatical structure around it changes the flavor of the meaning significantly.

You will encounter pendiente in almost every corner of Spanish-speaking life, but it shines most brightly in professional and administrative environments. If you ever work in an office in Spain, Mexico, or Argentina, you will hear the phrase 'asuntos pendientes' daily. It is the backbone of project management and administrative workflow. In a corporate email, a colleague might write, 'Te envío la lista de tareas pendientes para que las revises antes del viernes.' Here, it is purely functional, denoting the backlog of work. Similarly, in the banking sector, you will see 'operaciones pendientes' on your online banking app, referring to transactions that have been authorized but not yet fully cleared or posted to your account balance.

En la aplicación del banco, verás que la transferencia aparece como pendiente hasta mañana.

News and Media: News anchors often use the word when reporting on trials or legislative processes: 'El juicio queda pendiente de nuevas pruebas.'

In social contexts, the word takes on a more personal, emotional tone. If a friend says, 'Estuve pendiente de ti todo el día porque sabía que tenías el examen,' they are expressing care and concern—they were thinking about you and waiting to hear how it went. This usage is extremely common in text messages (WhatsApp). You might see someone write, 'Avisa cuando llegues, estaré pendiente,' which translates to 'Let me know when you arrive, I'll be looking out for your message.' This demonstrates that pendiente is not just a cold, bureaucratic term; it is a word that bridges the gap between 'unresolved logistics' and 'emotional availability.' Whether it's a doctor's appointment that is 'pendiente de confirmación' or a mother 'pendiente de sus hijos,' the word is a constant presence in the linguistic landscape of the Spanish-speaking world.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is confusing the adjective pendiente with the noun pendiente. In Spanish, 'un pendiente' (as a noun) is an earring. While the context usually makes the meaning clear, a beginner might accidentally say 'Tengo un pendiente' meaning 'I have an unresolved matter,' but a native speaker might momentarily wonder if they are holding an earring. To avoid this, it is better to say 'Tengo un asunto pendiente' or 'Tengo algo pendiente.' Another common error is using the wrong auxiliary verb. Learners often try to use ser instead of estar. Because 'pendience' describes a state or a temporary condition of a task, estar is the correct choice. Saying 'La tarea es pendiente' sounds unnatural; it must be 'La tarea está pendiente.'

No digas 'ser pendiente', di siempre 'estar o quedar pendiente'.

Preposition Pitfalls: Using 'para' instead of 'de'. While you can say 'pendiente para mañana,' the most common construction for 'waiting for' is 'pendiente de.'

Furthermore, learners often forget that pendiente must agree in number with the noun. If you have multiple tasks, they are 'tareas pendientes.' Forgetting the 's' is a classic A2/B1 mistake. Lastly, there is a nuance in the 'pendiente de' construction: it is often followed by a noun or an infinitive. For example, 'Estamos pendientes de recibir el paquete' (We are waiting to receive the package). Some learners try to use 'que' + a conjugated verb prematurely, which can lead to complex and often incorrect sentence structures. Keeping it simple with 'de + infinitive' is usually the safer and more natural-sounding path for intermediate learners. Avoiding these pitfalls will make your Spanish sound much more polished and professional.

While pendiente is the most versatile word for 'unresolved,' there are several alternatives depending on the register and the specific context. If you want to be more formal, especially in a legal or official setting, you might use irresoluto or en trámite. 'En trámite' is particularly useful when talking about documents or applications that are currently being processed. For example, 'Mi pasaporte está en trámite' means it is being processed, which is a specific type of being 'pendiente.' If a decision is specifically being delayed or held up, you might use postergado (postponed) or atrasado (overdue/late). Understanding these nuances allows you to be more precise in your communication.

Comparison: Pendiente vs. Incompleto: 'Pendiente' implies something is waiting for action or a decision. 'Incompleto' simply means parts are missing. A puzzle can be 'incompleto,' but a bill is 'pendiente.'

El proyecto no está pendiente, está simplemente pausado por falta de fondos.

In terms of opposites, the most direct antonym is resuelto (resolved) or concluido (concluded). In a work setting, you want to move items from the 'pendientes' column to the 'finalizados' or 'hechos' (done) column. Another interesting related term is vigente (in force/current), which is the opposite of something that is 'pendiente' in the sense of being inactive or awaiting approval. If a law is 'vigente,' it is already active and no longer 'pendiente de aprobación.' By learning these synonyms and antonyms, you build a semantic web that helps you remember pendiente more effectively and use it with greater confidence in complex conversations.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The same root gives us 'pendulum' and 'pendant'. The idea is that something 'pending' is 'hanging' in the air, waiting to land or be settled.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /pɛnˈdjɛnte/

US /pɛnˈdjɛnte/

The stress is on the second-to-last syllable: pen-DIEN-te.

Reimt sich auf

diente cliente fuente puente caliente valiente mente gente

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing the 'd' too hard like an English 'd' in 'dog'.
Adding an 'h' sound after the 'p'.
Making the final 'e' sound like an 'i' (pendienti).
Splitting the 'ie' into two distinct syllables.
Over-stressing the first syllable.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 3/5

Common in all texts, but requires context to distinguish from 'earring' or 'slope'.

Schreiben 4/5

Requires correct gender/number agreement and preposition use ('de').

Sprechen 3/5

Very useful for daily organization and showing attention.

Hören 3/5

Easy to recognize due to the 'ente' ending, but watch for speed.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

estar hacer tarea pago esperar

Als Nächstes lernen

resolución trámite gestión concluir atrasar

Fortgeschritten

supeditar exégesis deliberación flecos perentorio

Wichtige Grammatik

Adjective Agreement

Los pagos (masc. pl.) están pendientes (masc. pl.).

Estar vs Ser

Usa 'estar' para estados temporales como 'estar pendiente'.

Prepositional Complements

'Pendiente' suele ir seguido de 'de'.

Subjunctive with 'Pendiente de que'

Estoy pendiente de que me *llames*.

Noun usage

'Un pendiente' (earring) es un sustantivo, no un adjetivo.

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Beispiele nach Niveau

La tarea está pendiente.

The homework is pending.

Simple use of 'estar' + adjective.

Tengo un correo pendiente.

I have a pending email.

Adjective follows the noun.

El café está pendiente.

The coffee is pending (coming soon).

Used for something expected soon.

Mi examen está pendiente.

My exam is pending.

Indicates a future event not yet completed.

La respuesta está pendiente.

The answer is pending.

Singular feminine agreement.

Tengo muchas cosas pendientes.

I have many pending things.

Plural feminine agreement.

El pago está pendiente.

The payment is pending.

Common financial use.

La cita está pendiente.

The appointment is pending.

Refers to a scheduled but not yet occurred event.

Hay una factura pendiente de pago.

There is an invoice pending payment.

Structure: 'pendiente de' + noun.

Estoy pendiente de tu llamada.

I am waiting for your call.

'Estar pendiente de' means 'waiting for'.

Quedan dos temas pendientes.

Two topics remain pending.

Use of 'quedar' to show what is left.

Tengo muchos pendientes en la oficina.

I have many tasks to do in the office.

Used as a noun meaning 'tasks' (common in Latin America).

La decisión sigue pendiente.

The decision is still pending.

Use of 'seguir' to show continuation of state.

Estamos pendientes de los resultados.

We are waiting for the results.

Plural agreement with 'nosotros'.

El pedido aparece como pendiente.

The order appears as pending.

Standard status in e-commerce.

Ella está muy pendiente de su abuela.

She is very attentive to her grandmother.

Means 'taking care of' or 'attentive to'.

El asunto quedó pendiente para la próxima reunión.

The matter remained pending for the next meeting.

Preterite of 'quedar' indicates the result of the meeting.

Tengo una asignatura pendiente de primer año.

I have one pending subject from the first year.

Specific academic term for a failed/not taken class.

Estamos pendientes de que nos confirmen la reserva.

We are waiting for them to confirm the reservation.

'Pendiente de que' + subjunctive.

La ley está pendiente de aprobación en el senado.

The law is awaiting approval in the senate.

Formal administrative context.

No quiero dejar nada pendiente antes de las vacaciones.

I don't want to leave anything pending before the holidays.

Common workplace sentiment.

El resultado del análisis está aún pendiente.

The result of the analysis is still pending.

Use of 'aún' for emphasis.

Vive siempre pendiente de la opinión de los demás.

He/she lives always attentive to others' opinions.

Metaphorical use for emotional dependency.

La actualización del software quedó pendiente por un error.

The software update remained pending due to an error.

Technical context.

Esa es una de las grandes asignaturas pendientes de este gobierno.

That is one of the big unresolved challenges of this government.

Metaphorical use for social or political issues.

El contrato está pendiente de la revisión de los abogados.

The contract is awaiting the lawyers' review.

Professional legal context.

Mantenme pendiente de cualquier novedad, por favor.

Keep me updated on any news, please.

Imperative use with 'mantener'.

Quedó pendiente de resolución judicial el cierre de la empresa.

The closure of the company remained pending a judicial resolution.

Formal legal phrasing.

Siempre está pendiente de los más mínimos detalles.

He/she is always attentive to the smallest details.

Describes a perfectionist quality.

La operación quirúrgica está pendiente de los últimos análisis.

The surgical operation is pending the final tests.

Medical context.

Tenemos una cuenta pendiente que saldar.

We have an outstanding account (or score) to settle.

Idiomatic use for revenge or debt.

El proyecto se encuentra pendiente de financiación externa.

The project is currently awaiting external funding.

Use of 'encontrarse' instead of 'estar' for formality.

La reforma agraria es una tarea pendiente desde hace décadas.

Agrarian reform has been a pending task for decades.

Historical/Sociological context.

El país entero estaba pendiente del televisor durante la final.

The whole country was glued to the TV during the final.

Collective attentiveness.

Su ascenso quedó pendiente de un hilo tras el escándalo.

His promotion hung by a thread after the scandal.

Combined with 'de un hilo' for dramatic effect.

Existen flecos pendientes en la negociación del tratado.

There are pending loose ends in the treaty negotiation.

'Flecos' (fringes) is a common collocation for small details.

La resolución del conflicto sigue pendiente de un acuerdo bilateral.

The conflict's resolution remains pending a bilateral agreement.

High-level diplomatic language.

Es un autor que siempre está pendiente de la musicalidad de su prosa.

He is an author who is always attentive to the musicality of his prose.

Literary/Artistic context.

La solicitud fue denegada por tener deudas pendientes con Hacienda.

The application was denied for having outstanding debts with the Treasury.

Specific financial/legal context.

Quedan pendientes de cuantificar los daños causados por el temporal.

The damages caused by the storm remain to be quantified.

Passive-style formal construction.

La ontología contemporánea tiene aún pendiente la definición del ser digital.

Contemporary ontology still has the definition of the digital being as an unresolved task.

Philosophical/Academic context.

El veredicto, pendiente de la deliberación del jurado, se conocerá mañana.

The verdict, pending the jury's deliberation, will be known tomorrow.

Appositive phrase structure.

Su vida transcurrió en una constante espera, siempre pendiente de un destino esquivo.

His life passed in constant waiting, always attentive to an elusive destiny.

Literary/Poetic use.

La validez del contrato queda supeditada y pendiente de la ratificación notarial.

The contract's validity is subject to and pending notary ratification.

Complex legal subordination.

El director, siempre pendiente de la vanguardia, renovó el estilo de la revista.

The director, always attentive to the avant-garde, renewed the magazine's style.

Describes intellectual alertness.

La deuda histórica con los pueblos originarios sigue siendo una asignatura pendiente.

The historical debt to indigenous peoples remains an unresolved challenge.

Abstract socio-political metaphor.

Quedó pendiente de un hilo la estabilidad bursátil tras la noticia.

Stock market stability hung by a thread after the news.

Economic figurative language.

La obra permanece pendiente de una exégesis que agote sus múltiples significados.

The work remains awaiting an exegesis that exhausts its multiple meanings.

High-level scholarly language.

Häufige Kollokationen

asignatura pendiente

asunto pendiente

pago pendiente

tarea pendiente

estar pendiente de

quedar pendiente

orden pendiente

causa pendiente

cuenta pendiente

decisión pendiente

Häufige Phrasen

Dejar algo pendiente

— To postpone or leave a task for later.

No dejes nada pendiente para mañana.

Tener algo pendiente con alguien

— To have an unresolved issue or debt with a specific person.

Tengo algo pendiente contigo desde hace meses.

Estar pendiente del teléfono

— To be waiting for a call or message constantly.

He estado pendiente del teléfono todo el día.

Quedar pendiente de

— To be left waiting for a specific event to happen.

Quedamos pendientes de su confirmación.

Asuntos pendientes

— Unfinished business, either professional or personal.

Tengo varios asuntos pendientes en la ciudad.

Pendiente de aprobación

— Awaiting official permission or sign-off.

El presupuesto está pendiente de aprobación.

Pendiente de un hilo

— Hanging by a thread; in a very precarious situation.

Su futuro en la empresa está pendiente de un hilo.

Estar pendiente de todo

— To be very observant and attentive to every detail.

Ella siempre está pendiente de todo lo que pasa.

Pendiente de pago

— Status of a bill that hasn't been settled yet.

Esta factura aparece como pendiente de pago.

Lo pendiente

— The collective group of things that are unfinished.

Hay que terminar lo pendiente antes de salir.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

pendiente vs el pendiente

Noun meaning 'earring'. Context will tell you if it's an object or a status.

pendiente vs la pendiente

Noun meaning 'slope' or 'incline' (geometry/geography).

pendiente vs dependiente

Noun/Adj meaning 'clerk' or 'dependent'. Sounds similar but different meaning.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"Tener una cuenta pendiente"

— To have a score to settle with someone, often due to a past grievance.

Ellos tienen una cuenta pendiente desde la última discusión.

informal

"Estar pendiente de un hilo"

— To be in a very risky or uncertain situation where everything could fail.

La paz en la región está pendiente de un hilo.

neutral

"Quedar en el tintero"

— While not using the word 'pendiente', it means 'to be left pending/unsaid'.

Muchas preguntas quedaron en el tintero.

literary

"Vivir pendiente de los demás"

— To be overly concerned with what other people think or do.

No puedes vivir pendiente de los demás, sé tú mismo.

informal

"Dejar la puerta abierta"

— To leave a matter 'pendiente' so it can be discussed later.

Dejamos la puerta abierta a futuras negociaciones.

neutral

"Estar al tanto"

— A synonym for 'estar pendiente' in the sense of being informed.

Estaré al tanto de las noticias.

neutral

"Pasar factura"

— When something 'pendiente' from the past finally has a negative consequence.

El estrés le pasó factura.

informal

"Hacer borrón y cuenta nueva"

— To resolve all 'pendientes' and start over fresh.

Olvidemos el pasado y hagamos borrón y cuenta nueva.

neutral

"Estar a la que salta"

— To be extremely 'pendiente' (attentive) in an aggressive or opportunistic way.

Está a la que salta para criticarme.

slang

"No quitarle el ojo de encima"

— To be very 'pendiente' of someone visually.

No le quites el ojo de encima al niño.

informal

Leicht verwechselbar

pendiente vs próximo

Sometimes people think 'next' is 'pending'.

Próximo is the next in line; pendiente is something waiting to be finished.

El próximo tren (next train) vs El pago pendiente (pending payment).

pendiente vs atrasado

Both imply something not done.

Atrasado means late or overdue; pendiente just means not done yet (might not be late).

Tengo un trabajo atrasado (it's late) vs Tengo un trabajo pendiente (it's on my list).

pendiente vs suspenso

Both relate to waiting.

Suspenso is a feeling of tension or a failed grade; pendiente is a status of a task.

El final fue de suspenso vs El examen está pendiente.

pendiente vs arete

Synonym for earring.

Arete is always an earring; pendiente can be an earring OR an adjective meaning pending.

Me gusta tu arete vs El asunto está pendiente.

pendiente vs esperando

Both involve waiting.

Esperando is the action of waiting; pendiente is the state of the thing being waited for.

Estoy esperando el bus vs El bus está pendiente de llegar.

Satzmuster

La [cosa] está pendiente.

La tarea está pendiente.

Tengo [cosa] pendiente.

Tengo un pago pendiente.

Estar pendiente de [sustantivo/infinitivo].

Estoy pendiente de recibir el paquete.

Quedar pendiente para [tiempo].

El tema queda pendiente para mañana.

Dejar algo pendiente.

No dejes nada pendiente hoy.

Estar pendiente de que + subjuntivo.

Estamos pendientes de que el jefe apruebe el plan.

[Sujeto] es una asignatura pendiente.

La ecología es una asignatura pendiente del país.

Pendiente de un hilo.

La negociación está pendiente de un hilo.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

el pendiente (earring)

la pendiente (slope/incline)

el penditiente (rare/archaic for pendant)

Verben

pender (to hang/be suspended)

depender (to depend)

Adjektive

pendiente (pending)

pendular (pendular)

Verwandt

pendencia (quarrel)

apéndice (appendix)

suspenso (suspended)

estupendo (stupendous - distantly related)

péndulo (pendulum)

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Very high in both spoken and written Spanish.

Häufige Fehler

La tarea es pendiente. → La tarea está pendiente.
We use 'estar' for states and conditions. 'Pendiente' is a state of a task.
Tengo un pendiente de pago. → Tengo un pago pendiente.
In this context, 'pendiente' is an adjective that should follow the noun 'pago'.
Estoy pendiente para tu mensaje. → Estoy pendiente de tu mensaje.
The correct preposition to use with 'pendiente' when waiting for something is 'de'.
Los asuntos pendiente. → Los asuntos pendientes.
Adjectives must agree in number with the plural noun 'asuntos'.
Quedó pendiente de que vienes. → Quedó pendiente de que vinieras.
After 'pendiente de que', we use the subjunctive mood.

Tipps

Agreement

Always check if your noun is plural. 'Tareas pendientes' needs that 's'!

Professionalism

Using 'asuntos pendientes' in emails makes you sound very professional and organized.

Earrings

If you are in a jewelry store, 'pendientes' are earrings. Don't be confused!

Waiting for calls

Say 'Estoy pendiente del móvil' if you are expecting an important WhatsApp or call.

Settling scores

Use 'cuentas pendientes' only when you mean there is a serious unresolved conflict.

To-do shortcut

In a rush? Just say 'Tengo muchos pendientes' to explain why you are busy.

Pendiente vs Atrasado

Use 'pendiente' for things on your list, 'atrasado' for things that should have been done yesterday.

Closings

'Quedo pendiente de su respuesta' is a 10/10 way to end a business letter.

Context clues

If someone talks about 'la pendiente de la montaña', they are talking about the slope, not a task.

Daily use

Every morning, look at your calendar and say 'Tengo [X] cosas pendientes'.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of a 'pendant' hanging from a necklace. It's just hanging there, 'pending' until someone takes it off or it falls. Pendiente = Hanging/Pending.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a giant question mark hanging from a hook on a wall. It is 'pendiente' because it hasn't been answered yet.

Word Web

tarea pago asunto decisión examen factura llamada respuesta

Herausforderung

Try to list three things that are 'pendientes' in your life right now using the phrase 'Tengo... pendiente'.

Wortherkunft

Derived from the Latin 'pendens, pendentis', which is the present participle of 'pendere', meaning 'to hang'.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: Hanging or suspended.

Romance (Latin root).

Kultureller Kontext

No specific sensitivities, but 'estar muy pendiente de alguien' can sometimes imply over-protectiveness or 'helicopter' parenting.

English speakers often use 'pending' only for formal things; Spanish uses 'pendiente' for everything from a debt to a feeling.

Asignatura Pendiente (1977 film by José Luis Garci) Cuentas Pendientes (common song title in Salsa/Bolero) The concept of 'tareas pendientes' in productivity apps like Todoist (Spanish version).

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Office/Work

Lista de pendientes
Temas pendientes
Quedar pendiente
Asunto pendiente

Finance

Pago pendiente
Factura pendiente
Saldo pendiente
Cuenta pendiente

Socializing

Estar pendiente de alguien
Tener una charla pendiente
Estar pendiente del móvil
Cita pendiente

Education

Asignatura pendiente
Examen pendiente
Tarea pendiente
Nota pendiente

Legal/Admin

Pendiente de resolución
Causa pendiente
Pendiente de firma
Trámite pendiente

Gesprächseinstiege

"¿Tienes muchas tareas pendientes para este fin de semana?"

"¿Hay algún asunto pendiente que debamos discutir antes de terminar la reunión?"

"Siempre estoy muy pendiente de las noticias, ¿y tú?"

"¿Todavía tienes esa asignatura pendiente de la universidad?"

"¿Prefieres terminar todo hoy o dejar algo pendiente para mañana?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Escribe sobre una 'asignatura pendiente' que tengas en tu vida personal (algo que siempre has querido hacer).

Haz una lista de tus tres tareas pendientes más importantes para esta semana.

Describe una situación en la que estuviste muy pendiente de alguien y por qué.

¿Cómo te sientes cuando tienes muchas cosas pendientes? ¿Te estresas o te motivas?

Relata una vez que un 'pago pendiente' te causó un problema.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Casi siempre cuando es adjetivo. Sin embargo, también puede significar 'attentive' o 'watchful' cuando se usa con personas (estar pendiente de alguien).

Se puede decir 'lista de tareas pendientes' o simplemente 'mis pendientes' en muchos países de Latinoamérica.

Como adjetivo, termina en 'e', por lo que es igual para ambos géneros: 'asunto pendiente' (masc) y 'tarea pendiente' (fem).

'Estar' describe el estado actual. 'Quedar' se usa a menudo para decir que algo no se resolvió después de un evento o reunión.

Sí, 'estar pendiente de alguien' significa cuidar o estar atento a esa persona. Es un uso muy común y positivo.

Se dice 'deuda pendiente' o 'pago pendiente'.

En España es la palabra principal. En México y otros países se usa más 'arete', pero 'pendiente' también se entiende.

Significa un reto personal o social que aún no se ha superado. Por ejemplo: 'Viajar a Japón es mi asignatura pendiente'.

No, es un adjetivo o sustantivo. El verbo relacionado es 'pender' (colgar).

Se usa cuando hay un cambio de sujeto: 'Estoy pendiente de que *tú* me digas algo'.

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