atraer
verbCEFR B2
What does “atraer” mean in English?
to attract, to draw in
to attract, to draw in (economic, social, or physical; atraer inversión / la atención)
Example sentences
La ciudad se ha transformado para atraer a los llamados nómadas digitales que buscan buena conectividad y calidad de vida.
The city has transformed itself to attract so-called digital nomads who seek good connectivity and quality of life.
La campaña de publicidad no consiguió atraer el interés del público joven, que seguía ignorando la marca.
The advertising campaign failed to attract the interest of the young public, who continued to ignore the brand.
El escándalo atrajo la atención de los medios de comunicación durante semanas.
The scandal attracted the attention of the media for weeks.
How to use it
Atraer means 'to attract' — to draw in physically, economically, or emotionally. It is irregular: yo atraigo (first person present), and all other forms follow the pattern of traer. Common collocations: atraer inversión extranjera (attract foreign investment), atraer turistas, atraer la atención. The reflexive atraerse can mean to attract upon oneself (atraerse problemas) but is less common. At B2, the economic and social register uses (attracting investment, talent, visitors) are most important.
Common mistake
The irregular first-person atraigo (not *atrayo) catches learners — the pattern is the same as traer: traigo, traes, trae, etc. Atraer la atención (attract attention) is different from llamar la atención (to attract attention / to reprimand): atraer la atención is more neutral, while llamar la atención can imply scolding. Also: captar (to capture/attract) is a near-synonym in marketing contexts: captar clientes vs. atraer clientes — both are correct.