prestar atención
verbCEFR B2
What does “prestar atención” mean in English?
to pay attention
to pay attention (prestar = lend; neutral to formal; prestar atención a + noun or que-clause)
Example sentences
Es importante prestar atención a los primeros síntomas para evitar complicaciones posteriores.
It is important to pay attention to the early symptoms to avoid later complications.
Hay que prestar especial atención a las cláusulas del contrato antes de firmar.
Particular attention must be paid to the contract clauses before signing.
Los estudiantes no prestaron atención y luego tuvieron dificultades en el examen.
The students didn't pay attention and then had difficulty in the exam.
How to use it
Prestar atención means 'to pay attention'. It is the standard formal Spanish collocation — prestar (to lend) + atención. Construction: prestar atención a + noun or que-clause. Unlike poner atención (also used, especially in LatAm) or hacer caso (to listen/heed, more informal), prestar atención is neutral to formal and is used across all varieties. Common in professional, educational, and academic registers.
Common mistake
English learners often confuse prestar atención (pay attention) with tener en cuenta (take into account). Prestar atención is active monitoring in the present; tener en cuenta is incorporating something into reasoning/decision. Don't use *pagar atención — a direct English calque that is not Spanish. In LatAm poner atención is equally common.