"Desatender" means to neglect or not pay attention to something or someone. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly within discussions that reference responsibilities, duties, or care for others, be it in personal relationships or professional obligations. The word is relatively frequent in both oral and written Spanish; however, it may appear more in written contexts, especially in legal or formal discourse.
You should not neglect your family duties.
Desatender los plazos podría resultar en sanciones.
Neglecting the deadlines could result in penalties.
Ella siempre desatiende las necesidades de su perro.
While "desatender" is not typically used in idiomatic expressions on its own, it often appears in phrases that highlight the neglect of duties or responsibilities.
We cannot neglect the matter; it is of utmost importance.
Es fácil desatender los detalles, pero son cruciales para el éxito.
It is easy to overlook the details, but they are crucial for success.
Desatender las leyes puede llevar a graves consecuencias.
The word "desatender" is derived from the prefix "des-" which indicates negation or removal, and "atender," which comes from Latin "attendere," meaning "to attend to or to take care of." Thus, "desatender" literally means “to not attend,” suggesting a lack of attention or care.
Olvidar (to forget)
Antonyms: