atender

Senses

1. 1.

   to answer (phone, door)

   to respond to a call or knock

2. 2.

   to assist, to serve

   to help or provide service to someone

3. 3.

   to meet, to fulfill

   to satisfy a requirement, need, or expectation

4. 4.

   to see (patients)

   to receive and treat patients in a medical context

Examples

• "Você pode atender o telefone? Estou ocupada."

  Can you answer the phone? I'm busy.

• "A recepcionista atendeu todos os clientes com muita atenção."

  The receptionist served all the customers with great care.

• "Este produto atende às necessidades do mercado."

  This product meets the market's needs.

Usage

Very common verb in both formal and informal contexts. Often used with "o telefone" (the phone), "a porta" (the door), or "clientes" (customers). When meaning "to meet requirements," typically followed by "a" (atender a/às). False friends: doesn't mean "to attend" (which is "assistir" or "comparecer").