Spanish study note · VA TIPS #5
“Quedo al pendiente”: what it means and how to use it in Spanish emails
By Soltura · Published · Reviewed
Quedo al pendiente means “I’ll be on the lookout”: you’re available and you’ll watch for the reader’s reply or next step. It’s a common closing line in business email from Mexico, and the Real Academia Española’s usage guide records al pendiente as Mexican Spanish that is also used in other countries in the Americas. Follow it with de: Quedo al pendiente de sus comentarios. For clients in Spain, Quedo pendiente de… or Quedo a la espera de su respuesta is the more usual choice.
Part of Soltura’s Spanish study notes for virtual assistants.
The rule
The Real Academia Española’s Diccionario panhispánico de dudas explains that in Mexico pendiente is also a noun (“a matter you have to take care of”), which is where the phrase al pendiente comes from: “with your attention, care or interest on something.” It is also used in other countries in the Americas. In general Spanish the plain adjective does the same job: estar pendiente de algo.
- Preposition: both forms take de. The DPD says pendiente should not be used with a.
- Number: al pendiente is a fixed phrase, so a team writes Quedamos al pendiente. With the adjective it agrees: Quedamos pendientes.
- Where it goes: the last line before your sign-off, e.g. Quedo al pendiente de sus comentarios. Saludos cordiales,
- What it promises: availability, not a deadline. If you mean to follow up on a date, say so.
Example sentences
| Spanish | English | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Quedo al pendiente de sus comentarios. | I’ll look out for your comments. | Closing a message that asks for feedback |
| Le envío la propuesta revisada. Quedo al pendiente de cualquier duda. | Here is the revised proposal. I’m here if you have any questions. | Sending a deliverable |
| Quedamos al pendiente de la confirmación del pago. | We’ll watch for the payment confirmation. | Writing for a team |
| Quedo al pendiente de su respuesta para agendar la llamada. | I’ll watch for your reply so we can schedule the call. | Scheduling (agendar is common in Latin America) |
| Quedo pendiente de sus indicaciones. | I’ll wait for your instructions. | General Spanish, fine in Spain too |
| Quedo a la espera de su respuesta. | I look forward to your reply. | Neutral, very common in Spain |
Common mistakes
- Quedo al pendiente
asu respuesta → Quedo al pendiente de su respuesta. - Quedamos
al pendientes→ Quedamos al pendiente or Quedamos pendientes. - Swapping in Quedo atento without agreement: a woman writes Quedo atenta a sus comentarios (note: atento takes a).
- Using it as a promise to act. It says you’re reachable; add a date if you’ll chase: Si no tengo noticias, le escribo el jueves.
- Translating it word for word into English emails (“I remain pending”). In English, write “I look forward to your reply.”
Quick self-check
- Fill the gap: Quedo al pendiente ___ sus comentarios. Answer: de
- You write for a team of three. Quedamos ___. Give two correct endings. Answer: al pendiente or pendientes
- Your client is in Madrid. Which closing sounds most natural there? Answer: Quedo a la espera de su respuesta (or Quedo pendiente de…)
Practise it out loud
Soltura’s Ruta VA course has a “Greetings and sign-offs” module with Estimado Carlos, Saludos cordiales and Quedo al pendiente, with audio, so you can say the phrases out loud as well as write them. Soltura is a speaking-first Spanish app with a free plan; see Spanish for virtual assistants or plans and pricing.
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This note started as Soltura’s VA TIPS #5 post. Seen on Facebook.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What does “quedo al pendiente” mean in English?
Roughly “I’ll be on the lookout” or “I remain available”: the writer will watch for your reply or the next step. In English emails, “I look forward to hearing from you” is the natural equivalent.
Is “quedo al pendiente” correct Spanish?
Yes. The Real Academia Española’s Diccionario panhispánico de dudas records al pendiente as a Mexican locution also used in other American countries. In general Spanish, the adjective is the usual choice: quedo pendiente de sus comentarios.
Should I use it with clients in Spain?
It will be understood, but it is less common there. Quedo pendiente de… or Quedo a la espera de su respuesta are safer choices for readers in Spain.
Sources
- RAE–ASALE, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: “pendiente” (section 2, al pendiente), accessed Oct 10, 2026.
- RAE–ASALE, Diccionario de la lengua española: “atento, atenta”, accessed Oct 10, 2026.