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"Hacer caso" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to take notice of", and "prestar atención" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to pay attention". Learn more about the difference between "hacer caso" and "prestar atención" below.
hacer caso(
ah
-
sehrr
kah
-
soh
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
1. (to notice)
a. to take notice of
Me gusta Miguel, pero él no me hace caso.I like Miguel, but he doesn't take any notice of me.
2. (to heed)
a. to pay attention to
Si me hicieras caso, sacarías mejores notas.If you paid attention to what I say, your grades would be better.
prestar atención(
prehs
-
tahr
ah
-
tehn
-
syohn
)An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
1. (general)
a. to pay attention
Quiero que todos aquí presten atención a lo que voy a decir.I want everyone here to pay attention to what I'm about to say.
Es importante prestar atención a lo que comemos y a las calorías que consumimos.It's important to pay attention to what we eat and to the calories we consume.
