Speak Spanish with

confidence
Speak Spanish with
confidence
Angela Howkins and Juan Kattán-Ibarra
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First published in UK 2005 as Teach yourself Spanish Conversation by Hodder Education,
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Copyright © 2005, 2010 Angela Howkins and Juan Kattán-Ibarra
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Contents

Track listing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Only got a minute? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Only got five minutes? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Only got ten minutes? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Conversation 1: Arriving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Part 1: Picking up the hire car . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Part 2: Booking into the hotel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Conversation 2: Meeting and greeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Part 1: Greeting people . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Part 2: Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Conversation 3: Café culture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Part 1: Having a mid-morning drink . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Part 2: Aperitivo time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Conversation 4: Ordering a meal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Part 1: Ordering the first two courses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Part 2: Ordering dessert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Conversation 5: Knowing the way . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Part 1: Asking the way. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Part 2: Getting directions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Conversation 6: Phoning for help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Part 1: Calling a garage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Part 2: Fixing a shower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Conversation 7: A bit of entertainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Part 1: Planning to see a film. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Part 2: What time’s the football? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Conversation 8: On the move. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Part 1: At the railway station. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Part 2: At the bus station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Conversation 9: Some retail therapy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Part 1: Buying clothes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Part 2: Buying shoes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Conversation 10: Shopping for food . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Part 1: In the market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Part 2: At the grocer’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

Contents v
 Conversation 3/1: Getting going. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Part 1: Hiring a car . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Part 2: Getting a hotel room . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Conversation 3/2: Contacting friends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Part 1: Making contact over the phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
Part 2: Meeting friends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
Conversation 3/3: Having a bite to eat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Part 1: In the bar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Part 2: Ordering room service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Conversation 3/4: Eating out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Part 1: Getting a table. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Part 2: Ordering a meal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Conversation 3/5: Where is it? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Part 1: Asking the way. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Part 2: Hearing an announcement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
Conversation 3/6: Making a telephone call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Part 1: Phoning for a taxi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
Part 2: Listening to a radio advert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Conversation 3/7: Meeting up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Part 1: Arranging to meet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Part 2: Declining an invitation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Conversation 3/8: Travel times . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Part 1: Getting a ticket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Part 2: Travel announcements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Conversation 3/9: At the sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Part 1: What’s on offer?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
Part 2: Choosing and buying. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
Conversation 3/10: What do we need? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Part 1: Fruit and vegetables. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
Part 2: The shopping list . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
Listening skills: Survival phrases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Spanish–English glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
English–Spanish glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Essential vocabulary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Subject index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

vi
Track listing

CD1

Track 1: Introduction
Tracks 2–7: Conversation 1: Arriving
Tracks 8–16: Conversation 2: Meeting and greeting
Tracks 17–22: Conversation 3: Café culture
Tracks 23–8: Conversation 4: Ordering a meal
Tracks 29–34: Conversation 5: Knowing the way

CD2

Tracks 1–6: Conversation 6: Phoning for help

Tracks 7–12: Conversation 7: A bit of entertainment
Tracks 13–20: Conversation 8: On the move
Tracks 21–6: Conversation 9: Some retail therapy
Tracks 27–34: Conversation 10: Shopping for food

CD3

Track 1: Introduction
Tracks 2–3: Conversation 1: Getting going
Tracks 4–5: Conversation 2: Contacting friends
Tracks 6–7: Conversation 3: Having a bite to eat
Tracks 8–9: Conversation 4: Eating out
Tracks 10–11: Conversation 5: Where is it?
Tracks 12–13: Conversation 6: Making a telephone call
Tracks 14–15: Conversation 7: Meeting up
Tracks 16–17: Conversation 8: Travel times
Tracks 18–19: Conversation 9: At the sales
Tracks 20–21: Conversation 10: What do we need?

Recorded at Alchemy Studios, London

Cast: Marisa Julián, Eliud Porras, Carlos Riera, Sarah Sherborne,
Araceli Uriarte

Track listing vii

Credits

Front cover: © Ingram Publishing Limited

Back cover: © Jakub Semeniuk/iStockphoto.com, © Royalty-Free/

Corbis, © agencyby/iStockphoto.com, © Andy Cook/iStockphoto.com,
© Christopher Ewing/iStockphoto.com, © zebicho – Fotolia.com,
© Geoffrey Holman/iStockphoto.com, ©Photodisc/Getty Images,
© James C. Pruitt/iStockphoto.com, © Mohamed Saber – Fotolia.com
Introduction

Hello and welcome to Speak Spanish with confidence.

In devising this course, we have had very much in mind, firstly the
close relationship between the two skills of speaking and listening,
and secondly, the understanding that you want to put what you are
learning to immediate practical use. The course is based around a series
of conversations for you to listen to and take part in. The situations are
the everyday kind you would find yourself in, and they introduce you to
essential language in a useful context.

For each conversation we first introduce you to the words and phrases
you will need, together with their meanings, giving you the opportunity
to listen and repeat. You are then ready to listen to and take part in the
conversation.

The course is designed so that you learn at the speed which suits you
best. You can listen, listen and repeat, and take part in the conversations
as many times as you like. The more you practise, the more confident
you will become.

To get the most out of the course, work your way through CDs 1
and 2 in the order given as you will use what you have learned in
earlier conversations in later conversations. Finally, listen to CD3 for
consolidation, enjoyment and to learn some more.

Angela Howkins and Juan Kattán-Ibarra

Introduction 1
Only got a minute?
How do you say good morning, good afternoon or good

evening, and goodbye in Spanish? Wherever you are, a

friendly buenos días in the morning or buenas tardes in the

afternoon, helps to set the tone.

If you have visited Spain, you will know that meals

tend to be later than in this country, and so buenos días

may work beyond noon, while buenas tardes is suitable

for afternoon and evening. Later in the evening and at

night, you will hear buenas noches and respond likewise,

for a greeting is always returned. Hasta luego is a cheery

goodbye which you can put with adiós, goodbye (adiós,

hasta luego).

And how about please and thank you, yes and no?

Por favor is please but also a way of attracting someone’s

attention where we might say excuse me. Gracias is thank

you, and if you have been well attended to and want to say

so, then muchas gracias, thank you very much. No is no and

Only got a minute? 3

 to politely decline, no, gracias. Yes is sí, though you may well

hear sí, sí, sí, and once into the swing of things, find yourself

imitating your hosts’ language patterns.

In Speak Spanish with confidence you will find

words and phrases in their natural contexts. Built round ten

conversations, each having two parts, the course is designed

to help you to understand and use basic, everyday Spanish.

You are always actively involved, as in each conversation

you are invited to listen and repeat parts of the conversation

before taking part in it, and what you learn and practise in

one conversation, you use in others.

The conversations include all kinds of situations

in which you could find yourself, so the language you are

learning is immediately practical.

4
 5 Only got five minutes?
Is Spanish an easy language to learn? This is a question that is often
asked. The received wisdom is that yes, compared with some other
languages, Spanish is not a difficult language to learn. One reason for
this lies in the pronunciation. Unlike English, Spanish is a phonetic
language, that is to say it is written the way it is spoken. There are no
complicated combinations of vowels and consonants which give the
same sound, like ‘though’ and ‘blow’ or ‘through’, ‘blew’, and ‘blue’
in English. A vowel has a particular sound value regardless of where it
occurs in a word: at the beginning, in the middle or at the end. For an
example, let’s take the Spanish word for tomorrow, mañana. You will
notice that the ‘a’ sounds the same in each syllable. Each vowel in a word
is pronounced and its sound does not change when it joins with another
vowel. If you say fiesta, siesta, María, you will pronounce the ‘a’, ‘e’,
and ‘i ‘ the same way in each word. The five vowels, ‘a’, ‘e’, ‘i ‘, ‘o’, ‘u’, each
have a single, pure sound, while the majority of consonants have sound
values very similar to English ones. There are only a few consonants
where we have to be mindful of a different pronunciation in Spanish
from English.

Another reason for saying that Spanish is not a difficult language to

learn is because many Spanish words look like English words and
usually have a similar meaning as they share the same origin, either
Latin or Greek. The list is long but just as an example compare English
map with Spanish mapa, problem with problema, sincere with sincero.
Some words have been adopted into Spanish from English, for example
fútbol, parking, and un e-mail, in just the same way as we will talk
for example about mañana, the patio or a fiesta. So without perhaps
realizing it, we already know some Spanish, and this awareness can help
in the learning process.

Listening is an important activity in learning how to speak a language.

Listening and speaking are related. By listening, you learn how the

Only got a minute?

Only got five minutes? 5
 language sounds. You get used to the rhythms and intonation and you
can imitate what you hear. In Speak Spanish with Confidence, you will
hear the kind of Spanish you will want to use to get yourself around,
from picking up your hire car and checking in at the hotel to asking the
way, getting something to eat and drink, shopping and travelling. You
will hear words on their own and words in phrases and sentences, with
their meanings explained to you. Then you will hear a conversation in
which these words are put to practical use. As you listen, you are invited
to have a go at saying the words yourself, and then a go at playing your
part in the conversation. You may listen and listen and repeat as many
times as you like because you are in charge of the learning process and
repetition is the key to good learning.

Grammar explanation is kept to a minimum, not because grammar

is not important, it is, but because it is a good idea to get a feel for
the language first, to get some knowledge and to assimilate some of
the structures before you proceed to a more formal study of Spanish.
The course is designed to enable you to do this, and as you gain in
confidence, you will be able to use what you have learned not only in
the context in which you have first practised it, but in other contexts as
well.

You may already have visited Spain or Mexico or any other of the
Spanish speaking countries and decided that you want to learn to speak
the language. If, however, you are reading this and wondering about
whether Spanish is the language for you then consider the following
points.

Spanish is the official language of 21 countries in the world, most of

them in the Americas. Only English and Mandarin Chinese presently
have more speakers of their respective languages. In addition, there are
about as many Spanish speakers in the US as the total population of
Spain while for the majority of those in the US whose mother tongue
is English, Spanish is the first foreign language they want and need
to learn. Right across the world more and more people are learning
Spanish which means that increasingly people from different parts of the
world find that the language they have in common for communication
purposes is Spanish.

6
The business imperative is high but that is not the only reason people
want to learn the language. There are cultural reasons too. If you learn
Spanish you are opening doors and windows onto the rich cultural
heritage of not one but 21 countries. Before 1492 ‘when Columbus
sailed the ocean blue’, Spain had a civilization strongly influenced by
centuries of first Roman then Arab rule, much of it still visible and
there for us to visit, while the civilizations of the Americas were highly
developed and sophisticated, the Maya and Aztec in Mexico and the
Inca of Peru being the best known. The Inca ruins of Machu Picchu
and the pyramids of the Maya and Aztec count among the man-made
wonders of the world. The extreme material wealth of these newly-
found lands fed across the Atlantic, and while Spain was the principal
beneficiary of this wealth, the rest of Europe profited too. Without
doubt, Sir Francis Drake spoke Spanish, and through Spanish these
lands with their own rich cultures are equally accessible to us. To talk
of more recent times, Spanish speaking countries have produced poets,
novelists, artists, musicians, scientists of world renown.

Interestingly, in China and Japan, a reason why so many people want to

learn Spanish is flamenco. Elsewhere it is salsa and tango or pop stars
like Shakira from Colombia or Enrique Iglesias, son of that once famous
Spanish crooner Julio Iglesias. Listening to and learning the words of
a song can be the incentive to learn Spanish. And it is, quite simply, a
beautiful language.

Only got a minute?

Only got five minutes? 7
 10 Only got ten minutes?
Thinking of learning Spanish? Smart thinking, because Spanish, along
with English and Mandarin Chinese, is the most widely spoken language
in the world. For over 350 million people it is the official language of
their country: Mexico, Central America, Puerto Rico, the Dominican
Republic, Cuba and the South American republics (except Brazil),
Equatorial Guinea in Africa, not to mention Spain which actually
accounts for only 18 per cent of the total number of speakers spread
across 21 countries. And that is before we get to the US where the
Hispanic population (people who come or whose families originally
came from Latin America) is about the same as the total population of
Spain: some 46 million. It is thanks to this large and growing Hispanic
population that the ability to speak Spanish is becoming an imperative
in US daily life. Elsewhere in the world, from Brazil through Europe
and Scandinavia to Japan, Spanish has become the foreign language of
choice.

Increasing numbers of people world wide recognize the importance of

this language which James I of England, VI of Scotland, once called
‘the language of the Almighty’. And not just to go on holiday, though
what better reason to learn a language than to be able to move around
and get something to eat and drink without having to hope and rely on
the locals speaking your language? In the business world, companies,
national and international alike, are realizing the economic advantages
of having personnel at every level of the company able to speak Spanish.

So how do you go about learning a language? Where do you start?

Motivation is the key, and it is motivation that will keep you going
when you feel you aren’t making much progress. When you feel like this,
remind yourself of why you want to learn the language and also, remind
yourself of what you have learned. We tend to take for granted what
we have learned, what we know and can do and instead fix on what we
don’t know and what we can’t do. It takes time to learn a language well.
It is not something that you learn in a day, a week, or three months. In
such time you will learn something about the language and something

8
is always better than nothing, but think how long it took us to master
our own mother tongue, and be prepared for it to take time for you to
master Spanish.

And time is another key. The more time you can give over to study,
the more progress you will make. The ideal is to do some every day,
whether you have enrolled on a course or are teaching yourself. It does
not have to be a long period of study. Indeed, the brain will only take
so much at a time, so a little repeatedly is better than a blitz every once
in a while. And that is where Speak Spanish with Confidence comes
in. It is an eminently practical way of studying: listening while you are
travelling, doing household chores or just relaxing. It also emulates the
way we learned our mother tongue: through our ears. By listening, we
tune into the sounds and cadences of the language. By repeating what
we hear, listening and repeating over and over again, we assimilate the
structures of the language. The sounds become distinguishable as words
and phrases, and the more we repeat them, the more accustomed we
become to them and start to relate to them without thinking, just as we
do in our own language.

There are many aspects of Spanish and English which are similar. A
large number of words share a common origin, and once you are tuned
in to Spanish pronunciation, you will make the adjustments so that
natural, probable, legal for example sound Spanish. You will discover
that you can turn perfect into perfecto, splendid into espléndido,
important into importante and marvellous into maravilloso. In other
ways Spanish and English are quite different, and understanding the
different thinking patterns makes learning the language both fun and
rewarding.

English is perhaps the only European language which does not have
gender; we don’t even have actresses any more, and maybe not
waitresses either. But in Spanish a male teacher for example, is un
profesor and a female teacher, una profesora. My male friend is mi
amigo and my female friend is mi amiga. Gender relates to things as
well as to people, so we can say that in Spanish nouns are masculine or
feminine. Wine is masculine, vino, while beer is feminine, cerveza. While
we only have one word for a and the, Spanish has a masculine form

Only got ten minutes? 9

 and a feminine form for these words, so un vino (a wine) and el vino
(the wine), una cerveza (a beer) and la cerveza (the beer). If we want to
talk about Spanish wine, then the adjective Spanish must be masculine
because wine is masculine: el vino español, but talk about Spanish beer
and the adjective Spanish becomes feminine because beer is feminine:
la cerveza española. This is called agreement and it operates for both
gender (masculine and feminine) and for number (singular and plural).
So, my Spanish friend is mi amigo español but my Spanish friends are
mis amigos españoles. If my friend is female, then mi amiga española
and if I have several female friends, then mis amigas españolas. In other
words, while in English it is sufficient just for friends to be in the plural,
in Spanish my and Spanish must also be in the plural to agree with
friends.

You will have noticed that in English we say my Spanish friend but
Spanish says my friend Spanish. Often you will find that the order of
words is different in Spanish. For example, the hotel you are staying
in is not the Astoria Hotel but el Hotel Astoria, and its address is not 3,
Pelayo Street but la calle Pelayo, 3.

In Speak Spanish with confidence, you will be introduced to these

differences in the most natural way possible. The main thing is to be
relaxed and to accept that Spanish says it differently from English. For
language is not only the means we have for talking to one another, it is
also the way we transmit our culture.

Despite Americanization with the ubiquitous Starbuck’s, Macdonald’s or

Burger King, the café or bar still plays an important part in Spanish life.
From early morning, breakfast is served, and many Spaniards drop into
the bar on their way to work rather than have breakfast at home. It is
not a big affair, usually a freshly squeezed orange juice, coffee and toast
or croissant or sweet bun which will be displayed on the bar counter.
Later in the morning the baguette style sandwich takes over from the
croissant, while around about 1.30 p.m. when workers are beginning
to finish for the morning, bars are ready to serve the aperitivo, that
necessary drink and small snack to get the stomach juices going for the
mid-day meal. Many bars serve a set menu, el menú del día, at lunch
time, the menu usually displayed on a board outside. This is a good,

10
economical way to eat two courses and dessert or coffee, bread and
a drink included. The drink always used to be wine but now you are
generally given a choice. No self-respecting Spaniard would eat a meal
without bread and there are many proverbs in Spanish extolling the
virtues of bread and wine!

Because the mid-day meal is the main meal of the day, the lunch time
break is longer than we are used to. The larger supermarkets and
department stores stay open, but offices and smaller shops shut for at
least two hours, longer in summer, which in coastal areas gives time to
go to the beach. Government offices and banks tend to be open only in
the mornings but in Spain the morning lasts till 2 p.m. Shops re-open
about 5 p.m. and close about 8 p.m., but you can find that in summer,
opening and closing times are later. Again in the evening after work, the
bars fill up until it is time for the evening meal.

You can still get a menú del día in the evening or you may prefer to eat
à la carte in which case you will notice that in a Spanish menu, la carta,
the dishes are listed according to their main ingredient. Vegetables are
served as a dish in their own right and are the prelude to the meat or fish
course. Each course is a plato and this is why in cafeterías you may well
see photographs of the platos combinados on offer – the meat, fish or
chicken and vegetables all on one plate.

When Spaniards are in the U.K. what they find difficult to adapt to are
the eating times and the fact that after a certain hour the streets seem
empty. Life in Spain continues visibly into the small hours. After the
evening meal, as well as the discos and night clubs, the theatre, cinema
and concert hall offer entertainment, and there are bars which offer live
music. In summer especially, people enjoy the cooler evening air outside,
strolling and having a drink on a terraza, the pavement part of a bar or
café.

And here is another point of difference. In many countries it is

customary to pay for your drinks up front. This is not the case in Spain
except in those tourist areas where experience has taught bar staff to
charge on serving. Generally speaking, you settle up when you decide
that it is time to go. Also, the price of your drink can vary slightly

Only got ten minutes? 11

 according to where you have it. At the bar is cheapest. That is where
you order your drink and where you consume it. If you want to sit at a
table in the bar or outside, then you choose your table and the waiter
will come to you.

Smokers by and large have a better deal in Spain. In common with the
rest of Europe, smoking is prohibited in public places but bars over a
certain size may have designated areas for smokers. If they are under a
certain size, the bar owner has been able to choose whether he wants
his premises to be smoke free or not. If you like to smoke, then look
for a bar which has a sign which tells you that you can smoke: se puede
fumar. If it is not clear, then you can ask ¿Se puede fumar?

Getting a drink, ordering a meal: it is this basic language that you

require when in a Spanish speaking country that Speak Spanish with
Confidence sets out to help you learn. From the moment you arrive and
want to pick up your hire car or check into your hotel, to sampling the
café culture, choosing from the menú del día, shopping or finding the
way, the ten conversations, each with two parts, which comprise the
course, introduce you to the Spanish that you will meet and require in
certain situations. The course is essentially an audio course so it does
not require that you sit with a book to study. What you require is on the
CDs. First you are talked through the words and phrases you will need,
with the opportunity to listen and repeat before you hear them in the
context of a conversation. Once you have heard them in context, you
are then invited to take part yourself. Initially, you may want to listen
and not to speak yourself until you feel comfortable with what you are
hearing, or you may want to jump right in and have a go at speaking
from the very start. Whichever way, you are in charge, and you can play
to listen and play to listen and repeat as many times as you like.

As you go along, aspects of the language are explained and you will
find that what you have learned and practised in one context, numbers
and time for example, you will use in other contexts, just as you
would in real life. The accompanying booklet gives you the texts of
the conversations in Spanish with English translations, together with a
glossary and word lists, which you can use for quick reference or which
you may want to read independently of the CDs. There are three CDs:

12
CDs 1 and 2 are for listening and speaking while CD3 reinforces what
you are learning with conversations and announcements relating to the
situations of CDs 1 and 2. These are designed just for listening but as
you listen and assimilate, you will find yourself learning as well.

So have a go! If you already know some Spanish or are attending a class,
you will find these CDs really useful for giving you that extra practice at
both listening and speaking. If Spanish is new to you, this is a practical,
useful and enjoyable way of making that first contact with the language.

Only got ten minutes? 13

 Conversation 1: Arriving

PART 1: PICKING UP THE HIRE CAR

L CD1, TR3

Employee Buenos días.

Alfonso Buenos días. Tengo un coche reservado.
Employee ¿A qué nombre?
Alfonso A nombre de Alfonso Fuentes.
Employee Ah sí, un Corsa para diez días.
Alfonso No, para seis días.
Employee Ah sí, para seis días. Su tarjeta de crédito, por favor.
Alfonso Aquí tiene.
Employee ¿Quiere firmar aquí? Aquí tiene la llave.
Alfonso Gracias.

Insight
Remember the way you learned your numbers as a child? Do
the same now for Spanish. Start with 1–3. Then add, 4,5,6 to
make 1–6. Add in 7 and 8, then finally 9 and 10.
Keep reciting them to yourself like a little song.

PART 2: BOOKING INTO THE HOTEL

L CD1, TR6

Cristina Buenas tardes. Tengo una habitación reservada.

Receptionist ¿A qué nombre?
Cristina A nombre de Cristina Sánchez.
Receptionist Un momento, por favor. Una habitación individual
con baño para dos noches.
Cristina No, una habitación doble con baño para tres noches.
Receptionist Ah sí. Su pasaporte, por favor.
Cristina Aquí tiene.
Receptionist ¿Quiere firmar aquí? Aquí tiene la llave. Habitación siete.
Cristina Gracias.

14
Employee Good morning.
Alfonso Good morning. I have a car booked.
Employee In what name?
Alfonso In the name of Alfonso Fuentes.
Employee Oh, yes, a Corsa for ten days.
Alfonso No, for six days.
Employee Oh yes, for six days. Your credit card, please.
Alfonso Here you are.
Employee Would you sign here? Here’s the key.
Alfonso Thank you.

Cristina Good afternoon. I have a room booked.

Receptionist In what name?
Cristina In the name of Cristina Sánchez.
Receptionist One moment, please. A single room with bath for
two nights.
Cristina No, a double room with bath for three nights.
Receptionist Oh, yes. Your passport, please.
Cristina Here you are.
Receptionist Would you sign here? Here’s the key. Room seven.
Cristina Thank you.

Conversation 1: Arriving 15
 Conversation 2: Meeting and greeting

PART 1: GREETING PEOPLE

L CD1, TR9

Ana ¿Dígame?
Alfonso ¿Está Ana, por favor?
Ana Sí, soy yo. Eres Alfonso ¿no?
Alfonso Sí, soy Alfonso. Hola, Ana. ¿Cómo estás?
Ana Muy bien, gracias. Y tú ¿qué tal?
Alfonso Bien.

L CD1, TR12

Business associate ¿Usted es la señora Cristina Sánchez?

Cristina Sí, soy yo.
Business associate Yo soy Miguel Gonzalo.
Cristina Buenas tardes. ¿Cómo está?
Business associate Muy bien. ¿Y usted?
Cristina Bien, gracias.

Insight
The words for I: yo and you: tú (when you are speaking
to someone in an informal situation) usted (when you are
speaking to someone in a formal situation) are used mostly for
emphasis or contrast. They are not generally needed because:
soy = I am
eres = (informal) you are
es = (formal) you are

PART 2: MEETING
L CD1, TR15

Alfonso Hola, buenas noches. ¿Cómo estás?

Ana Muy bien ¿Y tú?
Alfonso Bien. Ana, esta es Cristina.
Ana Encantada.
Cristina Mucho gusto.
16
Ana Hello.
Alfonso Is Ana in, please?
Ana Yes, it’s me. You’re Alfonso, aren’t you?
Alfonso Yes, I’m Alfonso. Hello, Ana. How are you?
Ana Very well, thank you. And you, how are things?
Alfonso Fine.

Business associate Are you Mrs Cristina Sánchez?

Cristina Yes, I am.
Business associate I’m Miguel Gonzalo.
Cristina Good evening. How are you?
Business associate Very well. And you?
Cristina Well, thank you.

Alfonso Hello, good evening. How are you?

Ana Very well. And you?
Alfonso Fine. Ana, this is Cristina.
Ana Pleased to meet you.
Cristina How do you do?
Conversation 2: Meeting and greeting 17
 Ana Y este es Pablo.
Pablo Encantado.
Alfonso Hola, ¿qué tal?
Cristina Encantada.
****
Ana Hasta luego.
Pablo Hasta mañana.

Conversation 3: Café culture

PART 1: HAVING A MID-MORNING DRINK

L CD1, TR18

Waiter Hola, buenos días. ¿Qué van a tomar?

Cristina Quiero un café.
Waiter ¿Solo o con leche?
Cristina Un café solo y también un agua mineral.
Waiter ¿Con gas o sin gas?
Cristina Con gas.
Alfonso Para mí, un cortado.
Waiter ¿Y para usted, señora?
Ana ¿Tiene zumo de piña?
Waiter De piña, no. Tenemos de naranja o de manzana.
Ana Un zumo de manzana.
Waiter Un café solo, un agua mineral con gas, un cortado
y un zumo de manzana. ¿Algo más?
Ana No, gracias.
****
Ana Por favor, ¿cuánto es?
Waiter Cinco euros.

18
Ana And this is Pablo.
Pablo Pleased to meet you.
Alfonso Hi, how are things?
Cristina Pleased to meet you.
****
Ana Bye, see you.
Pablo Until tomorrow.

Waiter Hello, good morning. What are you going to have?

Cristina I want a coffee.
Waiter Expresso or with milk?
Cristina An expresso coffee and also a mineral water.
Waiter Sparkling or still?
Cristina Sparkling.
Alfonso For me, a coffee with a dash of milk.
Waiter And for you, madam?
Ana Do you have pineapple juice?
Waiter (Of) pineapple, no. We have (of) orange or (of) apple.
Ana An apple juice.
Waiter An expresso coffee, a sparkling mineral water, a coffee
with a dash of milk, and an apple juice. Anything else?
Ana No, thank you.
****
Ana Please, how much is it?
Waiter Five euros.

Conversation 3: Café culture 19

 Insight
Spanish nouns have gender: masculine or feminine.
Wine is masculine (m).
Beer is feminine (f).
Usually:
• a masculine noun ends in -o
• a feminine noun ends in -a.
un vino a wine
una cerveza a beer
What goes with the noun must also have gender, so:
un vino español a Spanish wine
una cerveza española a Spanish beer

PART 2: APERITIVO TIME

L CD1, TR21

Waitress Hola. ¿Qué van a tomar?

Cristina Un vino.
Waitress ¿Tinto o blanco?
Cristina Blanco.
Waitress ¿Y para usted?
Pablo Una cerveza. ¿Tiene tapas?
Waitress Sí. Tenemos de tortilla, queso y jamón serrano.
Pablo Una de queso y una de jamón.
Waitress Una cerveza, un vino blanco, una tapa de queso y una
de jamón. ¿Algo más?
Pablo No, gracias.
****
Pablo ¿Cuánto es?
Waitress Diez euros.

20
Waitress Hello. What are you going to have?
Cristina A (glass of) wine.
Waitress Red or white?
Cristina White.
Waitress And for you?
Pablo A beer. Do you have tapas?
Waitress Yes. We have (of) omelette, cheese and cured ham.
Pablo One of cheese and one of ham.
Waitress A beer, a white wine, a tapa of cheese and one of ham.
Anything else?
Pablo No, thank you.
****
Pablo How much is it?
Waitress Ten euros.

Conversation 3: Café culture 21

 Conversation 4: Ordering a meal

PART 1: ORDERING THE FIRST TWO COURSES

L CD1, TR24

Waitress Hola, buenas tardes. ¿Qué van a tomar?

Pablo Queremos el menú del día.
Waitress De primero hay sopa de verduras, ensalada mixta y
paella.
Pablo Yo voy a tomar sopa de verduras.
Alfonso Para mí, una ensalada mixta.
Cristina Yo quiero una ensalada mixta también.
Waitress ¿Qué quieren de segundo? Hay pescado, chuletas de
cordero y pollo.
Cristina Para mí, pescado.
Alfonso Yo, pollo.
Pablo Yo quiero chuletas de cordero.
Waitress ¿Qué van a beber?
Pablo Vino tinto de la casa.
Alfonso Yo también.
Cristina Un agua mineral sin gas.
Waitress Una sopa de verduras y dos ensaladas mixtas de
primero. De segundo, pescado, pollo y chuletas de
cordero. Y para beber, dos vinos tintos y un agua mineral
sin gas.

Insight
To make a noun plural, add -s if it ends in a vowel; -es if it
ends in a consonant.
una sopa dos sopas
un hotel dos hoteles
When a noun is plural, what goes with it is also plural:
un café solo dos cafés solos
una ensalada mixta dos ensaladas mixtas

22
Waitress Hello, good afternoon. What are you going to have?
Pablo We would like the set menu.
Waitress For first course, there is vegetable soup, mixed salad
and paella.
Pablo I’m going to have vegetable soup.
Alfonso For me, a mixed salad.
Cristina I want a mixed salad as well.
Waitress What do you want for second course? There’s fish,
lamb chops and chicken.
Cristina For me, fish.
Alfonso Me, chicken.
Pablo I want lamb chops.
Waitress What are you going to drink?
Pablo House red.
Alfonso Me too.
Cristina A still mineral water.
Waitress One vegetable soup and two mixed salads for first
course. For second course, fish, chicken and lamb
chops. And to drink, two red wines and one still
mineral water.

Conversation 4: Ordering a meal 23

 PART 2: ORDERING DESSERT
L CD1, TR27

Waitress ¿Qué quieren de postre? Hay helado, fruta

y flan.
Pablo Yo voy a tomar flan.
Cristina ¿Qué fruta hay?
Waitress Tenemos manzana y pera.
Cristina Una pera.
Waitress ¿Y para usted, señor?
Alfonso Quiero un helado. ¿Qué sabores tiene?
Waitress Hay de vainilla, fresa y chocolate.
Alfonso Un helado de fresa.
Waitress ¿Van a tomar café?
Pablo Sí. Dos cafés solos y la cuenta, por favor.

Conversation 5: Knowing the way

PART 1: ASKING THE WAY

L CD1, TR30

Alfonso Por favor, ¿hay una farmacia por aquí?

Passer-by Sí, hay una en la calle Granada.
Alfonso Y ¿para ir a la calle Granada?
Passer-by Todo recto, al final de la calle, a la derecha.
Cristina Y la oficina de turismo, ¿dónde está?
Passer-by Está en la Plaza Mayor. Al final de la calle Granada, a la
izquierda.
Cristina ¿Está lejos?
Passer-by No, está cerca, a cinco minutos de aquí.
Cristina Muchas gracias.
Passer-by De nada. Adiós.

24
Waitress What do you want for dessert? There is ice cream, fruit
and crème caramel.
Pablo I’m going to have crème caramel.
Cristina What fruit is there?
Waitress We have apple(s) and pear(s).
Cristina A pear.
Waitress And for you, sir?
Alfonso I want an ice cream. What flavours do you have?
Waitress There is (of) vanilla, strawberry and chocolate.
Alfonso A strawberry ice cream.
Waitress Are you going to have coffee?
Pablo Yes. Two expresso coffees and the bill, please.

Alfonso Please, is there a chemist’s around here?

Passer-by Yes, there’s one in Granada Street.
Alfonso And to get to Granada Street?
Passer-by Straight on, at the end of the street, to the right.
Cristina And the tourist office, where is it?
Passer-by It’s in the main square. At the end of Granada Street,
to the left.
Cristina Is it far?
Passer-by No, it’s near, (at) five minutes from here.
Cristina Thank you very much.
Passer-by Not at all. Goodbye.

Conversation 5: Knowing the way 25

 Insight
If a noun is masculine, the word for the is el, and in the plural,
los.
If it is feminine, the is la, and in the plural, las.
el museo los museos the museum / the museums
la catedral las catedrales the cathedral / the cathedrals.

PART 2: GETTING DIRECTIONS

L CD1, TR33

Cristina Por favor, ¿para ir a la catedral?

Passer-by Sigue todo recto por esta calle y toma la segunda calle a
la izquierda.
Alfonso La segunda a la izquierda.
Passer-by Sí, y después la primera a la derecha. No está lejos.
Alfonso Gracias. ¿Y dónde está el museo? ¿Está cerca?
Passer-by Sí. Está enfrente de la catedral, en la esquina.
Cristina Muchas gracias.
Passer-by De nada. Adiós.

Conversation 6: Phoning for help

PART 1: CALLING A GARAGE

L CD2, TR2

Mechanic Taller Bros, ¿dígame?

Alfonso Hola, buenos días. Tengo un problema con mi coche.
¿Puede mandar un mecánico?
Mechanic ¿Qué le pasa?
Alfonso No sé. El motor no funciona bien.
Mechanic ¿Dónde está usted?
Alfonso En el Hotel Londres, calle Londres, veinticinco.
Mechanic ¿Me da el número de teléfono de su hotel?
Alfonso Es el veintidós, treinta, diecisiete. Me llamo Alfonso
Fuentes y estoy en la habitación doce.

26
Cristina Please, to get to the cathedral?
Passer-by Carry straight on along this street and take the second
street on the left.
Alfonso The second on the left.
Passer-by Yes, and then the first on the right. It’s not far.
Alfonso Thank you. And where is the museum? Is it near?
Passer-by Yes. It’s opposite the cathedral, on the corner.
Cristina Thank you very much.
Passer-by Not at all. Goodbye.

Mechanic Hello, Bros Garage.

Alfonso Hello, good morning. I have a problem with my car.
Can you send a mechanic?
Mechanic What’s the matter with it?
Alfonso I don’t know. The engine’s not running properly.
Mechanic Where are you?
Alfonso In the London Hotel, 25 London Street.
Mechanic Would you give me the phone number of your hotel?
Alfonso It’s 22–30–17. My name is Alfonso Fuentes and I’m in
room 12.

Conversation 6: Phoning for help 27

 Insight
Spanish no = no and not.
No = not always goes before the verb.
No funciona. It’s not working.
No quiero café. I don’t want coffee.
Ana, ¿quieres café? Ana, do you want coffee?
No, no quiero café. No, I don’t want coffee.
Remember how you learned 1–10? Do the same for 11–20.

PART 2: FIXING A SHOWER

L CD2, TR5

Plumber Servidomus, ¿dígame?

Ana Buenas tardes. Tengo un problema con la ducha. ¿Puede
mandar un fontanero?
Plumber ¿Qué le pasa?
Ana No funciona bien. No sale agua caliente, solamente
agua fría.
Plumber ¿Me da su dirección?
Ana Es la calle Galileo, diecisiete, segundo, izquierda. Mi
número de teléfono es el quince, cero ocho, veintinueve.
Plumber ¿Y su nombre?
Ana Ana Fernández.

Conversation 7: A bit of entertainment

PART 1: PLANNING TO SEE A FILM

L CD2, TR8

Cristina ¿Qué hora es?

Ana Las dos menos cuarto.
Alfonso ¿A qué hora es la película?
Ana Hay una sesión a las cuatro y cuarto, otra a las siete y
media y la última es a las diez.
Cristina ¿Vamos a la sesión de las cuatro y cuarto?

28
Plumber Hello, Servidomus.
Ana Good afternoon. I have a problem with the shower.
Can you send a plumber?
Plumber What’s the matter with it?
Ana It’s not working properly. Hot water’s not coming out,
only cold water.
Plumber Would you give me your address?
Ana It’s 17 Galileo Street, second, left. My phone number is:
15–08–29.
Plumber And your name?
Ana Ana Fernández.

Cristina What’s the time?

Ana A quarter to two.
Alfonso (At) what time is the film?
Ana There’s a showing at a quarter past four, another at
half past seven, and the last is at ten.
Cristina Shall we go to the quarter past four showing?

Conversation 7: A bit of entertainment 29

 Alfonso Sí, pero no tengo dinero. ¿A qué hora cierra el
banco?
Ana Hoy cierra a las dos.

Insight
Practise telling the time with a clock.
Hands on the hour:
la una one o’clock
las dos two o’clock
Minutes past the hour:
las tres y cinco five past three
las ocho y cuarto a quarter past eight
las diez y media half past ten
Minutes to the hour:
las seis menos veinte twenty to six.

PART 2: WHAT TIME’S THE FOOTBALL?

L CD2, TR11

Alfonso Pablo, ¿qué hora es?

Pablo Las seis menos veinticinco.
Alfonso ¿A qué hora cierran las tiendas aquí? Quiero comprar
unas cosas.
Pablo Cierran entre las ocho y media y las nueve.
Alfonso Y el fútbol, ¿a qué hora es?
Pablo A las ocho.

Conversation 8: On the move

PART 1: AT THE RAILWAY STATION

L CD2, TR14

Ana Por favor, ¿a qué hora hay trenes a Santiago?

Employee Hay uno a las ocho treinta, otro a las doce cuarenta y el
último sale a las diecinueve cincuenta y cinco.

30
Alfonso Yes, but I don’t have (any) money. (At) what time does
the bank close?
Ana Today it closes at two.

Alfonso Pablo, what time is it?

Pablo Twenty-five to six.
Alfonso (At) what time do the shops close here? I want to buy
some things.
Pablo They close between half past eight and nine.
Alfonso And the football, at what time is it?
Pablo At eight.

Ana At what time are there trains to Santiago, please?

Employee There’s one at 08.30, another at 12.40, and the last
one leaves at 19.55.

Conversation 8: On the move 31

 Ana ¿A qué hora llega el tren de las doce cuarenta?
Employee A las dieciocho veinticuatro.
Ana ¿Hay que hacer la reserva?
Employee Los viernes, sábados y domingos, sí.
Ana Gracias.

L CD2, TR16

Pablo Buenas tardes. Quiero dos billetes para Santiago.

Ticket clerk ¿Para cuándo?
Pablo Para el jueves, en el tren que sale a las doce cuarenta.
Ticket clerk ¿De ida o de ida y vuelta?
Pablo De ida y vuelta.
Ticket clerk ¿Para cuándo quiere la vuelta?
Pablo Para el lunes.

Insight
Hay = there is or there are.
Hay un autobús. There is a bus.
Hay autobuses. There are buses.
Hay que + verb tells you something has to be done.
Hay que estudiar. You have (i.e. one has) to study.
Hay que salir. You have to leave.

PART 2: AT THE BUS STATION

L CD2, TR19

Cristina Por favor, ¿a qué hora sale el próximo autobús para

Avilés?
Employee Sale dentro de quince minutos, a las diez veinte.
Cristina ¿A qué hora llega a Avilés?
Employee Llega a las once treinta y cinco. ¿Quiere un billete de ida
o de ida y vuelta?
Cristina De ida y vuelta, por favor. ¿De qué andén sale?
Employee Sale del andén dos.

32
Ana What time does the 12.40 train arrive?
Employee At 18.24.
Ana Do you have to book?
Employee Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, yes.
Ana Thank you.

Pablo Good afternoon. I want two tickets for Santiago.

Ticket clerk For when?
Pabloî For Thursday, in the train which leaves at 12.40.
Ticket clerk Single or return?
Pablo Return.
Ticket clerk For when do you want the return?
Pablo For Monday.

Cristina At what time does the next bus for Avilés leave,
please?
Employee It leaves in 15 minutes, at 10.20.
Cristina At what time does it arrive at Avilés?
Employee It arrives at 11.35. Do you want a single or return
ticket?
Cristina Return, please. What platform does it leave from?
Employee It leaves from platform two.

Conversation 8: On the move 33

 Conversation 9: Some retail therapy

PART 1: BUYING CLOTHES

L CD2, TR22

Alfonso Por favor, ¿tiene esta camisa en rojo?

Assistant No, en este modelo no, pero tengo estas en rojo,
amarillo, azul y marrón.
Alfonso Me gusta la roja. ¿Tiene la talla treinta y ocho?
Assistant Sí, aquí tiene.
Alfonso ¿Puedo probármela?
Assistant Sí, allí está el probador.
Alfonso Me queda bien. ¿Cuánto cuesta?
Assistant Cuarenta y dos euros.
Alfonso Ummm, es un poco cara, pero me gusta. Me la llevo.

Insight
Me gusta is literally to me (it) is pleasing.
La camisa me gusta. The shirt to me is pleasing.
Los zapatos no me gustan. The shoes not to me are pleasing.
Notice gustan when what is/isn’t pleasing is plural.
Usually the verb comes first as in the conversations.

PART 2: BUYING SHOES

L CD2, TR25

Cristina Hola, me gustan estos zapatos negros, pero ¿los tiene en

verde?
Assistant Sí. ¿Qué número?
Cristina El treinta y siete. ¿Puedo probármelos?
Assistant Aquí tiene.
Cristina Me gustan, pero me quedan grandes. ¿Tiene un número
más pequeño?
Assistant Un momento, por favor … aquí tiene.
Cristina Estos me quedan bien. Me los llevo.

34
Alfonso Do you have this shirt in red, please?
Assistant No, not in this style, but I have these in red, yellow,
blue and brown.
Alfonso I like the red one. Do you have size 38?
Assistant Yes, here you are.
Alfonso Can I try it on?
Assistant Yes, there’s the fitting room.
Alfonso It fits me nicely. How much does it cost?
Assistant Forty-two euros.
Alfonso Ummm, it’s a bit expensive but I like it. I’ll take it.

Cristina Hello, I like these black shoes but do you have them in
green?
Assistant Yes. What size?
Cristina Thirty-seven. Can I try them on?
Assistant Here you are.
Cristina I like them but they are big on me. Do you have a
smaller size?
Assistant One moment, please … here you are.
Cristina These fit me nicely. I’ll take them.

Conversation 9: Some retail therapy 35

 Insight
The words for it and them go before the verb.
It = lo for a masculine noun
It = la for feminine.
¿Tiene el billete? Lo tengo. Do you have the ticket?
I have it.
¿Tiene la reserva? La tengo. Do you have the reservation?
I have it.
Them = los for masculine
Them = las for feminine.
¿Quiere los zapatos? Sí, los quiero. Do you want the shoes?
Yes, I want them.
¿Quiere las camisas? No, no las Do you want the shirts?
quiero. No, I don’t want them.

Conversation 10: Shopping for food

PART 1: IN THE MARKET

L CD2, TR28

Stall holder Buenos días, ¿qué desea?

Ana Quiero una lechuga y medio kilo de tomates.
Stall holder ¿Algo más?
Ana ¿Cuánto cuestan las cerezas?
Stall holder Tres euros sesenta y ocho el kilo.
Ana Un cuarto de kilo, por favor, y también un melón.
Stall holder ¿Quiere alguna cosa más?
Ana No. ¿Cuánto es todo?
Stall holder Cuatro euros ochenta y cinco.

36
Stall holder Good morning, can I help you?
Ana I want a lettuce and half a kilo of tomatoes.
Stall holder Anything else?
Ana How much do the cherries cost?
Stall holder Three euros 68 the kilo.
Ana A quarter of a kilo, please, and a melon as well.
Stall holder Do you want anything else?
Ana No. How much is everything?
Stall holder Four euros 85.

Conversation 10: Shopping for food 37

 L CD2, TR30

Stall holder ¿Qué desea?

Pablo Medio kilo de este queso y cien gramos de chorizo.
¿Tiene jamón de York?
Stall holder Sí. ¿Cuánto quiere?
Pablo Doscientos gramos y ciento cincuenta gramos de
jamón serrano.
Stall holder ¿Quiere alguna cosa más?
Pablo No, gracias. ¿Cuánto es todo?
Stall holder Ocho euros setenta.

PART 2: AT THE GROCER’S

L CD2, TR33

Grocer Hola, ¿qué desea?

Alfonso Una lata de aceitunas.
Grocer ¿Grande o pequeña?
Alfonso Una lata pequeña. Y también un paquete de galletas de
chocolate y una botella grande de Coca Cola.
Grocer ¿Quiere alguna cosa más?
Alfonso ¿Tiene pan?
Grocer El pan en la panadería.
Alfonso Ah sí, claro. ¿Cuánto es?
Grocer Tres euros noventa.

38
Stall holder Can I help you?
Pablo Half a kilo of this cheese and 100 grams of chorizo.
Do you have cooked ham?
Stall holder Yes. How much do you want?
Pablo Two hundred grams and 150 grams of cured
ham.
Stall holder Do you want anything else?
Pablo No, thank you. How much is everything?
Stall holder Eight euros 70.

Grocer Hello, can I help you?

Alfonso A tin of olives.
Grocer Big or small?
Alfonso A small tin. Also a packet of chocolate biscuits and a
big bottle of Coca Cola.
Grocer Do you want anything else?
Alfonso Do you have bread?
Grocer Bread in the baker’s.
Alfonso Oh yes, of course. How much is it?
Grocer Three euros 90.

Conversation 10: Shopping for food 39

 Conversation 3/1: Getting going

PART 1: HIRING A CAR

L CD3, TR2

Eduardo Buenas tardes. Quiero alquilar un coche, un Corsa.

Empleada ¿Para cuántos días?
Eduardo Para tres días, desde el jueves hasta el sábado.
¿Cuánto es el alquiler por día?
Empleada Treinta y tres euros más la gasolina.
Eduardo ¿Y el seguro?
Empleada El seguro está incluido.
Eduardo Muy bien.
Empleada ¿Tiene su carné de conducir, por favor?
Eduardo Aquí tiene.

PART 2: GETTING A HOTEL ROOM

L CD3, TR3

Recepcionista Hotel Las Vegas, ¿dígame?

Carmen Buenos días. Quiero reservar una habitación.
Recepcionista ¿Para cuándo?
Carmen Para el jueves.
Recepctionista ¿Y para cuántas noches?
Carmen Para cuatro noches, hasta el lunes.
Recepcionista ¿Una habitación doble o individual?
Carmen Individual. ¿Cuánto es por noche?
Recepcionista Cuarenta y dos euros.
Carmen ¿El desayuno está incluido?
Recepcionista No, el desayuno es aparte y cuesta cinco euros.

40
Eduardo Good afternoon. I want to rent a car, a Corsa.
Employee For how many days?
Eduardo For three days, from Thursday until Saturday.
How much is the rental per day?
Employee Thirty-three euros plus petrol.
Eduardo And insurance?
Employee Insurance is included.
Eduardo Fine.
Employee Do you have your driving licence, please?
Eduardo Here you are.

Receptionist Las Vegas Hotel. How can I help you?

Carmen Good morning. I would like to book a room.
Receptionist When for?
Carmen For Thursday.
Receptionist And for how many nights?
Carmen For four nights, until Monday.
Receptionist A double room or a single?
Carmen Single. How much is it per night?
Receptionist Forty-two euros.
Carmen Is breakfast included?
Receptionist No, breakfast is separate and costs five euros.

Conversation 3/1: Getting going 41

 Conversation 3/2: Contacting friends

PART 1: MAKING CONTACT OVER THE PHONE

L CD3, TR4

Secretario ¿Dígame?
Sonia Smith Buenos días. ¿Está la señora Fuentes?
Secretario ¿De parte de quién?
Sonia Smith Perdone, no entiendo.
Secretario ¿Su nombre?
Sonia Smith Soy Sonia Smith, de Londres.
Secretario Un momento, por favor … ¿Señora Smith?
Sonia Smith Sí, ¿dígame?
Secretario La señora Fuentes no está en este momento.
¿Está usted en Madrid?
Sonia Smith Sí. Estoy en el Hotel Plaza.
Secretario ¿Me da el número de teléfono de su hotel?
Sonia Smith Es el siete, dos, ocho, cero, cinco, nueve.

PART 2: MEETING FRIENDS

L CD3, TR5

Eduardo ¡Hola, Elena!

Elena ¡Hola, Eduardo! ¿Cómo estás?
Eduardo Bien. Y tú, ¿qué tal?
Elena Muy bien. Eduardo, esta es Fiona, una amiga de
Edimburgo.
Eduardo Hola, ¿qué tal?
Fiona Hola, mucho gusto.
Eduardo ¿En qué hotel estás?
Elena En el hotel San Antonio. ¿Y tú?
Eduardo Estoy en casa de un amigo. ¿Tienes el número de
mi teléfono móvil?
Elena Claro que sí.
Eduardo ¿Me das el número de teléfono de tu hotel?
Elena Un momentito … es el cuarenta y dos, quince,
veinticinco.

42
Secretary Hello.
Sonia Smith Good morning. Is Mrs Fuentes in?
Secretary Who’s speaking? (lit. on behalf of whom?)
Sonia Smith I’m sorry, I don’t understand.
Secretary Your name?
Sonia Smith I’m Sonia Smith, from London.
Secretary One moment please … Mrs Smith?
Sonia Smith Yes?
Secretary Mrs Fuentes isn’t in just now. Are you in
Madrid?
Sonia Smith Yes. I’m at the Plaza Hotel.
Secretary Would you give me your hotel telephone number?
Sonia Smith It’s seven, two, eight, zero, five, nine.

Edward Hello, Elena!

Elena Hi, Edward! How are you?
Edward Fine. And you, how’s things?
Elena Great. Edward, this is Fiona, a friend from
Edinburgh.
Edward Hello, how are you?
Fiona Hello, how do you do?
Edward What hotel are you in?
Elena In Saint Anthony Hotel. And you?
Edward I’m at a friend’s house. Do you have my mobile phone
number?
Elena Of course.
Edward Will you give me your hotel phone number?
Elena Hang on a minute … 42–15–25.

Conversation 3/2: Contacting friends 43

 Conversation 3/3: Having a bite to eat

PART 1: IN THE BAR

L CD3, TR6

Camarera ¿Qué va a tomar?

Martin Quiero una sangría.
Camarera Sangría no hay.
Martin ¿Tiene tónica?
Camarera Sí, sí. ¿Algo más?
Martin ¿Tiene bocadillos?
Camarera Sí. Tenemos de queso, de jamón serrano o de atún.
Martin Uno de queso.
Camarera Ahora mismo.
Martin ¿Cuánto es?
Camarera Tres con cincuenta.
Martin Por favor, ¿dónde están los servicios?
Camarera Al fondo, a la izquierda.
Martin Perdone, ¿cómo dice? No hablo muy bien español.
Camarera Al fondo, a la izquierda.
Martin Gracias.

PART 2: ORDERING ROOM SERVICE

L CD3, TR7

Empleado Servicio de habitaciones, ¿dígame?

Sofía Buenos días. Quiero el desayuno en la habitación,
por favor.
Empleado ¿Tiene usted la carta?
Sofía Sí, sí, la tengo.
Empleado ¿Qué va a tomar?
Sofía Un zumo de naranja, un té con limón y tostadas.
¿Qué fruta tiene?
Empleado Tenemos melón, fresas, sandía y uvas.
Sofía Quiero uvas.
Empleado ¿Algo más?
Sofía No, gracias.
Emleado ¿El número de su habitación, por favor?
Sofía Estoy en la habitación doce.
44
Waitress What are you going to have?
Martin I would like a sangría.
Waitress There’s no sangría.
Martin Do you have tonic (water)?
Waitress Yes, indeed. Anything else?
Martin Do you have baguette sandwiches?
Waitress Yes. We have (of) cheese, (of) cured ham or (of) tuna.
Martin Cheese. (lit. one of cheese).
Waitress Straightaway.
Martin How much is it?
Waitress Three (with) fifty.
Martin Where are the toilets, please?
Waitress At the back, to the left.
Martin Sorry, what did you say? I don’t speak Spanish very well.
Waitress At the back, to the left.
Martin Thank you.

Employee Room service. How can I help you?

Sofía Good morning. I would like breakfast in my room,
please.
Employee Do you have the menu?
Sofía Yes, yes, I have it .
Employee What are you going to have?
Sofía An orange juice, tea with lemon, and toast. What fruit
do you have?
Employee We have melon, strawberries, watermelon and grapes.
Sofía I would like grapes.
Employee Anything else?
Sofía No, thank you.
Employee Your room number, please?
Sofía I’m in room 12.
Conversation 3/3: Having a bite to eat 45
 Conversation 3/4: Eating out

PART 1: GETTING A TABLE

L CD3, TR8

a)
Camarera Hola, buenos días.
Pablo Buenos días. Quiero reservar una mesa para el viernes.
Camarera ¿Para cuántas personas?
Pablo Para dos.
Camarera ¿Y para qué hora?
Pablo Para las nueve y media.
Camarera Muy bien. ¿A qué nombre?
Pablo Pablo García.

b)
Cliente Hola, buenas tardes. Quiero reservar una mesa para
esta noche.
Camarero ¿Para cuántas personas?
Cliente Para cuatro.
Camarero ¿Y para qué hora?
Cliente Para las nueve.
Camarero Lo siento. A las nueve no tenemos ninguna mesa libre.
Cliente ¿Y más tarde?
Camarero A ver … a las diez tenemos una.
Cliente A las diez entonces.

PART 2: ORDERING A MEAL

L CD3, TR9

Pablo A ver, de primero yo quiero la sopa. ¿Y tú,

Ana?
Ana No sé; el melón con jamón o la ensalada mixta.
Uumm, la ensalada mixta y de segundo,
quiero el salmón a la plancha. Y tú el filete
¿verdad?
Pablo No. Prefiero las chuletas. Y para beber ¿vino tinto o vino
blanco?

46
Waitress Hello, good morning.
Pablo Good morning. I would like to book a table for Friday.
Waitress For how many people?
Pablo For two.
Waitress And for what time?
Pablo For half past nine.
Waitress Very good. (In) what name?
Pablo Pablo García.

Customer Hello, good afternoon. I would like to book a table

for this evening.
Waiter For how many people?
Customer For four.
Waiter And for what time?
Customer For nine o’clock.
Waiter I’m sorry. At nine o’clock we don’t have any tables free.
Customer And later?
Waiter Let me see … at ten we have one.
Customer At ten, then.

Pablo Let me see, for first course, I want the soup. And
you, Ana?
Ana I don’t know; melon with ham or mixed salad.
Ummm, mixed salad and for second course,
I want grilled salmon. And you’ll want the fillet,
won’t you? (lit. and you the fillet, true?)
Pablo No, I prefer the chops. And to drink, red wine or white
wine?

Conversation 3/4: Eating out 47

 Ana Pues con el salmón, prefiero vino blanco.
Pablo Y yo tinto. Entonces, una sopa de cebolla y una ensalada
mixta de primero. Salmón a la plancha y chuletas de cerdo de
segundo. Vino blanco para ti y vino tinto para mí.
Ana Y una botella de agua mineral también.
Pablo ¿Con gas?
Ana No, sin gas.
Pablo ¿Quieres postre, Ana?
Ana Sí. Quiero piña en almíbar.
Pablo A mí no me gusta la piña ni el flan. No quiero postre.
Ana ¿No quieres un helado?
Pablo Bueno, un helado de chocolate y un café solo. ¿Vas a
tomar café?
Ana No, es un poco tarde.
Pablo Entonces, para ti piña en almíbar y para mí un helado de
chocolate y un café solo. Y la cuenta también.

Conversation 3/5: Where is it?

PART 1: ASKING THE WAY

L CD3, TR10

Annemarie Por favor, ¿hay un supermercado por aquí?

Transeúnte Sí, hay uno al lado de la oficina de turismo.
Annemarie ¿Y para ir a la oficina de turismo?
Transeúnte Sigue todo recto hasta el final, luego a la izquierda y
después toma la primera a la derecha.
Annemarie Perdone, no hablo muy bien español. ¿Puede hablar más
despacio, por favor?
Transeúnte ¿Más despacio? Sí. Sigue todo recto hasta el final, luego
a la izquierda y después toma la primera a la derecha.
Annemarie Gracias.
Transeúnte De nada.

48
Ana Well, with the salmon, I prefer white wine.
Pablo And me, red. So, an onion soup and a mixed salad for
first course. Grilled salmon and pork chops for second
course. White wine for you and red wine for me.
Ana And a bottle of mineral water as well.
Pablo Fizzy?
Ana No, still.
Pablo Do you want dessert, Ana?
Ana Yes. I would like pineapple in syrup.
Pablo I don’t like pineapple or crème caramel. I don’t want dessert.
Ana Don’t you want an ice cream?
Pablo OK, a chocolate ice cream and a black coffee. Are you
going to have coffee?
Ana No, it’s a bit late.
Pablo So, for you pineapple in syrup and for me a chocolate ice
cream and a black coffee. And the bill as well.

Annemarie Excuse me, is there a supermarket around here?

Passer-by Yes, there’s one next to (lit. at the side of) the tourist office.
Annemarie And to get to the tourist office?
Passer-by Carry straight on to the end, then (to the) left and
afterwards take the first on the right.
Annemarie I’m sorry, I don’t speak Spanish very well. Could you
speak more slowly, please?
Passer-by More slowly? Yes. Carry straight on to the end, then (to
the) left and afterwards take the first on the right.
Annemarie Thank you.
Passer-by Not at all.

Conversation 3/5: Where is it? 49

 Manuel Por favor, ¿por dónde se va al estadio?
Transeúnte Sigue todo recto por esta calle hasta el parque, luego a
la derecha y después toma la tercera calle a la izquierda.
El estadio está al final de esta calle.
Manuel ¿Puede repetir, por favor?
Transeúnte Sigue todo recto por esta calle hasta el parque, luego a
la derecha y después toma la tercera calle a la izquierda.
El estadio está al final de esta calle.
Manuel ¿Está muy lejos?
Transeúnte Andando sí, pero en autobús está a unos diez minutos.
La parada de autobús está en la esquina.
Manuel ¿Qué número de autobús es?
Transeúnte El quince.

PART 2: HEARING AN ANNOUNCEMENT

L CD3, TR11

Announcer Hoy sábado veinticinco, se abre al público el nuevo

Museo de Arte Moderno. El nuevo museo está sólo a
cinco minutos de la Plaza Mayor al lado de la catedral.
Visite esta importante colección de arte moderno de
martes a domingo entre las diez de la mañana y las
seis de la tarde.

Conversation 3/6: Making a telephone call

PART 1: PHONING FOR A TAXI

L CD3, TR12

a)
Empleada Radio Taxi, ¿dígame?
Antonio Buenos días. Necesito un taxi para ir al aeropuerto.
¿Puede mandar uno ahora mismo?
Empleada ¿Me da su dirección?
Antonio Estoy en la calle San Francisco, dos.
Empleada ¿Su número de teléfono?

50
Manuel Excuse me, how do you get to the stadium?
Passer-by Carry straight on along this road as far as the park,
then (to the) right and afterwards take the third street
on the left. The stadium is at the end of this street.
Manuel Can you repeat that, please?
Passer-by Carry straight on along this road as far as the park,
then (to the) right and afterwards take the third street
on the left. The stadium is at the end of this street.
Manuel Is it very far?
Passer-by Walking, yes, but by bus it’s about ten minutes. The
bus stop is on the corner.
Manuel What number bus is it?
Passer-by Fifteen.

Announcer Today, Saturday the 25th, the new Museum of Modern

Art is open to the public. The new museum is just five
minutes from the Main Square next to the cathedral.
Visit this important collection of modern art from
Tuesday to Sunday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Employee Radio Taxi, can I help you?

Antonio Good morning. I need a taxi to go to the airport.
Can you send me one right now?
Employee Would you give me your address?
Antonio I’m at 2, San Francisco Street.
Employee Your telephone number?

Conversation 3/6: Making a telephone call 51

 Antonio Es el dieciocho, cuarenta y cinco, noventa.
Empleada ¿Y su nombre, por favor?
Antonio Me llamo Antonio González.
Empleada Muy bien. Le mando uno ahora mismo.

b)
Recepcionista Recepción, ¿dígame?
Rosario Buenas noches. Llamo de la habitación doce. Quiero
un taxi para las seis y media de la mañana para ir al
aeropuerto.
Recepcionista Muy bien. Un taxi para las seis y media de la
mañana para la habitación doce.
Rosario ¿Puede despertarme a las cinco y cuarto, por favor?
Recepcionista Sí. Muy bien.

PART 2: LISTENING TO A RADIO ADVERT

L CD3, TR13

Announcer ¿Problemas con su calefacción central, su aire

acondicionado, sus electrodomésticos ...? Servidomus
tiene la solución. Servicio técnico las veinticuatro
horas del día. Llame al teléfono sesenta y ocho,
cincuenta y ocho, cuarenta y ocho, y le atenderemos
inmediatamente. Servidomus ¡experiencia,
responsabilidad y atención personalizada! Servidomus.
Calle Buenaventura, número veintinueve.

Conversation 3/7: Meeting up

PART 1: ARRANGING TO MEET

L CD3, TR14

a)
Maribel ¿Dígame?
Fernando Hola, Maribel. Soy Fernando.
Maribel Hola, ¿qué tal?

52
Antonio It’s 18–45–90.
Employee And your name please?
Antonio My name is (lit. I call myself) Antonio González.
Employee Fine. I’ll send (you) one right now.

Receptionist Reception, can I help you?

Rosario Good evening. I’m calling from room 12. I want a
taxi for half past six in the morning to go to the
airport.
Employee OK. A taxi for half past six in the morning for room 12.

Rosario Can you wake me at a quarter past five, please?

Receptionist Yes. Fine.

Announcer Problems with your central heating, your air

conditioning, your household appliances …?
Servidomus has the solution. Technical service
24 hours a day. Telephone (lit. call the telephone)
68–58–48 and we’ll attend to you immediately.
Servidomus, experience, responsibility and
personalised attention! Servidomus. (Number) 29,
Buenaventura Street.

Maribel Hello.
Fernando Hello, Maribel. It’s (lit. I am) Fernando.
Maribel Hi, how’s things?

Conversation 3/7: Meeting up 53

 Fernando Bien. Maribel, tengo las entradas para el concierto del
sábado por la noche.
Maribel Estupendo. ¿A qué hora es?
Fernando Empieza a las nueve y cuarto.
Maribel ¿Y dónde es?
Fernando Es en el Teatro Colón. ¿Quedamos a las nueve menos
cuarto en la puerta?
Maribel Sí, de acuerdo.

b)
Alberto ¿A qué hora terminas esta tarde?
Maribel A las siete.
Alberto ¿Quieres venir al cine conmigo?
Maribel Sí, encantada.
Alberto ¿Quedamos a las siete y media en el café de Pepe?
Maribel De acuerdo.

c)
Announcer Cine Modelo está presentando hoy viernes veinticuatro
en la sala 1, Asesinato en Hawai a las catorce horas,
dieciséis treinta y dieciocho cuarenta y cinco, y en
la sala 2, Mi vida con Isabel a las quince cuarenta,
dieciséis diez y veinte veinte.

PART 2: DECLINING AN INVITATION

L CD3, TR15

Alberto ¿Estás libre el sábado por la noche?

Maribel No. Tengo un compromiso. ¿Por qué?
Alberto Quiero ir al cine.
Maribel ¡Qué lástima! Lo siento, pero no puedo. Otro día, quizás.

54
Fernando Fine. Maribel, I’ve got the tickets for the concert on
Saturday night.
Maribel Splendid. What time is it?
Fernando It starts at a quarter past nine.
Maribel And where is it?
Fernando It’s in the Columbus Theatre. Shall we meet at a
quarter to nine at the door?
Maribel Yes, OK.

Alberto What time do you finish this evening?

Maribel At seven.
Alberto Do you want to come to the cinema with me?
Maribel Yes, I’d love to (lit. delighted).
Alberto Shall we meet at half past seven in Pepe’s café?
Maribel OK.

Announcer The Model Cinema is showing today, Friday

the 24th in Cinema 1 Murder in Hawaii
at 14.00 hours, 16.30 and 18.45, and in
Cinema 2, My Life with Isabel at 15.40, 16.10
and 20.20.

Alberto Are you free on Saturday night?

Maribel No. I have a date. Why?
Alberto I want to go to the cinema.
Maribel What a pity! I’m sorry but I can’t. Another day, perhaps.

Conversation 3/7: Meeting up 55

 Conversation 3/8: Travel times

PART 1: GETTING A TICKET

L CD3, TR16

a)
Carlos Buenos días. Quiero un billete para Córdoba para el
autobús de las nueve quince.
Taquillera El autobús de las nueve quince acaba de salir.
Carlos Entonces para el de las doce.
Taquillera Ese está completo.
Carlos ¿Qué otros autobuses hay?
Taquillera Hay uno a las quince cuarenta, otro a las dieciocho
veinte y el último sale a las veintiuna treinta.
Carlos Deme un billete de ida para el de las quince cuarenta.

b)
Isabel Buenas tardes. Quiero hacer una reserva para Sevilla.
Taquillero ¿Para qué día la quiere?
Isabel Para el próximo sábado en el tren de las nueve.
Taquillero En clase turista está completo, pero tengo plazas en
clase preferente.
Isabel Bueno, en clase preferente.
Taquillero ¿Quiere un billete de ida o de ida y vuelta?
Isabel De ida solamente. ¿Cuánto dura el viaje?
Taquillero Dura dos horas y media. Llega a las once treinta.
Isabel ¿De dónde sale?
Taquillero Sale del andén tres.

PART 2: TRAVEL ANNOUNCEMENTS

L CD3, TR17

a)
Announcer El Intercity procedente de Valencia efectuará su
entrada por vía número cuatro.
El tren expreso con destino a Málaga efectuará su
salida por vía número seis.
El tren AVE con destino a Sevilla efectuará su salida por
vía número tres.
56
Carlos Good morning. I would like a ticket for Córdoba for
the 9.15 bus.
Ticket clerk The 9.15 bus has just departed.
Carlos Well, for the 12 o’clock.
Ticket clerk That one is full.
Carlos What other buses are there?
Ticket clerk There’s one at 15.40, another at 18.20 and the last
one departs at 21.30.
Carlos Give me a single ticket for the 15.40.

Isabel Good afternoon. I want to make a booking for Seville.

Ticket clerk For what day do you want it?
Isabel For next Saturday on the 9 o’clock train.
Ticket clerk Tourist class is full but I have seats in Club
class.
Isabel OK, in Club class.
Ticket clerk Do you want a single or a return ticket?
Isabel Just a single. How long does the journey take?
Ticket clerk It takes two and a half hours. It arrives at 11.30.
Isabel From where does it leave?
Ticket clerk It departs from platform three.

Announcer The Intercity from Valencia will arrive on line

four.
The express train for Málaga will depart from line
six.
The AVE for Seville will depart from line
three.
Conversation 3/8: Travel times 57
 El Talgo procedente de Barcelona efectuará su entrada
por vía número uno.

b)
Announcer Salida del vuelo de Iberia 627 con destino a Los Angeles.
Señores pasajeros, diríjanse a la puerta de embarque
número doce.
United Airways anuncia la llegada de su vuelo 521
procedente de Nueva York.
Salida del vuelo de British Airways 440 con destino a
Londres. Señores pasajeros, diríjanse a la puerta de
embarque número dieciséis.

Conversation 3/9: At the sales

PART 1: WHAT’S ON OFFER?

L CD3, TR18

a)
Announcer ¡Galerías Baleares, calidad y elegancia a precios
espectaculares! Chaquetas de lino a sólo cuarenta
euros, camisas para caballero desde veinticinco euros,
blusas para señora desde veinte euros, pantalones
desde treinta euros, zapatos para caballero y señora,
con un veinte por ciento de descuento y muchas otras
ofertas. Sólo hasta el treinta de septiembre. ¡Ofertas
espectaculares en Galerías Baleares!

b)
Cliente Por favor, ¿dónde está la sección de ropa de caballero?
Vigilante Está en la primera planta.
Cliente Perdone, ¿la sección de ropa de señora, por favor?
Vigilante En la segunda planta.
Cliente Perdone, ¿dónde puedo comprar camisetas para niño?
Vigilante En la tercera planta. Perfumería, zapatería y artículos de
piel en la planta baja.

58
 The Talgo from Barcelona will arrive on line
one.

Announcer Departure of Iberia flight 627 for Los Angeles.

Passengers go to boarding gate (number)
12.
United Airways announces the arrival of (its) flight
521 from New York.
Departure of British Airways flight 440 for London.
Passengers go to boarding gate (number) 16.

Announcer Galerías Baleares, quality and elegance at

spectacular prices! Linen jackets at just 40 euros,
shirts for gentlemen from 25 euros, blouses for
ladies from 20 euros, trousers from 30 euros,
shoes for gentlemen and ladies with a 20 per cent
discount and many other offers. Only until the
30th September. Spectacular offers at Galerías
Baleares!

Customer Excuse me, where is the menswear department?

Security guard It’s on the first floor.
Customer Excuse me, the womenswear department, please?
Security guard On the second floor.
Customer Excuse me, where can I buy T-shirts for children?
Security guard On the third floor. Perfumes, footwear, and leather
goods on the ground floor.

Conversation 3/9: At the sales 59

 PART 2: CHOOSING AND BUYING
L CD3, TR19

Dependienta Hola, buenas tardes. ¿Qué desea?

Luis Buenas tardes. Quisiera un cinturón para mí.
Dependienta Pues, tengo estos que están de oferta a quince euros.
¿Le gustan?
Luis Sí, me gustan mucho. ¿Son de piel?
Dependienta Sí, sí, son de piel y de muy buena calidad. Los
tengo en negro, marrón y gris. ¿Qué color
prefiere?
Luis Lo quiero en negro. ¿Puedo probármelo?
Dependienta Sí, claro.
Luis Ummmm, es un poco corto. ¿No tiene uno más
largo?
Dependienta Sí. Aquí tiene uno.
Luis Este me queda bien. Me lo llevo.

Conversation 3/10: What do we need?

PART 1: FRUIT AND VEGETABLES

L CD3, TR20

Tendero Buenos días. ¿Qué le pongo?

Margarita ¿Cuánto valen los tomates?
Tendero Un euro veinte el kilo.
Margarita Pues, póngame dos kilos.
Tendero ¿Qué más?
Margarita Dos pepinos y un pimiento verde.
Tendero ¿Quiere algo más?
Margarita Medio kilo de cebollas y deme un ajo también.
Tendero ¿Algo más?
Margarita No, eso es todo.
Tendero Vamos a ver. Dos kilos de tomates, dos pepinos, un
pimiento verde, medio kilo de cebollas y un ajo. Son
cuatro noventa y dos.

60
Sales assistant Hello, good afternoon. Can I help you?
Luis Good afternoon. I would like a belt for myself.
Sales assistant Well, I have these which are on offer at 15 euros.
Do you like them?
Luis Yes, I like them a lot. Are they (of) leather?
Sales assistant Yes, yes, they are (of) leather and (of) very good
quality. I have them in black, brown and grey.
Which colour do you prefer?
Luis I want it in black. Can I try it on?
Sales assistant Yes, of course.
Luis Umm, it’s a little short. You don’t have a longer
one?
Sales assistant Yes. Here you are.
Luis This one fits me. I’ll take it.

Shop keeper Good morning. What would you like?

Margarita How much are the tomatoes?
Shop keeper One euro 20 a kilo.
Margarita Then give me (lit. put for me) 2 kilos.
Shop keeper What else?
Margarita Two cucumbers and a green pepper.
Shop keeper Do you want anything else?
Margarita Half a kilo of onions and give me a garlic as well.
Shop keeper Anything else?
Margarita No, that’s everything.
Shop keeper Let’s see. Two kilos of tomatoes, two cucumbers, one
green pepper, half a kilo of onions and one garlic.
That’s four 92.

Conversation 3/10: What do we need? 61

 PART 2: THE SHOPPING LIST
L CD3, TR21

Ana ¿Tienes la lista de compras para el supermercado?

Pablo Sí, aquí está.
Ana A ver ... una botella grande de cerveza, dos botellas de
agua mineral, dos latas de atún, una lata de sardinas.
Pablo ¿Falta algo?
Ana Claro. Falta aceite, un litro de aceite, el jamón, cien
gramos de jamón serrano
Pablo Y queso. No queda queso.
Ana Pues, un trozo de queso. Doscientos gramos. Es todo
¿no?
Pablo No. Media docena de huevos para la tortilla y yo quiero
una bolsa de patatas fritas - una bolsa grande.
Ana Y el pan.
Pablo No, no me gusta el pan del supermercado.
Ana Pero es más barato que el pan de la panadería.
Pablo Sí, pero el pan de la panadería es mejor.
Ana Bueno. ¿Vamos?

62
Ana Do you have the shopping list for the supermarket?
Pablo Yes, here it is.
Ana Let me see … a big bottle of beer, two bottles of
mineral water, two tins of tuna, a tin of sardines.
Pablo Is there anything missing?
Ana Of course. Oil’s missing, a litre of oil, ham, 100 grams
of cured ham.
Pablo And cheese. There’s no cheese left.
Ana Then a piece of cheese. Two hundred grams. That’s
everything, isn’t it?
Pablo No. Half a dozen eggs for the omelette and I want a
bag of crisps – a big bag.
Ana And bread.
Pablo No, I don’t like the supermarket bread.
Ana But it is cheaper than the bread from the bakery.
Pablo Yes, but the bread from the bakery is better.
Ana OK. Shall we go?

Conversation 3/10: What do we need? 63

 Listening skills: Survival phrases

can you repeat (that), please? ¿puede repetir, por favor?

can you speak more slowly? ¿puede hablar más despacio?
can you wake me up? ¿puede despertarme?
excuse me / sorry perdone
I don’t speak Spanish very well no hablo muy bien español
I don’t understand no entiendo
I’m sorry lo siento
let’s see vamos a ver
what a pity! ¡qué lástima!
what did you say? ¿cómo dice?
where are the toilets? ¿dónde están los servicios?

64
Spanish–English glossary

m = masculine; f = feminine

a at, to bien fine, OK, well

abre; se abre it opens; it is open billete, un/el; ~ de ida; ~ de ida y vuelta ticket,
acaba de it has just a/the; single ticket; return ticket

aceite, el oil, the blanco (m); blanca (f) white

aceitunas, unas/las olives, some/the blusa, una/la blouse, a/the

adiós goodbye bocadillo, un/el (baguette) sandwich, a/the

agua, el; ~ caliente; ~ fría; ~ mineral, un/el botella, una/la bottle, a/the
water, the; hot water; cold water; mineral bolsa, una/la bag, a/the
water, a/the bueno (m); buena (f) good
ahora mismo right now buenos días good morning
ajo, un/el garlic, a/the buenas noches good evening/goodnight
algo; ¿~ más? anything, something; anything buenas tardes good afternoon/evening
else?
caballero, un/el gentleman, a/the
almíbar, el syrup, the
café, un/el; ~ con leche; ~ solo coffee, a/the;
alquilar to rent, hire coffee with milk, expresso coffee
alquiler, el rental, hire charge, the calidad, una/la quality, a/the
allí there calle, una/la street, a/the
amarillo (m); amarilla (f) yellow camisa, una/la shirt, a/the
amigo, un/el; amiga, una/la friend, a/the(m); camiseta, una/la T-shirt, a/the
friend, a/the(f)
carné de conducir, un/el driving licence, a/the
andando walking
caro (m); cara (f) expensive
andén, un/el platform, a/the
carta, una/la menu, a/the
aparte separate
casa, una/la house, a/the
aquí; ~ tiene; por ~ here; here you are; around
here catedral, una/la cathedral, a/the

artículo, un/el article, an/the cebolla, una/la onion, a/the

atún, el (tinned) tuna, the cerca near

autobús, un/el bus, a/the cereza, una/la cherry, a/the

azul blue cerveza, una/la beer, a/the

banco, un/el bank, a/the chaqueta, una/la jacket, a/the

baño, un/el bath, a/the chocolate, un/el chocolate, a/the

barato (m); barata (f) cheap chuletas, unas/las; ~ de cordero; ~ de cerdo

chops, some/the; lamb chops; pork chops
beber to drink
cierra; cierran it closes, they close

Spanish–English glossary 65
 cinturón, un/el belt, a/the dinero, el money, the
claro of course dirección, una/la address, a/the
clase, una/la class, a/the docena, una/la; media ~ dozen, a/the; half a
coche, un/el car, a/the dozen

colección, una/la collection, a/the donde where

color, un/el colour, a/the ducha, una/la shower, a/the

completo(m); completa(f) full dura it lasts

comprar to buy empieza it starts

compras, la lista de - shopping, the shopping en in, on

list encantado (m); encantada (f) pleased to meet
compromiso, un/el date, engagement, a/the you

con with enfrente (de) opposite

concierto, un/el concert, a/the ensalada, una/la; ~ mixta salad, a/the; mixed
salad
conmigo with me
entonces so, then
cortado, un/el coffee with a dash of milk,
a/the entrada, una/la entrance; admission ticket, a/
the
corto (m); corta (f) short
entre between
cosa, una/la thing, a/the
ese (m); esa (f) that
cuando when
esquina, una/la corner, a/the
¿cuánto?; ¿~ es? how much?; how much is it?
estadio, un/el stadium, a/the
¿cuántos (m)?; ¿cuántas (f)? how many?
este (m); esta (f) this
cuarto, un quarter, a
estos (m); estas (f) these
cuenta, una/la bill, a/the
falta it is missing
cuesta, cuestan it costs, they cost
farmacia, una/la chemist’s, a/the
de; ~ nada from, of; not at all
filete, un/el fillet, a/ the
de acuerdo alright, agreed
firmar to sign
deme … give me
flan, un/el crème caramel, a/the
derecha, a la right, to the
fondo, al back, at the
desayuno, un/el breakfast, a/the
fontanero, un/el plumber, a/the
descuento, un/el discount, a/the
fresa, una/la strawberry, a/the
desde from
frío (m); fría (f) cold
despacio slowly
fruta, la fruit, the
despertar to wake up
funciona; no funciona it’s working; it’s not
después afterwards, then working
destino, un/el destination, a/the fútbol, el football, the
día, un/el day, a/the galletas, unas/las biscuits, some/the
¿dígame? hello (answering phone); can I help gasolina, la petrol, the
you?

66
gracias; muchas ~ thank you; thank you very luego later, then
much mañana, una/la morning, a/the
gramos grams mañana tomorrow
grande big mandar to send
gris grey manzana, una/la apple, a/the
habitación, una/la; ~ doble; ~ individual room, marrón brown
a/the; double room; single room
más more; see algo más
hasta; ~ luego; ~ mañana until; see you later;
see you tomorrow ¿me da….? would you give me…?

hay there is, there are me gusta; me gustan I like it; I like them

helado, un/el; ~ de (vainilla) ice cream, a/the; mejor better

(vanilla) ice cream me llamo my name is
hola hi, hello me queda; me quedan (bien) it fits me; they fit
hora, una/la; ¿qué ~ es?; ¿a qué ~ …? hour, a/ me (nicely)
the; what’s the time?; at what time…? mecánico, un/el mechanic, a/the
hotel, un/el hotel, a/the medio (m); media (f) half
hoy today melón, un/el melon, a/the
huevo, un/el egg, an/the menos less
importante important mesa, una/la table, a/the
ir to go mi my
izquierda, a la left, to the minuto, un/el minute, a/the
jamón, un/el; ~ York; ~ serrano ham, a/the; modelo, un/el style, a/the
cooked ham; cured ham momento, un/el moment, a/the
kilo, un/el kilo, a/the mucho gusto how do you do
lado, un/el; al ~ de side, a/the; at the side of/ muchos (m); muchas (f) many
next to
museo, un/el museum, a/the
largo (m); larga (f) long
muy very
lástima, una/la pity, shame, a/the
naranja, una/la orange, a/the
lata, una/la tin, a/the
necesito I need
lechuga, una/la lettuce, a/the
negro (m); negra (f) black
lejos far
niño, un/el; niña, una/la boy/child, a/the; girl/
libre free child, a/the
limón, un/el lemon, a/the no no; not
lino linen noche, una/la; esta ~ night, a/the; tonight
litro, un/el litre, a/the nombre, un/el; ¿a qué ~?; a ~ de name, a/the;
llamo I am calling in what name?; in the name of
llave, una/la key, a/the nuevo (m); nueva (f) new
llega it arrives número, un/el number, a/the (also shoe size); ~
llegada, una/la arrival, a/the de teléfono telephone number
o or
Spanish–English glossary 67
 oferta, una/la offer, an/the postre, un/el; de ~ dessert, a/the; for
oficina de turismo, una/la tourist office, a/the dessert

otro (m); otra (f) other, another precio, un/el price, a/the

pagar to pay prefiero I prefer

pan, un/el bread, a/the primero (m); primera (f); de ~ first; for first
course
panadería, una/la baker’s, a/the
probador, un/el fitting room, a/the
pantalones, unos/los trousers, some/the
problema, un/el problem, a/the
paquete, un/el packet, a/the
procedente de coming from
para; para mí, para usted for; for me, for you
próximo (m); próxima (f) next
parada, una/la; ~ de autobús stop, a/the; bus
stop público, el public, the

parque, un/el park, a/the puerta, una/la; ~ de embarque door, at/the;

departure gate
pasajeros, unos/los passengers, some/the
que which
pasaporte, un/el passport, a/the
¿qué?; ¿~ le pasa?; ¿~ tal? what?; what’s the
patatas fritas unas/las chips, crisps, some/the matter with it?; how are things?
película, una/la film, a/the queso, un/el cheese, a/the
pepino, un/el cucumber, a/the quizás perhaps
pequeño (m); pequeña (f) small reserva, una/la; hacer ~ booking, a/the; make
pera, una/la pear, a/the a/the booking
perfumería, una/la perfumery, a/the reservado (m); reservada (f) booked
pero but ropa, la clothing, clothes
persona, una/la; dos personas person, a/the; sabor, un/el flavour, a/the
two people sale; (no) sale it departs, it leaves; it’s (not)
pescado, un/el fish, a/the coming out
piel, la (a) skin, the (b) leather; es de ~ it’s salida, una/la departure, a/the
leather salir to depart, leave
pimiento, un/el pepper, a/the salmón, un/el salmon, a/the
piña, una/la pineapple, a/the sandía, una/la watermelon, a /the
plancha, a la grilled sé; no sé I know; I don’t know
planta, una/la; la ~ baja floor, storey, a/the; the sección, una/la department (of store), a/the
ground floor
segundo (m); segunda (f); de ~ second; for
plaza, una/la (a) square, a/the; ~ mayor, la second course
main square, the (b) seat, place, a/the
seguro, el insurance, the
poco, un bit, a
señor, el Mr
pollo, un/el chicken, a/the
señora, la Mrs
por ; ~ ciento per; per cent
señora, una/la lady, a/the
por favor please
señorita, la Miss
¿por qué? why?
servicio, un/el service, a/the

68
servicios, los toilets, the vino, un/el; ~ blanco; ~ tinto; ~ de la casa wine,
sesión, una/la showing, a/the a/the; white wine; red wine; house wine

sí yes vuelo, un/el flight, a/the

sin without vuelta, la return, the (see ‘billete de ida y

vuelta’)
solamente only
y and
solo alone; see café solo
yo; yo también I; me too
solución, una/la solution, a/the
zapatería, una/la shoeshop, a/the
sopa, una/la soup, a/the
zapatos, unos/los shoes, some/the
su your (formal)
zumo, un/el; ~ de (naranja) juice, a/the;
supermercado, un/el supermarket, a/the (orange) juice
talla, una/la size, a/the (clothing)
taller, un/el garage, workshop, a/the
SOME KEY VERBS
también also, as well, too
tarde, una/la afternoon, evening, a/the soy I am
tarde; más ~ late; later eres you are (informal)
tarjeta de crédito, una/la credit card, a/the es you are (formal)
té, un/el tea, a/the es it is
teléfono, un/el; ~ móvil telephone, a/the (see son they are/ you are (formal plural)
‘número de teléfono’); mobile phone
estoy (en la habitación doce) I am (in room
tercero (m); tercera (f) third 12)
termina; terminas it finishes; you finish ¿dónde está (el museo)? where is (the
tienda, una/la shop, a/the museum)?
todo everything ¿dónde está usted? where are you (formal)?
tomates, unos/los tomatoes, some/ ¿cómo estás? how are you (informal)?
the ¿cómo está? how are you? (formal)
tostadas, unas/las toast, some/the puedo; ¿puedo…? I can; can I…?
tortilla, una/la omelette, a/the puede; ¿puede…? you can; can you…. (formal)?
tren, un/ el train, a/the tengo; no tengo I have; I don’t have
trozo, un/el piece, a/the ¿tiene…? do you have… (formal)?
tú you (informal) tenemos we have
último (m); última (f) last quiero I want, would like
unos (m); unas (f) some ¿quiere…? do you want, would you like (formal)?
usted you (formal) ¿qué quiere? what do you want, would you like?
uvas, unas/las grapes, some/the ¿quieren….? do you want, would you like
venir to come (formal, more than one person)?
verde green ¿qué quieren? what do you want, would you
like?
verduras, unas/las vegetables, some/the
queremos we want, would like
vía, una/la track, line (railway), a/the

Spanish–English glossary 69
 voy I’m going ¿qué van a tomar? what are you going to have?
voy a tomar I’m going to have vamos; ¿ ~ ? we’re going, let’s go; shall we go?
va you are going (formal)
¿qué va a tomar? what are you going to have?
van you are going (formal, more than one
person)

70
English–Spanish glossary

m = masculine; f = feminine

address, a/the una/la dirección call (I am calling) llamo

afternoon, an/the una/la tarde car, a/the un/el coche
afterwards, then después cathedral, a/the una/la catedral
alright, agreed de acuerdo cheap barato (m); barata (f)
also, as well, too también chemist’s, a/the una/la farmacia
and y class, a/the una/la clase
anything algo close (it closes), (they close) cierra, cierran
arrival, an/the una/la llegada clothing, clothes ropa, la
arrive (it arrives) llega cold frío (m); fría (f)
article, an/the un/el artículo collection, a/the una/la colección
at a colour, a/the un/el color
bag, a/the una/la bolsa come, to venir
baker’s, a/the una/la panadería coming from procedente de
bank, a/the un/el banco coming out (it’s not) (no) sale
bath, a/the un/el baño concert, a/the un/el concierto
belt, a/the un/el cinturón corner, a/the una/la esquina
better mejor cost (it costs), (they cost) cuesta, cuestan
between entre credit card, a/the una/la tarjeta de crédito
big grande day, a, the un/el día
bill, a/the una/la cuenta date, engagement, a/the un/el compromiso
bit, a un poco depart, leave, to salir
blouse, a/the una/la blusa depart (it departs) sale
booked reservado (m); reservada (f) department (of store), a/the una/la sección
booking, a/the; make ~ una/la reserva; hacer departure, a/the una/la salida
una/la reserva destination, a/the , un/el destino
bottle, a/the una/la botella discount, a/the un/el descuento
boy, child, a/the un/el niño door, a/the; departure gate una/la puerta;
breakfast, a/the un/el desayuno puerta de embarque
bus, a/the un/el autobús dozen, a/the; half a ~ una/la docena; media
but pero docena

buy, to comprar drink, to beber

driving licence, the el carné de conducir
English–Spanish glossary 71
 entry; admission ticket, a/the entrada, una/la jacket, a/the una/la chaqueta
evening, a/the una/la tarde key, a/the una/la llave
everything todo kilo, a/the un/el kilo
expensive caro (m); cara (f) lady, a/the una/la señora
film, a/the una/la película last (it lasts) dura
fine bien last último (m); última (f)
finish (it finishes),(you finish) termina; terminas late; later tarde; más tarde
first primero (m); primera (f) later, then luego
fitting room, a/the un/el probador leather, the; it’s ~ la piel; es de piel
flight, a/the un/el vuelo leave (it leaves) sale
floor, storey, a/the; the ground ~ una/la planta; less menos
la planta baja linen lino
football, the el fútbol litre, a/the un/el litro
for; for me, for you para; para mí, para usted long largo (m); larga (f)
free libre many muchos (m); muchas (f)
friend, a/the (m); friend, a/the (f) un/el amigo; mechanic, a/the un/el mecánico
una/la amiga
menu, a/the una/la carta
from desde
minute, a/the un/el minuto
from de
Miss la señorita
full completo (m); completa (f)
missing (it is missing) falta
garage/workshop, a/the un/el taller
mobile phone, a/the un/el teléfono móvil
gentleman, a/the un/el caballero
moment, a/the un/el momento
girl, child, a/the una/la niña
money, the el dinero
go, to ir
more más
good bueno (m); buena (f)
morning, a/the una/la mañana
goodbye hasta luego
Mr el señor
grams gramos
Mrs la señora
half medio (m); media (f)
museum, a/the un/el museo
here aquí
my mi
hotel, a/the un/el hotel
name, a/the un/el nombre
hour, a/the una/la hora
need (I need) necesito
house, a/the una/la casa
new nuevo (m); nueva (f)
how many? ¿cuántos? (m); ¿cuántas? (f)
next próximo (m); próxima (f)
how much? ¿cuánto?
night, a/the una/la noche
I, me yo
no; not no
important importante
not at all de nada
in en
number, a/the un/el número
insurance, the el seguro
of de
72
of course claro second segundo (m); segunda (f)
offer, an/the una/la oferta send, to mandar
OK bien separate aparte
on en service, a/the un/el servicio
only solamente shirt, a/the una/la camisa
opens (it opens), (it is open) abre; se abre shoes, some/the unos/los zapatos
opposite enfrente (de) shoe shop, a/the una/la zapatería
or o shop, a/the una/la tienda
other, another otro (m); otra (f) shopping; the ~ list compras; la lista de
packet, a/the un/el paquete compras

park, a/the un/el parque short corto (m); corta (f)

passengers, some/the unos/los pasajeros shower, a/the una/la ducha

passport, a/the un/el pasaporte showing, a/the una/la sesión

pay, to pagar side a/the; at the ~ of/next to un/ el lado; al

lado de
per; ~ cent por; por ciento
size, a/the (clothing); (footwear) una/la talla;
perfumery, a/the una/la perfumería un/el número
perhaps quizás slowly despacio
person, a/the; two people una/la persona; dos small pequeño (m); pequeña (f)
personas
so, then entonces
petrol, the la gasolina
solution, a/the una/la solución
piece, a/the un/el trozo
some unos (m); unas (f)
pity, shame, a/the una/la lástima
something algo
platform, a/the un/el andén
square, a/the; main ~, the una/la plaza; la
please por favor plaza mayor
plumber, a/the un/el fontanero stadium, a/the un/el estadio
prefer (I prefer) prefiero starts (it starts) empieza
price, a/the un/el precio stop, a/the; bus ~ una/la parada; parada de
public, the el público autobús
quality, a/the una/la calidad street, a/the una/la calle
quarter, a un cuarto style, a/the un/el modelo
rent, hire, to alquilar supermarket, a/the un/el supermercado
rental, hire charge, the el alquiler table, a/the una/la mesa
return, the la vuelta telephone, a/the un/el teléfono
right now ahora mismo telephone number, a/the un/el número de
room, a/the; single ~, a/the; double ~, a/the teléfono
una/la habitación; una/la habitación thank you; ~ very much gracias; muchas
individual; una/la habitación doble gracias
seat, place, a/the una/la plaza that ese (m); esa (f)

English–Spanish glossary 73
 there allí T-shirt, a/the una/la camiseta
there is, there are hay until hasta
these estos (m); estas (f) very muy
thing, a/the una/la cosa wake up, to despertar
third tercero(m); tercera(f) walking andando
this este (m); esta (f) water, the; hot ~, cold ~ el agua; agua caliente;
ticket, a/the; single ~, a/the; return ~, a/the un/ agua fría
el billete; un/el billete de ida; un/el billete well bien
de ida y vuelta what? ¿qué?
tin, a/the una/la lata when? ¿cuando?
to a why? ¿por qué?
today hoy where? ¿donde?
toilets, the los servicios which, that que
tomorrow mañana with con
tonight esta noche with me conmigo
too también yes sí
tourist office, a/the una/la oficina de turismo you (formal) usted
track, line (railway), a/the una/la vía you (informal) tú
train, a/the un/el tren your (formal) su
trousers, some/the unos/los pantalones your (informal) tu

74
Essential vocabulary
chicken, a/the un/el pollo
GREETINGS AND
chocolate, a/the un/el chocolate
FAREWELLS
chops, some/the; lamb/pork ~ unas/las
chuletas; chuletas de cordero/cerdo
hello, hi hola
coffee, a/the; expresso ~, a/the; ~ with a dash of
good morning buenos días
milk, a/the; ~ with milk, a/the un/el café; un/
good afternoon/evening buenas tardes el café solo; un/el cortado; un/el café con
good evening/goodnight buenas noches leche

how are things? ¿qué tal? crème caramel, a/the un/el flan

how are you? (informal) ¿cómo estás? crisps, chips, some/the unas/las patatas fritas

how are you? (formal) ¿cómo está usted? cucumber, a/the un/el pepino

very well, thank you muy bien, gracias dessert, for de postre

pleased to meet you/how do you do? egg, an/the un/el huevo

encantado (m); encantada (f)/mucho gusto fillet, a/the un/el filete
see you tomorrow hasta mañana first course, for de primero
see you later hasta luego fish, a/the un/el pescado
goodbye adiós flavour, a/the un/el sabor
fruit la fruta
COLOURS garlic, a/the un/el ajo
grapes, some/the unas/las uvas
black negro (m); negra (f) grilled a la plancha
blue azul ham, a/the; cured ~; cooked ~ un/el jamón;
brown marrón jamón serrano; jamón de York
green verde ice cream, a/the; vanilla/strawberry ~ un/el
helado; helado de vainilla/ fresa
grey gris
juice, a/the un/el zumo
red rojo (m); roja (f)
lemon, a/the un/el limón
white blanco (m); blanca (f)
lettuce, a/the una/la lechuga
yellow amarillo (m); amarilla (f)
melon, a/the un/el melón
mineral water, a/the; sparkling; still un/el agua
FOOD AND DRINK mineral; agua mineral con gas; agua
mineral sin gas
apple, a/the una/la manzana
mixed salad, a/the una/la ensalada mixta
beer, a/the una/la cerveza
oil, the el aceite
biscuits, some/the unas/las galletas
olives, some/the unas/las aceitunas
bread el pan
omelette, a/the una/la tortilla
cheese, a/the un/el queso
onion, a/the una/la cebolla
cherry, a/the una/la cereza

Essential vocabulary 75
 orange, a/the una/la naranja is it far?/it is far ¿está lejos?/está lejos
pear, a/the una/la pera is it near?/it is near ¿está cerca?/está cerca
pepper, a/the un/el pimiento is there?/there is ¿hay?/hay
pineapple, a/the una/la piña it’s (five minutes) from here está a (cinco
salmon, a/the un/el salmón minutos) de aquí

sandwich (baguette), a/the un/el bocadillo next to (lit. at the side of) al lado de

second course, for de segundo take the first/second/third street toma la

primera/segunda/tercera calle
syrup, the el almíbar
to get to… para ir a…
tea, a/the un/el té
to the right/to the left a la derecha/a la
toast, some/the unas/las tostadas izquierda
tomato, a/the un/el tomate where is…? ¿dónde está…?
tuna (tinned), the atún, el
vegetable soup, a/the una/la sopa de verduras
TIME
watermelon, a/the una/la sandía
wine, a/the; red ~, a/the; white ~, a/the; house one o’clock la una
wine, a/the un/el vino; un/el vino tinto; un/el
two o’clock las dos
vino blanco un/el vino de la casa
ten past three las tres y diez
a quarter past four las cuatro y cuarto
DAYS OF THE WEEK
half past five las cinco y media

Monday lunes twenty-five to six las seis menos veinticinco

Tuesday martes a quarter to seven las siete menos cuarto

Wednesday miércoles 10 a.m. las diez de la mañana

Thursday jueves 6 p.m. las seis de la tarde

Friday viernes 08.30 las ocho treinta

Saturday sábado 09.40 las nueve cuarenta

Sunday domingo 10.15 las diez quince

Saturday evening/night el sábado por la noche what’s the time? ¿qué hora es?
(at) what time is…? ¿a qué hora es…?
in (five) minutes dentro de (cinco) minutos
DIRECTIONS

along this street por esta calle NUMBERS

around here por aquí
at the back al fondo 0 cero

at the end of the street al final de la calle 1 uno

between entre 2 dos

carry straight on sigue todo recto 3 tres

in, on en 4 cuatro
5 cinco
76
 6 seis do you want anything else? ¿quiere alguna
7 siete cosa más?

8 ocho hello (answering phone) ¿dígame?

9 nueve here you are aquí tiene

10 diez how much are they? ¿cuánto valen?

11 once how much is it? ¿cuánto es?, ¿cuánto vale?

12 doce how much is everything? ¿cuánto es todo?

13 trece I have; I don’t have tengo; no tengo

14 catorce I have a problem with… tengo un problema

con…
15 quince
I know; I don’t know sé; no sé
16 dieciséis
I want/would like quiero
17 diecisiete
I’ll take it; I’ll take them me lo/la llevo; me los/
18 dieciocho las llevo
19 diecinueve I’m going to have… voy a tomar…
20 veinte in the name of… a nombre de…
30 treinta in what name? ¿a qué nombre?
40 cuarenta I like it; I like them me gusta; me gustan
50 cincuenta it fits me; they fit me nicely me queda; me
60 sesenta quedan bien
70 setenta it’s not working properly no funciona bien
80 ochenta let me see/let’s see a ver
90 noventa my name is… me llamo…
100 cien please, excuse me por favor
200 doscientos thank you (very much) (muchas) gracias
21 veintiuno we have tenemos
32 treinta y dos we want queremos
43 cuarenta y tres shall we go? let’s go ¿vamos?, vamos
150 ciento cincuenta what are you (more than one person) going to
drink? ¿qué van a beber?
what are you (more than one person) going to
PHRASES have? ¿qué van a tomar?
what’s the matter with it? ¿qué le pasa?
anything else? ¿algo más?
would you give me…? ¿me da…?
can I help you? ¿qué desea?, ¿dígame?
would you sign here? ¿quiere firmar aquí?
can I try on…? ¿puedo probarme…?
you have; do you have? tiene; ¿tiene?
can you send…? ¿puede mandar…?
you want quiere; quieren (more than one
do you have to (book)? ¿hay que (hacer la
person)
reserva)?

Essential vocabulary 77
Subject index

Numbers in bold refer to the conversations on CDs 1 and 2 that include

the material. Conversations on CD3 are referred to in the form 3/2 for
CD3, Conversation 2.

a/an 3 please, thank you 1

addresses 6, 3/6 plurals 3, 4
price 3, 9, 10, 3/3, 3/9
clothing 9, 3/9
colours 9, 3/9 quantities 10, 3/10
comparisons 9, 3/9
size 9
days of the week 8, 3/1, 3/4 survival phrases 3/2, 3/3, 3/4, 3/5, 3/6, 3/7,
directions 5, 3/5 3/9, 3/10

drink 3, 3/3 telephone numbers 6, 3/2, 3/6

expressing likes 9, 3/4, 3/9 telling the time 7, 3/4, 3/6, 3/7
thank you, please 1
first, second 4, 5, 3/5, 3/9 the 5
food 3, 4, 10, 3/3, 3/4, 3/10 there is 4
footwear 9 these 9

greetings 1, 2 this 2, 9
travel 8, 3/8
introductions 2, 3/2 twenty-four hour clock 8, 3/7, 3/8
it, them 9, 3/9
yes, no 1
no, yes 1 you, two ways of saying 2, 3/2
numbers: 1–10 1; 11–30 6; 30–59 8; 60–200
10, 3/1, 3/2, 3/6, 3/9

Subject index 79
“Global scale” of the Common European Framework of Reference
for Languages: learning, teaching, assessment (CEFR)
Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can
CEFR LEVEL C2 summarise information from different spoken and written sources,
reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation.
Can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely,
TY Level 6

differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.

Proficient User:

Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise

implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously
CEFR LEVEL C1

without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language

flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes.
TY Level 5

Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects,

showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and
cohesive devices.

Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete

and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of
CEFR LEVEL B2

specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that

makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without
TY Level 4

strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of
Independent User

(A Level)

subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages

and disadvantages of various options.

Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar

matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal
CEFR LEVEL B1

with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the
(Higher GCSE)

language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which

TY Level 3

are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events,

dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations
for opinions and plans.

Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to

(Foundation GCSE)

areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family
CEFR LEVEL A2:

information, shopping, local geography, employment). Can communicate

in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of
TY Level 2

information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms

aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in
Basic User

areas of immediate need.

Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic
phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can
CEFR LEVEL A1

introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions
about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows
TY Level 1

and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other
person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.

© Council of Europe. www.coe.int/lang.

Extract reproduced with the permission of the Council of Europe, Strasbourg