Preparing for a Meeting | Learn Spanish in English

Spanish lesson set in a contemporary Madrid everyday setting: In a workplace, two adults share meeting notes and check the discussion topic before a meeting begins..

EN → ES / Level: A1

About This Lesson

Use Preparing for a Meeting to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

¿Están listas las notas de la reunión?

eh-STAHN LEES-tahs lahs NOH-tahs deh lah reh-oo-NYOHN Are the meeting notes ready?
B

Están en mi escritorio.

eh-STAHN en mee ehs-kree-TOH-ryoh They are on my desk.
A

¿Hay una copia para mí?

eye OO-nah KOH-pyah PAH-rah MEE Is there a copy for me?
B

Aquí tienes una.

ah-KEE TYEH-nehs OO-nah Here is one.
A

¿De qué vamos a hablar hoy?

deh KEH BAH-mohs ah ah-BLAR OY What are we discussing today?
B

Vamos a hablar del plan nuevo.

BAH-mohs ah ah-BLAR dehl PLAHN NWEH-boh We will discuss the new plan.
A

Déjame leer las notas antes de empezar.

DEH-hah-meh leh-EH-er lahs NOH-tahs AHN-tehs deh ehm-peh-SAR Let me read the notes before we start.
B

Tómate un minuto antes de empezar.

TOH-mah-teh oon mee-NOO-toh AHN-tehs deh ehm-peh-SAR Take a minute before we begin.

Word by Word

Están “Están” means “are” here: it describes the notes as ready in “¿Están listas” and says where they are in “Están en mi escritorio.” It is the plural form of estar used when talking about the notes. A common reuse pattern is “Están + adjective” or “Están + location” when describing plural things.
listas “Listas” means “ready” in “¿Están listas las notas de la reunión?” It describes the notes and matches their feminine plural form. Use “estar + listas” to say that several feminine things are ready, especially before an activity.
las “Las” means “the” before “notas” in “las notas de la reunión.” It identifies specific feminine plural notes. A common reuse pattern is “las + feminine plural noun” when referring to known things.
notas “Notas” means “notes,” specifically the meeting notes in “las notas de la reunión.” It is the thing being checked and read before the meeting. A common reuse pattern is “leer las notas” when preparing for a discussion.
de “De” links “notas” and “la reunión” in “las notas de la reunión,” showing that the notes are related to the meeting. It introduces the noun that specifies the type or connection of the first noun. A common reuse pattern is “noun + de + noun” for relations such as ownership or topic.
la “La” means “the” before “reunión” in “la reunión.” It identifies a specific feminine singular meeting. A common reuse pattern is “la + feminine singular noun” when referring to a known thing.
reunión “Reunión” means “meeting” in “la reunión.” Here it identifies the meeting whose notes are being prepared and discussed. Use it for a work or other organized gathering, often with “la” when the meeting is already known.
en “En” shows location in “Están en mi escritorio,” meaning that the notes are on or in the desk area. It links the notes with the place where they are located. A common reuse pattern is “estar en + place” to say where something is.
mi “Mi” means “my” in “mi escritorio,” identifying the desk as belonging to or being associated with the speaker. It comes directly before the noun it describes. A common reuse pattern is “mi + singular noun” when referring to something connected with the speaker.
escritorio “Escritorio” means “desk” in “mi escritorio,” the place where the notes are located. It is the location selected after “en.” Use it when talking about a workplace desk or the things kept there.
Hay “Hay” introduces the existence of something in “¿Hay una copia para mí?”, asking whether a copy exists or is available. It is used without naming a separate subject that performs an action. A common reuse pattern is “Hay + noun” when asking or saying that something is available.
una “Una” means “a” or “one” before “copia” in “una copia.” It refers to one feminine item without making it specific. A common reuse pattern is “una + feminine singular noun” when introducing one item.
copia “Copia” means “copy” in “una copia para mí,” referring to another copy of the meeting notes. It is the item whose availability is being asked about. Use it when requesting or offering a duplicate of a document.
para “Para” means “for” in “una copia para mí,” marking the intended recipient of the copy. It connects the item with the person who should receive it. A common reuse pattern is “noun + para + person” when identifying who something is for.
mí “Mí” means “me” in “para mí,” identifying the speaker as the recipient of the copy. This accented form is used after the preposition “para.” A common reuse pattern is “para mí” when stating that something is intended for the speaker.
Aquí “Aquí” means “here” in “Aquí tienes una,” pointing to the place or moment where the offered copy is being presented. It helps direct the addressee’s attention to what is being handed over. Use it in an immediate exchange when giving or indicating something nearby.
tienes “Tienes” contributes the idea “you have” in “Aquí tienes una,” presenting the copy as now available to the other person. It is a form of tener used when addressing one person. The expression “Aquí tienes” is useful when handing something to someone.
qué “Qué” means “what” in “¿De qué vamos a hablar hoy?”, asking for the subject of the discussion. Together with “de,” it forms the question “de qué” about the topic. Use “de qué” when asking what a conversation or activity will concern.
vamos “Vamos” identifies the speaker and others as the group in “vamos a hablar,” meaning that the group is going to discuss something. It is the form used with “nosotros” in this expression. A common reuse pattern is “vamos a + infinitive” for a planned or upcoming group action.
a “A” links “vamos” with the action “hablar” in “vamos a hablar.” Together, “vamos a hablar” expresses what the group is going to discuss. Use “a” in the pattern “ir or vamos a + infinitive” for a planned action.
hablar “Hablar” means “to talk” or “to discuss” in “¿De qué vamos a hablar hoy?” and “Vamos a hablar del plan nuevo.” It appears after “a” as the action the group will do. Use “hablar de + topic” when saying what a conversation or discussion is about.
hoy “Hoy” means “today” in “¿De qué vamos a hablar hoy?”, limiting the question to the current day. It gives the time of the planned discussion. Use it when asking about or describing something scheduled for today.
del “Del” introduces the plan as the topic in “hablar del plan nuevo.” It is the contraction of “de” and “el,” meaning “of the” or “about the” here. A common reuse pattern is “hablar del + noun” when naming the subject of a discussion.
plan “Plan” means “plan” in “del plan nuevo,” the proposal the speakers will discuss. It is the noun introduced as the topic after “hablar del.” Use it for an intended course of action or organized proposal.
nuevo “Nuevo” means “new” in “el plan nuevo,” describing the plan as recently introduced or different from an earlier one. It comes after “plan” in this dialogue. Use it after a noun when identifying that plan or item as new.
Déjame “Déjame” means “let me” in “Déjame leer las notas,” asking the other person to allow the speaker to read. It comes from dejar with “me” attached, referring to the speaker. A common reuse pattern is “Déjame + infinitive” when requesting permission to do something.
leer “Leer” means “to read” in “Déjame leer las notas,” the action the speaker wants to perform. It follows “Déjame” as the requested action and takes “las notas” as what is read. Use “leer + noun” when saying what someone will read.
antes “Antes” means “before” in “antes de empezar,” placing one action earlier than the start. It helps sequence reading the notes before the meeting begins. A common reuse pattern is “antes de + infinitive” when one action happens before another.
empezar “Empezar” means “to start” or “to begin” in “antes de empezar.” It names the beginning that the speaker refers to before reading or taking a minute. Use “antes de empezar” when giving a preparation step before an activity begins.
Tómate “Tómate” means “take for yourself” in “Tómate un minuto,” telling the other person to take a short amount of time. The attached “te” refers to the person being addressed. A common reuse pattern is “Tómate + amount of time” when giving someone time to prepare or pause.
un “Un” means “a” or “one” before “minuto” in “un minuto.” It refers to one masculine singular unit of time. A common reuse pattern is “un + masculine singular noun” when introducing one item or amount.
minuto “Minuto” means “minute” in “Tómate un minuto,” referring to a short amount of time before beginning. It is the amount of time the other person is encouraged to take. Use “un minuto” when asking for or allowing a brief pause.

Grammar Points

Hay + sustantivo

Hay una copia aquí.

eye OO-nah KOH-pyah ah-KEE

There is a copy here.

Hay significa “there is” o “there are” y no cambia según si el sustantivo es singular o plural.

antes de + infinitivo

Lee la nota antes de empezar.

LEH-eh lah NOH-tah AHN-tehs deh ehm-peh-SAR

Read the note before starting.

Después de antes de se usa el infinitivo para expresar que una acción ocurre previamente a otra.

Spanish Vocabulary

aquí adv
ah-KEE here
copia noun
KOH-pyah copy
de qué phrase
deh KEH what; about what

¿De qué vamos a hablar hoy?

escritorio noun
ehs-kree-TOH-ryoh desk
estar verb
eh-STAHR to be están
haber verb
ah-BEHR there is; there are hay
hablar verb
ah-BLAR to talk; to discuss
ir verb
eer to go vamos
listo adj
LEES-toh ready listas
nota noun
NOH-tah note notas
reunión noun
reh-oo-NYOHN meeting
tener verb
teh-NEHR to have tienes

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

They are on my desk.

Show AnswerEstán en mi escritorio.

Is there a copy for me?

Show Answer¿Hay una copia para mí?

Here is one.

Show AnswerAquí tienes una.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

meeting

Show Answerreunión

note

Show Answernotas

copy

Show Answercopia

to have

Show Answertienes