Borrowing a Book and Reading in a Quiet Library | Learn Spanish in English

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Use Borrowing a Book and Reading in a Quiet Library to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Esta biblioteca es muy tranquila.

EH-stah bee-blyoh-TEH-kah es MOO-ee trahn-KEE-lah. This library is very quiet.

Nosotros hablamos en voz baja para que la gente pueda estudiar.

noh-SOH-trohs ah-BLAH-mohs en bohs BAH-hah pah-rah keh lah HEN-teh PWEH-dah es-too-DYAHR. We keep our voices low so people can study.

Quiero pedir prestado este libro.

KYEH-roh peh-DEER prehs-TAH-doh EH-steh LEE-broh. I want to borrow this book.

Puedo sacar este libro para ti en el mostrador.

PWEH-doh sah-KAHR EH-steh LEE-broh pah-rah tee en el moh-strah-DOHR. I can check it out for you at the desk.

¿Dónde debo devolverlo?

DOHN-deh DEH-boh deh-bohl-VEHR-loh? Where should I return it?

Tráelo de vuelta al mostrador cuando termines.

TRAH-eh-loh deh BWEHL-tah ahl moh-strah-DOHR KWAHN-doh tehr-MEE-nes. Bring it back to the desk when you are finished.

El asiento junto a la ventana parece cómodo.

el ah-SYEHN-toh HOON-toh ah lah ben-TAH-nah pah-REH-seh KOH-moh-doh. The window seat looks comfortable.

Tú puedes sentarte allí y leer antes de irte.

TOO PWEH-des sen-TAHR-teh ah-YEE ee leh-EHR AHN-tes deh EER-teh. You can sit there and read before you leave.

Word by Word

Esta “Esta” means “this” in “Esta biblioteca” and identifies the library being discussed. It is used before a noun in “Esta biblioteca”. You can use it when pointing out or referring to a particular nearby place.

biblioteca “Biblioteca” means “library” in “Esta biblioteca”. Together, “Esta biblioteca” refers to this specific library. Use it when talking about a place where people read, study, or borrow books.

es “Es” means “is” in “biblioteca es muy tranquila” and describes what the library is like. The pattern “X es + description” is useful for describing a place or thing. Here it connects “biblioteca” with “muy tranquila”.

muy “Muy” means “very” in “muy tranquila” and strengthens the description. It is placed before the adjective in the pattern “muy + adjective”. Use it when you want to make a description stronger.

tranquila “Tranquila” means “quiet” in “Esta biblioteca es muy tranquila” and describes the library. It appears with “muy” to mean “very quiet”. Use it to describe a calm place where people are not making much noise.

Nosotros “Nosotros” means “we” in “Nosotros hablamos en voz baja” and explicitly identifies the people speaking. It can be placed before the verb when the subject needs to be clear or emphasized. Use it when referring to yourself together with other people.

hablamos “Hablamos” means “we speak” in “Nosotros hablamos en voz baja”. With “en voz baja”, it describes speaking quietly. The reusable pattern “hablamos en voz baja” is useful when explaining how a group speaks in a quiet place.

en “En” means “in” as part of “en voz baja”, which describes the manner of speaking. The expression “en voz baja” means speaking quietly or in a low voice. Use “en” in this expression when asking people to keep their voices quiet.

voz “Voz” means “voice” in “en voz baja”. In the whole expression “en voz baja”, it refers to the voice being kept low. Use this expression in a library or another place where quiet speaking is needed.

baja “Baja” means “low” in “en voz baja” and describes the voice. Together, “en voz baja” means speaking quietly, so the phrase gives the manner of “hablamos”. Use it when describing a low speaking volume.

para “Para” helps express purpose in “para que la gente pueda estudiar”, meaning “so that people can study”. With “para que”, it introduces the reason for speaking quietly. Use “para que + clause” when explaining what an action is intended to make possible.

que “Que” is part of the purpose expression “para que la gente pueda estudiar”. It introduces the clause stating the intended result: people being able to study. Use it together with “para” in “para que + clause” for this purpose meaning.

la “La” means “the” in “la gente” and introduces the noun that refers to the people in the library. It is used directly before “gente” in this phrase. Use it when referring to the people as a group.

gente “Gente” means “people” in “la gente pueda estudiar”. The phrase “la gente” refers to the people in the library as a group. Use it when talking about people generally or about the people in a particular place.

pueda “Pueda” means “can” in “para que la gente pueda estudiar”, describing what the people are able to do. It appears with “estudiar” in the purpose clause. The pattern “para que + subject + pueda + infinitive” is useful for stating what someone should be able to do.

estudiar “Estudiar” means “to study” in “la gente pueda estudiar”. It follows “pueda” to name the activity people can do. Use it when talking about studying in a library, classroom, or another learning place.

Quiero “Quiero” means “I want” in “Quiero pedir prestado este libro” and expresses the speaker’s desire. The pattern “Quiero + infinitive” is used to say what the speaker wants to do. Use it when making a request or stating an intention.

pedir “Pedir” contributes the idea of asking for something in “pedir prestado este libro”. The whole expression “pedir prestado” means to borrow, with “este libro” as the requested item. Use the pattern “pedir prestado + object” when asking to borrow something.

prestado “Prestado” means “borrowed” as part of “pedir prestado este libro”. Together, “pedir prestado” expresses asking to use something and later return it. Use it with an object when talking about borrowing a book or another item.

este “Este” means “this” in “este libro” and identifies the particular book the speaker wants to borrow. It is placed before the noun in “este libro”. Use it when pointing out or selecting a specific book.

libro “Libro” means “book” in “este libro”. The phrase “este libro” identifies the book the speaker wants to borrow. Use it when talking about a book in a library or another reading situation.

Puedo “Puedo” means “I can” in “Puedo sacar este libro para ti” and introduces an ability or offer. It is followed by the infinitive “sacar”. Use the pattern “Puedo + infinitive” when offering to do something.

sacar “Sacar” means “check out” in “sacar este libro para ti en el mostrador”. In this library context, it describes taking the book out for borrowing. Use “sacar + object” when talking about checking a book out.

ti “Ti” means “you” in “para ti” and identifies the person who benefits from the action. It appears after the preposition “para” in the expression “para ti”. Use “para ti” when saying that something is for someone.

el “El” means “the” in “el mostrador”; at the beginning of the other sentence it is written as “El” in “El asiento”. It introduces the specific desk or seat being discussed. Use it directly before a masculine singular noun in these expressions.

mostrador “Mostrador” means “desk” or “counter” in “en el mostrador”. The dialogue also uses “al mostrador” for movement toward the desk. Use it when referring to the library counter where books are checked out or returned.

Dónde “Dónde” means “where” in “¿Dónde debo devolverlo?” and asks about the return location. It appears at the beginning of this question before “debo”. Use “¿Dónde...?” when asking where an action should happen.

debo “Debo” means “I should” or “I must” in “debo devolverlo” and expresses the action the speaker is expected to take. The pattern “debo + infinitive” is useful for asking or stating what the speaker should do. Here it is used to ask where the book should be returned.

devolverlo “Devolverlo” means “return it” in “¿Dónde debo devolverlo?”, referring to returning the book. It is the action placed after “debo” in the question. Use “debo devolverlo” when asking where or when an item should be returned.

Tráelo “Tráelo” means “bring it” in “Tráelo de vuelta al mostrador” and gives the listener an instruction about the book. It refers to bringing the item back to the desk. Use this form when telling someone to bring a particular item.

de “De” is part of the expression “de vuelta” in “Tráelo de vuelta al mostrador”. Together, “de vuelta” indicates returning or coming back. Use this expression when describing an item or person being brought back.

vuelta “Vuelta” is part of “de vuelta” in “Tráelo de vuelta al mostrador”, which means “back”. The whole expression shows that the book should return to the desk. Use “de vuelta” when giving a return instruction.

al “Al” means “to the” in “al mostrador” and shows movement toward the desk. It is used in the destination expression “de vuelta al mostrador”. Use it before a destination when directing something or someone to a place.

cuando “Cuando” means “when” in “cuando termines” and introduces the time for returning the book. The pattern “cuando + clause” is useful for saying when an action should happen. Here it connects finishing with bringing the book back.

termines “Termines” means “you finish” in “cuando termines”. It tells the listener that the return should happen after the listener has finished. Use “cuando termines” when giving an instruction tied to the end of an activity.

asiento “Asiento” means “seat” in “El asiento junto a la ventana”. It identifies the place where the visitor can sit. Use it when talking about a seat in a library, room, vehicle, or other place.

junto “Junto” means “next to” as part of “junto a la ventana”. The whole expression identifies the seat’s position beside the window. Use the pattern “junto a + place or object” to describe something located next to it.

a “A” is part of the location expression “junto a la ventana”. Together, “junto a” means “next to”, and “la ventana” names the reference point. Use “junto a + noun” when describing where something is located.

ventana “Ventana” means “window” in “junto a la ventana”. The phrase identifies the window as the reference point for the seat’s location. Use it when describing a place near or beside a window.

parece “Parece” means “looks” or “seems” in “parece cómodo” and gives an impression about the seat. The pattern “parece + description” is useful when something appears to have a quality. Here the impression is that the seat is comfortable.

cómodo “Cómodo” means “comfortable” in “El asiento junto a la ventana parece cómodo”. It describes how the seat appears to the speaker. Use it when describing a seat, place, or other thing that seems pleasant to use.

Tú “Tú” means “you” in “Tú puedes sentarte allí” and explicitly identifies the listener. It can be used before the verb when the person being addressed needs to be clear or emphasized. Here the library worker tells this visitor what they can do.

puedes “Puedes” means “you can” in “puedes sentarte allí y leer” and tells the listener that the actions are possible or allowed. It is followed by the actions “sentarte” and “leer”. Use “puedes + infinitive” when telling someone what they can do.

sentarte “Sentarte” means “sit down” in “puedes sentarte allí”. It describes the listener taking the seat indicated by “allí”. Use it after “puedes” when telling someone they can sit in a particular place.

allí “Allí” means “there” in “sentarte allí” and points to the seat or location being discussed. It indicates where the listener can sit. Use it when referring to a place that is clear from the situation.

y “Y” means “and” in “sentarte allí y leer” and joins the two activities the listener can do. It connects “sentarte” with “leer” in the same instruction. Use “y” to link two actions or ideas.

leer “Leer” means “to read” in “y leer antes de irte”. It names the activity the visitor can do while sitting in the library. Use it when talking about reading a book or other written material.

antes “Antes” means “before” in “antes de irte” and places one action earlier than another. The whole expression “antes de irte” means “before you leave”. Use the pattern “antes de + infinitive” when describing what happens first.

irte “Irte” means “leave” in “antes de irte”, referring to the listener leaving the library. It completes the time expression “antes de irte”. Use “antes de + infinitive” to say what should happen before someone leaves or goes.

Grammar Points

cuando + subjuntivo

cuando termines de estudiar

KWAHN-doh tehr-MEE-nes deh es-too-DYAHR

when you finish studying

Después de «cuando», se usa el subjuntivo para una acción futura o pendiente.

antes de + infinitivo

antes de irte

AHN-tes deh EER-teh

before you leave

Después de «antes de», se usa un verbo en infinitivo, como «irte».

Spanish Vocabulary

biblioteca noun

bee-blyoh-TEH-kah library

Esta biblioteca

en voz baja phrase

en bohs BAH-hah quietly; in a low voice

estudiar verb

es-too-DYAHR to study

gente noun

HEN-teh people

la gente

hablar verb

ah-BLAHR to speak hablamos

Nosotros hablamos

libro noun

LEE-broh book

este libro

mostrador noun

moh-strah-DOHR desk; counter

en el mostrador

muy adv

MOO-ee very

pedir prestado phrase

peh-DEER prehs-TAH-doh to borrow

querer verb

keh-REHR to want quiero

Quiero pedir prestado

sacar verb

sah-KAHR to check out; to take out

sacar este libro

tranquilo adj

trahn-KEE-loh quiet tranquila

biblioteca muy tranquila

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

This library is very quiet.

Show Answer

Esta biblioteca es muy tranquila.

I want to borrow this book.

Show Answer

Quiero pedir prestado este libro.

Where should I return it?

Show Answer

¿Dónde debo devolverlo?

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to want

Show Answer

quiero

library

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biblioteca

people

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gente

to study

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estudiar