Buying a train ticket with a transfer | Learn Spanish in English

Spanish lesson set in a contemporary Madrid everyday setting: At a train ticket machine, one adult helps another choose a destination, check the transfer point, and keep the ticket..

EN → ES / Level: A2

About This Lesson

Use Buying a train ticket with a transfer to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Necesito ayuda para comprar un billete para este viaje.

neh-seh-SEE-toh ah-YOO-dah pah-rah kohm-PRAR oon bee-YEH-teh pah-rah ES-teh BYAH-heh I need help buying a ticket for this trip.
B

Puedes comprarlo en esta máquina.

PWEH-dess kohm-PRAR-loh en ES-tah MAH-kee-nah You can buy it from this machine.
A

¿Qué opción debo elegir primero?

keh ohp-SYOHN DEH-boh eh-leh-HEER pree-MEH-roh Which option should I choose first?
B

Elige tu destino en la pantalla.

eh-LEE-heh too dess-TEE-noh en lah pahn-TAH-yah Choose your destination on the screen.
A

¿Cómo puedo ver dónde hacer transbordo?

KOH-moh PWEH-doh BEHR DOHN-deh ah-SEHR trahns-BOHR-doh How do I check where to change?
B

Los detalles de la ruta aparecen antes del pago.

lohs deh-TAH-yes deh lah ROO-tah ah-pah-REH-sen AHN-tess del PAH-goh The route details appear before payment.
A

Ahora puedo ver el punto de transbordo.

ah-OH-rah PWEH-doh BEHR ehl PWOON-toh deh trahns-BOHR-doh I can see the transfer point now.
B

Guarda el billete contigo hasta que termine el viaje.

GWAHR-dah ehl bee-YEH-teh kohn-TEE-goh AHS-tah keh tehr-MEE-neh ehl BYAH-heh Keep the ticket with you until the trip is over.

Word by Word

Necesito “Necesito” means “I need” here: the speaker says that help is necessary. It is the first-person form used with a needed thing or activity, as in “Necesito ayuda” and “Necesito ayuda para...”.
ayuda “ayuda” means “help” in the request for assistance with buying a ticket. It is used after “Necesito” to name what is needed. A reusable pattern is “Necesito ayuda para...” when asking for help with an activity.
para “para” has two uses in this dialogue: “para comprar” means “in order to buy,” while “para este viaje” means “for this trip.” Before an infinitive, “para + activity” gives the purpose; before a noun, it identifies the intended trip or purpose.
comprar “comprar” means “to buy” in the activity the speaker needs help with. Its infinitive form follows “para” in “para comprar,” giving the purpose of the help. A reusable pattern is “para + infinitive” for an intended action.
un “un” introduces “billete” as one ticket or a ticket in “un billete.” It comes before the singular noun it determines. This same form can introduce another singular masculine noun when referring to one unspecified item.
billete “billete” means “ticket,” specifically the ticket being bought for the trip. It appears in “un billete” and later in “el billete,” where the ticket is already identified. A reusable pattern is “comprar un billete” when buying a ticket.
este “este” means “this” in “este viaje,” pointing to the particular trip being discussed. It comes directly before “viaje” and matches that noun’s form. A reusable pattern is “este + noun” for a nearby or currently relevant thing.
viaje “viaje” means “trip” in both “este viaje” and “termine el viaje.” In the first phrase it identifies the planned trip, and in the second it is the trip that eventually ends. A reusable pattern is “el viaje” when referring to a specific trip.
Puedes “Puedes” means “you can” here, giving the other person permission or practical ability to buy the ticket from the machine. It is followed by an action in “Puedes comprarlo.” A reusable pattern is “Puedes + infinitive” for telling someone what they can do.
comprarlo “comprarlo” means “to buy it,” referring to the ticket. It combines the action “comprar” with “lo,” which points back to the ticket, and follows “Puedes” in “Puedes comprarlo.” A reusable pattern is “Puedes + infinitive + object pronoun” when saying someone can do something to an identified item.
en “en” marks the machine as the place where the ticket can be bought in “en esta máquina.” It connects an action with a location. A reusable pattern is “en + place” for saying where an action happens.
esta “esta” means “this” in “esta máquina,” pointing to the particular machine being used. It comes before “máquina” and matches that noun’s form. A reusable pattern is “esta + noun” for a nearby or currently relevant thing.
máquina “máquina” means “machine,” here referring to the ticket machine. It appears after “esta” in “esta máquina,” identifying the place or device used for buying the ticket. A reusable pattern is “usar una máquina” when referring to operating a machine.
Qué “Qué” means “which” in “Qué opción,” asking the person to identify one option from the available choices. Its accent marks its use in this question. A reusable question pattern is “¿Qué + noun...?” when asking which item or choice is intended.
opción “opción” means “option,” referring to one choice on the ticket machine. It is the noun selected by the question “Qué opción.” A reusable pattern is “elegir una opción” when selecting one of several choices.
debo “debo” means “I should” or “I must” in the question about which option to choose. It expresses the speaker’s need for guidance about the appropriate action and is followed by “elegir.” A reusable pattern is “debo + infinitive” when asking or stating what one should do.
elegir “elegir” means “to choose,” referring to selecting an option on the machine. It follows “debo” in “debo elegir,” so the action is presented as something the speaker should do. A reusable pattern is “elegir una opción” for selecting a choice.
primero “primero” means “first,” asking which choice should be made at the beginning of the process. It modifies the action in “debo elegir primero.” A reusable pattern is placing “primero” with an action to specify the first step.
Elige “Elige” means “choose” here and directly instructs the other person to select something. It introduces the action in “Elige tu destino.” A reusable pattern is “Elige + item” when telling someone which item to select.
tu “tu” means “your” in “tu destino,” linking the destination to the person being addressed. It comes before the noun it identifies. A reusable pattern is “tu + noun” when referring to something belonging or relating to the person addressed.
destino “destino” means “destination,” the place selected for the trip. It is the object of “Elige” in “Elige tu destino.” A reusable pattern is “elegir un destino” when selecting where to travel.
la “la” means “the” in “la pantalla,” referring to the specific screen on the machine. It comes before “pantalla” to identify that screen. A reusable pattern is “en la + place or object” when locating an action at a specific feminine noun.
pantalla “pantalla” means “screen,” the surface on which the destination is selected. It appears in the location phrase “en la pantalla.” A reusable pattern is “ver en la pantalla” when looking at information displayed on a screen.
Cómo “Cómo” means “how” in the question “Cómo puedo ver,” asking about the method for checking the transfer information. Its accent marks its use in this question. A reusable pattern is “¿Cómo puedo + infinitive...?” when asking how to do something.
puedo “puedo” means “I can” in “puedo ver,” asking whether or how the speaker can check the information. It is followed by the infinitive “ver.” A reusable pattern is “puedo + infinitive” for expressing ability or asking how an action can be done.
ver “ver” means “to see” and, in this context, “to check” the transfer information. It follows “puedo” in “puedo ver,” describing the action the speaker wants to perform. A reusable pattern is “puedo ver + information” when checking displayed information.
dónde “dónde” means “where” in “dónde hacer transbordo,” asking for the place at which the transfer happens. Its accent marks its use in this question. A reusable pattern is “dónde + activity” when asking where an activity takes place.
hacer “hacer” means “to do” in the expression “hacer transbordo,” which refers to making a transfer between parts of the journey. It follows “dónde” in the question about the transfer location. A reusable pattern is “hacer + activity” when describing carrying out an activity.
transbordo “transbordo” means “transfer,” the change from one part of the route to another. In “hacer transbordo,” it names the transfer the traveler needs to make. A reusable pattern is “hacer transbordo” when changing during a journey.
Los “Los” means “the” in “Los detalles,” referring to the specific route details that appear on the machine. It comes before the plural noun “detalles.” A reusable pattern is “los + plural noun” when referring to several identified items.
detalles “detalles” means “details,” here referring to the information about the route. It is the subject of “aparecen” in “Los detalles de la ruta aparecen.” A reusable pattern is “ver los detalles de...” when checking detailed information about something.
de “de” links “detalles” to “ruta” in “los detalles de la ruta,” meaning the details belonging to or concerning the route. It introduces the thing that the details describe. A reusable pattern is “detalles de + noun” for details about a particular subject.
ruta “ruta” means “route,” referring to the planned path of the journey. It appears in “los detalles de la ruta,” where it identifies what the details concern. A reusable pattern is “la ruta” when referring to a specific travel route.
aparecen “aparecen” means “appear” here, describing the route details becoming visible before payment. It is used with “Los detalles” in “Los detalles de la ruta aparecen.” A reusable pattern is “information + aparecen” for saying that displayed information becomes visible.
antes “antes” means “before” in “antes del pago,” placing the appearance of the route details earlier than the payment. It introduces a time relationship. A reusable pattern is “antes de + noun” for saying that something happens before an event or action.
del “del” means “of the” in “del pago,” linking the time expression to payment. It is the combined form of “de” and “el.” A reusable pattern is “antes del + noun” when placing something before a specific masculine event or action.
pago “pago” means “payment,” referring to the point at which the ticket is paid for. It appears in “antes del pago,” which says the route details appear before payment. A reusable pattern is “hacer el pago” when referring to making a payment.
Ahora “Ahora” means “now,” showing that the speaker can see the transfer point at this moment. It places the action in the current time. A reusable pattern is placing “Ahora” with an action to report what is happening at present.
el “el” means “the” in “el punto,” referring to the specific transfer point now visible. It comes before the singular noun “punto.” A reusable pattern is “el + singular noun” when referring to one identified masculine item.
punto “punto” means “point,” here referring to the place where the traveler makes the transfer. It appears in “el punto de transbordo.” A reusable pattern is “punto de + noun” for identifying a particular point associated with something.
Guarda “Guarda” means “keep” here and instructs the other person not to lose the ticket during the trip. It introduces the object in “Guarda el billete.” A reusable pattern is “Guarda + object” when telling someone to retain something.
contigo “contigo” means “with you,” specifying that the ticket should remain in the person’s possession. It follows “Guarda el billete” in “Guarda el billete contigo.” A reusable pattern is keeping an item “contigo” when carrying it personally.
hasta “hasta” means “until” in “hasta que termine el viaje,” marking the endpoint of the period for keeping the ticket. It introduces the event that ends that period. A reusable pattern is “hasta que + event” for saying that something continues until an event occurs.
que “que” helps introduce the endpoint clause in “hasta que termine el viaje,” meaning “until the trip is over.” Together with “hasta,” it connects the instruction to the event that ends the required period. A reusable pattern is “hasta que + clause” for an action that continues up to a later event.
termine “termine” means “ends” or “is over” in “hasta que termine el viaje.” It describes the point at which the trip reaches its endpoint. A reusable pattern is “hasta que + event” when specifying when an action or instruction stops.

Grammar Points

Imperativo afirmativo de tú: elige / guarda

Elige una opción y guarda los detalles.

eh-LEE-heh OO-nah ohp-SYOHN ee GWAHR-dah lohs deh-TAH-yes

Choose an option and save the details.

Affirmative tú commands often have special forms, such as elige from elegir and guarda from guardar.

Spanish Vocabulary

ayuda noun
ah-YOO-dah help
billete noun
bee-YEH-teh ticket
comprar verb
kohm-PRAR to buy

comprar un billete

destino noun
dess-TEE-noh destination
elegir verb
eh-leh-HEER to choose Elige
máquina noun
MAH-kee-nah machine
necesitar verb
neh-seh-see-TAR to need Necesito
opción noun
ohp-SYOHN option
pantalla noun
pahn-TAH-yah screen
primero adv
pree-MEH-roh first
ver verb
BEHR to see

puedo ver

viaje noun
BYAH-heh trip

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

You can buy it from this machine.

Show AnswerPuedes comprarlo en esta máquina.

Which option should I choose first?

Show Answer¿Qué opción debo elegir primero?

Choose your destination on the screen.

Show AnswerElige tu destino en la pantalla.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

machine

Show Answermáquina

trip

Show Answerviaje

first

Show Answerprimero

option

Show Answeropción