Taking a Break When You Feel Tired at Work | Learn Spanish in English

Spanish lesson set in a contemporary Madrid everyday setting: At work, one adult feels tired under a close deadline while another suggests resting and reviewing the draft..

EN → ES / Level: A2

About This Lesson

Use Taking a Break When You Feel Tired at Work to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Tengo mucho trabajo hoy.

TENG-goh MOO-choh trah-BAH-hoh oy. I have a lot of work today.
B

Te ves cansado, así que descansa un poco.

teh bes kahn-SAH-doh, ah-SEE keh deh-SKAHN-sah oon POH-koh. You look tired, so take a break.
A

Estoy preocupado porque se acerca la fecha límite.

es-TOY preh-oh-koo-PAH-doh POR-keh seh ah-SER-kah lah FEH-chah LEE-mee-teh. I'm worried because the deadline is approaching.
B

Alejarte un momento puede ayudarte a trabajar mejor después.

ah-leh-HAR-teh oon moh-MEN-toh PWEH-deh ah-yoo-DAR-teh ah trah-bah-HAR meh-HOR dehs-PWES. Stepping away can help you work better afterward.
A

Tal vez debería descansar los ojos un minuto.

tahl bes deh-beh-REE-ah deh-sahn-SAR lohs OH-hohs oon mee-NOO-toh. Maybe I should rest my eyes for a minute.
B

Bebe agua y respira despacio durante un minuto.

BEH-beh AH-gwah ee rehs-PEE-rah deh-SPAH-see-oh doo-RAHN-teh oon mee-NOO-toh. Drink water and breathe slowly for a minute.
A

Entonces puedo terminar la última sección.

en-TOHN-sehs PWEH-doh tehr-mee-NAR lah OOL-tee-mah sehks-see-OHN. Then I can finish the last section.
B

Revisaré el borrador mientras descansas.

reh-bee-sah-REH el boh-rrah-DOR mee-ehn-trahs deh-SKAHN-sahs. I will review the draft while you rest.

Word by Word

Tengo “Tengo” means “I have” in “Tengo mucho trabajo hoy.” It is the exact form used to say that the speaker has work today, and it is used with what someone has, such as “Tengo mucho trabajo.” You would use it when describing your own work, tasks, or possessions.
mucho “Mucho” means “a lot of” or “much” in “Tengo mucho trabajo hoy.” It describes the large amount of “trabajo” here and agrees with that masculine singular noun. A useful pattern is “Tengo mucho + noun” when saying that you have a large amount of something.
trabajo “Trabajo” means “work” in “Tengo mucho trabajo hoy.” Here it is the thing the speaker has, not an action being performed. You can use “trabajo” when talking about work or duties, such as in “Tengo mucho trabajo.”
hoy “Hoy” means “today” in “Tengo mucho trabajo hoy.” It places the work in the current day and commonly appears at the beginning or end of a sentence. You would use it when giving the day connected with an activity or situation.
Te “Te” refers to “you” as the person being described in “Te ves cansado.” It is used with “ves” to say how the other person looks, rather than as the subject of the sentence. A useful pattern is “Te ves + adjective” when describing someone’s appearance or condition.
ves “Ves” means “you look” in “Te ves cansado.” Together with “te,” it describes how the listener appears to the speaker. You would use “Te ves + adjective” when telling someone how they seem, for example when they look tired.
cansado “Cansado” means “tired” in “Te ves cansado.” It describes the condition of the person being addressed and follows “Te ves.” You would use “cansado” when telling someone that they appear tired, as in “Te ves cansado.”
así “Así” contributes the meaning “so” in “así que descansa un poco.” It points from the observation that the person looks tired to the advice that follows. A useful pattern is “así que + result or advice” when one situation leads to a conclusion or action.
que “Que” completes “así que,” which means “so” here and introduces the result or advice “descansa un poco.” Its meaning in this sentence comes from the whole expression “así que,” not from “que” alone. You would use “así que” to connect a reason or situation with what follows.
descansa “Descansa” means “rest” or “take a break” in “descansa un poco.” It gives direct advice to the person being addressed. You would use it when telling someone to rest, especially with a time or amount such as “un poco.”
un “Un” means “a” or “one” in “un poco” and “un minuto.” In “un poco,” it forms the expression “a little,” while in “un minuto” it introduces one minute as a duration. You would use “un” before a masculine singular noun or in expressions such as “un poco.”
poco “Poco” means “a little” in “descansa un poco.” Together with “un,” it makes the small amount expression “un poco,” which softens the amount of rest suggested. You would use “un poco” when asking for or describing a small amount.
Estoy “Estoy” means “I am” in “Estoy preocupado.” It presents the speaker’s current state of being worried. You would use “Estoy + adjective” to describe how you feel or what condition you are in.
preocupado “Preocupado” means “worried” in “Estoy preocupado.” It describes the speaker’s current concern about the approaching deadline. You would use it after “Estoy” to tell someone that you feel worried about a situation.
porque “Porque” means “because” in “porque se acerca la fecha límite.” It introduces the reason for being worried. A useful pattern is “Estoy preocupado porque + situation” when explaining what is causing your concern.
se In “se acerca,” “se” is part of the verb construction that presents the deadline as coming closer. Its meaning here belongs to the whole construction “se acerca,” rather than being read as “approaches” by itself. You would use the pattern “X se acerca” when saying that a date, event, or person is getting nearer.
acerca “Acerca” is the verb form used in “se acerca” to say that the deadline comes closer. Together with “se,” it describes the deadline as approaching the speaker’s current time. You would use “se acerca” for an approaching date or event, such as “se acerca la fecha límite.”
la “La” means “the” in “la fecha límite.” It introduces the specific deadline being discussed. You would use “la” before a feminine singular noun when referring to a particular thing.
fecha “Fecha” means “date” in “la fecha límite.” Together with “límite,” it names the deadline that is approaching. You would use “fecha” when referring to a calendar date, including a date connected with a deadline.
límite “Límite” means “limit” and contributes the idea of a deadline in “la fecha límite.” Together with “fecha,” it identifies the date by which something must be completed. You would use “fecha límite” when talking about a deadline for work or another task.
Alejarte “Alejarte” means “stepping away” in “Alejarte un momento.” It presents taking a short distance or break from the work as something that can help. The form combines the action of moving away with “te,” referring to the person who steps away; a useful pattern is “Alejarte un momento puede ayudarte a + infinitive.”
momento “Momento” means “moment” in “Alejarte un momento.” It limits the suggested time away to a short period. You would use “un momento” when asking someone to wait, pause, or do something briefly.
puede “Puede” means “can” in “puede ayudarte a trabajar mejor después.” Its subject is “Alejarte un momento,” so the sentence says that stepping away can help. A useful pattern is “X puede ayudarte a + infinitive” when describing something that may help someone do an action.
ayudarte “Ayudarte” means “help you” in “puede ayudarte a trabajar mejor después.” The ending “te” identifies the person receiving the help. You would use “ayudarte a + infinitive” when saying that an action can help someone do something.
a “A” links “ayudarte” with the action “trabajar” in “ayudarte a trabajar mejor después.” It introduces the action that the help makes easier or possible. A useful pattern is “ayudar a alguien a + infinitive,” as in “ayudarte a trabajar.”
trabajar “Trabajar” means “to work” in “ayudarte a trabajar mejor después.” It is the action that stepping away may help the listener perform more effectively later. You would use it after “a” in the pattern “ayudar a alguien a trabajar.”
mejor “Mejor” means “better” in “trabajar mejor después.” It describes an improvement in the way the person will work after resting. You would use “trabajar mejor” when saying that someone can work more effectively.
después “Después” means “afterward” or “later” in “trabajar mejor después.” It places the improved work after the short break. You would use it to refer to an action that happens later than the current one.
Tal In “Tal vez,” “Tal” helps form the expression meaning “maybe.” The whole expression introduces the speaker’s suggestion cautiously rather than stating it as certain. You would use “Tal vez + clause” when presenting a possibility or tentative idea.
vez In “Tal vez,” “vez” completes the expression meaning “maybe.” Here it does not mean a separate occurrence on its own; the meaning comes from the whole phrase “Tal vez.” You would use “Tal vez” before a clause when expressing uncertainty or a possible plan.
debería “Debería” means “should” in “debería descansar los ojos.” It presents resting the eyes as a possible action the speaker thinks would be advisable. A useful pattern is “debería + infinitive” when suggesting what one ought to do.
descansar “Descansar” means “to rest” in “debería descansar los ojos.” It is the action the speaker considers doing after “debería.” You would use it when talking about taking a break or allowing yourself to recover.
los “Los” means “the” in “los ojos.” It introduces the specific plural body part mentioned in the sentence. You would use “los” before a masculine plural noun when referring to particular things.
ojos “Ojos” means “eyes” in “descansar los ojos.” The phrase says that the speaker wants to rest their eyes for a short time. You would use “ojos” when talking about the body part used for seeing, including in a phrase about resting them.
minuto “Minuto” means “minute” in “un minuto.” Together with “un,” it specifies a short duration for resting the eyes. You would use “un minuto” when describing or requesting an activity that lasts one minute.
Bebe “Bebe” means “drink” in “Bebe agua.” It gives direct advice to the person being addressed. You would use it when telling someone to drink something, followed by the drink as the object.
agua “Agua” means “water” in “Bebe agua.” It is the thing the listener is advised to drink. You would use “agua” in everyday advice about drinking, such as “Bebe agua.”
y “Y” means “and” in “Bebe agua y respira despacio.” It connects two pieces of advice: drinking water and breathing slowly. You would use it to join related actions or ideas in one sentence.
respira “Respira” means “breathe” in “respira despacio.” It gives direct advice to the person being addressed about how to breathe. You would use it when telling someone to breathe, often with an adverb describing the manner.
despacio “Despacio” means “slowly” in “respira despacio.” It explains how the listener should breathe. You would use it after an action such as “respira” when advising someone to do that action slowly.
durante “Durante” means “during” or “for” in “durante un minuto.” It introduces the period of time over which the breathing should continue. A useful pattern is “durante + time period,” such as “durante un minuto.”
Entonces “Entonces” means “then” in “Entonces puedo terminar la última sección.” It connects the result of taking a short break with the next action. You would use it to introduce what happens or can happen after something else.
puedo “Puedo” means “I can” in “puedo terminar la última sección.” It expresses the speaker’s ability or possibility of finishing the section. A useful pattern is “puedo + infinitive” when saying what you are able to do.
terminar “Terminar” means “finish” in “puedo terminar la última sección.” It is the action the speaker expects to be able to complete. You would use it with the thing being completed, as in “terminar la sección.”
última “Última” means “last” or “final” in “la última sección.” It identifies the section as the final one in the relevant work. You would use it before a feminine singular noun when describing the last item in an ordered group.
sección “Sección” means “section” in “la última sección.” It is the specific part of the work that the speaker plans to finish. You would use “sección” when dividing a document, task, or other larger work into parts.
Revisaré “Revisaré” means “I will review” in “Revisaré el borrador.” It tells the listener what the speaker plans to do while the other person rests. You would use “Revisaré + object” when making a promise or stating a future plan to check something.
el “El” means “the” in “el borrador.” It introduces the specific draft that will be reviewed. You would use “el” before a masculine singular noun when referring to a particular thing.
borrador “Borrador” means “draft” in “Revisaré el borrador.” It is the document or version that the speaker will review. You would use it when talking about a work-in-progress document before its final version.
mientras “Mientras” means “while” in “mientras descansas.” It introduces an action happening at the same time as the review. A useful pattern is “mientras + clause” when describing two simultaneous actions.
descansas “Descansas” means “you rest” in “mientras descansas.” It identifies the listener’s action that happens while the speaker reviews the draft. You would use “mientras descansas” to say that another action takes place during someone’s rest.

Grammar Points

Futuro simple: revisaré

Revisaré la última sección.

reh-bee-sah-REH lah OOL-tee-mah sehks-see-OHN.

I will review the last section.

The ending -aré marks the simple future for yo with -ar verbs such as revisar.

Adjetivo femenino: último → última

la última sección

lah OOL-tee-mah sehks-see-OHN

the last section

The adjective changes to última to agree with the feminine noun sección.

Spanish Vocabulary

acercarse verb
ah-ser-KAR-seh to approach; to get closer se acerca

Estoy preocupado porque se acerca la fecha límite.

así que conj
ah-SEE keh so; therefore

Te ves cansado, así que descansa un poco.

cansado adj
kahn-SAH-doh tired

Te ves cansado, así que descansa un poco.

descansar verb
deh-sahn-SAR to rest; to take a break descansa

Te ves cansado, así que descansa un poco.

fecha límite noun
FEH-chah LEE-mee-teh deadline

Estoy preocupado porque se acerca la fecha límite.

hoy adv
oy today

Tengo mucho trabajo hoy.

poco adv
POH-koh a little

Te ves cansado, así que descansa un poco.

porque conj
POR-keh because

Estoy preocupado porque se acerca la fecha límite.

preocupado adj
preh-oh-koo-PAH-doh worried

Estoy preocupado porque se acerca la fecha límite.

tener verb
teh-NER to have Tengo

Tengo mucho trabajo hoy.

trabajo noun
trah-BAH-hoh work

Tengo mucho trabajo hoy.

ver verb
ber to look; to seem te ves

Te ves cansado, así que descansa un poco.

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

I have a lot of work today.

Show AnswerTengo mucho trabajo hoy.

Then I can finish the last section.

Show AnswerEntonces puedo terminar la última sección.

I will review the draft while you rest.

Show AnswerRevisaré el borrador mientras descansas.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

worried

Show Answerpreocupado

work

Show Answertrabajo

a little

Show Answerpoco

to have

Show AnswerTengo