Making a Short Phone Call Before a Meeting | Learn Spanish in English

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Use Making a Short Phone Call Before a Meeting to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Necesito hacer una llamada corta.

neh-seh-SEE-toh ah-SAIR OO-nah yah-MAH-dah KOR-tah. I need to make a short phone call.

Puedes usar el pasillo si necesitas privacidad.

PWEH-dess oo-SAR el pah-SEE-yoh see neh-seh-SEE-tahs pree-bee-see-DAHD. You can use the hallway if you need privacy.

No quiero molestar a todos.

noh KYEH-roh moh-les-TAR ah TOH-dohss. I don't want to disturb everyone.

Debería estar tranquilo ahí fuera ahora mismo.

deh-beh-REE-ah es-TAR trahn-KEE-loh ah-EE FWEH-rah ah-OH-rah MEES-moh. It should be quiet out there right now.

Volveré antes de que empiece la reunión.

bohl-beh-RAY AHN-tess deh keh em-PYEH-seh lah reh-oo-NYOHN. I'll return before the meeting starts.

Está bien. Todavía tenemos tiempo suficiente.

es-TAH byen. toh-dah-BEE-ah teh-NEH-mohss TYEHM-poh soo-fee-SYEHN-teh. That works. We still have enough time.

Por favor, guarda mi asiento mientras llamo.

por fah-BOR, GWAR-dah mee ah-SYEHN-toh MYEHN-trahss YAH-moh. Please save my seat while I call.

Guardaré tus notas aquí.

gwar-dah-RAY tooss NOH-tahss ah-KEE. I'll keep your notes here.

Word by Word

Necesito “Necesito” means “I need” here: the speaker says a short phone call is necessary. It commonly introduces something needed with an infinitive, as in “Necesito hacer...”. You can use it when explaining a personal need or requirement.

hacer “Hacer” means “to make” in the expression “hacer una llamada”, which means to make a phone call. It is used here after “Necesito” to name the action that is needed. A reusable pattern is “hacer + an activity or task”.

una “Una” means “a” before the feminine noun “llamada” in “una llamada corta”. It introduces one non-specific call. Use “una” before a feminine singular noun when referring to one item or event.

llamada “Llamada” means “call” here, specifically the phone call the speaker needs to make. In “hacer una llamada”, it is the thing being made. You can use it when arranging, receiving, or discussing a phone call.

corta “Corta” means “short” and describes the call in “una llamada corta”. It agrees with the feminine noun “llamada”. Use it after a noun when describing a short duration or limited length.

Puedes “Puedes” means “you can” here and gives the other person permission or an available option to use the hallway. It is followed by an infinitive in “Puedes usar...”. Use “Puedes + infinitive” to offer or ask about what someone is able or allowed to do.

usar “Usar” means “to use” in “usar el pasillo”. It names the action that the other person can do with the hallway as the place or resource. A reusable pattern is “usar + a place, object, or service”.

el “El” means “the” before the masculine singular noun “pasillo” in “el pasillo”. It refers to a specific hallway understood in the situation. Use “el” before a known masculine singular noun.

pasillo “Pasillo” means “hallway” here, the place where the speaker can make the private call. It appears as the object of “usar” in “usar el pasillo”. You can use it when directing someone to or describing a hallway in a building.

si “Si” means “if” and introduces the condition “si necesitas privacidad”. It connects the option of using the hallway with the need for privacy. Use “si + clause” to state a condition for an offer, suggestion, or action.

necesitas “Necesitas” means “you need” here and states the condition under which the hallway may be used. It is followed by the noun “privacidad” in “necesitas privacidad”. Use it to ask about or describe another person’s need.

privacidad “Privacidad” means “privacy” here, the private space the speaker needs for the call. It is the thing needed after “necesitas”. You can use it when discussing a need to be away from other people or observation.

No “No” makes the following statement negative: “No quiero...” means “I don’t want...”. It comes before “quiero” to deny the speaker’s desire. Use “no” before a verb to form a negative statement.

quiero “Quiero” means “I want” here, and with “No” it expresses that the speaker does not want to disturb everyone. It is followed by the infinitive “molestar”. Use “quiero + infinitive” to state what you want to do.

molestar “Molestar” means “to disturb” in “No quiero molestar a todos”. It names the action the speaker does not want to carry out. After “quiero” or “no quiero”, use an infinitive such as “molestar” to express the desired or undesired action.

a “A” links “molestar” to the people affected in “molestar a todos”. Here it marks the people whom the action would disturb. Use “a” before a person or people affected by certain actions, including “molestar”.

todos “Todos” means “everyone” or “all” here and refers to all the people nearby whom the speaker does not want to disturb. It follows “a” in “a todos”. Use it when referring collectively to all members of a group.

Debería “Debería” means “should” here and expresses the expectation that the area outside will be quiet. It is used before “estar” in “Debería estar tranquilo...”. Use “debería + infinitive” for an expectation, recommendation, or likely situation.

estar “Estar” means “to be” in “estar tranquilo”, describing the expected state of the area outside. It follows “Debería” because the expected situation is being described. Use “estar + adjective” for a temporary state or condition.

tranquilo “Tranquilo” means “quiet” or “calm” here and describes the expected condition outside. It follows “estar” in “estar tranquilo”. Use it with “estar” when describing a quiet or calm place or situation.

ahí “Ahí” means “there” and points to the place outside where the speaker expects it to be quiet. It appears with “fuera” in “ahí fuera”. Use it to refer to a place that is not where the speaker is currently standing.

fuera “Fuera” means “outside” in “ahí fuera”, referring to the hallway or area outside the current room. Together with “ahí”, it identifies the place being discussed. Use it when indicating an exterior or outside location.

ahora “Ahora” means “now” and places the expected quietness in the present time. It is part of the expression “ahora mismo”. Use it to refer to the current moment.

mismo “Mismo” contributes to the meaning “right now” in the expression “ahora mismo”. It emphasizes that the time is the present moment, rather than simply another time. Use “ahora mismo” when you want to stress that something is happening or relevant at this exact time.

Volveré “Volveré” means “I will return” here: the speaker promises to come back before the meeting begins. It expresses a future return in one exact form. Use it when telling someone that you will come back to a place.

antes “Antes” means “before” and places the speaker’s return earlier than the start of the meeting. It is used in the complete time expression “antes de que empiece...”. Use “antes de...” to state that one event happens earlier than another.

de “De” is part of the time expression “antes de que empiece la reunión”, which means “before the meeting starts”. It connects “antes” with the following clause. Keep it in the pattern “antes de que + clause” when comparing the timing of two events.

que “Que” helps introduce the clause “que empiece la reunión” after “antes de”. The complete expression “antes de que empiece...” means that the return happens before another event. Use “antes de que + clause” to refer to an action that has not happened yet.

empiece “Empiece” means “starts” here, referring to the meeting beginning in “que empiece la reunión”. It appears in the clause after “antes de que”. Use “antes de que + verb” when saying that one action will happen before another event.

la “La” means “the” before the feminine singular noun “reunión” in “la reunión”. It refers to the specific meeting already relevant to the conversation. Use “la” before a known feminine singular noun.

reunión “Reunión” means “meeting” here, the event that has not started when the speaker leaves. It appears as the subject of “empiece la reunión”. You can use it when discussing a scheduled meeting or gathering.

Está “Está” means “is” in the response “Está bien”, where it functions as “that is okay” or “that works”. It gives approval to the proposed short call. Use “Está bien” to accept a suggestion or say that something is acceptable.

bien “Bien” means “okay” or “fine” in the expression “Está bien”. Together, “Está bien” confirms that the plan is acceptable. Use it as a short response to approve or accept something.

Todavía “Todavía” means “still” here and shows that the available time has not run out. It modifies “tenemos tiempo suficiente” in “Todavía tenemos tiempo suficiente”. Use it to say that a situation continues to be true.

tenemos “Tenemos” means “we have” here, referring to the time available to both speakers. It is followed by “tiempo suficiente” in the sentence. Use it to state that you and another person possess or have access to something.

tiempo “Tiempo” means “time” here, specifically the time available before the meeting. It is the noun modified by “suficiente” in “tiempo suficiente”. Use it when discussing how much time is available for an action.

suficiente “Suficiente” means “enough” or “sufficient” in “tiempo suficiente”. It says that the available time is adequate for the short call. Use it after a noun to say that there is enough of something.

Por favor “Por favor” means “please” and makes “guarda mi asiento” a polite request. “Por” and “favor” work together as this fixed expression, so the whole phrase carries the request meaning. Use “Por favor + request” when asking someone to do something politely.

guarda “Guarda” is the requested form meaning “save” or “keep” in “guarda mi asiento”. Here the speaker asks the other person to keep the seat available during the call. Use it in a direct request when asking someone to keep or reserve something.

mi “Mi” means “my” and shows that the seat belongs to or is being used by the speaker. It comes directly before “asiento” in “mi asiento”. Use “mi” before a singular noun to identify something connected with the speaker.

asiento “Asiento” means “seat” here, the place the speaker asks the other person to keep available. It is the object of “guarda” in “guarda mi asiento”. You can use it when referring to a seat at a meeting, event, or other place.

mientras “Mientras” means “while” and introduces the action happening during the call: “mientras llamo”. It links the request to the time when the speaker is calling. Use “mientras + clause” for two actions that happen at the same time.

llamo “Llamo” means “I call” here, referring to the speaker’s phone call while the other person keeps the seat. It follows “mientras” in “mientras llamo”. Use it when saying that you are making a call or calling someone during another action.

Guardaré “Guardaré” means “I will keep” or “I will save” here, as a promise to keep the other person’s notes in the current place. It is followed by the object “tus notas”. Use it when promising to keep or save something for someone.

tus “Tus” means “your” and identifies the notes as belonging to or being used by the other person. It comes before the plural noun “notas” in “tus notas”. Use “tus” before a plural noun when addressing one person and referring to something connected with them.

notas “Notas” means “notes” here, the written material the speaker promises to keep. It is the object of “Guardaré” in “Guardaré tus notas”. You can use it when referring to written points or information prepared for a meeting or task.

aquí “Aquí” means “here” and identifies the place where the speaker will keep the notes. It comes at the end of “Guardaré tus notas aquí”. Use it to point to the speaker’s current or indicated location.

Grammar Points

antes de que + subjuntivo

Volveré antes de que empiece la reunión.

bohl-beh-RAY AHN-tess deh keh em-PYEH-seh lah reh-oo-NYOHN.

I will return before the meeting starts.

After “antes de que,” Spanish uses the subjunctive; “empiece” means “starts” in this structure.

futuro simple: infinitivo + -é

Guardaré tus notas aquí.

gwar-dah-RAY tooss NOH-tahss ah-KEE.

I will keep your notes here.

The future first-person ending -é is added to the infinitive: guardar + é = guardaré.

Spanish Vocabulary

corta adj

KOR-tah short

Necesito hacer una llamada corta.

hacer verb

ah-SAIR to make; to do

Necesito hacer una llamada corta.

llamada noun

yah-MAH-dah phone call

Necesito hacer una llamada corta.

molestar verb

moh-les-TAR to disturb; to bother

No quiero molestar a todos.

necesitas verb

neh-seh-SEE-tahs you need

Puedes usar el pasillo si necesitas privacidad.

necesito verb

neh-seh-SEE-toh I need

Necesito hacer una llamada corta.

pasillo noun

pah-SEE-yoh hallway

Puedes usar el pasillo si necesitas privacidad.

privacidad noun

pree-bee-see-DAHD privacy

Puedes usar el pasillo si necesitas privacidad.

puedes verb

PWEH-dess you can

Puedes usar el pasillo si necesitas privacidad.

quiero verb

KYEH-roh I want

No quiero molestar a todos.

si conj

see if

Puedes usar el pasillo si necesitas privacidad.

usar verb

oo-SAR to use

Puedes usar el pasillo si necesitas privacidad.

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

I need to make a short phone call.

Show Answer

Necesito hacer una llamada corta.

I don't want to disturb everyone.

Show Answer

No quiero molestar a todos.

That works. We still have enough time.

Show Answer

Está bien. Todavía tenemos tiempo suficiente.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

you need

Show Answer

necesitas

short

Show Answer

corta

I need

Show Answer

necesito

to use

Show Answer

usar