Drying and replacing coffee-stained pages | Learn Spanish in English

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Use Drying and replacing coffee-stained pages to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Derramé café sobre estos documentos.

deh-rrah-MEH kah-FEH SOH-breh EH-stohs doh-koo-MEN-tohs I spilled coffee on these documents.

Aléjalos de la taza antes de que se extienda la mancha.

ah-LEH-hah-lohs deh lah TAH-sah AHN-tehs deh keh seh ehk-tee-EN-dah lah MAHN-chah Move them away from the cup before the stain spreads.

La página de arriba ya está empapada.

lah PAH-hee-nah deh ah-RREE-bah yah ehs-TAH ehm-pah-PAH-dah The top page is already soaked.

Déjala secar extendida antes de tocarla.

DEH-hah-lah seh-sah-KAR ehk-stehn-DEE-dah AHN-tehs deh toh-KAR-lah Let it dry flat before you handle it.

¿Debería imprimir una copia limpia de esa página?

deh-beh-REE-ah eem-pree-MEER OO-nah KOH-pyah LEEM-pyah deh EH-sah PAH-hee-nah Should I print a clean copy of that page?

Eso sería más seguro porque el texto puede quedar borroso.

EH-soh seh-REE-ah mahs seh-GOO-roh POR-keh el TEHK-stoh PWEH-deh keh-DAR boh-RROH-soh That would be safer because the text may blur.

Separaré las páginas secas mientras esta se seca.

seh-pah-rah-REH lahs PAH-hee-nahs SEH-kahs MYEHN-trahs EH-stah seh SEH-kah I will separate the dry pages while this one dries.

La próxima vez, deja las bebidas en otra mesa.

lah PROHK-see-mah beh-BEE-dahs en OH-trah MEH-sah Keep the drinks on another table next time.

Word by Word

Derramé “Derramé” means “I spilled” in “Derramé café sobre estos documentos.” It is the first-person past form of the verb “derramar,” used here to report an accidental action. Use it when explaining that you spilled a liquid on something, especially with the liquid and affected object. This form is useful when describing a small accident to another person.

café “Café” means “coffee” in “Derramé café sobre estos documentos.” It names the liquid that was spilled, and the accent mark is part of this exact form. Use it after a verb such as “Derramé” to identify what was spilled. In this situation, you would use it when telling someone what caused a stain.

sobre “Sobre” means “on” or “over” in “Derramé café sobre estos documentos,” indicating where the coffee landed. It links an action or position to a surface or object. Use it with the affected object after verbs involving placement or contact. Here it helps explain that the documents received the spilled coffee.

estos “Estos” means “these” in “estos documentos,” referring to documents that are near or being discussed. Its form matches the plural masculine noun “documentos.” Use it before a plural masculine noun when pointing out specific nearby items. A speaker would use it to identify the documents that need attention.

documentos “Documentos” means “documents” in “estos documentos.” It refers to the papers affected by the spilled coffee. Use it after a determiner such as “estos” when talking about multiple documents. In this situation, it identifies the items that were damaged.

Aléjalos “Aléjalos” means “move them away” in “Aléjalos de la taza.” It combines the command to move something away with “los,” referring to the documents. Use this command with “de” and the source or object to move something away from. Someone would use it to give quick advice before the stain spreads.

de “De” means “from” in “Aléjalos de la taza,” marking the cup as the place or object the documents should be moved away from. It commonly follows expressions of separation or distance. Use it to identify the source, origin, or point of separation. Here it specifies what the documents must be moved away from.

la “La” means “the” in “la taza,” referring to one specific cup. It appears before the feminine singular noun “taza.” Use it before a specific feminine singular noun. In this situation, it identifies the cup near the documents.

taza “Taza” means “cup” in “la taza.” It identifies the container from which the documents should be moved away. Use it with “la” when referring to a particular cup. Someone would use this word when locating the source of a spill or a nearby drink.

antes “Antes” means “before” in “antes de que se extienda la mancha,” introducing the action that should happen first. Here it connects moving the documents with preventing a later result. Use it with “de que” before a clause describing what must not happen yet. It is useful when giving advice about timing.

que “Que” is part of the connector “antes de que” in “antes de que se extienda la mancha.” Together, the connector means “before” and introduces the event that should be prevented or delayed. Use “que” here as part of this fixed clause pattern, not as an independent translation. This pattern is useful when one action must happen before another event.

se “Se” is part of “se extienda,” expressing the stain’s spreading as the event being prevented. It belongs with the verb form rather than carrying the whole meaning by itself. Use it with a verb when the event is described as happening to or extending itself. In this situation, it helps describe the stain spreading.

extienda “Extienda” means “spreads” in “se extienda la mancha,” referring to the stain becoming wider. It appears after “antes de que” because the clause describes a possible event that should be prevented. Use it with “la mancha” when talking about a stain spreading. Someone would use this form when warning about what may happen if the documents stay near the cup.

mancha “Mancha” means “stain” in “la mancha.” It names the mark caused by the spilled coffee. Use it with a determiner such as “la” when referring to a specific stain. In this situation, it is the damage that may spread across the documents.

página “Página” means “page” in “La página de arriba.” It refers to one sheet or page in the documents. Use it with a determiner such as “la” when identifying a particular page. Here it identifies the upper page that has been soaked.

arriba “Arriba” means “above” or “at the top” in “de arriba,” specifying which page is meant. Together with “página,” it identifies the page located on top of the stack. Use it after “de” to describe an upper position. Someone would use it when distinguishing one page from the pages underneath.

ya “Ya” means “already” in “ya está empapada,” showing that the page has reached this condition by now. It emphasizes that the soaking has happened before the current moment. Use it with a verb or state to point out a completed change or current result. In this situation, it signals that the page needs careful handling immediately.

está “Está” means “is” in “ya está empapada,” describing the page’s current condition. It is a form of “estar,” used here for a temporary physical state. Use it with an adjective when describing how something is at a particular moment. Here it connects the page with its soaked condition.

empapada “Empapada” means “soaked” in “La página de arriba ya está empapada.” It describes the page as thoroughly wet from the coffee. Its form matches the feminine singular noun “página.” Use it after “está” to describe a page or another feminine singular object that is soaked. Someone would use it when warning that paper is too wet to handle normally.

Déjala “Déjala” means “leave it” or “let it” in “Déjala secar extendida.” It combines the command “deja” with “la,” referring to the page. Use it before an infinitive when telling someone to allow an object to undergo an action. In this situation, it gives advice to leave the wet page in place so it can dry.

secar “Secar” means “to dry” in “Déjala secar extendida.” It names the process the page should be allowed to undergo. Use it after a verb such as “Déjala” when telling someone to let something dry. This is useful when giving instructions for handling wet paper.

extendida “Extendida” means “spread out” or “laid flat” in “secar extendida,” describing how the page should remain while drying. It tells the listener to keep the page opened out rather than folded or piled up. Use it with a noun or after a drying instruction to describe a flat position. Someone would use it when explaining how to dry paper without handling it too much.

tocarla “Tocarla” means “to touch it” or “to handle it” in “antes de tocarla,” referring to the wet page. It combines the infinitive “tocar” with “la,” which refers to the page. Use it after a time expression such as “antes de” when saying that someone should not handle an object yet. In this situation, it explains what to avoid until the page has dried.

Debería “Debería” means “should” in “¿Debería imprimir...?”, introducing a request for advice about printing a replacement. It is the conditional form of “deber,” used here to make the question less direct. Use it before an infinitive when asking whether an action would be appropriate. A speaker would use it when deciding what to do about the damaged page.

imprimir “Imprimir” means “to print” in “¿Debería imprimir una copia limpia...?” It names the proposed action of producing a new paper copy. Use it after “debería” or another verb that is followed by an infinitive. Here it is used when suggesting a replacement for a stained page.

una “Una” means “a” or “one” in “una copia limpia,” introducing one non-specific copy. Its form matches the feminine singular noun “copia.” Use it before a feminine singular noun when referring to one item without identifying it as a particular one. In this situation, it introduces the replacement copy to be printed.

copia “Copia” means “copy” in “una copia limpia.” It refers to a reproduced version of the page. Use it with a determiner such as “una” when talking about a copy to make or obtain. Someone would use it when replacing a damaged document with a new version.

limpia “Limpia” means “clean” in “una copia limpia,” describing a replacement copy without the coffee damage. Its form matches the feminine singular noun “copia.” Use it after a noun to describe the condition or quality of the copy. In this situation, it distinguishes the replacement from the stained page.

esa “Esa” means “that” in “esa página,” referring to a particular page already identified in the conversation. Its form matches the feminine singular noun “página.” Use it before a feminine singular noun when pointing to a specific item that is not presented as “this” one. Here it identifies the page that may need a clean copy.

Eso “Eso” means “that” or “that option” in “Eso sería más seguro,” referring to the proposed action of printing a clean copy. It is used on its own to refer back to an idea or option. Use it when evaluating or commenting on something just suggested. Here it introduces the judgment that printing would be safer.

sería “Sería” means “would be” in “Eso sería más seguro,” describing the likely result or evaluation of the proposed option. It is a form of “ser” used to present the judgment conditionally or politely. Use it before an adjective when assessing what an option would be like. In this situation, it evaluates printing a new copy as safer.

más “Más” means “more” in “más seguro,” forming the comparison “safer.” It increases the degree of the adjective “seguro.” Use it before an adjective when comparing the degree of a quality. Here it shows that printing a clean copy would have a higher level of safety.

seguro “Seguro” means “safe” in “más seguro,” which means “safer” in this context. It describes the suggested action of printing a clean copy as less risky for preserving the text. Use it after “más” when comparing the safety of options. Someone would use it when recommending the option that better protects important information.

porque “Porque” means “because” in “porque el texto puede quedar borroso,” introducing the reason for the recommendation. It connects the judgment that printing is safer with the possible problem affecting the text. Use it before a clause that explains why something is true or advisable. Here it gives the reason for replacing the page.

el “El” means “the” in “el texto,” referring to the specific text printed on the page. It appears before the masculine singular noun “texto.” Use it before a specific masculine singular noun. In this situation, it identifies the information that may become difficult to read.

texto “Texto” means “text” in “el texto.” It refers to the written content on the damaged page. Use it with “el” when talking about a particular body of writing. Here it is the part that may become blurry as the page dries.

puede “Puede” means “may” in “puede quedar borroso,” expressing a possibility rather than stating that the text will definitely become blurry. It is used with the infinitive phrase “quedar borroso” to describe a possible result. Use it before an infinitive when saying that something may happen or may become a certain way. In this situation, it warns about a possible consequence of the spill.

quedar “Quedar” contributes the meaning “become” or “end up” in “puede quedar borroso,” describing the text reaching a blurry state. It is used after “puede” as the infinitive in a possible-result construction. Use it with an adjective when describing the state something may end up in. Here it links the text with the possible result “borroso.”

borroso “Borroso” means “blurry” in “el texto puede quedar borroso.” It describes the possible visual condition of the text after the page is damaged. Its form matches the masculine singular noun “texto.” Use it after “quedar” to describe something becoming unclear or blurred. Someone would use it when warning that writing may no longer be easy to read.

Separaré “Separaré” means “I will separate” in “Separaré las páginas secas.” It is the first-person future form of “separar,” showing the speaker’s planned action. Use it before the items that will be separated. In this situation, the speaker promises to separate the dry pages from the page that is still drying.

las “Las” means “the” in “las páginas secas,” referring to specific plural feminine pages. It appears before the plural feminine noun “páginas.” Use it before a group of identified feminine items. Here it introduces the dry pages that will be separated.

páginas “Páginas” means “pages” in “las páginas secas.” It refers to multiple sheets in the document. Use it with “las” when talking about a specific group of pages. In this situation, these are the pages that are already dry.

secas “Secas” means “dry” in “las páginas secas,” describing the pages that are no longer wet. Its form matches the plural feminine noun “páginas.” Use it after a noun to identify pages by their dry condition. Someone would use it when separating dry pages from one that is still drying.

mientras “Mientras” means “while” in “mientras esta se seca,” linking two actions that happen during the same period. It introduces the process that continues while the speaker separates the dry pages. Use it before a clause describing an ongoing simultaneous action. Here it organizes the two parts of the speaker’s plan.

esta “Esta” means “this one” in “esta se seca,” referring to the particular page that is still wet. It is used on its own because the noun is understood from the context. Use it to point to one nearby feminine item that has already been mentioned. In this situation, it identifies the page being left to dry.

próxima “Próxima” means “next” in “La próxima vez,” referring to the following occasion. Its form matches the feminine singular noun “vez.” Use it before “vez” to talk about what should happen on a future occasion. Here it introduces advice for avoiding another spill.

vez “Vez” means “time” in “La próxima vez,” referring to an occasion rather than a duration. Together with “la próxima,” it means “next time.” Use it in this expression when giving advice about a future occasion. Someone would use it when explaining what to do differently in the future.

deja “Deja” means “leave” or “keep” in “deja las bebidas en otra mesa.” It is a command telling someone where to place the drinks. Use it before the object and location when giving an instruction to leave something somewhere. In this situation, it gives practical advice to prevent another spill.

bebidas “Bebidas” means “drinks” in “las bebidas.” It refers to the liquid refreshments that should be placed elsewhere. Use it with a determiner such as “las” when referring to specific drinks. Here it identifies the objects that caused the risk of another spill.

en “En” means “on” in “en otra mesa,” indicating the location where the drinks should remain. It introduces the surface or place occupied by an object. Use it before a location when saying where something is or should be placed. Here it connects the drinks with another table.

otra “Otra” means “another” in “otra mesa,” indicating a different table from the one currently involved. Its form matches the feminine singular noun “mesa.” Use it before a singular noun when choosing a different item or place. In this situation, it recommends a separate table for the drinks.

mesa “Mesa” means “table” in “otra mesa.” It identifies the surface where the drinks should be kept next time. Use it with a determiner or adjective such as “otra” when referring to a particular table. Someone would use it when assigning a safer place for drinks.

Grammar Points

Imperativo afirmativo + pronombre

Déjala secar.

DEH-hah-lah seh-KAR

Let it dry.

In affirmative commands, the object pronoun attaches to the end of the verb: deja + la = déjala.

se + verbo

La página se seca.

lah PAH-hee-nah seh SEH-kah

The page dries.

The pronoun se can show that something undergoes an action, as in se seca, “dries.”

Spanish Vocabulary

aléjalos verb

ah-LEH-hah-lohs move them away Aléjalos

Aléjalos de la taza antes de que se extienda la mancha.

café noun

kah-FEH coffee

Derramé café sobre estos documentos.

de arriba phrase

deh ah-RREE-bah top

La página de arriba ya está empapada.

déjala verb

DEH-hah-lah let it Déjala

Déjala secar extendida antes de tocarla.

derramé verb

deh-rrah-MEH spilled Derramé

Derramé café sobre estos documentos.

documentos noun

doh-koo-MEN-tohs documents

Derramé café sobre estos documentos.

empapada adj

ehm-pah-PAH-dah soaked

La página de arriba ya está empapada.

mancha noun

MAHN-chah stain

Aléjalos de la taza antes de que se extienda la mancha.

página noun

PAH-hee-nah page

La página de arriba ya está empapada.

se extienda verb

seh ehk-tee-EN-dah spreads

Aléjalos de la taza antes de que se extienda la mancha.

sobre prep

SOH-breh on

Derramé café sobre estos documentos.

taza noun

TAH-sah cup

Aléjalos de la taza antes de que se extienda la mancha.

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

I spilled coffee on these documents.

Show Answer

Derramé café sobre estos documentos.

Let it dry flat before you handle it.

Show Answer

Déjala secar extendida antes de tocarla.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

coffee

Show Answer

café

stain

Show Answer

mancha

spilled

Show Answer

Derramé

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sobre