Planning a photo walk | Learn Spanish in English

Spanish lesson set in a contemporary Madrid everyday setting: Before a photo walk, two adults plan to meet early, photograph old buildings, and compare their pictures later..

EN → ES / Level: A2

About This Lesson

Use Planning a photo walk to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

¿Te gustaría venir mañana a dar un paseo para tomar fotos?

teh goos-tah-REE-ah beh-NEER mah-NYAH-nah ah dahr oon pah-SEH-oh pah-rah toh-MAHR FOH-tohs Would you like to come on a photo walk tomorrow?
B

Necesito practicar más fotografía.

neh-seh-SEE-toh prahk-tee-KAHR mahs fo-toh-grah-FEE-ah I could use more practice with photography.
A

La luz de la mañana debería ser mejor para las fotos de la calle.

lah loos deh lah mah-NYAH-nah deh-beh-REE-ah sehr meh-HOHR pah-rah lahs FOH-tohs deh lah KAH-yeh Morning light should be better for street photos.
B

¿Qué deberíamos fotografiar primero?

keh deh-beh-REE-ah-mohs fo-toh-grah-FYAR pree-MEH-roh What should we photograph first?
A

Podemos empezar con edificios antiguos.

poh-DEH-mohs ehm-peh-SAHR kohn eh-dee-FEE-syohs ahn-tee-GWOHS We can start with old buildings.
B

Traeré mi cámara pequeña y una batería extra.

trah-eh-REH mee KAH-mah-rah peh-KEH-nyah ee OO-nah bah-teh-REE-ah EKS-trah I'll bring my small camera and an extra battery.
A

Quedemos antes de que las calles se llenen.

keh-DEH-mohs AHN-tehs deh keh lahs KAH-yehs seh YEH-nen Let's meet before the streets get busy.
B

Entonces podemos comparar nuestras fotos más tarde.

ehn-TOHN-sehs poh-DEH-mohs kohm-pah-RAHR NWES-trahs FOH-tohs mahs TAR-deh Then we can compare our photos later.

Word by Word

Te In “¿Te gustaría venir mañana a dar un paseo para tomar fotos?”, “Te” means “you” and refers to the person being invited. It is used with “gustaría” in the pattern “Te gustaría + infinitive” for asking whether someone would like to do something. Use it when addressing one person informally.
gustaría In “¿Te gustaría venir mañana a dar un paseo para tomar fotos?”, “gustaría” expresses “would like.” It is the form of “gustar” used in the polite invitation pattern “Te gustaría + infinitive”. Use this pattern to ask someone about a possible activity.
venir In “¿Te gustaría venir mañana a dar un paseo para tomar fotos?”, “venir” means “to come,” with movement toward the speaker or the planned meeting. It is an infinitive after “gustaría”. A reusable pattern is “¿Te gustaría venir a + activity?” for inviting someone.
mañana In “¿Te gustaría venir mañana a dar un paseo para tomar fotos?”, “mañana” means “tomorrow” and gives the time of the invitation. It commonly appears with an activity, as in “venir mañana”. Use it when referring to the day after today.
a In “venir mañana a dar un paseo”, “a” introduces the activity that follows “venir”: coming to do something. Here it connects “venir” with “dar”. A reusable pattern is “venir a + infinitive” for coming in order to do an activity.
dar In “dar un paseo”, “dar” contributes to the expression meaning “to go for a walk” or “to take a walk.” It is followed by “un paseo” in this dialogue. Use “dar un paseo” when talking about taking a walk or outing.
un In “dar un paseo”, “un” means “a” and introduces one unspecified walk or outing. It is used directly before the masculine singular noun “paseo”. Use “un” before a masculine singular noun when referring to one nonspecific thing.
paseo In “dar un paseo”, “paseo” means “walk” or “outing.” Together with “dar un”, it refers to going for a walk rather than naming a particular route. Use “dar un paseo” for a relaxed walk or short outing.
para In “un paseo para tomar fotos”, “para” introduces the purpose of the walk: taking photos. It is followed by the infinitive “tomar”. A reusable pattern is “para + infinitive” to explain what an activity is for.
tomar In “para tomar fotos”, “tomar” means “to take” as part of the expression for taking photographs. It is followed by the object “fotos”. Use “tomar + photos or another object” when describing taking something.
fotos In “tomar fotos”, “fotos” means “photos” and is the object of “tomar”. The plural form refers to photographs in general or more than one photograph. “Tomar fotos” is a common pattern for talking about photographing things.
Necesito In “Necesito practicar más fotografía”, “Necesito” means “I need” and states the speaker’s need. It is followed here by the infinitive “practicar”. Use “Necesito + infinitive” to say that you need to do an activity.
practicar In “Necesito practicar más fotografía”, “practicar” means “to practice.” It follows “Necesito” and names the activity the speaker needs to do. Use “practicar + skill or activity” when describing practice.
más In “practicar más fotografía”, “más” means “more” and indicates a greater amount of practice than before. It comes before “fotografía” in this phrase. Use “más” with an activity or noun when you want to express an increased amount.
fotografía In “practicar más fotografía”, “fotografía” refers to photography as the activity the speaker wants to practice. It is the object or area connected with “practicar”. Use it when talking about photography as a skill or hobby.
La In “La luz de la mañana”, “La” means “the” and introduces the feminine singular noun “luz”. Its capitalization comes from being at the beginning of the sentence. Use “la” before a specific feminine singular noun.
luz In “La luz de la mañana debería ser mejor”, “luz” means “light,” specifically the light being discussed for the photo walk. It is described by “de la mañana”. Use “luz de + time or source” to specify what kind of light you mean.
de In “La luz de la mañana”, “de” links “luz” with “la mañana” and means “of” in the phrase “morning light.” It introduces information that identifies or describes the light. Use “de” to connect a noun with its source, type, or associated time.
debería In “La luz de la mañana debería ser mejor”, “debería” means “should” and expresses an expectation about the light. It is followed by the infinitive “ser”. Use “debería + infinitive” when saying what is expected or advisable.
ser In “debería ser mejor”, “ser” means “to be” and links the expected subject with the comparison “mejor”. It follows “debería” in this sentence. Use “debería ser + description” to state an expectation about how something will be.
mejor In “debería ser mejor”, “mejor” means “better” and compares the morning light favorably with another possible time or condition. It describes the light after “ser”. Use “ser mejor” when saying that one option or condition is better.
las In “las fotos de la calle”, “las” means “the” and introduces the feminine plural noun “fotos”. It refers to the specific street photos being discussed. Use “las” before a specific feminine plural noun.
calle In “las fotos de la calle”, “calle” means “street” and identifies the setting or subject associated with the photos. It follows “de la” in the phrase. Use “de la calle” to describe something connected with the street.
Qué In “¿Qué deberíamos fotografiar primero?”, “Qué” means “what” and asks which thing should be photographed. It appears at the beginning of the question and has an accent in this interrogative use. Use “¿Qué + verb?” to ask what someone should do or choose.
deberíamos In “¿Qué deberíamos fotografiar primero?”, “deberíamos” means “we should” and asks for a shared recommendation or plan. It is followed by the infinitive “fotografiar”. Use “deberíamos + infinitive” when suggesting what a group ought to do.
fotografiar In “¿Qué deberíamos fotografiar primero?”, “fotografiar” means “to photograph.” It follows “deberíamos” and takes “Qué” as the thing being photographed. Use “fotografiar + object” when naming the subject of a photograph.
primero In “¿Qué deberíamos fotografiar primero?”, “primero” means “first” and asks which subject should come at the beginning of the activity. It comes after “fotografiar” in this question. Use it to establish the first step or item in a sequence.
Podemos In “Podemos empezar con edificios antiguos”, “Podemos” means “we can” and presents a possible shared plan. It is followed by the infinitive “empezar”. Use “Podemos + infinitive” to suggest what a group is able or ready to do.
empezar In “Podemos empezar con edificios antiguos”, “empezar” means “to start” and introduces the first subjects for the photo walk. It is followed by “con” and the thing to begin with. Use “empezar con + object” to say what you will begin with.
con In “empezar con edificios antiguos”, “con” means “with” and introduces the subjects chosen as the starting point. It follows “empezar” in the pattern “empezar con + object”. Use this pattern when selecting the first part of an activity.
edificios In “edificios antiguos”, “edificios” means “buildings” and names the subjects they plan to photograph. It is modified by “antiguos”. Use “fotografiar edificios” when talking about photographing buildings.
antiguos In “edificios antiguos”, “antiguos” means “old” and describes the buildings. Its plural form matches the plural noun “edificios”. Use an adjective after a noun in this pattern to describe the noun’s characteristics.
Traeré In “Traeré mi cámara pequeña y una batería extra”, “Traeré” means “I will bring” and states what the speaker plans to bring. It is followed by the objects being brought. Use “Traeré + object” when making a future plan about bringing something.
mi In “mi cámara pequeña”, “mi” means “my” and shows that the camera belongs to or is associated with the speaker. It comes directly before “cámara”. Use “mi” before a singular noun to identify something as yours.
cámara In “mi cámara pequeña”, “cámara” means “camera” and is one of the items the speaker will bring. It is described by “pequeña”. Use “cámara” when talking about the device used for taking photos.
pequeña In “mi cámara pequeña”, “pequeña” means “small” and describes the camera. Its feminine singular form matches “cámara”. Use an adjective with the matching form after a noun when describing its size.
y In “mi cámara pequeña y una batería extra”, “y” means “and” and joins the two things the speaker will bring. It connects “mi cámara pequeña” with “una batería extra”. Use “y” to link items in a list or two related ideas.
una In “una batería extra”, “una” means “a” and introduces one unspecified battery. It comes before the feminine singular noun “batería”. Use “una” before a feminine singular noun when referring to one nonspecific thing.
batería In “una batería extra”, “batería” means “battery” and names the second item the speaker will bring. It is described by “extra”. Use “batería” when talking about a power source for a device.
extra In “una batería extra”, “extra” means “extra” or “spare” and indicates that the battery is additional to the one already available. It describes “batería”. Use “un artículo extra” for an additional item brought as a backup or supplement.
Quedemos In “Quedemos antes de que las calles se llenen”, “Quedemos” means “let’s meet” and proposes arranging a meeting. It is followed by the time condition introduced by “antes de que”. Use “Quedemos + time or place” when suggesting that people meet.
antes In “antes de que las calles se llenen”, “antes” means “before” and places the meeting earlier than the streets becoming crowded. Here it is part of the pattern “antes de que + clause”. Use this pattern to say that one event happens before another.
que In “antes de que las calles se llenen”, “que” introduces the clause describing the later event. Together, “antes de que” means “before” and connects the meeting with the streets becoming crowded. Use “antes de que + clause” when the following event has its own subject and verb.
calles In “las calles se llenen”, “calles” means “streets” and is the subject of the clause after “antes de que”. It refers to the streets becoming full or crowded. Use “las calles” when talking about specific streets in the area.
se In “las calles se llenen”, “se” helps express that the streets become full or crowded, rather than someone filling them directly. It is part of the expression “se llenen” with “calles” as the subject. Use “se” in similar expressions describing a change of state.
llenen In “antes de que las calles se llenen”, “llenen” means “become full” or, in this context, “become crowded.” It describes what will happen to the streets after the meeting time. Use “se llenen” for places or spaces that become full of people or things.
Entonces In “Entonces podemos comparar nuestras fotos más tarde”, “Entonces” means “then” and connects this later plan with the preceding activity. It introduces what they can do afterward. Use it to show the next step or result in a plan.
comparar In “podemos comparar nuestras fotos más tarde”, “comparar” means “to compare” and names the activity they plan to do with their photos. It follows “podemos”. Use “comparar + two or more things” when examining similarities or differences.
nuestras In “nuestras fotos”, “nuestras” means “our” and shows that the photos belong to both speakers. Its feminine plural form matches “fotos”. Use “nuestras” before feminine plural nouns associated with a group that includes the speaker.
tarde In “más tarde”, “tarde” contributes to the meaning “later,” referring to a time after the photo walk. The complete expression is “más tarde”. Use “más tarde” when saying that something will happen at a later time.

Grammar Points

Me gustaría + infinitivo

Me gustaría venir mañana.

meh goos-tah-REE-ah beh-NEER mah-NYAH-nah

I would like to come tomorrow.

Use gustaría followed by an infinitive to express a polite desire or preference.

Futuro simple: -é

Traeré una cámara y una batería extra.

trah-eh-REH OO-nah KAH-mah-rah ee OO-nah bah-teh-REE-ah EKS-trah

I will bring a camera and an extra battery.

The ending -é marks the first-person singular future: traeré means “I will bring.”

Spanish Vocabulary

dar un paseo phrase
dahr oon pah-SEH-oh to go for a walk

dar un paseo para tomar fotos

fotografía noun
fo-toh-grah-FEE-ah photography

practicar más fotografía

fotografiar verb
fo-toh-grah-FYAR to photograph

¿Qué deberíamos fotografiar primero?

gustaría verb
goos-tah-REE-ah would like

¿Te gustaría venir mañana?

luz noun
loos light

La luz de la mañana

mañana adv
mah-NYAH-nah tomorrow

¿Te gustaría venir mañana?

mejor adj
meh-HOHR better

debería ser mejor

necesito verb
neh-seh-SEE-toh I need

Necesito practicar más fotografía.

practicar verb
prahk-tee-KAHR to practice

Necesito practicar más fotografía.

primero adv
pree-MEH-roh first

fotografiar primero

tomar fotos phrase
toh-MAHR FOH-tohs to take photos

un paseo para tomar fotos

venir verb
beh-NEER to come

¿Te gustaría venir mañana?

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

I could use more practice with photography.

Show AnswerNecesito practicar más fotografía.

What should we photograph first?

Show Answer¿Qué deberíamos fotografiar primero?

We can start with old buildings.

Show AnswerPodemos empezar con edificios antiguos.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to come

Show Answervenir

photography

Show Answerfotografía

I need

Show Answernecesito

tomorrow

Show Answermañana