Waiting in Line Politely | Learn Spanish in English

Spanish lesson set in a contemporary Madrid everyday setting: In a crowded public line, one adult politely explains where the end of the line is and the other moves back..

EN → ES / Level: A2

About This Lesson

Use Waiting in Line Politely to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Disculpe, creo que el final de la fila está detrás de nosotros.

dees-KOOL-peh, KREH-oh keh ehl fee-NAHL deh lah FEE-lah ehs-TAH deh-TRAS deh noh-SOH-tros. Excuse me, I think the end of the line is behind us.
B

Lo siento, no me di cuenta de dónde terminaba.

loh SYEN-toh, noh meh dee KWEHN-tah deh DON-deh tehr-mee-NAH-bah. Sorry, I did not notice where it ended.
A

Desde aquí es difícil ver los carteles.

DES-deh ah-KEE ehs dee-FEE-seel behr lohs kahr-TEH-les. The signs are hard to see from here.
B

¿Debo ponerme detrás de la persona del abrigo gris?

DEH-boh poh-NEHR-meh deh-TRAS deh lah pehr-SOH-nah dehl ah-BREE-goh grees? Should I move behind the person in the gray coat?
A

Por favor, hágalo; todos llevan un rato esperando.

pohr fah-BOR, AH-gah-loh; TOH-dohs YEH-bahn oon RAH-toh ehs-peh-RAHN-doh. Please do; everyone has been waiting a while.
B

No quería colarme.

noh keh-REE-ah koh-LAHR-meh. I did not mean to cut in.
A

Pasa cuando esta zona está tan llena.

PAH-sah KWAHN-doh EHS-tah SOH-nah ehs-TAH tahn YEH-nah. It happens when the area gets this crowded.
B

Ahora me pondré al final.

ah-OH-rah meh pohn-DREH ahl fee-NAHL. I'll head to the back now.

Word by Word

Disculpe “Disculpe” means “excuse me” here and politely gets another person’s attention. It is useful when you need to speak to someone you do not know or want to address respectfully. A reusable pattern is “Disculpe, + statement or question”.
creo “Creo” means “I think” and introduces the speaker’s belief about the end of the line. It leaves room for the statement to be uncertain rather than presenting it as absolute. A common reusable pattern is “creo que + statement”.
que “Que” links “creo” to the thought that follows: “creo que el final de la fila...” means “I think that the end of the line...”. It introduces the content of what the speaker thinks. A reusable pattern is “creo que + clause”.
el “El” means “the” before “final” in “el final”. It is the article used with this singular masculine noun. A reusable pattern is “el + noun” when referring to a specific thing.
final “Final” means “end” in “el final de la fila”, referring to the back end of the queue. The pattern “final de + noun” identifies the end of something. Here, “final de la fila” means “end of the line”.
de “De” connects “final” with “la fila” and shows the relation “of the line”. It is used here before the noun phrase that identifies what has an end. A reusable pattern is “el final de + noun”.
la “La” means “the” before “fila” in “la fila”. It is the article used with this singular feminine noun. A reusable pattern is “la + noun” when referring to a specific thing.
fila “Fila” means “line” or “queue” here, specifically the line that people are waiting in. It appears in “la fila” and “el final de la fila”. A reusable pattern is “hacer fila” in a new example meaning “to line up or wait in line”.
está “Está” means “is located” in “el final de la fila está detrás de nosotros”. It places the end of the line in relation to the speakers. A common pattern is “estar + location phrase”.
detrás “Detrás” means “behind” and locates the end of the line behind the speakers. In the dialogue it is used in the complete pattern “detrás de nosotros”. A reusable pattern is “detrás de + person or thing”.
nosotros “Nosotros” refers to “us” in “detrás de nosotros”, identifying the speakers as the people in front of the line’s end. It follows “de” in this location expression. A reusable pattern is “detrás de nosotros” when describing something behind the speakers.
Lo siento “Lo siento” is the complete expression for “sorry” in this line. “Lo” and “siento” work together in this fixed apology, so the whole expression is used to acknowledge a problem or inconvenience. A reusable pattern is “Lo siento, + explanation”.
no “No” makes the following statement negative in “no me di cuenta”. It shows that the speaker did not notice where the line ended. A reusable pattern is “no + verb phrase” to negate an action or state.
me di cuenta “Me di cuenta” means “I noticed” or “I realized” as a complete expression. “Me” marks the speaker in the expression, while “di cuenta” completes the meaning of noticing or realizing. A reusable pattern is “me di cuenta de + information”.
dónde “Dónde” means “where” and asks about the location of the line’s end in “de dónde terminaba”. It introduces the information the speaker did not notice. A reusable pattern is “dónde + clause” when identifying a location.
terminaba “Terminaba” describes where the line ended in “dónde terminaba”. It refers to the point at which the line came to an end. It can be reused after a location question such as “dónde” when describing where something ended.
Desde “Desde” means “from” and marks the viewpoint in “Desde aquí”, meaning “from here”. It identifies the starting point of seeing the signs. A reusable pattern is “desde + place”.
aquí “Aquí” means “here” and refers to the speakers’ current position in “Desde aquí”. Together, “Desde aquí” means “from here”. A reusable pattern is “desde aquí + statement” when describing what can be seen or done from the current place.
es “Es” means “is” in “es difícil ver los carteles”. It connects the situation with the description “difícil”. A reusable pattern is “es + adjective + infinitive” to describe how easy or difficult an action is.
difícil “Difícil” means “difficult” or “hard” in “es difícil ver los carteles”. It describes seeing the signs as not easy from the speakers’ position. A reusable pattern is “es difícil + infinitive”.
ver “Ver” means “to see” and names the action that is difficult in “es difícil ver los carteles”. It is followed by the object “los carteles”. A reusable pattern is “ver + noun” when saying what someone sees.
los “Los” means “the” before “carteles” in “los carteles”. It marks the specific plural signs being discussed. A reusable pattern is “los + plural noun” for specific plural things.
carteles “Carteles” means “signs” or “posters” here, referring to the signs that are difficult to see. It appears as the object of “ver” in “ver los carteles”. A reusable pattern is “ver los carteles” when talking about reading or locating signs.
Debo “Debo” asks “should I?” or “must I?” in the question “¿Debo ponerme detrás...?”. The speaker uses it to request guidance about the correct action in the line. A reusable pattern is “¿Debo + infinitive?” when asking whether one should do something.
ponerme “Ponerme” means “to put or move myself” in “ponerme detrás de la persona”. It describes moving into a position behind another person. A reusable pattern is “ponerme + location phrase” when saying where the speaker will place or move themself.
persona “Persona” means “person” in “la persona del abrigo gris”. It identifies the individual whose position marks where the speaker should move. A reusable pattern is “la persona + identifying description”.
del “Del” introduces the coat phrase in “la persona del abrigo gris”, identifying the person by the coat they are wearing. It is the combined form of “de” and “el” before “abrigo”. A reusable pattern is “del + noun” to show a relation to a specific masculine noun.
abrigo “Abrigo” means “coat” in “el abrigo gris”. It is the item used to identify the person in the line. A reusable pattern is “abrigo + color adjective”, as in “abrigo gris”.
gris “Gris” means “gray” and describes the coat in “el abrigo gris”. It comes after “abrigo” to identify which coat and therefore which person. A reusable pattern is “noun + gris” when describing a gray object.
Por favor “Por favor” means “please” and makes the instruction polite. “Por” and “favor” form this fixed expression together rather than being translated separately in this sentence. A reusable pattern is “Por favor, + request or instruction”.
hágalo “Hágalo” means “do it” in this polite instruction, referring to moving behind the person in the gray coat. “Lo” refers to the requested action, and the whole form gives a respectful command. A reusable pattern is “Por favor, hágalo” when politely confirming an action someone has asked about.
todos “Todos” means “everyone” or “all” here and refers to all the people waiting in the line. It is the subject of “llevan... esperando”. A reusable pattern is “todos + verb” when describing what everyone in a group does.
llevan “Llevan” contributes the idea that everyone has been waiting for a period of time in “llevan un rato esperando”. It is used with a duration and an ongoing activity. A reusable pattern is “llevar + time expression + gerund” for an activity that has continued for some time.
un “Un” means “a” in “un rato”, introducing one unspecified period of time. It combines with “rato” to form the expression “a while”. A reusable pattern is “un + singular noun” for one unspecified thing or period.
rato “Rato” means “while” or “period of time” in “un rato”. The phrase “un rato” indicates that the waiting has lasted for some time, without giving an exact duration. A reusable pattern is “un rato” when referring to a short or unspecified period.
esperando “Esperando” means “waiting” in “llevan un rato esperando”. It names the activity that has continued for a while. A reusable pattern is “llevar + duration + esperando” when describing how long someone has been waiting.
quería “Quería” expresses what the speaker wanted or intended in “No quería colarme”. With “no”, it denies an intention to cut into the line. A reusable pattern is “no quería + infinitive” to explain that an action was not intended.
colarme “Colarme” means “to cut in” or “to join the line improperly” in “No quería colarme”. The form includes the speaker as the person who would be entering the line. A reusable pattern is “no quería colarme” when apologizing for an unintended place in a queue.
Pasa “Pasa” means “it happens” in “Pasa cuando esta zona está tan llena”. It presents cutting in as something that can occur in a crowded area. A reusable pattern is “pasa cuando + situation” to explain when something happens.
cuando “Cuando” means “when” and introduces the situation that explains when it happens. In “Pasa cuando esta zona está tan llena”, it connects the event with the area being crowded. A reusable pattern is “cuando + clause” for a time or condition.
esta “Esta” means “this” before “zona” in “esta zona”. It points to the particular area where the speakers are standing. A reusable pattern is “esta + singular noun” when identifying a nearby or currently discussed thing.
zona “Zona” means “area” or “zone” in “esta zona”. It refers to the part of the public place where the line is crowded. A reusable pattern is “esta zona” when referring to the area currently being discussed.
tan “Tan” means “so” or “this” as a degree marker in “tan llena”, meaning “so full” or “so crowded”. It strengthens the adjective “llena”. A reusable pattern is “tan + adjective” to describe a high degree.
llena “Llena” means “full” or “crowded” in “esta zona está tan llena”. It describes the area as containing many people. A reusable pattern is “estar + llena” when describing a feminine place or container as full.
Ahora “Ahora” means “now” and places the speaker’s next action in the present moment. In “Ahora me pondré al final”, it shows that the speaker will move immediately. A reusable pattern is “Ahora + verb” when announcing an action that will happen next.
me “Me” identifies the speaker as the person who will move in “me pondré al final”. It is part of the form that means the speaker will put or move themself into a position. A reusable pattern is “me + verb” when an action affects or involves the speaker.
pondré “Pondré” means “I will put” or “I will move” in “me pondré al final”. Together with “me”, it describes the speaker moving to the back of the line. A reusable pattern is “me pondré + location phrase” when saying where the speaker will move.
al “Al” means “to the” in “al final”, indicating movement toward the end of the line. It is the combined form of “a” and “el” before “final”. A reusable pattern is “al + place or position” when describing movement to a specific destination.

Grammar Points

Me di cuenta de dónde terminaba la fila.

Me di cuenta de dónde terminaba la fila.

meh dee KWEHN-tah deh DON-deh tehr-mee-NAH-bah lah FEE-lah.

I realized where the line ended.

Spanish uses dónde to introduce an indirect question, followed by the verb terminaba.

Quería + infinitivo

Quería colarme.

keh-REE-ah koh-LAHR-meh.

I wanted to cut in.

The imperfect quería expresses a past desire or intention and is followed by an infinitive.

Spanish Vocabulary

creo que phrase
KREH-oh keh I think that

Creo que el final de la fila está detrás de nosotros.

desde aquí phrase
DES-deh ah-KEE from here

Desde aquí es difícil ver los carteles.

detrás de prep
deh-TRAS deh behind

El final de la fila está detrás de nosotros.

difícil adj
dee-FEE-seel difficult; hard

Desde aquí es difícil ver los carteles.

disculpe verb
dees-KOOL-peh excuse me

Disculpe, creo que el final de la fila está detrás de nosotros.

dónde adv
DON-deh where

No me di cuenta de dónde terminaba.

el final noun
ehl fee-NAHL the end

El final de la fila está detrás de nosotros.

la fila noun
lah FEE-lah the line; the queue

El final de la fila está detrás de nosotros.

lo siento phrase
loh SYEN-toh sorry

Lo siento, no me di cuenta de dónde terminaba.

me di cuenta de verb
meh dee KWEHN-tah deh I noticed; I realized

No me di cuenta de dónde terminaba.

nosotros pron
noh-SOH-tros us; we

El final de la fila está detrás de nosotros.

terminaba verb
tehr-mee-NAH-bah ended; was ending

No me di cuenta de dónde terminaba.

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

I did not mean to cut in.

Show AnswerNo quería colarme.

I'll head to the back now.

Show AnswerAhora me pondré al final.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

excuse me

Show Answerdisculpe

where

Show Answerdónde

us; we

Show Answernosotros

ended; was ending

Show Answerterminaba