Building a Healthier Daily Routine | Learn Spanish in English

About This Lesson

Use Building a Healthier Daily Routine to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Quiero una rutina diaria más saludable.

KYEH-roh OO-nah roo-TEE-nah dee-AH-ryah mahs sah-loo-DAH-bleh. I want a healthier daily routine.

Empieza con cambios pequeños que puedas mantener.

ehm-PYEH-sah kohn KAHM-byohs peh-KEH-nyohs keh PWEH-dahs mahn-teh-NEHR. Start with small changes you can stick with.

Puedo beber más agua mientras estoy en el trabajo.

PWEH-doh beh-BEHR mahs AH-gwah MYEN-trahs ehs-TOY ehn ehl trah-BAH-hoh. I can drink more water while I'm at work.

Eso puede ayudarte a tener más energía por la tarde.

EH-soh PWEH-deh ah-yoo-DAHR-teh ah teh-NEHR mahs eh-nehr-HEE-ah pohr lah TAHR-deh. That may help your energy in the afternoon.

¿También debería hacer ejercicio después de cenar?

tahm-BYEN deh-beh-REE-ah ah-SEHR ehk-sehr-SEE-syoh dehs-PWEHS deh seh-NAHR. Should I also exercise after dinner?

Una caminata corta sería un comienzo fácil de mantener.

OO-nah kah-mee-NAH-tah KOHR-tah seh-REE-ah oon koh-MYEN-soh FAH-seel deh mahn-teh-NEHR. A short walk would be a manageable start.

Puedo dejar mis zapatos junto a la puerta para acordarme de salir.

PWEH-doh deh-HAHR mees sah-PAH-tohs HOON-toh ah lah PWEHR-tah PAH-rah ah-kohr-DAHR-meh deh sah-LEER. I can put my shoes by the door so I remember to go.

Suena realista y fácil de mantener.

SWEH-nah reh-ah-LEES-tah ee FAH-seel deh mahn-teh-NEHR. That sounds realistic and easy to keep up.

Word by Word

Quiero “Quiero” means “I want” here. It introduces the desired thing in “Quiero una rutina diaria más saludable.” Use “Quiero” before a noun or an infinitive when stating what you want.

una “Una” means “a” before the feminine noun “rutina” in “una rutina diaria.” It marks one unspecified feminine thing. Use “una” directly before a feminine singular noun.

rutina “Rutina” means “routine,” specifically the daily pattern being discussed. In “una rutina diaria,” it names the set of regular activities. It can be used with an adjective such as “diaria” to describe the routine.

diaria “Diaria” means “daily” and describes “rutina” in “una rutina diaria.” Its form matches the feminine noun it describes. Use it after a noun when describing something that happens every day.

más “Más” means “more” in “más saludable,” showing a higher degree of being healthy. It comes before the adjective here. Use “más” before an adjective when comparing degrees.

saludable “Saludable” means “healthy” in “una rutina diaria más saludable.” It describes the desired quality of the routine. Use it after “más” when describing something as healthier than before.

Empieza “Empieza” means “Start” in this direct suggestion to begin with small changes. It opens “Empieza con cambios pequeños que puedas mantener.” Use it to tell one person to begin an activity or plan.

con “Con” means “with” in “Empieza con cambios pequeños,” identifying what the person should begin with. It is followed by the noun phrase “cambios pequeños.” Use “con” to introduce the thing accompanying or starting an action.

cambios “Cambios” means “changes,” referring to adjustments to the daily routine. In “cambios pequeños,” it is described as small changes. Use it with an adjective when specifying the kind of changes.

pequeños “Pequeños” means “small” in “cambios pequeños.” Its form matches the plural noun “cambios.” Use it after a plural noun when describing changes that are limited in size or scope.

que “Que” means “that” or “which” in “cambios pequeños que puedas mantener.” It introduces information describing which changes are meant. Use “que” to connect a noun with a clause that gives more information about it.

puedas “Puedas” contributes the meaning “you can” in “que puedas mantener,” describing changes the listener is able to maintain. It appears before the infinitive “mantener.” Use it in a clause about an action the other person can do.

mantener “Mantener” means “maintain” or “keep” in “que puedas mantener,” referring to continuing the small changes. It follows “puedas” as the action that can be done. Use it with an object such as the changes being discussed.

Puedo “Puedo” means “I can” in “Puedo beber más agua.” It introduces an ability or possible action. Use “Puedo” before an infinitive to say what you can do.

beber “Beber” means “drink” in “Puedo beber más agua.” It is the action that the speaker says they can do. Use it before a drink or another object when describing drinking.

agua “Agua” means “water” in “beber más agua.” It is the thing being consumed. Use it after “beber” when talking about drinking water.

mientras “Mientras” means “while” in “mientras estoy en el trabajo,” linking the action of drinking with the time spent at work. It introduces a clause about what is happening at the same time. Use it before a clause describing the simultaneous situation.

estoy “Estoy” means “I am” in “mientras estoy en el trabajo.” It identifies the speaker’s situation while the other action takes place. Use it before a place or state when describing where or how you are.

en “En” means “in” or “at” in “en el trabajo,” indicating the speaker’s location or setting. It is followed here by “el trabajo.” Use “en” before a place or setting.

el “El” means “the” before “trabajo” in “el trabajo.” It is the masculine singular definite article used with that noun. Use it directly before a specific masculine singular noun.

trabajo “Trabajo” means “work” in “estoy en el trabajo,” the place or setting where the speaker is. The complete phrase indicates being at work. Use it after a location expression such as “en el.”

Eso “Eso” means “that” and refers to the preceding idea of drinking more water. In “Eso puede ayudarte,” it makes that idea the subject of the next comment. Use it to refer back to something already mentioned.

puede “Puede” means “can” or “may” in “Eso puede ayudarte,” expressing a possible benefit. It is followed by “ayudarte.” Use it before an infinitive or an infinitive with an attached object pronoun.

ayudarte “Ayudarte” means “help you” in “puede ayudarte a tener más energía.” It combines the action of helping with “te,” the person helped. Use it before “a” and an infinitive when describing what the help enables someone to do.

a “A” means “to” in “ayudarte a tener más energía,” linking the help with the result or action that follows. It comes before the infinitive “tener.” Use “a” in this construction before an infinitive after “ayudarte.”

tener “Tener” means “have” in “a tener más energía,” referring to having more energy. It follows “a” in the construction “ayudarte a tener.” Use it before a noun when describing possession or a condition someone has.

energía “Energía” means “energy” in “tener más energía,” referring to the energy the person may gain. It follows “tener” as what the person can have. Use it with “más” when talking about increased energy.

por “Por” contributes the meaning “in” or “during” in the time expression “por la tarde.” It identifies the part of the day when the benefit may be noticed. Use it with a time-of-day expression in this kind of time phrase.

la “La” means “the” before “tarde” in “la tarde.” It is the feminine singular definite article used with that noun. Use it directly before a specific feminine singular noun.

tarde “Tarde” means “afternoon” in “por la tarde,” indicating when the energy benefit may occur. The complete expression refers to that part of the day. Use it after “por la” in this time expression.

También “También” means “also” in the question “¿También debería hacer ejercicio?” It adds exercise as another possible health change. Use it to add an activity or idea to something already mentioned.

debería “Debería” means “should” in “¿También debería hacer ejercicio?” It asks for advice about whether the speaker ought to exercise. Use it before an infinitive when asking or giving advice.

hacer “Hacer” means “do” in the expression “hacer ejercicio.” It is the infinitive following “debería.” Use “hacer” with “ejercicio” to talk about exercising.

ejercicio “Ejercicio” means “exercise” in “hacer ejercicio.” Together with “hacer,” it describes the activity the speaker is considering. Use it after “hacer” when referring to exercise as an activity.

después “Después” means “after” in “después de cenar,” placing the possible exercise later in time. It is followed here by “de” and an infinitive. Use it to order one activity after another.

de “De” is part of the time expression “después de cenar,” meaning “after having dinner.” It links “después” with the following infinitive. Use “después de” before an activity that happens later.

cenar “Cenar” means “have dinner” in “después de cenar.” It names the activity that happens before the possible exercise. Use it as an infinitive after “después de” to refer to having dinner.

caminata “Caminata” means “walk” in “Una caminata corta,” referring to the suggested short walking activity. It is the activity described as a manageable start. Use it with an adjective such as “corta” to describe the walk.

corta “Corta” means “short” in “Una caminata corta.” Its form matches the feminine noun “caminata.” Use it after a feminine noun when describing a walk of limited duration or distance.

sería “Sería” means “would be” in “sería un comienzo fácil de mantener,” presenting the short walk as a suggested option. It links the walk with the description that follows. Use it when describing what a proposed action or thing would be.

un “Un” means “a” before the masculine noun “comienzo” in “un comienzo fácil de mantener.” It introduces one possible beginning. Use “un” directly before a masculine singular noun.

comienzo “Comienzo” means “start” or “beginning” in “un comienzo fácil de mantener.” It describes the short walk as the first step in the routine. Use it with an adjective to describe the kind of start.

fácil “Fácil” means “easy” in “fácil de mantener,” describing a start that can be continued without much difficulty. The expression links the adjective with the infinitive “mantener.” Use it before “de” and an infinitive when describing an action as easy to do.

dejar “Dejar” means “leave” or “put” in “Puedo dejar mis zapatos junto a la puerta.” It describes placing the shoes in a particular location. Use it before an object and a place when saying where something is put.

mis “Mis” means “my” before the plural noun “zapatos” in “mis zapatos.” It identifies the shoes as belonging to the speaker. Use it directly before a plural noun to show possession.

zapatos “Zapatos” means “shoes” in “dejar mis zapatos.” They are the object the speaker plans to place by the door. Use it after an ownership word such as “mis” when referring to the speaker’s shoes.

junto “Junto” contributes the meaning “next to” in the expression “junto a la puerta.” It identifies the position of the shoes beside the door. Use “junto a” before the place or object that something is next to.

puerta “Puerta” means “door” in “junto a la puerta,” the location chosen for the shoes. It follows “la” in that location phrase. Use it after a position expression when identifying the door.

para “Para” means “in order to” in “para acordarme de salir,” expressing the purpose of leaving the shoes by the door. It is followed by the infinitive phrase “acordarme de salir.” Use it before an infinitive to state a purpose.

acordarme “Acordarme” means “remember” in “para acordarme de salir,” referring to remembering to go out. The form includes “me,” connecting the remembering to the speaker. Use it with “de” and an infinitive when remembering an action.

salir “Salir” means “go out” or “leave” in “acordarme de salir.” It is the action the speaker wants to remember. Use it after “acordarme de” when referring to going out.

Suena “Suena” means “sounds” in “Suena realista y fácil de mantener,” giving an impression or evaluation of the plan. It introduces how the proposal seems to the other speaker. Use it before an adjective when saying how something sounds.

realista “Realista” means “realistic” in “Suena realista,” describing the plan as practical and possible. It follows “Suena” as the evaluation of the idea. Use it after “suena” to assess whether a plan seems realistic.

y “Y” means “and” in “realista y fácil de mantener.” It connects two descriptions of the plan. Use it between adjectives or other elements that belong to the same description.

Grammar Points

Querer + infinitivo

Quiero beber más agua.

KYEH-roh beh-BEHR mahs AH-gwah.

I want to drink more water.

Después de querer se usa otro verbo en infinitivo, como beber, sin una palabra equivalente a “to”.

Pronombre unido al infinitivo

Quiero acordarme.

KYEH-roh ah-kohr-DAHR-meh.

I want to remember.

El pronombre me puede unirse al infinitivo acordar: acordarme. Indica quién recuerda.

Spanish Vocabulary

agua noun

AH-gwah water

Puedo beber más agua.

beber verb

beh-BEHR to drink

Puedo beber más agua.

cambio noun

KAHM-byoh change cambios

cambios pequeños que puedas mantener

diario adj

dee-AH-ryoh daily diaria

rutina diaria

empezar verb

ehm-peh-SAHR to start Empieza

Empieza con cambios pequeños.

mantener verb

mahn-teh-NEHR to maintain; to keep up

cambios pequeños que puedas mantener

más adv

mahs more

beber más agua

pequeño adj

peh-KEH-nyoh small pequeños

cambios pequeños

poder verb

poh-DEHR can; to be able to puedas

que puedas mantener

querer verb

keh-REHR to want Quiero

Quiero una rutina diaria más saludable.

rutina noun

roo-TEE-nah routine

Quiero una rutina diaria más saludable.

saludable adj

sah-loo-DAH-bleh healthy

una rutina diaria más saludable

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

I want a healthier daily routine.

Show Answer

Quiero una rutina diaria más saludable.

That sounds realistic and easy to keep up.

Show Answer

Suena realista y fácil de mantener.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

can; to be able to

Show Answer

puedas

routine

Show Answer

rutina

daily

Show Answer

diaria

to start

Show Answer

Empieza