Shared kitchen rules | Learn Spanish in English

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Use Shared kitchen rules to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Soy nuevo en esta cocina compartida. ¿Qué debo saber?

soy NOO-eh-boh en ES-tah koh-SEE-nah kohm-par-TEE-dah. keh DEH-boh sah-BEHR? I'm new to this shared kitchen. What should I know?

Mantén las encimeras despejadas y limpia todo justo después de cocinar.

mahn-TEHN lahs en-see-MEH-rahs dehs-peh-HAH-dahs ee LEEM-pyah TOH-doh HOO-stoh dehs-PWEHS deh koh-see-NAHR. Keep the counters clear and clean up right after cooking.

¿Dónde debo poner una sartén después de lavarla?

DOHN-deh DEH-boh poh-NEHR OO-nah sar-TEHN dehs-PWEHS deh lah-BAR-lah? Where should I put a pan after I wash it?

Usa el estante de abajo junto al fregadero cuando la sartén esté seca.

OO-sah ehl ehs-TAHN-teh deh ah-BAH-ho HWHOON-toh ahl freh-gah-DEH-roh KWAHN-doh lah sar-TEHN ehs-TEH SEH-kah. Use the lower shelf beside the sink, after the pan is dry.

¿Debo limpiar la encimera antes de irme?

DEH-boh leem-PYAR lah en-see-MEH-rah AHN-tehs deh EER-meh? Should I wipe the counter before I go?

Pásale un paño y guarda todo lo que usaste.

PAH-sah-leh oon PAH-nyoh ee GWAHR-dah TOH-doh loh keh oo-SAHS-teh. Wipe it down and put away anything you used.

¿Debo revisar algo más?

DEH-boh reh-bee-SAR AHL-goh mahs? Anything else I should check?

Deja el espacio listo para la próxima persona.

DEH-hah ehl ehs-PAH-syoh LEES-toh PAH-rah lah PROHK-see-mah pehr-SOH-nah. Leave the space ready for the next person.

Word by Word

Soy In “Soy nuevo en esta cocina compartida”, “Soy” means “I am” and introduces the speaker’s current status. It is the exact form of ser used with the speaker as the subject. A reusable pattern is “Soy + adjective or noun,” such as the new example “Soy estudiante”.

nuevo In “Soy nuevo”, “nuevo” describes the speaker as new to the shared kitchen. This exact form is used with the masculine singular form shown in the dialogue and agrees with the speaker’s description. A common reuse pattern is “Soy nuevo en + place or activity”.

en In “nuevo en esta cocina compartida”, “en” means “in” or “to” and identifies the place or setting connected with being new. It links “nuevo” with “esta cocina compartida.” A reusable pattern is “nuevo en + place or activity”.

esta In “esta cocina compartida”, “esta” means “this” and points to the kitchen being discussed. It appears directly before the feminine singular noun “cocina.” A reusable pattern is “esta + noun” when referring to one nearby or current thing.

cocina In “esta cocina compartida”, “cocina” means “kitchen,” the shared place where the rules apply. It is the noun modified by “esta” and “compartida.” A common reuse pattern is “en la cocina” for actions taking place in the kitchen.

compartida In “esta cocina compartida”, “compartida” means “shared,” describing a kitchen used by more than one person. This exact form modifies “cocina.” A reusable pattern is “un espacio compartido” or “una cocina compartida,” with the describing word matching the noun.

Qué At the start of “¿Qué debo saber?”, “Qué” asks what information or things the speaker should know. It introduces the question about the content of knowing. A common reuse pattern is “¿Qué debo + infinitive?” when asking what action or information is required.

debo In “¿Qué debo saber?”, “debo” expresses “I should” or “I must,” asking about the speaker’s responsibility or need. It is used directly before the infinitive “saber.” A reusable pattern is “debo + infinitive,” as in the new example “Debo limpiar”.

saber In “¿Qué debo saber?”, “saber” means “to know,” referring to information the speaker needs to have. It follows “debo” in the pattern “debo saber.” A common reuse pattern is “saber + information,” such as the new example “Quiero saber la regla”.

Mantén In “Mantén las encimeras despejadas”, “Mantén” tells one person to keep the counters clear. It is a direct instruction followed by the thing that should remain in that condition. A reusable pattern is “Mantén + object + adjective,” as in the new example “Mantén la puerta cerrada”.

las In “las encimeras”, “las” means “the” and refers to more than one feminine noun. It appears immediately before “encimeras” to identify the counters as a known set. A reusable pattern is “las + feminine plural noun.”

encimeras In “Mantén las encimeras despejadas”, “encimeras” means “counters,” specifically the kitchen work surfaces. It is the object of the instruction to keep them clear. A common reuse pattern is “limpiar las encimeras” for cleaning the counters.

despejadas In “las encimeras despejadas”, “despejadas” means “clear,” with nothing left blocking or covering the counters. This exact form describes “encimeras.” A reusable pattern is “mantener + object + despejado or despejada” for telling someone to keep a surface or area clear.

y In “Mantén las encimeras despejadas y limpia todo”, “y” means “and” and connects two instructions. It joins keeping the counters clear with cleaning everything after cooking. A common reuse pattern is “instruction y instruction” when giving two related actions.

limpia In “limpia todo justo después de cocinar”, “limpia” tells one person to clean everything. Here it is a direct instruction and is followed by the object “todo.” A reusable pattern is “limpia + object,” such as the new example “Limpia la mesa”.

todo In “limpia todo”, “todo” means “everything,” referring broadly to what needs cleaning after cooking. It is the object of “limpia.” A common reuse pattern is “limpiar todo” when the speaker means all relevant items or surfaces.

justo In “justo después de cocinar”, “justo” means “right” or “immediately,” emphasizing that the cleaning should happen directly after cooking. It strengthens the time expression “después de cocinar.” A reusable pattern is “justo después de + event or action” for something done immediately afterward.

después In “justo después de cocinar”, “después” means “after” and places the cleaning later than the cooking. It is used with “de” before the action “cocinar.” A common reuse pattern is “después de + infinitive,” as in the new example “después de comer”.

de In “después de cocinar”, “de” connects “después” with the action that follows and gives the meaning “after cooking.” This exact form is part of the fixed pattern “después de + infinitive.” A reusable pattern is “antes de” or “después de” followed by an infinitive.

cocinar In “después de cocinar”, “cocinar” means “to cook,” the action that happens before the cleaning. It follows “de” in the pattern “después de + infinitive.” A common reuse pattern is “antes de cocinar” or “después de cocinar” for timing another action.

Dónde At the start of “¿Dónde debo poner una sartén?”, “Dónde” asks about the place where something should be put. It introduces a location question. A reusable pattern is “¿Dónde debo + infinitive?” when asking where to carry out an action.

poner In “¿Dónde debo poner una sartén?”, “poner” means “to put” or “to place,” referring to placing the pan somewhere. It follows “debo” as the action the speaker is asking about. A common reuse pattern is “poner + object + place,” such as the new example “poner el plato en la mesa”.

una In “una sartén”, “una” means “a” and introduces one pan that has not been specified before. It appears directly before the feminine noun “sartén.” A reusable pattern is “una + feminine singular noun” when referring to one unspecified item.

sartén In “una sartén”, “sartén” means “pan,” the kitchen item that should be washed and stored. It is later referred to in the dialogue as “la sartén.” A common reuse pattern is “lavar una sartén” for washing a pan.

lavarla In “después de lavarla”, “lavarla” means “to wash it,” with “la” referring back to “una sartén.” The object reference is attached to the infinitive “lavar.” A reusable pattern is “después de + infinitive with attached object pronoun,” such as the new example “después de leerlo”.

Usa In “Usa el estante de abajo”, “Usa” tells one person to use the lower shelf. It is a direct instruction followed by the object to use. A reusable pattern is “Usa + object” when giving practical instructions.

el In “el estante”, “el” means “the” and identifies one masculine singular noun. It appears immediately before “estante.” A reusable pattern is “el + masculine singular noun” when referring to a specific known item.

estante In “el estante de abajo”, “estante” means “shelf,” the storage place for the dry pan. It is further identified by “de abajo.” A common reuse pattern is “poner algo en el estante” for placing something on the shelf.

abajo In “el estante de abajo”, “abajo” means “lower” or “down” and identifies which shelf is meant. It specifies the shelf’s position relative to other shelves. A reusable pattern is “de abajo” for identifying the lower one of several things.

junto In “junto al fregadero”, “junto” means “beside” or “next to,” locating the shelf near the sink. It is used with “al fregadero” as one location expression. A common reuse pattern is “junto a + noun” for something positioned beside another thing.

al In “junto al fregadero”, “al” means “to or beside the” and is the combined form of “a” and “el.” It connects “junto” with the masculine noun “fregadero.” A reusable pattern is “junto al + masculine singular noun” for naming something located beside it.

fregadero In “junto al fregadero”, “fregadero” means “sink,” the place beside which the lower shelf is located. It is the noun after “al.” A common reuse pattern is “lavar algo en el fregadero” for washing something in the sink.

cuando In “cuando la sartén esté seca”, “cuando” means “when” and introduces the condition for using the shelf. It connects the action with the pan’s being dry. A reusable pattern is “cuando + situation” for saying when an action should happen.

la In “la sartén”, “la” means “the” and refers to the specific pan already mentioned. It appears before the feminine singular noun “sartén.” A reusable pattern is “la + feminine singular noun” when referring back to a known item.

esté In “cuando la sartén esté seca”, “esté” expresses that the pan is in the condition of being dry at the relevant time. It is the form used with the situation introduced by “cuando.” A common reuse pattern is “cuando + subject + esté + adjective,” such as the new example “cuando la comida esté lista”.

seca In “la sartén esté seca”, “seca” means “dry,” describing the condition the pan must reach before it is stored. This exact form describes “la sartén.” A reusable pattern is “estar seco or seca” for saying that an item contains no remaining moisture.

limpiar In “¿Debo limpiar la encimera?”, “limpiar” means “to clean” the counter. It follows “debo” and identifies the action the speaker is asking whether to do. A common reuse pattern is “debo limpiar + object,” such as the new example “Debo limpiar el fregadero”.

encimera In “limpiar la encimera”, “encimera” means “counter,” referring here to the single counter the speaker may wipe before leaving. It is the object of “limpiar.” A common reuse pattern is “limpiar la encimera” for cleaning a kitchen counter.

antes In “antes de irme”, “antes” means “before” and places the action of leaving after the cleaning action. It is followed by “de” and the infinitive “irme.” A reusable pattern is “antes de + infinitive” for saying what happens earlier.

irme In “antes de irme”, “irme” means “to leave or go away,” with “me” showing that the speaker is the one leaving. It follows “antes de” in the expression “antes de irme.” A common reuse pattern is “antes de irme” when saying what must happen before leaving a place.

Pásale In “Pásale un paño”, “Pásale” means to wipe or pass something over the counter, and “le” refers to the counter. The full expression uses “un paño” as the cloth used for wiping. A reusable pattern is “Pásale un paño a + object,” such as the new example “Pásale un paño a la mesa”.

un In “un paño”, “un” means “a” and introduces one cloth used for wiping. It appears before the masculine noun “paño.” A reusable pattern is “un + masculine singular noun” when referring to one unspecified item.

paño In “Pásale un paño”, “paño” means “cloth,” the item used to wipe the counter. It is the object used with “Pásale.” A common reuse pattern is “pasar un paño” for wiping a surface with a cloth.

guarda In “guarda todo lo que usaste”, “guarda” tells one person to put away or store everything they used. It is a direct instruction followed by “todo lo que usaste.” A reusable pattern is “guarda + object” when telling someone to return an item to its storage place.

lo In “todo lo que usaste”, “lo” helps introduce the complete set of things referred to by the following description. Together with “que usaste”, it identifies everything that was used. A reusable pattern is “todo lo que + verb” for referring to everything that someone did or used.

que In “todo lo que usaste”, “que” links “todo lo” with the description “usaste,” meaning the things that were used. It introduces the information that identifies which things are meant. A common reuse pattern is “lo que + verb” for “what” or “that which” someone did.

usaste In “todo lo que usaste”, “usaste” means “you used,” referring to the kitchen items or materials used during cooking. It completes the description of what must be put away. A reusable pattern is “lo que usaste” for referring to anything another person used.

revisar In “¿Debo revisar algo más?”, “revisar” means “to check” or “to inspect,” asking whether the speaker should look over anything else. It follows “debo.” A common reuse pattern is “debo revisar + object,” such as the new example “Debo revisar la cocina”.

algo In “algo más”, “algo” means “something,” referring to an unspecified additional thing to check. It is followed by “más” to ask whether anything else remains. A reusable pattern is “revisar algo” when the exact item is not yet known.

más In “¿Debo revisar algo más?”, “más” means “else” or “additional” and asks whether there is another thing beyond what has already been mentioned. It follows “algo” in the expression “algo más.” A common reuse pattern is “¿Algo más?” when asking whether anything additional is needed.

Deja In “Deja el espacio listo”, “Deja” tells one person to leave the space in a particular condition. It is followed by the object “el espacio” and the condition “listo.” A reusable pattern is “deja + object + adjective,” such as the new example “Deja la mesa limpia”.

espacio In “el espacio”, “espacio” means “space,” referring to the shared kitchen area that should be prepared for another person. It is the object of “Deja.” A common reuse pattern is “dejar el espacio + adjective” for describing the condition in which an area should be left.

listo In “Deja el espacio listo”, “listo” means “ready,” describing the condition the shared space should be in when the speaker leaves. This exact form describes “el espacio.” A reusable pattern is “dejar + object + listo” for preparing something for the next use.

para In “listo para la próxima persona”, “para” means “for” and identifies who will use the prepared space next. It connects “listo” with “la próxima persona.” A common reuse pattern is “listo para + person or activity” when something is prepared for a purpose or user.

próxima In “la próxima persona”, “próxima” means “next,” identifying the person who will use the kitchen after the current user. This exact form describes “persona.” A reusable pattern is “la próxima + feminine noun” when referring to the next person, place, or event.

persona In “la próxima persona”, “persona” means “person,” specifically the next user of the shared kitchen. It is modified by “la próxima.” A common reuse pattern is “para la próxima persona” when leaving something ready for the next user.

Grammar Points

Imperativo afirmativo de tú

Mantén las encimeras despejadas.

mahn-TEHN lahs en-see-MEH-rahs dehs-peh-HAH-dahs.

Keep the counters clear.

Spanish uses a special tú command form, such as mantén, to give direct instructions.

justo después de + infinitivo

Limpia todo justo después de cocinar.

LEEM-pyah TOH-doh HOO-stoh dehs-PWEHS deh koh-see-NAHR.

Clean everything right after cooking.

After justo después de, use the infinitive form to show that one action follows another.

Spanish Vocabulary

cocina compartida phrase

koh-SEE-nah kohm-par-TEE-dah shared kitchen

Soy nuevo en esta cocina compartida.

cocinar verb

koh-see-NAHR to cook

Limpia todo justo después de cocinar.

debo verb

DEH-boh I should; I must

¿Qué debo saber?

despejadas adj

dehs-peh-HAH-dahs clear; uncluttered

Mantén las encimeras despejadas.

dónde adv

DOHN-deh where

¿Dónde debo poner una sartén?

encimeras noun

en-see-MEH-rahs counters; countertops

Mantén las encimeras despejadas.

justo después de phrase

HOO-stoh dehs-PWEHS deh right after

Limpia todo justo después de cocinar.

limpia verb

LEEM-pyah clean; clean up

Limpia todo justo después de cocinar.

mantén verb

mahn-TEHN keep; maintain Mantén

Mantén las encimeras despejadas.

nuevo adj

NOO-eh-boh new

Soy nuevo en esta cocina compartida.

saber verb

sah-BEHR to know

¿Qué debo saber?

todo pron

TOH-doh everything

Limpia todo justo después de cocinar.

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Anything else I should check?

Show Answer

¿Debo revisar algo más?

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

clear; uncluttered

Show Answer

despejadas

clean; clean up

Show Answer

limpia

new

Show Answer

nuevo

everything

Show Answer

todo