Using the shared laundry room schedule | Learn Spanish in English

Spanish lesson set in a contemporary Madrid everyday setting: In a shared laundry room, two adults discuss using the schedule, setting a timer, and moving clothes promptly..

EN → ES / Level: A2

About This Lesson

Use Using the shared laundry room schedule to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

La lavandería compartida está ocupada hoy.

lah bahn-deh-REE-ah kohm-pahr-TEE-dah ehs-TAH oh-koo-PAH-dah oy The shared laundry room is busy today.
B

Anota tu nombre en el horario antes de poner una lavadora.

ah-NOH-tah too NOHM-breh ehn ehl oh-RAH-ryoh AHN-tehs deh poh-NAIR OO-nah lah-bah-DOH-rah Put your name on the schedule before starting a load.
A

Hay una lavadora libre más tarde esta tarde.

eye OO-nah lah-bah-DOH-rah LEE-breh mahs TAR-deh EHS-tah TAR-deh There's a washer open later this afternoon.
B

Pon un temporizador.

pohn oon tem-poh-ree-sah-DOR Set a timer.
B

Así, la siguiente persona no tiene que esperar.

ah-SEE lah see-GYEN-teh pehr-SOH-nah noh TYEH-neh keh ehs-peh-RAHR So the next person is not stuck waiting.
A

¿Debo sacar mi ropa en cuanto termine el ciclo?

DEH-boh sah-KAHR mee ROH-pah ehn KWAHN-toh tehr-MEE-neh ehl SEE-kloh Should I move my clothes as soon as the cycle ends?
B

Sí, por favor; la ropa mojada que se deja en una máquina retrasa a todos.

SEE pohr fah-BOHR lah ROH-pah moh-HAH-dah keh seh DEH-hah ehn OO-nah MAH-kee-nah reh-TRAH-sah ah TOH-dohs Please do; wet clothes left in a machine hold everyone up.
A

Bajaré mi cesta antes de que termine.

bah-hah-REH mee SEHS-tah AHN-tehs deh keh tehr-MEE-neh I'll bring my basket down before it finishes.
B

Así, todo debería seguir funcionando bien.

ah-SEE TOH-doh deh-beh-REE-ah seh-GHEER foon-syoh-NAHN-doh BYEHN That should keep things running smoothly.

Word by Word

La “La” means “the” in “La lavandería compartida” and introduces the feminine noun “lavandería.” It is reused as “la” before a feminine singular noun, as in “la ropa” and “la máquina,” when referring to a specific thing.
lavandería “Lavandería” means “laundry room” here, in “La lavandería compartida.” It names the shared place where the washing machines are, so it is useful when discussing its schedule or availability.
compartida “Compartida” means “shared” in “La lavandería compartida,” describing a laundry room used by several people. It agrees with “lavandería,” and the phrase is useful when explaining shared-space rules.
está “Está” expresses the laundry room’s current state in “está ocupada hoy.” It is used with an adjective to describe a present condition, especially when telling someone that a place is currently busy.
ocupada “Ocupada” means “busy” or “occupied” in “está ocupada hoy.” It describes the current condition of the laundry room, so it is useful when explaining that people may need to wait.
hoy “Hoy” means “today” in “está ocupada hoy,” specifying when the laundry room is busy. It commonly appears with a statement about the present day, including at the end of this sentence.
Anota “Anota” means “write down” or “note” in the direct request “Anota tu nombre.” It is used to tell one person to record information, followed by the thing being recorded.
tu “Tu” means “your” in “tu nombre,” showing that the name belongs to the person being addressed. It is placed directly before a noun to identify something connected with that person.
nombre “Nombre” means “name” in “Anota tu nombre.” It is the information the person should record on the schedule, so the phrase is useful when signing up for a time or place.
en “En” means “in” or “on” in “en el horario,” indicating where the name should be written. It is used before the place or document that contains the information.
el “El” means “the” in “el horario,” introducing a specific masculine singular noun. It is used before “horario” when referring to the shared schedule.
horario “Horario” means “schedule” in “en el horario.” Here it is the plan used to organize laundry-room use, so it is useful when discussing times or turns.
antes “Antes” means “before” in “antes de poner una lavadora,” placing one action earlier than another. The reusable pattern here is “antes de” followed by an infinitive.
de “De” is part of the time expression “antes de,” which means “before” an action. In this dialogue, it connects “antes” with the infinitive “poner,” forming “antes de poner una lavadora.”
poner “Poner” means “to start” a washing machine or load in “poner una lavadora.” It is an infinitive after “antes de,” and the construction “poner una lavadora” is useful when beginning a wash.
una “Una” means “a” in “una lavadora,” introducing one non-specific washing machine. It is placed before the feminine noun “lavadora” when mentioning an available machine.
lavadora “Lavadora” means “washing machine” in “poner una lavadora” and “una lavadora libre.” It identifies the machine being started or available in the shared laundry room.
Hay “Hay” means “there is” in “Hay una lavadora libre,” presenting the existence or availability of something. The pattern “hay + noun” is useful for telling someone what is available.
libre “Libre” means “available” in “una lavadora libre.” It describes a washing machine that can be used, so it is useful when discussing open times or machines.
más In “más tarde,” “más” contributes to the meaning “later,” while the full expression gives the time reference. This expression is useful when saying that something will happen after the current time.
tarde “Tarde” means “later” in “más tarde” and “afternoon” in “esta tarde.” In this dialogue, the two expressions together locate the available washer at a later time in the afternoon.
esta “Esta” means “this” in “esta tarde,” referring to the afternoon of the current day. It is placed before the feminine noun “tarde” in this time expression.
Pon “Pon” means “set” in “Pon un temporizador,” giving a direct request to set a timer. It is useful when telling someone to activate or arrange a device for a later reminder.
un “Un” means “a” in “un temporizador,” introducing one timer. It appears before the masculine singular noun “temporizador” when requesting that someone set one.
temporizador “Temporizador” means “timer” in “Pon un temporizador.” It is the device or function used to remember when the wash cycle finishes, so the phrase is useful in shared laundry situations.
Así “Así” means “that way” or “so” in “Así, la siguiente persona no tiene que esperar” and “Así, todo debería seguir funcionando bien.” It introduces the intended result of the action just mentioned.
siguiente “Siguiente” means “next” in “la siguiente persona,” referring to the person who will use the machine afterward. It is useful for identifying the next person in an ordered schedule.
persona “Persona” means “person” in “la siguiente persona.” Here it refers to the next laundry-room user, so it is useful when explaining how one person’s timing affects another.
no “No” makes “no tiene que esperar” negative, meaning that the next person does not have to wait. It is placed before the verb phrase to negate the action or obligation.
tiene In “no tiene que esperar,” “tiene” is the dialogue form of “tener” and is part of “tener que,” expressing necessity. With “no,” the phrase says that the next person does not need to wait; “tener que + infinitive” is the reusable pattern.
que In “no tiene que esperar,” “que” is the linking part of the construction “tener que + infinitive.” The whole construction expresses necessity, and here the preceding “no” removes that necessity.
esperar “Esperar” means “to wait” in “no tiene que esperar.” It is the infinitive that completes “tener que,” so the phrase is useful when talking about whether someone must wait.
Debo “Debo” means “should I” in the question “¿Debo sacar mi ropa...?” and comes from “deber.” The pattern “¿Debo + infinitive?” is useful when asking whether a certain action is expected or necessary.
sacar “Sacar” means “take out” in “sacar mi ropa,” referring to removing the clothes from the machine. It is used with the object being removed, here “mi ropa,” when the cycle ends.
mi “Mi” means “my” in “mi ropa,” showing that the clothes belong to the speaker. It is placed before the noun to identify whose clothes are being discussed.
ropa “Ropa” means “clothes” or “laundry” in “sacar mi ropa” and “la ropa mojada.” It refers to the items being washed, moved, or left in the machine.
cuanto In “en cuanto termine el ciclo,” “cuanto” is the second part of “en cuanto,” which means “as soon as.” The full expression introduces the moment when the cycle finishes, and it is useful for linking one action to that timing.
termine “Termine” means “finishes” in “en cuanto termine el ciclo,” referring to the cycle reaching its end. It appears in the timing clause that tells when the speaker will take out the clothes.
ciclo “Ciclo” means “cycle” in “termine el ciclo,” referring to the washing program’s complete run. It is useful when discussing what happens when a machine cycle ends.
Sí “Sí” means “yes” in “Sí, por favor,” confirming that the speaker should move the clothes. It is useful as a direct positive response to a question or request.
por In “por favor,” “por” is part of the polite expression used to make or soften a request. The whole expression is useful when asking someone to do something courteously.
favor In “por favor,” “favor” is part of the polite request expression rather than an independent request in this sentence. The full expression is used after “Sí” to give a courteous confirmation.
mojada “Mojada” means “wet” in “la ropa mojada,” describing clothes that still contain water after washing. It agrees with “ropa,” and the phrase is useful when explaining why clothes should not be left in a machine.
se In “que se deja en una máquina,” “se” presents the leaving as an action affecting the clothes without naming who leaves them. The pattern “se + verb” is useful when the person performing an action is not important or is not specified.
deja In “se deja,” “deja” means “is left” because it combines with “se” in “que se deja en una máquina.” This construction is useful for describing where something is left without identifying the person who leaves it.
máquina “Máquina” means “machine” in “en una máquina,” referring here to a washing machine. It is useful with “en” when describing clothes or other items left inside a machine.
retrasa “Retrasa” means “delays” or “holds up” in “retrasa a todos.” It describes the effect of leaving wet clothes in the machine, so it is useful when explaining that one person’s action slows down others.
a In “retrasa a todos,” “a” introduces the people affected by the delay. The pattern “verb + a + person or group” is useful when showing whom an action affects.
todos “Todos” means “everyone” in “retrasa a todos,” referring to all the people using the shared laundry room. It is useful when an action affects the whole group.
Bajaré “Bajaré” means “I will bring down” in “Bajaré mi cesta,” referring to the speaker’s planned action. It is the form used for the speaker’s future plan, followed by the object “mi cesta.”
cesta “Cesta” means “basket” in “Bajaré mi cesta.” It refers to the basket the speaker will bring for the clothes, so it is useful when preparing to move laundry.
todo “Todo” means “everything” or “all” in “todo debería seguir funcionando bien,” referring to the overall laundry-room process. It is useful when making a statement about the whole situation rather than one individual item.
debería “Debería” means “should” in “todo debería seguir funcionando bien,” expressing an expected result. The pattern “debería + infinitive” is useful for describing what is reasonably expected to happen.
seguir In “seguir funcionando,” “seguir” means “continue to,” showing that the situation will keep operating as it is. The reusable pattern is “seguir + gerund,” with the gerund naming the activity that continues.
funcionando “Funcionando” means “working” or “running” in “seguir funcionando bien.” It names the ongoing operation that should continue, here referring to the laundry-room process.
bien “Bien” means “well” in “funcionando bien,” describing how smoothly things should continue. It is useful after a verb when evaluating whether an activity is proceeding successfully.

Grammar Points

hay + sustantivo

Hay una lavadora libre.

eye OO-nah lah-bah-DOH-rah LEE-breh

There is an available washing machine.

Hay is invariable and expresses existence; it is used for both “there is” and “there are.”

seguir + gerundio

La máquina seguirá funcionando bien.

lah MAH-kee-nah seh-ghee-RAH foon-syoh-NAHN-doh BYEHN

The machine will keep working well.

Seguir + gerundio expresses that an action continues, often translated as “keep” or “continue” doing something.

Spanish Vocabulary

anota verb
ah-NOH-tah write down
compartida adj
kohm-pahr-TEE-dah shared
hay verb
eye there is
horario noun
oh-RAH-ryoh schedule
lavadora noun
lah-bah-DOH-rah washing machine
lavandería noun
lah-bahn-deh-REE-ah laundry room
libre adj
LEE-breh available
más tarde adv
mahs TAR-deh later
nombre noun
NOHM-breh name
ocupada adj
oh-koo-PAH-dah busy
poner verb
poh-NAIR to put
temporizador noun
tem-poh-ree-sah-DOR timer

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

The shared laundry room is busy today.

Show AnswerLa lavandería compartida está ocupada hoy.

Set a timer.

Show AnswerPon un temporizador.

That should keep things running smoothly.

Show AnswerAsí, todo debería seguir funcionando bien.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

busy

Show Answerocupada

schedule

Show Answerhorario

laundry room

Show Answerlavandería

washing machine

Show Answerlavadora