Discussing a repair with the landlord | Learn Spanish in English

Spanish lesson set in a contemporary Madrid everyday setting: At home, two adults plan a clear message to the landlord about a leaking tap and possible repair visit..

EN → ES / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Discussing a repair with the landlord to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

El grifo del baño vuelve a gotear, aunque lo apreté ayer.

el GREE-foh del BAH-nyoh BWEHL-beh ah goh-teh-AR, AHN-keh loh ah-preh-TEH ah-YEHR. The bathroom tap is leaking again, even after I tightened it yesterday.
B

Como sigue pasando, probablemente deberíamos contactar con el propietario.

KOH-moh SEE-gheh pah-SAHN-doh, proh-bah-BLEH-men-teh deh-beh-REE-ah-mohs kohn-tahk-TAR kohn el proh-pyeh-TAH-ryoh. Since it keeps happening, we should probably contact the landlord.
A

Puedo enviar una foto y explicar que una reparación temporal no funcionó.

PWEH-doh en-BYAR OO-nah FOH-toh ee ehk-splee-KAR keh OO-nah reh-pah-rah-SYOHN tehm-poh-RAL noh foon-syoh-NOH. I can send a photo and explain that a temporary repair did not work.
B

Menciona que se está desperdiciando agua y que la encimera se está mojando.

men-SYOH-nah keh seh eh-STAH dehs-pehr-dee-SYAHN-doh AH-gwah ee keh lah en-see-MEH-rah seh eh-STAH moh-HAHN-doh. Mention that water is being wasted and the counter is getting wet.
A

¿Deberíamos decir que no causamos el problema nosotros mismos?

deh-beh-REE-ah-mohs deh-SEER keh noh kow-SAH-mohs el proh-BLEH-mah noh-SOH-trohs MEES-mohs? Should we say that we did not cause the problem ourselves?
B

Incluye eso claramente, pero mantén un tono tranquilo.

een-KLOO-yeh EH-soh klah-rah-MEN-teh, PEH-roh mahn-TEHN oon TOH-noh trahn-KEE-loh. Include that clearly, but keep the tone calm.
A

El mensaje debe ser educado pero específico, para que no haya confusión.

el men-SAH-heh DEH-beh sehr eh-doo-KAH-doh PEH-roh eh-speh-SEE-fee-koh, PAH-rah keh noh AH-yah kohn-foo-SYOHN. The message should be polite but specific, so there is no confusion.
B

Pregunta cuándo podría venir un fontanero, porque las mañanas entre semana son difíciles para nosotros.

preh-GOON-tah KWAHN-doh poh-DREE-ah beh-NEER oon fohn-tah-NEH-roh, POR-keh lahs mah-NYAH-nahs EN-treh seh-MAH-nah sohn dee-FEE-see-lehs PAH-rah noh-SOH-trohs. Ask when a plumber could visit, because weekday mornings are difficult for us.
A

Podemos sugerir una franja horaria flexible en la que alguien pueda estar en casa.

poh-DEH-mohs soo-heh-REER OO-nah FRAHN-hah oh-RAH-ryah fleks-SEE-bleh en lah keh ahl-GYEHN PWEH-dah eh-STAHR en KAH-sah. We can suggest a flexible time window when someone can be home.
B

Eso debería facilitarle al propietario organizar la reparación.

EH-soh deh-beh-REE-ah fah-see-lee-TAR-leh al proh-pyeh-TAH-ryoh or-gah-nee-SAR lah reh-pah-rah-SYOHN. That should make it easier for the landlord to arrange the repair.

Word by Word

El “El” means “the” in “El grifo” and identifies the tap as a specific masculine singular noun. It is used directly before the noun it determines, as in “El mensaje” elsewhere in the dialogue.
grifo “Grifo” means “tap” or “faucet” here, referring to the bathroom fixture that is leaking. A useful pattern is “el grifo del baño” when identifying a tap by its location.
del “Del” means “of the” in “del baño” and connects the tap with the bathroom. It is the fixed combination used in the exact phrase “el grifo del baño”.
baño “Baño” means “bathroom” in “del baño.” It commonly appears after “de” or “del” to identify where something is, as in “el grifo del baño”.
vuelve “Vuelve” contributes the idea that the dripping starts or happens again in “vuelve a gotear.” Together, “volver a” is used before an infinitive to express repetition; a new example is “vuelve a llamar” for “calls again.”
a In “vuelve a gotear,” “a” is the connector in the pattern “volver a” plus an infinitive, marking that the action happens again. It is not expressing a destination in this phrase.
gotear “Gotear” means “to drip” or “to leak” in “vuelve a gotear,” describing water coming from the tap drop by drop. The infinitive follows “vuelve a” in this reusable repetition pattern.
aunque “Aunque” means “although” or “even though” and introduces the fact that the tap drips again despite the earlier tightening. It can connect a main statement with a condition that does not prevent it.
lo “Lo” means “it” in “lo apreté,” referring to the tap. It is placed before the verb when the object is expressed as this short pronoun.
apreté “Apreté” means “I tightened” in “lo apreté ayer,” describing the speaker’s completed action on the tap. It is the dialogue form of “apretar,” used here with “lo” as its object.
ayer “Ayer” means “yesterday” and places “lo apreté” on the previous day. It commonly appears with a completed action to specify when it happened.
Como At the beginning of “Como sigue pasando,” “Como” means “since” or “as,” giving the reason for contacting the landlord. In this use it introduces the situation that motivates the recommendation.
sigue “Sigue” contributes the idea of continuation in “sigue pasando,” meaning that the problem keeps happening. The reusable pattern “seguir” plus a gerund describes an action or situation that continues.
pasando “Pasando” means “happening” in “sigue pasando.” With “sigue,” it describes the problem as continuing rather than occurring only once.
probablemente “Probablemente” means “probably” and makes the recommendation less absolute in “probablemente deberíamos contactar con el propietario.” It can be placed before a verb phrase to express likely judgment.
deberíamos “Deberíamos” means “we should” in “deberíamos contactar con el propietario,” presenting contact as a sensible recommendation. It is followed here by the infinitive “contactar”; the citation form is “deber.”
contactar “Contactar” means “to contact” in “contactar con el propietario.” It follows “deberíamos” as an infinitive, and the dialogue uses the pattern “contactar con” plus the person contacted.
con In “contactar con el propietario,” “con” is the preposition used with the person they intend to contact. The complete reusable pattern in this dialogue is “contactar con” plus a person or organization.
propietario “Propietario” means “landlord” here because the conversation concerns contacting the owner of the home. In “el propietario,” it identifies the person who can arrange the repair.
Puedo “Puedo” means “I can” in “Puedo enviar una foto,” expressing the speaker’s ability or willingness to do something. It is followed by an infinitive, such as “enviar” or “explicar”; the citation form is “poder.”
enviar “Enviar” means “to send” in “Puedo enviar una foto.” It follows “puedo” as the action the speaker is able or willing to carry out.
una “Una” means “a” in “una foto,” introducing one non-specific feminine noun. It appears directly before “foto” in this noun phrase.
foto “Foto” means “photo” in “enviar una foto,” referring to evidence of the leaking tap. A useful pattern is “enviar una foto” when sending visual information.
y “Y” means “and” and links the two actions in “enviar una foto y explicar.” It joins coordinated words or verb phrases without changing their individual meanings.
explicar “Explicar” means “to explain” in “explicar que una reparación temporal no funcionó.” It follows “puedo” and introduces the information the speaker can give.
que “Que” means “that” in “explicar que una reparación temporal no funcionó,” introducing the content of the explanation. It links “explicar” to the statement being reported.
reparación “Reparación” means “repair” in “una reparación temporal,” referring to the earlier attempt to fix the problem. It can be modified by an adjective placed after it, as in this phrase.
temporal “Temporal” means “temporary” in “una reparación temporal,” indicating that the repair was not intended as a permanent solution. It follows the noun “reparación” and describes its duration or limited nature.
no “No” negates “funcionó” in “no funcionó,” meaning that the temporary repair did not work. It normally appears directly before the verb it negates.
funcionó “Funcionó” means “worked” in “no funcionó,” referring to whether the temporary repair achieved its purpose. The negative “no” changes the complete phrase to “did not work”; the citation form is “funcionar.”
Menciona “Menciona” is a direct instruction meaning “mention” in “Menciona que se está desperdiciando agua.” It introduces information that should be included in the message; the citation form is “mencionar.”
se In “se está desperdiciando agua,” “se” helps express that water is being wasted without naming who is wasting it. It is part of the complete construction and should be understood together with “está desperdiciando.”
está In “se está desperdiciando agua,” “está” helps describe an ongoing situation: water is currently being wasted. It combines with the gerund “desperdiciando” in this progressive construction.
desperdiciando “Desperdiciando” means “wasting” in “se está desperdiciando agua.” Together with “se está,” it describes water being wasted as an ongoing problem.
agua “Agua” means “water” in “se está desperdiciando agua,” identifying what is being wasted. It can be used with verbs such as “desperdiciar” when discussing unnecessary water use.
la “La” means “the” in “la encimera” and identifies a specific feminine noun. It is placed directly before “encimera” in the noun phrase.
encimera “Encimera” means “countertop” or “counter” in “la encimera se está mojando.” It names the surface that is getting wet because of the leaking water.
mojando “Mojando” means “getting wet” in “la encimera se está mojando.” With “se está,” it describes the countertop as becoming wet over the course of the problem.
decir “Decir” means “to say” in “deberíamos decir que no causamos el problema.” It follows “deberíamos” as the action being considered and introduces what they might communicate.
causamos “Causamos” means “we caused” in “no causamos el problema nosotros mismos.” The negative phrase says that the speakers did not create the problem; the citation form is “causar.”
problema “Problema” means “problem” in “no causamos el problema,” referring to the leaking-tap issue. It appears with “el” when referring to this specific problem.
nosotros “Nosotros” means “we” in “nosotros mismos,” emphasizing the people who are speaking. Together with “mismos,” it makes clear that they themselves did not cause the problem.
mismos “Mismos” contributes “ourselves” in “nosotros mismos,” reinforcing that the speakers personally did not cause the problem. It agrees with “nosotros” and is used after it in this emphatic pattern.
Incluye “Incluye” is a direct instruction meaning “include” in “Incluye eso claramente.” It tells the listener to put the previously mentioned point into the message; the citation form is “incluir.”
eso “Eso” means “that” in “Incluye eso,” referring to the point about not causing the problem. It is used as a pronoun for information already mentioned.
claramente “Claramente” means “clearly” and describes how “eso” should be included in the message. It is an adverb and can modify an action to indicate that the information is expressed without ambiguity.
pero “Pero” means “but” and contrasts including the point clearly with keeping the tone calm. It connects two instructions or ideas with a limitation or contrast.
mantén “Mantén” is a direct instruction meaning “keep” or “maintain” in “mantén un tono tranquilo.” It tells the listener to preserve a calm tone; the citation form is “mantener.”
un “Un” means “a” in “un tono tranquilo,” introducing one masculine noun phrase. It appears directly before “tono”.
tono “Tono” means “tone” in “un tono tranquilo,” referring to the manner or emotional quality of the message. A useful pattern is “mantener un tono” followed by an adjective.
tranquilo “Tranquilo” means “calm” in “un tono tranquilo,” describing the desired manner of communication. It agrees with and follows the noun “tono” in this phrase.
mensaje “Mensaje” means “message” in “El mensaje debe ser educado pero específico.” It refers to the written communication being prepared for the landlord.
debe “Debe” expresses “should” in “El mensaje debe ser educado,” stating the expected qualities of the message. It is followed by the infinitive “ser”; the citation form is “deber.”
ser “Ser” means “to be” in “debe ser educado pero específico,” linking the message with the qualities it should have. It follows “debe” as the infinitive in this pattern.
educado “Educado” means “polite” in “un mensaje educado,” describing the respectful style the message should have. It agrees with the masculine noun “mensaje” and follows the verb “ser” here.
específico “Específico” means “specific” in “educado pero específico,” requiring the message to give clear details rather than vague information. It describes “mensaje” and is contrasted with “educado” through “pero.”
para In “para que no haya confusión,” “para” contributes the purpose or intended result “so that.” Together with “que,” it introduces the result they want the clear message to achieve.
haya In “no haya confusión,” “haya” expresses “there is” within the phrase “so that there is no confusion.” It is used with “confusión” to describe the absence of misunderstanding as the intended result.
confusión “Confusión” means “confusion” in “para que no haya confusión,” referring to possible misunderstanding about the repair request. The reusable pattern “no haya confusión” describes a situation in which information is clear.
Pregunta “Pregunta” is a direct instruction meaning “ask” in “Pregunta cuándo podría venir un fontanero.” It tells the listener to request information; the citation form is “preguntar.”
cuándo “Cuándo” means “when” in “Pregunta cuándo podría venir un fontanero,” asking about the possible time of the plumber’s visit. The accent marks it as the question word inside this indirect question.
podría “Podría” means “could” in “cuándo podría venir,” presenting the visit as a possible or suitable event. It is followed by the infinitive “venir”; the citation form is “poder.”
venir “Venir” means “to come” in “podría venir un fontanero,” describing the plumber coming to the home. It follows “podría” as the infinitive for the possible visit.
fontanero “Fontanero” means “plumber” in “un fontanero,” identifying the professional who may come to repair the tap. It appears after the indefinite article “un” in this noun phrase.
porque “Porque” means “because” and introduces the reason weekday mornings are difficult in “porque las mañanas entre semana son difíciles.” It connects the request about the visit with its scheduling reason.
las “Las” means “the” in “las mañanas entre semana,” referring to specific recurring mornings during the week. It is the plural feminine article before “mañanas.”
mañanas “Mañanas” means “mornings” in “las mañanas entre semana.” Together with “entre semana,” it identifies the weekday mornings that are difficult for the speakers.
entre In “entre semana,” “entre” contributes the meaning “during” or “within” the period of the week. The complete expression “entre semana” is used for weekdays or the time during the working week.
semana “Semana” means “week” in the expression “entre semana,” which refers to weekdays or time during the week. It is part of this fixed time expression rather than a reference to one particular day.
son “Son” means “are” in “las mañanas entre semana son difíciles,” linking the mornings with the description “difíciles.” It is the form used with the plural subject “las mañanas”; the citation form is “ser.”
difíciles “Difíciles” means “difficult” in “las mañanas entre semana son difíciles,” describing those mornings as inconvenient for the speakers. It agrees with the plural noun “mañanas.”
Podemos “Podemos” means “we can” in “Podemos sugerir una franja horaria flexible,” expressing the speakers’ ability or option to make a suggestion. It is followed by an infinitive such as “sugerir”; the citation form is “poder.”
sugerir “Sugerir” means “to suggest” in “Podemos sugerir una franja horaria flexible.” It follows “podemos” and takes the proposed time window as its object.
franja “Franja” means “time slot” in “una franja horaria flexible,” referring to a period available for the visit. The full phrase “franja horaria” is used when proposing a period of time rather than one exact hour.
horaria “Horaria” contributes the idea that the “franja” relates to time in “franja horaria.” It modifies the feminine noun “franja” and helps form the expression for a time slot.
flexible “Flexible” means “flexible” in “una franja horaria flexible,” indicating that the available time window can accommodate the visit. It follows the noun phrase and describes its adaptability.
en In “en la que alguien pueda estar en casa,” the first “en” means “in” and links the possible presence at home to the time window. The pattern “en la que” means “in which” when referring back to a feminine noun such as “franja.”
alguien “Alguien” means “someone” in “alguien pueda estar en casa,” referring to an unspecified person who may be at home. It is useful when the exact person is not important or has not been decided.
pueda “Pueda” expresses that someone can or may be able to be at home in “alguien pueda estar en casa.” It is followed by the infinitive “estar” and presents availability within the suggested time window.
estar “Estar” means “to be” in “estar en casa,” describing someone’s presence at home during the possible visit. It follows “pueda” as the infinitive and is used with “en casa” for location.
casa “Casa” means “home” in “estar en casa,” describing where someone can be present. The common pattern in this dialogue is “estar en casa,” meaning to be at home.
debería “Debería” means “should” in “Eso debería facilitarle al propietario organizar la reparación,” expressing an expected helpful result. It is followed by the infinitive “facilitar”; the citation form is “deber.”
facilitarle “Facilitarle” means “make it easier for him or her” in “facilitarle al propietario organizar la reparación.” It combines “facilitar” with “le,” indicating that the landlord benefits, and it is followed by the action being made easier.
al In “al propietario,” “al” means “to the” and identifies the landlord as the person who benefits from the easier arrangement. It is the fixed combination of “a” and “el” in this phrase.
organizar “Organizar” means “to arrange” in “organizar la reparación,” referring to arranging the repair visit. It follows “facilitarle” as the action that becomes easier for the landlord.

Grammar Points

seguir + gerundio

Sigue pasando.

SEE-gheh pah-SAHN-doh.

It keeps happening.

Seguir + gerundio expresses that an action or situation continues. The gerund ends in -ando or -iendo.

nosotros mismos

Causamos la confusión nosotros mismos.

kow-SAH-mohs lah kohn-foo-SYOHN noh-SOH-trohs MEES-mohs.

We caused the confusion ourselves.

Mismos can emphasize a reflexive pronoun, meaning “ourselves” or “personally.”

Spanish Vocabulary

apreté verb
ah-preh-TEH I tightened
aunque conj
AHN-keh although; even though
ayer adv
ah-YEHR yesterday
baño noun
BAH-nyoh bathroom
contactar con phrase
kohn-tahk-TAR kohn to contact
enviar verb
en-BYAR to send
explicar verb
ehks-plee-KAR to explain
gotear verb
goh-teh-AR to drip; to leak
grifo noun
GREE-foh tap; faucet

El grifo del baño

probablemente adv
proh-bah-BLEH-men-teh probably
propietario noun
proh-pyeh-TAH-ryoh landlord; owner
sigue pasando phrase
SEE-gheh pah-SAHN-doh it keeps happening

Como sigue pasando

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

although; even though

Show Answeraunque

to drip; to leak

Show Answergotear

tap; faucet

Show Answergrifo

I tightened

Show Answerapreté