Preparing a welcoming guest room | Learn Spanish in English

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Dialogue

Mi prima viene a quedarse con nosotros durante una visita breve.

mee PREE-mah BYEH-neh ah keh-DAR-seh kohn noh-SOH-tros doo-RAN-teh OO-nah bee-SEE-tah BREH-beh. My cousin is coming to stay with us for a short visit.

Deberíamos hacer más cómoda la habitación de invitados antes de que llegue.

deh-beh-REE-ah-mos ah-SEHR mas KOH-mo-dah lah ah-bee-tah-SYOHN deh een-bee-TAH-dos AN-tes deh keh YEH-gheh. We should make the spare room more comfortable before she arrives.

Déjame despejar el escritorio para que tenga espacio para su portátil.

DEH-hah-meh deh-speh-HAR el es-kree-TOH-ryoh PAH-rah keh TEN-gah es-PAH-syoh PAH-rah soo por-TAH-teel. Let me clear the desk so she has space for her laptop.

Deja las instrucciones de internet donde pueda encontrarlas fácilmente.

DEH-hah las een-strook-SYOH-nes deh een-ter-NET DON-deh PWEH-dah en-kohn-TRAR-las fah-SEEL-men-teh. Leave the internet instructions where she can find them easily.

¿Deberíamos poner toallas adicionales en la habitación o enseñarle el armario?

deh-beh-REE-ah-mos poh-NEHR toh-AH-yas ah-dee-syoh-NAH-les en lah ah-bee-tah-SYOHN, OH en-seh-NYAR-leh el ar-MAH-ryoh? Should we put extra towels in the room, or show her the cupboard?

Ponlas en la habitación. Así los huéspedes tienen más privacidad.

POHN-las en lah ah-bee-tah-SYOHN. GWEHS-peh-des TYEH-nen mas pree-bee-see-DAHD. Put them in the room. It gives guests more privacy.

Quiero ser un anfitrión relajado, no alguien que explique cada detalle.

KYEH-roh sehr oon ahn-fee-tree-OHN reh-lah-HAH-doh, noh AL-gyehn keh ex-PLEE-keh KAH-dah deh-TAH-yeh. I want to be a relaxed host, not someone who explains every detail.

Una nota breve es suficiente, especialmente para las llaves, las luces y el desayuno.

OO-nah NOH-tah BREH-beh es soo-fee-SYEN-teh, es-peh-SYAL-men-teh PAH-rah las YAH-bes, las LOO-ses ee el deh-sah-YOO-noh. A short note is enough, especially for keys, lights, and breakfast.

Preparar la habitación con antelación evitaría que nos apresuráramos después.

preh-pah-RAR lah ah-bee-tah-SYOHN kohn an-teh-lah-SYOHN eh-bee-tah-REE-ah keh nos ah-preh-soo-RAH-rah-mos dehs-PWES. Preparing it ahead of time would keep us from rushing later.

Eso hará que se sienta bienvenida sin que la visita sea demasiado formal.

EH-soh ah-RAH keh seh SYEN-tah byehn-beh-NEE-dah seen keh lah bee-SEE-tah SEH-ah deh-mah-SYAH-doh for-MAHL. That will make her feel welcome without making the visit too formal.

Word by Word

Mi “Mi” means “my” in “Mi prima” and marks the cousin as belonging to the speaker’s family. Use “Mi” before a singular noun when identifying something connected to you, such as a family member or possession.

prima “Prima” means “female cousin” in “Mi prima”. It is used for referring to a female relative in a family conversation or when introducing her to someone.

viene “Viene” means “is coming” in “viene a quedarse”. It is the form of venir used for the person who is coming, and the pattern “viene a + infinitive” introduces what she comes to do.

a In “viene a quedarse”, “a” links the verb of movement with the infinitive “quedarse”, giving the idea of coming to stay. A common reusable pattern is a movement verb followed by “a” and an infinitive.

quedarse “Quedarse” means “to stay” in “a quedarse con nosotros”. The form includes the reflexive element and is useful with “con” when saying that someone will stay with other people.

con “Con” means “with” in “con nosotros”. It introduces the people who will be together with the person staying, and it is commonly used before a person or group.

nosotros “Nosotros” means “us” in “con nosotros”. After “con”, it identifies the people with whom the cousin will stay; use it when referring to the speaker together with others.

durante “Durante” means “during” in “durante una visita breve” and introduces the period when the stay takes place. Use “durante” before an event or time period to describe its duration.

una “Una” means “a” in “una visita breve” and introduces one nonspecific visit. The same form appears as “Una” at the start of “Una nota breve”; use it before a singular feminine noun.

visita “Visita” means “visit” in “una visita breve”. It names the occasion during which the cousin stays, and it can be used for a social visit or a visit to a place.

breve “Breve” means “short” or “brief” in “una visita breve”. It describes the length of the visit and is useful after a noun when characterizing an event as short.

Deberíamos “Deberíamos” means “we should” in “Deberíamos hacer más cómoda la habitación”. It presents a suggestion about something the speakers ought to do, useful when planning together.

hacer “Hacer” means “make” in “hacer más cómoda la habitación”, where the speakers want to make the room more comfortable. A useful pattern is “hacer + adjective” to describe changing something’s condition.

más “Más” means “more” in “más cómoda”. It increases the degree of the adjective and is used before an adjective when comparing or improving a quality.

cómoda “Cómoda” means “comfortable” in “más cómoda” and describes the guest room. It is used here with “hacer” to express making the room more comfortable, especially when preparing a space for someone.

la “La” means “the” before “habitación” in “la habitación de invitados”. It identifies a specific room already understood in the conversation, and it is used before a singular feminine noun.

habitación “Habitación” means “room” in “la habitación de invitados” and refers to the room being prepared. It is useful when discussing a room in a home, hotel, or other building.

de In “habitación de invitados”, “de” links the room with the people it is intended for, giving the meaning “guest room”. A common reuse pattern is a noun followed by “de” and another noun to specify its purpose or association.

invitados “Invitados” means “guests” in “habitación de invitados”. It identifies the people for whom the room is prepared, and the word is useful when talking about people welcomed into a home.

antes “Antes” means “before” in “antes de que llegue”. It places the room preparation earlier than the cousin’s arrival, and it is commonly used to order two events in time.

que In “antes de que llegue”, “que” introduces the clause describing the event that has not happened yet. The pattern “antes de que + clause” is useful when saying that one action must happen before another event.

llegue “Llegue” means “arrives” in “antes de que llegue” and refers to the cousin’s arrival. It is the form used in this clause after “antes de que”, useful for discussing a future or pending arrival.

Déjame “Déjame” means “let me” in “Déjame despejar el escritorio”. It asks for permission or announces that the speaker will do the following action, and it is useful when offering to take care of a task.

despejar “Despejar” means “to clear” in “despejar el escritorio”. It describes removing things from a surface so that it becomes available, useful when preparing a desk or workspace.

el “El” means “the” before “escritorio” in “el escritorio”. It identifies a specific desk in the room and is used before a singular masculine noun.

escritorio “Escritorio” means “desk” in “despejar el escritorio”. It refers to the workspace being cleared for the laptop, and it is useful when discussing furniture or work areas at home.

para In “para que tenga espacio”, “para” introduces the intended result of clearing the desk. The pattern “para que + clause” is useful for explaining why an action is done.

tenga “Tenga” means “has” in “para que tenga espacio”. It describes the space the cousin will have as the intended result of clearing the desk, and it is useful after “para que” when expressing a desired result.

espacio “Espacio” means “space” in “tenga espacio para su portátil”. It refers to room available for the laptop, and it is commonly used with “tener” when discussing available room.

su “Su” means “her” in “su portátil”, referring to the cousin’s laptop. Use “su” before a singular noun when the owner is another person whose identity is clear from context.

portátil “Portátil” means “laptop” in “su portátil”. It identifies the device that needs space on the desk, and it is useful when discussing personal technology or work equipment.

Deja “Deja” means “leave” or “put” in “Deja las instrucciones de internet donde pueda encontrarlas”. It gives a direct instruction to place something in a location where it can be found.

las “Las” means “the” before “instrucciones” in “las instrucciones de internet”. It identifies specific instructions, and it is used before a plural feminine noun.

instrucciones “Instrucciones” means “instructions” in “las instrucciones de internet”. It refers to the information the guest needs for internet access, and it is useful for written or spoken directions about how to do something.

internet “Internet” identifies the online connection in “instrucciones de internet”. It specifies what the instructions are about, and it is useful when discussing access details or connection information.

donde “Donde” means “where” in “donde pueda encontrarlas fácilmente”. It introduces the place in which the guest can find the instructions, and it is commonly used to connect an action with its location.

pueda “Pueda” means “can” in “pueda encontrarlas fácilmente”. It expresses that the guest will be able to find the instructions there, and it is useful in a clause describing an intended or suitable place.

encontrarlas “Encontrarlas” means “find them” in “pueda encontrarlas fácilmente”; “las” refers to the instructions. The pronoun is attached to the infinitive, a useful pattern when referring to a specific plural feminine object.

fácilmente “Fácilmente” means “easily” in “encontrarlas fácilmente”. It describes how the guest can find the instructions and is useful for indicating that an action requires little difficulty.

poner “Poner” means “to put” in “poner toallas adicionales en la habitación”. It describes placing the towels in the room, and the pattern “poner + object + en + place” is useful for giving placement instructions.

toallas “Toallas” means “towels” in “toallas adicionales”. It identifies the extra items being prepared for the guest, and it is useful when discussing bathroom supplies or household arrangements.

adicionales “Adicionales” means “extra” or “additional” in “toallas adicionales”. It indicates that these are towels beyond the usual supply, and it is useful when offering or preparing more items than normally provided.

en “En” means “in” in “en la habitación”. It introduces the place where the towels should be put, and it is commonly used before a location.

o “O” means “or” in “poner toallas adicionales en la habitación o enseñarle el armario”. It connects two alternative ways of handling the towels, useful when asking someone to choose between options.

enseñarle “Enseñarle” means “show her” in “enseñarle el armario”; “le” refers to the cousin. The form combines the infinitive with the pronoun, and it is useful when showing a person a place or object.

armario “Armario” means “cupboard” in “enseñarle el armario”. It identifies the storage place where the guest could find the towels, and it is useful when explaining where household items are kept.

Ponlas “Ponlas” means “put them” in “Ponlas en la habitación”; “las” refers to the towels. The form gives a direct instruction with the pronoun attached, useful when the object has already been mentioned.

Así “Así” means “so” or “in this way” in “Así los huéspedes tienen más privacidad”. It links putting the towels in the room with the resulting benefit, and it is useful for explaining the reason for a choice.

los “Los” means “the” before “huéspedes” in “los huéspedes”. It identifies the guests as the people being discussed, and it is used before a plural masculine noun or a plural group referred to in this way.

huéspedes “Huéspedes” means “guests” in “los huéspedes tienen más privacidad”. It refers to people staying in the home, and it is useful in conversations about accommodation or hosting.

tienen “Tienen” means “have” in “los huéspedes tienen más privacidad”. It states what the guests enjoy as a result of the arrangement, and it is useful with “tener” to describe what people possess or experience.

privacidad “Privacidad” means “privacy” in “más privacidad”. It describes the benefit of having the towels available in the room, and it is useful when discussing personal space or keeping things undisturbed.

Quiero “Quiero” means “I want” in “Quiero ser un anfitrión relajado”. It expresses the speaker’s personal intention or preference, and it is commonly followed by an infinitive describing the desired action or state.

ser “Ser” means “to be” in “Quiero ser un anfitrión relajado”. It introduces the identity or quality the speaker wants to have, and it is used after “quiero” to state a personal aim.

un “Un” means “a” in “un anfitrión relajado”. It introduces one host as a member of a category, and it is used before a singular masculine noun.

anfitrión “Anfitrión” means “host” in “un anfitrión relajado”. It refers to the person receiving and caring for guests, and it is useful when discussing someone responsible for welcoming visitors.

relajado “Relajado” means “relaxed” in “un anfitrión relajado”. It describes the kind of host the speaker wants to be, and it is useful for describing a calm, informal manner.

no “No” means “not” in “no alguien que explique cada detalle”. It rejects the second description of the kind of host the speaker wants to be, and it is used to negate a word, phrase, or clause.

alguien “Alguien” means “someone” in “alguien que explique cada detalle”. It refers to an unspecified person, and it is useful when describing a person without identifying them by name.

explique “Explique” means “explains” in “alguien que explique cada detalle”. It describes the behavior of the unspecified person, and the pattern “alguien que + clause” is useful for describing the kind of person meant.

cada “Cada” means “every” or “each” in “cada detalle”. It refers to all details one by one, and it is used before a singular noun when emphasizing individual items in a group.

detalle “Detalle” means “detail” in “cada detalle”. It refers to each small piece of information the host might explain, and it is useful when discussing specific points in an explanation.

nota “Nota” means “note” in “Una nota breve”. It refers to the short written message left for the guest, and it is useful when giving someone practical information in writing.

es “Es” means “is” in “Una nota breve es suficiente”. It connects the note with the judgment that it is enough, and it is useful for stating what something is or how it is evaluated.

suficiente “Suficiente” means “enough” or “sufficient” in “es suficiente”. It says that the short note meets the need without further explanation, and it is useful when indicating that an amount or action meets a requirement.

especialmente “Especialmente” means “especially” in “especialmente para las llaves, las luces y el desayuno”. It highlights the information that is most useful to include, and it is commonly used to single out important examples.

llaves “Llaves” means “keys” in “las llaves”. It identifies one topic the note should cover, and it is useful when explaining access to a room, home, or building.

luces “Luces” means “lights” in “las luces”. It identifies another practical topic for the note, and it is useful when giving information about lighting in a room or home.

y “Y” means “and” in “las llaves, las luces y el desayuno”. It joins the final item to the other topics in the list, and it is used to connect related words or phrases.

desayuno “Desayuno” means “breakfast” in “el desayuno”. It identifies the final practical topic to explain to the guest, and it is useful when discussing the morning meal or arrangements for it.

Preparar “Preparar” means “to prepare” in “Preparar la habitación con antelación”. It names the preparation as the action that should happen ahead of time, and an infinitive at the beginning of a sentence can state an action as a general idea.

antelación “Antelación” means “advance” in “con antelación”. The phrase means doing something ahead of the relevant time, and it is useful when planning tasks before an event.

evitaría “Evitaría” means “would avoid” in “evitaría que nos apresuráramos después”. It describes the result that advance preparation would produce, and it is useful for explaining how one planned action could prevent a later problem.

nos “Nos” means “us” in “nos apresuráramos”. It refers to the two speakers as the people who might rush later, and it is used with a verb when the action affects or involves the speaker’s group.

apresuráramos “Apresuráramos” expresses “rushed” in “nos apresuráramos después”, referring to the speakers rushing later. Together with “nos”, it describes hurrying under time pressure, useful when explaining a problem that advance planning can prevent.

después “Después” means “later” or “afterward” in “nos apresuráramos después”. It places the rushing after the preparation, and it is useful for referring to a later point in a sequence of actions.

Eso “Eso” means “that” in “Eso hará que se sienta bienvenida”. It refers back to the preparation just discussed, and it is useful for pointing to a previously mentioned action or idea.

hará “Hará” means “will make” in “hará que se sienta bienvenida”. It presents the preparation as causing a future feeling, and the pattern “hacer que + clause” is useful for describing an effect on another person.

se In “se sienta bienvenida”, “se” forms the expression for someone feeling a certain way; here it refers to the cousin. It is useful with a feeling verb when describing a person’s own experience or state.

sienta “Sienta” means “feels” in “se sienta bienvenida”. It describes the cousin’s feeling as an intended result of the welcoming preparation, and the pattern “hacer que alguien se sienta + adjective” is useful for describing how an action makes someone feel.

bienvenida “Bienvenida” means “welcome” in “se sienta bienvenida”. It describes the feeling the female guest should have, and it is useful when expressing that someone is received warmly.

sin “Sin” means “without” in “sin que la visita sea demasiado formal”. It introduces something that does not happen as part of the result, and the pattern “sin que + clause” is useful for saying that one outcome occurs without another.

sea “Sea” means “is” or “be” in “sin que la visita sea demasiado formal”. It describes the visit’s level of formality within the clause introduced by “sin que”, and it is useful for describing a condition that is avoided.

demasiado “Demasiado” means “too” or “overly” in “demasiado formal”. It indicates that the level of formality would be more than desired, and it is useful before an adjective when describing an excessive degree.

formal “Formal” means “formal” in “la visita sea demasiado formal”. It describes the style of the visit that the speakers want to avoid, and it is useful when distinguishing a more official manner from a relaxed one.

Grammar Points

evitaría que + imperfecto de subjuntivo

Evitaría que nos apresuráramos.

eh-bee-tah-REE-ah keh nos ah-preh-soo-RAH-rah-mos.

I would avoid us rushing.

The conditional evitaría introduces a hypothetical recommendation; the following action uses the imperfect subjunctive.

Spanish Vocabulary

breve adj

BREH-beh short; brief

una visita breve

cómodo adj

KOH-mo-doh comfortable cómoda

hacer más cómoda la habitación

despejar verb

deh-speh-HAR to clear

Déjame despejar el escritorio.

escritorio noun

es-kree-TOH-ryoh desk

Déjame despejar el escritorio.

espacio noun

es-PAH-syoh space

para que tenga espacio para su portátil

habitación noun

ah-bee-tah-SYOHN room

la habitación de invitados

hacer verb

ah-SEHR to make; to do

Deberíamos hacer más cómoda la habitación.

invitado noun

een-bee-TAH-doh guest invitados

la habitación de invitados

prima noun

PREE-mah cousin

Mi prima viene a quedarse con nosotros.

quedarse verb

keh-DAR-seh to stay

Mi prima viene a quedarse con nosotros.

venir verb

beh-NEER to come viene

Mi prima viene a quedarse con nosotros.

visita noun

bee-SEE-tah visit

durante una visita breve

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

short; brief

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breve

to stay

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quedarse

to come

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viene

cousin

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prima