Meal Prep for a Busy Week | Learn Spanish in English

About This Lesson

Use Meal Prep for a Busy Week to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

La próxima semana parece ocupada, así que ayudaría preparar algunas comidas con antelación.

lah PROHK-see-mah seh-MAH-nah pah-REH-seh oh-koo-PAH-dah, ah-SEE keh ah-yoo-dah-REE-ah preh-pah-RAHR ahl-GOO-nahs koh-MEE-dahs kohn ahn-teh-lah-see-OHN. Next week looks busy, so preparing some meals in advance would help.

Preparar las comidas ayudará, pero evita comer lo mismo todos los días.

preh-pah-RAHR lahs koh-MEE-dahs ah-yoo-dah-RAH, PEH-roh eh-BEE-tah koh-MEHR loh MEES-moh TOH-dohs lohs DEE-ahs. Meal prep will help, but avoid eating the same thing every day.

Estaba pensando en preparar una gran cantidad de curry de verduras.

ehs-TAH-bah pehn-SAHN-doh ehn preh-pah-RAHR oo-nah grahn kahn-tee-DAHD deh KOO-ree deh behr-DOO-rahs. I was thinking of making a big batch of vegetable curry.

Eso funciona si lo divides en porciones adecuadas y lo guardas de forma segura.

EH-soh foon-see-OH-nah see loh dee-BEE-dehs ehn pohr-see-OH-nehs ah-deh-KWAH-dahs ee loh GWAHR-dahs deh FOR-mah seh-GOO-rah. That works if you portion it properly and store it safely.

¿Debería congelar una parte y guardar el resto en la nevera?

deh-beh-REE-ah kohn-heh-LAHR oo-nah PAHR-teh ee gwaar-DAHR ehl REHS-toh ehn lah neh-BEH-rah? Should I freeze some and keep the rest in the fridge?

Congela unas pocas porciones.

kohn-HEH-lah oo-nahs POHR-see-oh-nehs. Freeze a few portions.

Etiqueta cada recipiente para que sea fácil elegir.

eh-tee-KEH-tah KAH-dah reh-see-pee-EN-teh pah-rah keh ehs-TEH ah-SEE-fehl eh-leh-HEER. Label each container so it is easy to choose.

También necesito algo equilibrado para el almuerzo, no solo arroz.

tahm-byen neh-seh-SEE-toh AHL-goh eh-kee-lee-BRAH-doh pah-rah ehl ahl-MOOR-soh, noh SOH-loh ah-ROHS. I also need something balanced for lunch, not just rice.

Añade huevos, frijoles o pollo, según lo que te apetezca comer.

AH-nyah-deh WEH-bohs, free-HOH-lehs oh POH-yoh, seh-GOON loh keh teh ah-peh-TEHS-kah koh-MEHR. Add eggs, beans, or chicken, depending on what you feel like eating.

Si las sobras resultan aburridas, puedo cambiar el acompañamiento.

see lahs SOH-brahs reh-SOOL-tahn ah-boo-REE-dahs, PWEH-doh kahm-BYAHR ehl ah-kohm-pah-nyah-MYEN-toh. If the leftovers feel boring, I can change the side dish.

Los pequeños cambios hacen que las comidas preparadas sean más agradables.

lohs peh-KEH-nyohs KAHM-byohs AH-sehn keh lahs koh-MEE-dahs preh-pah-RAH-dahs SEH-ahn mahs ah-grah-DAH-blehs. Small changes make prepared meals more enjoyable.

Word by Word

La “La” means “the” in “La próxima semana,” referring to a specific week. It comes before a feminine singular noun or noun phrase, such as “La próxima semana.”

próxima “Próxima” means “next” in “La próxima semana,” identifying the week that follows the current one. A reusable pattern is “la próxima + time expression,” such as a coming week or month.

semana “Semana” means “week” in “La próxima semana.” It is used with time expressions such as “la próxima semana” when discussing plans or schedules.

parece “Parece” means “seems” or “looks” in “parece ocupada,” describing how the coming week appears. A reusable pattern is “X parece + description” when giving an impression.

ocupada “Ocupada” means “busy” in “La próxima semana parece ocupada,” describing the week as full of activities. It follows “parece” and describes the subject of the sentence.

así In “así que,” “así” contributes the idea of “so” or “thus,” introducing a result from the previous statement. The reusable connector “así que” links a situation to its consequence.

que In “así que,” “que” completes the connector meaning “so,” linking the busy week with the suggested preparation. Use “así que” before the result or consequence of a situation.

ayudaría “Ayudaría” means “would help” in the suggestion that preparing meals would be useful. It presents a possible or conditional benefit, and a reusable pattern is “X ayudaría + infinitive” or “X ayudaría a alguien.”

preparar “Preparar” means “to prepare” in “preparar algunas comidas,” naming the action that would help. The infinitive can follow another verb or expression and can take an object, as in “preparar + food.”

algunas “Algunas” means “some” in “algunas comidas,” referring to an unspecified number of meals. It comes before a feminine plural noun when selecting part of a group.

comidas “Comidas” means “meals” in “algunas comidas” and “preparar las comidas.” It refers to food prepared for eating and can be used with quantity words or articles.

con “Con” normally means “with,” and in “con antelación” it forms the expression meaning “in advance.” A reusable pattern is “con + noun” to show what accompanies an action or how it is done.

antelación “Antelación” means “advance” in the expression “con antelación,” which means doing something before the relevant time. Use “con antelación” when explaining that preparation happened beforehand.

las “Las” means “the” in “las comidas,” referring to the meals as a known group. It comes before feminine plural nouns, such as “las comidas.”

ayudará “Ayudará” means “will help” in “Preparar las comidas ayudará,” presenting the expected future benefit of meal preparation. A reusable pattern is “X ayudará a + person” or “X ayudará + infinitive” when describing helpful results.

pero “Pero” means “but” and introduces advice that limits or balances the preceding statement. Use “pero” to connect two ideas that contrast or qualify each other.

evita “Evita” tells the listener to avoid something in “evita comer lo mismo todos los días.” It is a direct instruction and can be followed by an infinitive, as in “evita + infinitive.”

comer “Comer” means “to eat” in “evita comer lo mismo,” naming the action the listener should avoid. It is used as an infinitive after “evita” and can take the food being eaten as its object.

lo In “comer lo mismo,” “lo” points to an unspecified thing, so the whole phrase means “eat the same thing.” This pattern combines “lo” with an adjective to refer to something without naming it directly.

mismo “Mismo” means “same” in “lo mismo,” referring to the same food or thing as before. A reusable pattern is “lo mismo” when the exact item is understood from the context.

todos “Todos” means “every” in “todos los días,” expressing that something happens on each day. It is commonly used before a plural time expression, as in “todos los días.”

los “Los” means “the” in “los días,” referring to the days as a repeated time period. It comes before masculine plural nouns, such as “los días.”

días “Días” means “days” in “todos los días,” describing the repeated period over which the same food should not be eaten. The pattern “todos los días” means “every day.”

Estaba “Estaba” means “was” in “Estaba pensando,” describing a thought that was in progress. A reusable pattern is “estaba + gerund” for an ongoing situation in the past.

pensando “Pensando” means “thinking” in “Estaba pensando en preparar,” describing the thought being considered. The pattern “pensando en + infinitive” is used when considering doing something.

en In “pensando en preparar,” “en” introduces the action being considered and contributes to the meaning “thinking of preparing.” A reusable pattern is “pensar en + infinitive” when considering a possible action.

una “Una” means “a” or “one” in “una gran cantidad,” introducing one quantity or amount. It comes before a feminine singular noun such as “cantidad.”

gran “Gran” means “big” or “large” in “una gran cantidad,” emphasizing that the amount is substantial. It is placed before “cantidad” in this expression.

cantidad “Cantidad” means “amount” or “quantity” in “una gran cantidad de curry.” The reusable pattern “una cantidad de + noun” specifies an amount of something.

de “De” means “of” in “cantidad de curry,” linking the amount to what it contains. Use “cantidad de + noun” to identify the thing being measured or prepared.

curry “Curry” refers to the curry being prepared in “curry de verduras.” The pattern “curry de + ingredient” identifies the main ingredient or style of the dish.

verduras “Verduras” means “vegetables” in “curry de verduras,” identifying the ingredients in the curry. It follows “de” in a pattern that names the contents or type of a dish.

Eso “Eso” means “that” in “Eso funciona,” referring to the proposed plan of making vegetable curry. Use “eso” to point back to an idea, action, or situation already understood.

funciona “Funciona” means “works” in “Eso funciona,” saying that the plan is effective or acceptable. A reusable pattern is “X funciona” when evaluating a plan or method.

si “Si” means “if” in “si lo divides,” introducing the condition under which the plan works. Use “si” before a condition and then describe the result or consequence.

divides “Divides” means “divide” or “portion” in “lo divides en porciones,” telling the listener to separate the food into portions. A reusable pattern is “dividir algo en + groups or portions.”

porciones “Porciones” means “portions” in “divides en porciones adecuadas,” referring to separate amounts of food. Use “en porciones” after an action that separates food into individual servings.

adecuadas “Adecuadas” means “appropriate” or “suitable” in “porciones adecuadas,” describing portions that are suitable for the planned use. It follows the noun it describes and can be used with other plural feminine nouns.

y “Y” means “and” and joins “lo divides” with “lo guardas” in the condition. Use “y” to connect actions or items that belong together.

guardas “Guardas” means “store” or “keep” in “lo guardas de forma segura,” referring to keeping the food safely. A reusable pattern is “guardar algo + place or manner expression.”

forma “Forma” means “way” or “manner” in “de forma segura,” describing how the food is stored. The pattern “de forma + adjective” explains the manner in which an action is done.

segura “Segura” means “safely” as part of “de forma segura,” describing safe storage. It modifies “forma” in this expression, while the whole phrase describes how an action is performed.

Debería “Debería” means “should” in “¿Debería congelar...?”, asking whether freezing is the advisable choice. A reusable pattern is “debería + infinitive” when asking for or expressing advice.

congelar “Congelar” means “to freeze” in “Debería congelar una parte,” naming the storage action being considered. It follows “debería” as an infinitive and can take the food or portion being frozen as its object.

parte “Parte” means “part” in “una parte,” referring to some of the prepared food rather than all of it. A reusable pattern is “una parte de + noun” when selecting a portion of something.

guardar “Guardar” means “to store” or “keep” in “guardar el resto en la nevera,” naming the alternative storage action. It can be followed by the item being stored and a place, as in “guardar algo en + place.”

el “El” means “the” in “el resto,” referring to the remaining food as a specific remainder. It comes before a masculine singular noun such as “resto.”

resto “Resto” means “the rest” in “el resto,” referring to what remains after part has been separated. The fixed pattern “el resto” is useful when contrasting one portion with what remains.

nevera “Nevera” means “fridge” in “en la nevera,” naming the place where the remaining food is kept. Use it after “en” to say that food is stored in the fridge.

Congela “Congela” tells the listener to “freeze” something in “Congela unas pocas porciones.” It is a direct instruction and can be followed by the item to be frozen.

unas “Unas” means “a few” or “some” in “unas pocas porciones,” referring to an unspecified small number of portions. It comes before a feminine plural noun.

pocas “Pocas” means “few” in “unas pocas porciones,” emphasizing that the number of portions is small. Use it before a feminine plural noun when the quantity is limited.

Etiqueta “Etiqueta” tells the listener to “label” something in “Etiqueta cada recipiente.” It is a direct instruction and is followed by the object being labeled.

cada “Cada” means “each” in “cada recipiente,” referring to the containers one by one. Use “cada + singular noun” when applying an action individually to all members of a group.

recipiente “Recipiente” means “container” in “cada recipiente,” referring to each container holding a portion of food. It can follow “cada” when giving instructions for handling containers individually.

para In “para que sea fácil elegir,” “para” contributes the purpose meaning “so that.” The reusable construction “para que + clause” explains the intended result of an action.

sea In “para que sea fácil elegir,” “sea” expresses “be” in the purpose clause describing the desired result. The pattern “para que sea + adjective” is used to state what one wants something to be like.

fácil “Fácil” means “easy” in “sea fácil elegir,” describing the act of choosing as requiring little difficulty. A reusable pattern is “ser fácil + infinitive,” such as saying that an action is easy.

elegir “Elegir” means “to choose” in “sea fácil elegir,” naming the action made easier by labeling the containers. It follows the adjective “fácil” in the pattern “ser fácil + infinitive.”

También “También” means “also” in “También necesito algo equilibrado,” adding another need to the previous meal-preparation discussion. Use it to add information that applies in addition to something already mentioned.

necesito “Necesito” means “I need” in “También necesito algo equilibrado,” expressing the speaker’s requirement. A reusable pattern is “necesito + noun” or “necesito + infinitive” for stating a need.

algo “Algo” means “something” in “algo equilibrado,” referring to an unspecified item or food. It can be followed by an adjective when describing the kind of thing needed.

equilibrado “Equilibrado” means “balanced” in “algo equilibrado,” describing food that provides more than just rice. A reusable pattern is “algo + adjective” when referring to an unspecified thing with a particular quality.

almuerzo “Almuerzo” means “lunch” in “para el almuerzo,” identifying the meal for which the balanced food is needed. Use “para el almuerzo” when describing food intended for lunch.

no “No” means “not” in “no solo arroz,” beginning the limitation that the lunch should contain more than rice. It commonly appears before the word or phrase being negated.

solo “Solo” means “only” or “just” in “no solo arroz,” limiting the meal to rice if no other food is added. The pattern “no solo X” introduces something that should not be the sole element.

arroz “Arroz” means “rice” in “no solo arroz,” naming the food that should not be the entire lunch. It can be used after quantity or limiting expressions when discussing a meal.

Añade “Añade” tells the listener to “add” ingredients in “Añade huevos, frijoles o pollo.” It is a direct instruction followed by the items to be included.

huevos “Huevos” means “eggs” in the list of foods that can be added to lunch. It appears as one option after “Añade” and can be joined with alternatives using “o.”

frijoles “Frijoles” means “beans” in the list “huevos, frijoles o pollo.” It names another possible ingredient that can be added to the meal.

o “O” means “or” and presents alternatives in “huevos, frijoles o pollo.” Use it to connect options when the listener can choose one or more possibilities from the list.

pollo “Pollo” means “chicken” as the final food option in “huevos, frijoles o pollo.” It is listed after “o” as an alternative ingredient for lunch.

según “Según” means “depending on” in “según lo que te apetezca comer,” linking the choice of food to the listener’s preference. A reusable pattern is “según + what or who determines the choice.”

te In “te apetezca,” “te” means “to you,” showing whose preference is involved. The pattern “te apetece” or “te apetezca” is used when talking about what someone feels like doing or having.

apetezca In “lo que te apetezca comer,” “apetezca” contributes the meaning “feel like” or “want” for the listener. The reusable pattern “lo que te apetezca + infinitive” refers to whatever action or food the listener feels like choosing.

sobras “Sobras” means “leftovers” in “las sobras,” referring to food remaining from an earlier meal. It is used as a plural noun when discussing how to make leftover food less repetitive.

resultan “Resultan” means “turn out” or “seem” in “las sobras resultan aburridas,” describing how the leftovers are experienced. A reusable pattern is “X resulta + adjective” when something turns out to have a particular quality.

aburridas “Aburridas” means “boring” in “las sobras resultan aburridas,” describing the leftovers as uninteresting to eat repeatedly. It follows “resultan” and describes the plural noun “sobras.”

puedo “Puedo” means “I can” in “puedo cambiar,” expressing the speaker’s ability or option to make a change. A reusable pattern is “puedo + infinitive” for stating what one can do.

cambiar “Cambiar” means “to change” in “puedo cambiar el acompañamiento,” naming the action the speaker can take. It follows “puedo” as an infinitive and can take the item being changed as its object.

acompañamiento “Acompañamiento” means “side dish” in “cambiar el acompañamiento,” referring to the food served alongside the main part of the meal. A reusable pattern is “cambiar el acompañamiento” when varying a meal without changing its main component.

pequeños “Pequeños” means “small” in “Los pequeños cambios,” describing changes that are limited rather than major. It comes before the masculine plural noun “cambios” in this phrase.

cambios “Cambios” means “changes” in “Los pequeños cambios,” referring to minor adjustments such as varying the side dish. It can be combined with an adjective to describe the size or nature of the adjustments.

hacen In “hacen que las comidas preparadas sean más agradables,” “hacen” contributes the meaning “make” or “cause.” The reusable construction “hacer que + clause” describes an action that causes a result.

preparadas “Preparadas” means “prepared” in “las comidas preparadas,” describing meals that have already been made for use later. It follows the noun “comidas” and identifies the kind of meals being discussed.

sean In “hacen que las comidas preparadas sean más agradables,” “sean” means “be” and introduces the result caused by the small changes. The pattern “hacer que + subject + sean + adjective” describes how something is made to be.

más “Más” means “more” in “más agradables,” increasing the degree of the adjective “agradables.” The pattern “más + adjective” compares or raises the degree of a quality.

agradables “Agradables” means “pleasant” or “enjoyable” in “sean más agradables,” describing prepared meals that are nicer to eat. It appears after “más” to express an increased degree of enjoyment.

Grammar Points

condicional: -aría

Preparar comidas con antelación ayudaría.

preh-pah-RAHR koh-MEE-dahs kohn ahn-teh-lah-see-OHN ah-yoo-dah-REE-ah.

Preparing meals in advance would help.

The conditional ending -ía expresses a hypothetical or polite result: “would help.”

estar + gerundio en imperfecto

Estaba pensando en preparar comidas.

ehs-TAH-bah pehn-SAHN-doh ehn preh-pah-RAHR koh-MEE-dahs.

I was thinking about preparing meals.

estaba + gerundio describes an action or thought that was ongoing in the past.

Spanish Vocabulary

así que conj

ah-SEE keh so; therefore

ayudaría verb

ah-yoo-dah-REE-ah would help

comer verb

koh-MEHR to eat

comidas noun

koh-MEE-dahs meals

con antelación phrase

kohn ahn-teh-lah-see-OHN in advance

evita verb

eh-BEE-tah avoid

lo mismo phrase

loh MEES-moh the same thing

ocupada adj

oh-koo-PAH-dah busy

parece verb

pah-REH-seh looks; seems

preparar verb

preh-pah-RAHR to prepare

próxima adj

PROHK-see-mah next

semana noun

seh-MAH-nah week

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Freeze a few portions.

Show Answer

Congela unas pocas porciones.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

Show Answer

to prepare

Show Answer

preparar

week

Show Answer

semana

would help

Show Answer

ayudaría