Coordinating dinner timing when hosting | Learn Spanish in English

Spanish lesson set in a contemporary Madrid everyday setting: At home before dinner guests arrive, two adults plan starters, vegetables, and serving order so the meal timing stays manageable..

EN → ES / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Coordinating dinner timing when hosting to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Los invitados podrían llegar mientras el plato principal todavía se está cocinando.

lohs een-bee-TAH-dohs poh-DREE-ahn yeh-GAR mee-EN-trahs el PLAH-toh preen-see-PAHL toh-dah-BEE-ah seh es-TAH koh-see-NAHN-doh The guests may arrive while the main course is still cooking.
B

Entonces sirve un entrante sencillo para que la gente se acomode.

en-TON-sehs SEER-beh oon seem-PLEH en-TRAHN-teh soh pah-rah keh lah HEN-teh seh ah-koh-MOH-deh Then serve a simple starter so people can settle in.
A

Puedo tener la ensalada y el pan listos antes de que lleguen.

PWEH-doh teh-NEHR lah en-sah-LAH-dah ee el pahn LEES-tohs AHN-tehs deh keh YEH-ghen I can have salad and bread ready before they get here.
B

Eso le da un poco más de tiempo al plato principal sin que parezca que la cena se retrasa.

EH-soh leh dah oon POH-koh mahs deh tee-EM-poh ahl PLAH-toh preen-see-PAHL seen keh pah-REHS-kah keh lah SEH-nah seh reh-TRAH-sah That gives the main course a little extra time without making dinner seem delayed.
A

¿Debería cocinar las verduras cuando haya llegado todo el mundo?

deh-beh-REE-ah koh-see-NAHR lahs behrr-DOO-rahs KWAHN-doh AH-yah yeh-GAH-doh TOH-doh el MOON-doh Should I cook the vegetables once everyone has arrived?
B

Saben mejor recién cocinadas, así que espera hasta que falte poco para servirlas.

SAH-ben meh-HOR reh-see-EN koh-see-NAH-dahs ah-SEE keh es-PEH-rah AH-stah keh FAHL-teh POH-koh PAH-rah sehr-BEER-lahs They taste better freshly cooked, so wait until you are close to serving.
A

Recibir invitados resulta estresante porque coordinar los tiempos de todo es más difícil que cocinar.

reh-see-BEER een-bee-TAH-dohs reh-SOOL-tah es-treh-SAHN-teh POR-keh koh-or-dee-NAHR lohs tee-EM-pohs deh TOH-doh es mahs dee-FEE-seel keh koh-see-NAHR Hosting feels stressful because timing everything is harder than cooking.
B

Haz un plan sencillo para servir: bebidas, entrante y luego el plato principal.

ahs oon PLAHN sen-SEE-yoh PAH-rah sehr-BEER beh-BEE-dahs en-TRAHN-teh ee LWEH-goh el PLAH-toh preen-see-PAHL Make a simple serving plan: drinks, starter, then the main course.
A

Puedo guardar esa lista de control cerca de la cocina.

PWEH-doh gwar-DAHR EH-sah LEES-tah deh kohn-TROHL SEHR-kah deh lah koh-SEE-nah I can keep that checklist near the stove.
B

Debería ayudarte a mantener la concentración mientras llega la gente.

deh-beh-REE-ah ah-yoo-DAHR-teh ah mahn-teh-NEHR lah kohn-sen-trah-see-ON mee-EN-trahs YEH-gah lah HEN-teh It should help you stay focused while people arrive.

Word by Word

Los «Los» means “the” in «Los invitados» and identifies a plural masculine noun. It is used before a plural masculine noun such as «invitados». In a new example, «Los platos están listos» means “The dishes are ready.”
invitados «Invitados» means “guests” in this dinner context. Together with «Los», «Los invitados» refers to the people coming to dinner. A common reuse pattern is «recibir invitados», meaning “to host guests.”
podrían «Podrían» means “might” or “could” here, expressing a possible arrival. It is a form of poder used with the infinitive «llegar» in «podrían llegar». The reusable pattern is «podrían + infinitive» for a possibility.
llegar «Llegar» means “to arrive” in «podrían llegar». It remains in the infinitive after «podrían». A common reuse pattern is «llegar a casa», meaning “to arrive home.”
mientras «Mientras» means “while” and introduces an action happening at the same time as another action. In «mientras el plato principal todavía se está cocinando», it connects the guests’ possible arrival with the ongoing cooking. It commonly introduces a time clause.
el «El» means “the” before the singular masculine noun «plato». In «el plato principal», it identifies the main course. A common reuse pattern is «el + singular masculine noun».
plato «Plato» means “dish” or “course” in «el plato principal». Here it refers to the main course of the dinner, not just a physical plate. The expression «plato principal» is a reusable way to say “main course.”
principal «Principal» means “main” in «el plato principal». It specifies that this is the principal course of the meal. It commonly follows a noun in expressions such as «plato principal».
todavía «Todavía» means “still” in «todavía se está cocinando». It shows that the cooking is continuing at the relevant time. It commonly appears with an ongoing action to indicate that it has not finished.
se In «se está cocinando», «se» helps present the main course as undergoing the cooking process. Its meaning depends on the whole expression with «está cocinando», rather than standing alone. This pattern can describe something as being in the middle of an action.
está «Está» means “is” in «se está cocinando» and helps express an ongoing action. It is a form of estar used with «cocinando». The reusable pattern is «está + gerundio» for an action in progress.
cocinando «Cocinando» means “cooking” in «está cocinando». With «está», it describes the main course as still undergoing cooking. It is commonly used after a form of estar to describe an ongoing action.
Entonces «Entonces» means “then” and introduces the suggested next action. In «Entonces sirve un entrante», it links the possible delay of the main course to serving a starter first. It is useful for ordering actions in a plan.
sirve «Sirve» means “serve” in «Entonces sirve un entrante». Here it gives a direct instruction to serve the starter. It is a useful form for telling someone to serve something.
un «Un» means “a” in «un entrante sencillo». It introduces one non-specific starter and agrees with the singular masculine noun «entrante». A common reuse pattern is «un + singular masculine noun».
entrante «Entrante» means “starter” or “appetizer” in this meal plan. In «un entrante sencillo», it refers to the food served before the main course. It commonly appears with a meal-order expression such as «servir un entrante».
sencillo «Sencillo» means “simple” in «un entrante sencillo». It describes the starter as uncomplicated to prepare or serve and agrees with «entrante». It can commonly describe a simple dish or plan.
para «Para» introduces purpose in «para que la gente se acomode». The whole expression explains that the starter is served with the aim of helping people settle in. «Para» is commonly used to introduce a purpose.
que In «para que la gente se acomode», «que» completes the purpose expression «para que». The full expression means “so that people can settle in”; that meaning belongs to the construction as a whole. It commonly introduces the result intended by an action.
la «La» means “the” before the singular feminine noun «gente». In «la gente», it identifies the people who are settling in. A common reuse pattern is «la + singular feminine noun».
gente «Gente» means “people” in «la gente se acomode». The expression refers collectively to the guests or people arriving for dinner. With «la gente», the following verb is commonly singular, as in «llega la gente».
acomode «Acomode» means “settle in” or “get comfortable” in «la gente se acomode». It appears after «para que» to express the intended result of serving the starter. The citation form is «acomodarse», and a common reuse pattern is «acomodarse en un lugar».
Puedo «Puedo» means “I can” in «Puedo tener la ensalada y el pan listos». It expresses the speaker’s ability or possibility of having the food ready. The citation form is «poder», and «poder + infinitive» is a common pattern.
tener «Tener» means “to have” in «Puedo tener la ensalada y el pan listos». Together with «listos», «tener ... listos» means to have the items ready. It remains in the infinitive after «Puedo».
ensalada «Ensalada» means “salad” in «la ensalada y el pan». It is one of the foods prepared before the guests arrive. A common reuse pattern is «preparar una ensalada».
y «Y» means “and” and joins «la ensalada» with «el pan» in «la ensalada y el pan». It connects two items in the preparation list. It is commonly used to join nouns, phrases, or actions.
pan «Pan» means “bread” in «la ensalada y el pan». It is the second food the speaker can have ready before the guests arrive. A common reuse pattern is «servir pan».
listos «Listos» means “ready” in «tener la ensalada y el pan listos». It describes both the salad and the bread as prepared for serving. The plural form matches the two items together.
antes «Antes» means “before” in «antes de que lleguen». It places the preparation earlier than the guests’ arrival. It commonly appears in the time expression «antes de que».
de In «antes de que lleguen», «de» is part of the time expression «antes de que», meaning “before”. It links «antes» to the event introduced by «que». The full expression is used to place one event before another.
lleguen «Lleguen» means “arrive” in «antes de que lleguen». It refers to the guests arriving and appears after «antes de que» to introduce that anticipated event. The citation form is «llegar».
Eso «Eso» means “that” and refers to the proposed arrangement just mentioned. In «Eso le da un poco más de tiempo al plato principal», it makes that arrangement the subject of «da». It is commonly used to refer back to an idea or situation.
le In «Eso le da un poco más de tiempo al plato principal», «le» marks the recipient or beneficiary of the extra time. The recipient is clarified by «al plato principal». It commonly appears with «dar» when something is given to a person or thing.
da «Da» means “gives” in «Eso le da un poco más de tiempo al plato principal». The subject is «Eso», and the thing given is «un poco más de tiempo». The citation form is «dar».
poco «Poco» means “a little” in «un poco más de tiempo». It indicates a small amount of additional time. The reusable pattern is «un poco de + noun» for a small quantity.
más «Más» means “more” in «un poco más de tiempo». It shows that the main course receives additional time beyond what it already has. It commonly appears before a noun when increasing its quantity.
tiempo «Tiempo» means “time” in «un poco más de tiempo». Here it refers to extra time for the main course to finish cooking. A common reuse pattern is «tener más tiempo», meaning “to have more time.”
al «Al» means “to the” in «al plato principal». It is the contraction of «a» and «el». It commonly appears before a singular masculine noun introduced by «a».
sin «Sin» means “without” in «sin que parezca que la cena se retrasa». It introduces the condition that should not occur while extra cooking time is allowed. The expression «sin que» commonly means “without it being the case that” or “without causing something to happen.”
parezca «Parezca» means “seem” or “appear” in «sin que parezca que la cena se retrasa». It describes how the dinner should not appear to the guests. The citation form is «parecer», and it appears after «sin que».
cena «Cena» means “dinner” in «la cena se retrasa». It is the meal that should not seem delayed. A common reuse pattern is «preparar la cena», meaning “to prepare dinner.”
retrasa In «la cena se retrasa», «retrasa» contributes the idea that dinner is delayed. The whole expression «se retrasa» presents the delay as happening to the dinner. The citation form is «retrasar», and «algo se retrasa» is a reusable pattern.
Debería «Debería» means “should” in «Debería cocinar las verduras». It introduces a question about the appropriate action or timing. The citation form is «deber», and «debería + infinitive» is a common way to ask for or express advice.
cocinar «Cocinar» means “to cook” in «Debería cocinar las verduras». It remains in the infinitive after «Debería». A common reuse pattern is «cocinar + food».
las «Las» means “the” before the plural feminine noun «verduras». In «las verduras», it identifies the vegetables being cooked. It is commonly used before a plural feminine noun.
verduras «Verduras» means “vegetables” in «cocinar las verduras». They are the food planned for cooking after everyone has arrived. A common reuse pattern is «cocinar verduras».
cuando «Cuando» means “when” in «cuando haya llegado todo el mundo». It introduces the time at which the vegetables should be cooked. It is commonly used to connect an action with the time of another event.
haya In «haya llegado», «haya» works with «llegado» to mean “has arrived” in the expression «cuando haya llegado todo el mundo». It is a form of the auxiliary verb «haber». The full form «haya llegado» describes the arrival as completed by that time.
llegado «Llegado» means “arrived” in «haya llegado todo el mundo». Together with «haya», it expresses that everyone has arrived. The citation form is «llegar».
todo In «todo el mundo», «todo» means “all” and refers to the whole group. The full expression «todo el mundo» means “everyone”, so that meaning belongs to the expression as a whole. It commonly appears before «el mundo» with this meaning.
mundo In «todo el mundo», «mundo» literally means “world”, but the full expression means “everyone”. Here it refers to all the people who have arrived. «Todo el mundo» is a common expression for a complete group of people.
Saben «Saben» means “taste” in «Saben mejor recién cocinadas». Here the subject is the vegetables, and the verb describes their flavor. The citation form is «saber», and «algo sabe mejor» is a reusable pattern for comparing taste.
mejor «Mejor» means “better” in «Saben mejor recién cocinadas». It compares the taste of the vegetables when freshly cooked with their taste at another time. It commonly follows a verb such as «saben» in a taste comparison.
recién «Recién» means “freshly” or “just” in «recién cocinadas». It shows that the vegetables have been cooked very recently. It commonly appears before a participle to describe something done a short time ago.
cocinadas «Cocinadas» means “cooked” in «recién cocinadas». It describes the vegetables after cooking and agrees with the feminine plural noun «verduras». The citation form is «cocinar».
así «Así» means “so” or “therefore” in «así que espera». It introduces the conclusion that the listener should wait because the vegetables taste better freshly cooked. The full expression «así que» commonly connects a reason with a result.
espera «Espera» means “wait” in «así que espera». Here it gives a direct instruction about when to cook or serve the vegetables. The citation form is «esperar».
hasta «Hasta» means “until” in «hasta que falte poco para servirlas». It sets the endpoint of the waiting period. It commonly appears in the expression «hasta que» before an event or condition.
falte «Falte» means “remains” or “is left” in «falte poco para servirlas». The phrase means that only a short time should remain before serving them. The citation form is «faltar», and «faltar poco para + infinitive» is a reusable pattern.
servirlas «Servirlas» means “serve them” in «para servirlas». The infinitive «servir» is joined to «las», which refers to the vegetables. A common reuse pattern is an infinitive with a following object pronoun, as in «servirlas».
Recibir «Recibir» means “to receive” and, in «Recibir invitados», refers to hosting guests. The infinitive presents hosting as the topic of the sentence. A common reuse pattern is «recibir invitados» for welcoming people into your home.
resulta «Resulta» means “turns out” or “feels” in «resulta estresante». It links hosting with the speaker’s evaluation that it is stressful. The citation form is «resultar», and «resultar + adjective» is a reusable pattern for describing how something turns out or feels.
estresante «Estresante» means “stressful” in «resulta estresante». It describes hosting as causing stress or requiring effort. It can commonly describe an activity, situation, or task.
porque «Porque» means “because” and introduces the reason in «porque coordinar los tiempos de todo es más difícil que cocinar». It explains why hosting feels stressful. It commonly introduces a cause or explanation.
coordinar «Coordinar» means “to coordinate” in «coordinar los tiempos de todo». Here it refers to organizing the timing of all parts of the dinner. The infinitive functions as the activity being evaluated, and a common reuse pattern is «coordinar los tiempos».
tiempos «Tiempos» means “timings” or “times” in «coordinar los tiempos de todo». It refers to when the different dinner tasks and courses should happen. A common reuse pattern is «coordinar los tiempos» when organizing a schedule.
es «Es» means “is” in «es más difícil que cocinar». It links the activity of coordinating timings with the description «más difícil». The citation form is «ser».
difícil «Difícil» means “difficult” in «más difícil que cocinar». The phrase compares coordinating all the timings with cooking and says the former is harder. It commonly appears with «más» in a comparison.
Haz «Haz» means “make” in «Haz un plan sencillo». It gives a direct instruction to create a plan. The citation form is «hacer», and «Haz un plan» is a reusable instruction.
plan «Plan» means “plan” in «un plan sencillo para servir». It refers to an ordered arrangement for serving the drinks and courses. A common reuse pattern is «hacer un plan».
servir «Servir» means “to serve” in «un plan sencillo para servir». It identifies the purpose of the plan. The infinitive is commonly used after «para» to express the purpose of an action.
bebidas «Bebidas» means “drinks” in the serving order «bebidas, entrante y luego el plato principal». It is the first item in the proposed order. A common reuse pattern is «servir bebidas».
luego «Luego» means “then” or “afterwards” in «y luego el plato principal». It places the main course after the starter in the serving order. It is useful for sequencing actions or items.
guardar «Guardar» means “keep” or “store” in «Puedo guardar esa lista de control». It describes putting the checklist in a nearby place so it remains available. It remains in the infinitive after «Puedo».
esa «Esa» means “that” in «esa lista de control». It points to a specific checklist already understood from the conversation and agrees with the feminine noun «lista». A common reuse pattern is «esa + singular feminine noun».
lista «Lista» means “list” or “checklist” in «lista de control». Here it is a noun identifying the written serving plan, not the adjective “ready”. The expression «lista de control» refers to a list used for checking tasks.
control «Control» contributes the idea of checking in «lista de control». The full expression means “checklist”, a list used to track what needs to be done. It commonly follows «lista de» in this type of expression.
cerca «Cerca» means “near” in «cerca de la cocina». It describes the checklist’s location in relation to the kitchen. The common location pattern is «cerca de + place or thing».
cocina «Cocina» means “kitchen” or cooking area in «cerca de la cocina». It identifies the place where the checklist can be kept for easy access. A common reuse pattern is «en la cocina», meaning “in the kitchen.”
ayudarte «Ayudarte» means “help you” in «Debería ayudarte a mantener la concentración». It combines «ayudar» with «te», referring to the person being helped. The citation form is «ayudar», and «ayudar a + infinitive» is a common pattern.
a In «ayudarte a mantener», «a» links «ayudar» with the action that the person is helped to do. The full pattern «ayudar a + infinitive» means “help someone to do something”. It is followed here by «mantener».
mantener «Mantener» means “keep” or “maintain” in «mantener la concentración». It describes continuing to have focus while people arrive. The citation form is «mantener», and «mantener + noun» is a common pattern for preserving a state.
concentración «Concentración» means “focus” or “concentration” in «mantener la concentración». It refers to staying mentally focused on the dinner plan. A common reuse pattern is «mantener la concentración».
llega «Llega» means “arrives” in «mientras llega la gente». It describes the people arriving while the checklist helps the host stay focused. The citation form is «llegar»; the singular form appears because «la gente» is treated as a singular collective noun.

Grammar Points

antes de que + subjuntivo

Antes de que la gente se acomode

AHN-tehs deh keh lah HEN-teh seh ah-koh-MOH-deh

Before the people settle in

After “antes de que,” Spanish uses the subjunctive because the action has not happened yet.

acomodarse → se acomode

que la gente se acomode

keh lah HEN-teh seh ah-koh-MOH-deh

for the people to settle in

The reflexive pronoun “se” stays with the verb and comes before the conjugated subjunctive form.

Spanish Vocabulary

acomodarse verb
ah-koh-moh-DAHR-seh to settle in; to get comfortable se acomode

Para que la gente se acomode.

cocinar verb
koh-see-NAHR to cook cocinando

El plato principal se está cocinando.

entrante noun
en-TRAHN-teh starter; appetizer

Sirve un entrante sencillo.

gente noun
HEN-teh people

Para que la gente se acomode.

invitado noun
een-bee-TAH-doh guest invitados

Los invitados podrían llegar.

llegar verb
yeh-GAR to arrive

Los invitados podrían llegar.

plato principal phrase
PLAH-toh preen-see-PAHL main course

Mientras el plato principal todavía se está cocinando.

poder verb
poh-DEHR might; may podrían

Los invitados podrían llegar.

sencillo adj
sen-SEE-yoh simple

Un entrante sencillo.

servir verb
sehr-BEER to serve sirve

Entonces sirve un entrante sencillo.

tener verb
teh-NEHR to have

Puedo tener la ensalada y el pan listos.

todavía adv
toh-dah-BEE-ah still

El plato principal todavía se está cocinando.

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to serve

Show Answersirve

might; may

Show Answerpodrían

to cook

Show Answercocinando

still

Show Answertodavía