Comparing a Backpack Online and in a Shop | Learn Spanish in English

Spanish lesson set in a contemporary Madrid everyday setting: In a shop, two adults compare an online listing with an in-person backpack check before deciding which item feels reliable..

EN → ES / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Comparing a Backpack Online and in a Shop to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

La publicación en línea es útil.

lah poo-blee-kah-SYOHN ehn LEE-neh-ah ehs OO-teel. The online listing is helpful.
A

Pero quiero probar la mochila en persona.

PEH-roh KYEH-roh proh-BAR lah moh-CHEE-lah ehn pehr-SOH-nah. But I want to try the backpack in person.
B

En la tienda, puedes revisar de cerca las correas, la cremallera y el material.

ehn lah tee-EHN-dah, PWEH-dehs reh-vee-SAR deh SEHR-kah lahs koh-RREH-ahs, lah kreh-mah-YEH-rah ee ehl mah-teh-ree-AHL. In the shop, you can check the straps, zipper, and material closely.
A

Varias reseñas mencionan cremalleras débiles, así que quiero probar esa parte con cuidado.

BAH-ryahs reh-SEH-nyahs mehn-SYOH-nahn kreh-mah-YEH-rahs DEH-behls, ah-SEE keh KYEH-roh proh-BAR EH-sah PAR-teh kohn kwee-DAH-doh. Several reviews mention weak zippers, so I want to test that part carefully.
B

Entonces, intenta abrirla varias veces.

ehn-TOHN-sehs, een-TEHN-tah ah-BREER-lah BAH-ryahs BEH-sehs. Then try opening it a few times.
B

Pregunta por la política de cambios antes de decidir.

preh-GOON-tah pohr lah poh-LEE-tee-kah deh KAHM-byohs AHN-tehs deh deh-see-DEER. Ask about the exchange policy before you decide.
A

La de aquí se siente más resistente, aunque el sitio web muestra las opciones de color con más claridad.

lah deh ah-KEE seh SYEHN-teh mahs reh-sees-TEHN-teh, AOWN-keh ehl SEE-tyoh wehB MWEHS-trah lahs ohp-SYOH-nehs deh koh-LOR kohn mahs klah-ree-DAHD. The one here feels stronger, though the website shows the color options more clearly.
B

Usa el sitio web para ver las opciones.

OO-sah ehl SEE-tyoh wehB PAH-rah behr lahs ohp-SYOH-nehs. Use the website for the options.
B

Usa la visita a la tienda para evaluar la calidad.

OO-sah lah vee-SEE-tah ah lah tee-EHN-dah PAH-rah eh-vah-loo-AR lah kah-lee-DAHD. Use the shop visit to judge the quality.
A

Eso me da una forma más clara de compararlas.

EH-soh meh dah OO-nah FOHR-mah mahs KLAH-rah deh kohm-pah-RAR-lahs. That gives me a clearer way to compare them.
B

Elige la que te parezca confiable y que además tenga el estilo que quieres.

EH-lee-heh lah keh teh pah-REHS-kah kohn-FYAH-bleh ee keh ah-deh-MAHS TEHN-gah ehl ehs-TEE-loh keh KYEH-rehs. Choose the one that feels reliable and still has the style you want.

Word by Word

La “La” means “the” before “publicación” and refers to a feminine singular thing in “La de aquí,” meaning “the one here.” It is used before a feminine singular noun or by itself when the noun is understood.
publicación “Publicación” means “listing” here, specifically the online product listing. It is reused in the expression “publicación en línea” when referring to posted product information.
en “En” means “in” in “en línea” and “En la tienda.” It marks either the online context or the place where an action happens, and it commonly comes before a place.
línea In “en línea,” “línea” contributes to the meaning “online,” not a physical line. “En línea” is a reusable expression for something available or done online.
es “Es” means “is” in “La publicación en línea es útil.” It is a form of “ser” used to link the subject with a description, and “X es útil” describes something as helpful.
útil “Útil” means “helpful” or “useful” when describing the online listing. It follows “es” in “es útil” and is useful when evaluating whether information or an object helps with a task.
Pero “Pero” means “but” and introduces a contrast between finding the listing helpful and wanting to try the backpack in person. It commonly connects a new clause that limits or contrasts with the previous one.
quiero “Quiero” means “I want” in “quiero probar.” It is a form of “querer” followed by an infinitive, and it is used to state what the speaker wants to do.
probar “Probar” means “to try” or “to test” the backpack in this context. It is the infinitive after “quiero” and can be used before an object when testing or trying something.
mochila “Mochila” means “backpack,” the product being tested in the shop. It appears as “la mochila” after “probar,” and it can identify the object being examined or tried.
persona In “en persona,” “persona” contributes to the meaning “in person,” meaning directly rather than only through an online listing. “En persona” is used when someone wants to see, meet, or try something directly.
tienda “Tienda” means “shop” or “store” in “En la tienda.” It refers to the physical place where the backpack can be inspected, and it commonly follows “en la” when describing location.
puedes “Puedes” means “you can” in “puedes revisar.” It is a form of “poder” followed by an infinitive, and it describes an action that the listener is able or allowed to carry out here.
revisar “Revisar” means “to check” or “to inspect” the backpack’s parts. It follows “puedes” and can be used with the object being examined, as in checking the straps, zipper, and material.
de In “de cerca,” “de” is part of the expression meaning “closely.” Together with “cerca,” it describes the manner of inspecting something, rather than identifying an owner or source.
cerca In “de cerca,” “cerca” contributes to the meaning “closely.” “Revisar de cerca” is a reusable pattern for examining something carefully and from a close distance.
las “Las” means “the” before the feminine plural noun “correas.” It is used before a group of feminine plural items, as in “las correas” in the list of backpack parts.
correas “Correas” means “straps” in the backpack inspection. It is the plural of “correa” and appears in “las correas,” a useful phrase for referring to the backpack’s straps.
cremallera “Cremallera” means “zipper” in “la cremallera.” It names one zipper being inspected, and “la cremallera” can be used when discussing that specific part of the backpack.
y “Y” means “and” and joins “las correas, la cremallera y el material” in one list. It is used to connect the final item to the preceding items.
el “El” means “the” before the masculine singular noun “material.” It is used with “material” in “el material” to identify the backpack’s material as an item to inspect.
material “Material” means “material,” referring to what the backpack is made of. It appears in “el material” as one of the physical features that can be checked in the shop.
Varias “Varias” means “several” in “Varias reseñas,” referring to more than one review. It is the feminine plural form used before “reseñas,” and it commonly introduces a quantity of feminine plural items.
reseñas “Reseñas” means “reviews,” specifically the reviews that mention weak zippers. It is the plural of “reseña” and appears as the subject of “mencionan.”
mencionan “Mencionan” means “mention” in “Varias reseñas mencionan.” It is a form of “mencionar” whose subject is plural, and it is used before the information that the reviews mention.
cremalleras “Cremalleras” means “zippers” in “cremalleras débiles.” It is the plural of “cremallera” and refers to zippers generally rather than the one specific zipper in “la cremallera.”
débiles “Débiles” means “weak” and describes the zippers in “cremalleras débiles.” It is the plural form of “débil” and agrees with the plural noun it describes.
así In “así que,” “así” helps introduce the result “so.” The expression “así que” connects the reviews’ warning with the speaker’s decision to test the part carefully.
que In “así que,” “que” completes the connector meaning “so,” linking a reason to its result. A reusable pattern is “así que” followed by the resulting statement.
esa “Esa” means “that” in “esa parte,” pointing to the specific part just mentioned, the zipper area. It is the feminine singular demonstrative used before “parte”.
parte “Parte” means “part” in “esa parte,” referring to the relevant section of the backpack. It is useful with a demonstrative such as “esa” when identifying one specific component.
con In “con cuidado,” “con” contributes to the meaning “with.” The whole expression describes how the speaker should test the zipper, and it commonly comes before a noun expressing manner.
cuidado In “con cuidado,” “cuidado” means “care,” so the expression means “carefully.” It is used to describe a cautious manner when testing or handling something.
Entonces “Entonces” means “then” and moves from the concern about weak zippers to the suggested test. It can introduce the next step or instruction in a conversation.
intenta “Intenta” means “try” in the instruction “intenta abrirla.” It is the tú imperative form of “intentar,” followed by an infinitive, and it gives someone a practical suggestion.
abrirla “Abrirla” means “to open it,” referring to the backpack. It combines the infinitive “abrir” with the feminine singular object pronoun “la” attached to the end, and it is used after “intenta.”
veces “Veces” means “times” in “varias veces,” showing how often the opening test should be repeated. It is the plural of “vez” and is commonly used after a quantity to express repetition.
Pregunta “Pregunta” means “ask” in the instruction “Pregunta por la política de cambios.” It is the tú imperative form of “preguntar,” and it introduces a request for information.
por In “preguntar por,” “por” helps form the meaning “ask about.” The reusable pattern is “preguntar por” followed by the topic being asked about.
política “Política” means “policy” in “la política de cambios.” It identifies the store’s rules about exchanges, and it commonly appears with “de” followed by the area covered by the policy.
cambios “Cambios” means “exchanges” in “la política de cambios.” It is the plural of “cambio” and refers here to changing a purchased item under the shop’s policy.
antes “Antes” means “before” in “antes de decidir.” It places the question about the exchange policy earlier than the decision, and the reusable pattern is “antes de” followed by an infinitive.
decidir “Decidir” means “to decide” in “antes de decidir.” It is an infinitive after “antes de” and refers to making the purchase choice.
aquí “Aquí” means “here” in “La de aquí,” identifying the backpack located in the shop where the speakers are. It is used to point to something at the speaker’s current location.
se In “se siente más resistente,” “se” is part of the construction used to describe how the item feels. Together with “siente,” it presents the backpack’s apparent physical impression rather than a separate action by the speaker.
siente “Siente” means “feels” in “se siente más resistente.” It is a form of “sentir” used with “se” and an adjective, and this pattern describes the impression an object gives when handled.
más “Más” means “more” in “más resistente” and “con más claridad.” It marks comparison, either making the backpack seem more durable or saying the website presents the options more clearly.
resistente “Resistente” means “stronger” or “more durable” in “se siente más resistente.” It describes the backpack’s apparent ability to withstand use, and it can follow “sentirse” when giving a physical impression.
aunque “Aunque” means “although” or “though” and introduces a contrasting fact: the backpack feels stronger, but the website displays the color options more clearly. It commonly introduces a clause that qualifies the main statement.
sitio In “sitio web,” “sitio” means “site” and refers to the website used for product information. The expression “sitio web” is a reusable way to identify an online site.
web In “sitio web,” “web” specifies that the site is online. Together, “sitio web” means “website” and refers here to the source showing the color options.
muestra “Muestra” means “shows” in “el sitio web muestra.” It is a form of “mostrar” with “el sitio web” as the subject, and it is used before the information or options being displayed.
opciones “Opciones” means “options” in “las opciones de color” and “ver las opciones.” It is the plural of “opción” and refers to the available choices presented by the website.
color In “opciones de color,” “color” identifies the category of the options. The expression is used when the available choices differ by color.
claridad In “con más claridad,” “claridad” means “clarity,” so the phrase means “more clearly.” It describes how the website presents the options, and “mostrar algo con claridad” is a reusable pattern.
Usa “Usa” means “use” in “Usa el sitio web.” It is the tú imperative form of “usar” and gives advice about using the website for a particular purpose.
para In “para ver las opciones,” “para” introduces the purpose of using the website. The reusable pattern is “para” followed by an infinitive when explaining what an action is intended to accomplish.
ver “Ver” means “to see” or “to view” in “para ver las opciones.” It is the infinitive after “para” and refers to viewing the choices on the website.
visita “Visita” means “visit” in “la visita a la tienda,” referring to going to the physical shop. It is a noun here and combines with “a” to identify the place visited.
a In “visita a la tienda,” “a” links the visit with its destination, the shop. The pattern “visita a” is used before the place someone visits.
evaluar “Evaluar” means “to evaluate” or “to judge” in “para evaluar la calidad.” It is an infinitive expressing the purpose of the shop visit and is followed by the thing being assessed.
calidad “Calidad” means “quality,” the feature being judged in “evaluar la calidad.” It is useful when assessing how good or reliable a product seems.
Eso “Eso” means “that” and refers to the combined advice just given about using the website and visiting the shop. It is used as a pronoun for a previously mentioned idea and is followed here by “me da.”
me “Me” means “to me” in “Eso me da.” It marks the person who receives the benefit of the clearer method, and it commonly appears before the verb in this construction.
da “Da” means “gives” in “Eso me da una forma más clara.” It is a form of “dar,” and the pattern “me da” expresses that something provides the speaker with an idea, method, or benefit.
una “Una” means “a” in “una forma más clara.” It is the feminine singular article before “forma,” introducing one method for comparing the items.
forma “Forma” means “way” or “method” in “una forma más clara de compararlas,” not a physical shape. The pattern “una forma de” is used to introduce a way of doing something.
clara “Clara” means “clear,” and “más clara” means “clearer” in the comparison method. It is the feminine form of “claro” because it describes “forma.”
compararlas “Compararlas” means “to compare them” in “de compararlas.” It combines the infinitive “comparar” with the attached feminine plural object pronoun “las,” referring to previously discussed items, and it follows “de.”
Elige “Elige” means “choose” in “Elige la que te parezca confiable.” It is the tú imperative form of “elegir” and introduces the recommended selection.
te “Te” means “to you” in “te parezca confiable,” marking the person whose judgment or impression is involved. The pattern “que te parezca” introduces something that seems a certain way to the listener.
parezca “Parezca” means “seems” in “te parezca confiable.” It is a form of “parecer” used in the clause describing which item to choose, and “que te parezca” is a reusable pattern for a personal impression.
confiable “Confiable” means “reliable” in “te parezca confiable.” It describes the item’s trustworthiness and follows “parezca” as the quality being judged.
además “Además” means “also” or “in addition” in “que además tenga el estilo.” It adds a second requirement after reliability, and it can introduce an extra condition or feature.
tenga “Tenga” means “has” in “que además tenga el estilo que quieres.” It is a form of “tener” used in the clause expressing an additional condition, and “que tenga” introduces a feature the chosen item should possess.
estilo “Estilo” means “style” in “el estilo que quieres.” It names the appearance the learner wants the item to have, and it is used here as the object of “tenga.”
quieres “Quieres” means “you want” in “el estilo que quieres.” It is a form of “querer” referring to the listener’s preference, and the pattern “el ... que quieres” identifies something according to what the listener wants.

Grammar Points

Infinitivo + pronombre de objeto directo: abrir + la → abrirla

Es útil abrirla.

ehs OO-teel ah-BREER-lah.

It is useful to open it.

En español, el pronombre de objeto directo se une al infinitivo y forma una sola palabra: abrirla.

Infinitivo + pronombre de objeto directo plural: comparar + las → compararlas

Elige compararlas.

EH-lee-heh kohm-pah-RAR-lahs.

Choose to compare them.

“Las” sustituye a varias opciones y se coloca al final del infinitivo: compararlas.

Spanish Vocabulary

correa noun
koh-RREH-ah strap correas

En la tienda, puedes revisar de cerca las correas, la cremallera y el material.

cremallera noun
kreh-mah-YEH-rah zipper

En la tienda, puedes revisar de cerca las correas, la cremallera y el material.

de cerca adv
deh SEHR-kah closely; up close

En la tienda, puedes revisar de cerca las correas, la cremallera y el material.

en línea phrase
ehn LEE-neh-ah online

La publicación en línea es útil.

en persona phrase
ehn pehr-SOH-nah in person

Pero quiero probar la mochila en persona.

material noun
mah-teh-ree-AHL material

En la tienda, puedes revisar de cerca las correas, la cremallera y el material.

mochila noun
moh-CHEE-lah backpack

Pero quiero probar la mochila en persona.

probar verb
proh-BAR to try; to test

Pero quiero probar la mochila en persona.

publicación noun
poo-blee-kah-SYOHN listing

La publicación en línea es útil.

revisar verb
reh-vee-SAR to check; to inspect

En la tienda, puedes revisar de cerca las correas, la cremallera y el material.

tienda noun
tee-EHN-dah shop; store

En la tienda, puedes revisar de cerca las correas, la cremallera y el material.

útil adj
OO-teel helpful; useful

La publicación en línea es útil.

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

The online listing is helpful.

Show AnswerLa publicación en línea es útil.

Then try opening it a few times.

Show AnswerEntonces, intenta abrirla varias veces.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

shop; store

Show Answertienda

backpack

Show Answermochila

to try; to test

Show Answerprobar

helpful; useful

Show Answerútil