Understanding a tablet warranty | Learn Spanish in English

Spanish lesson set in a contemporary Madrid everyday setting: In a shop, a customer asks staff what a tablet warranty covers before deciding whether the purchase is sensible..

EN → ES / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Understanding a tablet warranty to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Antes de comprar esta tableta, quiero entender la garantía.

AHN-tess deh kohm-PRAR EHS-tah tah-BLEH-tah, KYEH-roh ehn-tehn-DEHR lah gah-rahn-TEE-ah. Before I buy this tablet, I want to understand the warranty.
B

La garantía cubre los problemas técnicos causados por el uso normal.

Lah gah-rahn-TEE-ah KOO-breh lohs proh-BLEH-mahs TEHK-nee-kohs kow-SAH-dohs pohr ehl OO-soh nohr-MAHL. The warranty covers technical problems from normal use.
A

¿La cobertura incluye daños accidentales, como una pantalla rota?

Lah koh-behr-TOO-rah een-KLOO-yeh DAH-nyohs ahk-see-dehn-TAH-lehs, KOH-moh OO-nah pahn-TAH-yah ROH-tah? Does the coverage include accidental damage, like a cracked screen?
B

Los daños accidentales están cubiertos por un plan de protección aparte.

Lohs DAH-nyohs ahk-see-dehn-TAH-lehs ehs-TAHN koo-BYEHR-tohs pohr oon plahn deh proh-tehk-SYOHN ah-PAHR-teh. Accidental damage is handled by a separate protection plan.
A

Si falla la batería, ¿traería la tableta aquí o me pondría en contacto con el fabricante?

See FAH-yah lah bah-teh-REE-ah, trah-eh-REE-ah lah tah-BLEH-tah ah-KEE oh meh pohnd-REE-ah ehn koh-NAHK-toh kohn ehl fah-bree-KAHN-teh? If the battery fails, would I bring the tablet here or contact the manufacturer?
B

Puede iniciar la reclamación aquí y le explicaremos qué pasa después.

PWEH-deh ee-nee-SYAR lah reh-klah-mah-SYOHN ah-KEE ee leh ehk-splee-kah-REH-mohs keh PAH-sah dehs-PWEHS. You can start the claim here, and we will explain what happens next.
A

¿Cómo sabría si es mejor repararla o reemplazarla?

KOH-moh sah-BREE-ah see ehs meh-HOHR reh-pah-RAHR-lah oh reh-ehm-plah-SAHR-lah? How would I know whether repair or replacement is better?
B

Primero revisamos el problema y luego explicamos las opciones disponibles.

Pree-MEH-roh reh-bee-SAH-mohs ehl proh-BLEH-mah ee LWEH-goh ehk-splee-KAH-mohs lahs ohp-SYOH-nehs dee-spoh-NEE-blehs. We check the problem first, then explain the available options.
A

Eso me ayuda a decidir si esta tableta es una opción sensata.

EH-soh meh ah-YOO-dah ah deh-see-DEER see EHS-tah tah-BLEH-tah ehs OO-nah ohp-SYOHN sehn-SAH-tah. That helps me decide whether this tablet is a sensible choice.
B

Los detalles de la garantía importan más cuando planea usarla todos los días.

Lohs deh-TAH-yehs deh lah gah-rahn-TEE-ah eem-POHR-tahn mahs KWAHN-doh plah-NEH-ah oo-SAR-lah TOH-dohs lohs DEE-ahs. Warranty details matter more when you plan to use it every day.

Word by Word

Antes “Antes” means “before” here, introducing the action that must happen first in “Antes de comprar”. It commonly appears before de plus an infinitive, as in antes de + action. Use it when saying that one action happens earlier than another.
de In “Antes de comprar”, “de” links “Antes” to the following infinitive and gives the meaning “before doing”. The reusable pattern is antes de + infinitive. Use this construction when referring to an action that has not happened yet.
comprar “Comprar” means “to buy” here and is the infinitive after “Antes de”. It keeps the infinitive form in the pattern antes de + infinitive. Use it when talking about purchasing something.
esta “Esta” means “this” and points to the specific tablet in “esta tableta”. It comes before the feminine singular noun it describes. Use it when identifying one nearby or clearly specified feminine noun.
tableta “Tableta” means “tablet” here, the device the customer is considering buying and using. In “esta tableta”, it follows a feminine singular demonstrative. Use it when discussing a tablet in a shop or about a device.
quiero “Quiero” means “I want” here and expresses the customer’s intention to understand the warranty. It is followed by the infinitive “entender” in the pattern quiero + infinitive. Use it to state what you want to do.
entender “Entender” means “to understand” here and completes “quiero entender”. It stays in the infinitive after “quiero”. Use it when saying that you want to understand information, instructions, or conditions.
la “La” means “the” in “la garantía” and marks the feminine singular noun phrase. The same article appears as “La” at the beginning of “La garantía”. Use it before a specific feminine singular noun.
garantía “Garantía” means “warranty” here, the coverage the customer wants to understand. It appears in “la garantía” and is the subject of “cubre”. Use it when discussing the warranty attached to a product.
cubre “Cubre” means “covers” here: the warranty covers technical problems. The reusable pattern is a subject followed by cubre and the covered matter. Use it when explaining what a warranty, plan, or policy includes.
los “Los” means “the” in “los problemas técnicos” and “Los daños accidentales”. It marks masculine plural noun phrases and appears capitalized as “Los” at the beginning of the sentence. Use it before a specific group of masculine plural nouns.
problemas “Problemas” means “problems” here, specifically the technical problems covered by the warranty. It is plural because the sentence refers to problems generally. Use it when describing issues with a product or service.
técnicos “Técnicos” means “technical” here and describes “problemas”. It agrees with that masculine plural noun. Use it before or after a noun when specifying that an issue concerns technical functioning.
causados “Causados” means “caused” here and describes the technical problems as resulting from normal use. It agrees with the masculine plural noun “problemas”. The reusable pattern is caused by a stated reason, using causados por + noun.
por In “causados por el uso normal”, “por” introduces the cause and means “by” or “from”. It connects the problems to their cause, “el uso normal”. Use por when explaining what caused a problem or result.
el “El” means “the” in “el uso normal” and marks the masculine singular noun phrase. It identifies the normal use being discussed as the cause. Use it before a specific masculine singular noun.
uso “Uso” means “use” here, referring to ordinary use of the tablet. In “el uso normal”, it is modified by “normal”. Use it when discussing how a product or object is used.
normal “Normal” means “normal” here and describes the use as ordinary rather than unusual. It modifies “uso” in “el uso normal”. Use it to describe usual conditions or behavior.
cobertura “Cobertura” means “coverage” here, referring to what the warranty includes. It is the subject of the question “¿La cobertura incluye...?” Use it when asking or explaining the scope of insurance, protection, or a warranty.
incluye “Incluye” means “includes” here and asks whether the coverage includes accidental damage. The reusable pattern is a subject followed by incluye and the included item. Use it when checking whether something forms part of a service or plan.
daños “Daños” means “damage” or “damages” here, referring to accidental harm to the tablet. It is plural in “daños accidentales”. Use it when describing physical or other harm covered by a plan or warranty.
accidentales “Accidentales” means “accidental” here and describes the damage as unintentional. It agrees with the plural noun “daños”. Use it when distinguishing unintended damage from ordinary technical problems.
como “Como” means “like” here and introduces an example of accidental damage: “como una pantalla rota”. The same worklist form appears as “Cómo” in the question meaning “how”; the accent marks a different function. Use como to give an example, and Cómo to ask about the way something happens.
una “Una” means “a” in “una pantalla” and marks a feminine singular noun phrase. It introduces one example of a damaged component. Use it before a feminine singular noun when referring to one non-specific item.
pantalla “Pantalla” means “screen” here, specifically the screen given as an example of accidental damage. It appears in the phrase “una pantalla rota”. Use it when talking about the display of a tablet or another device.
rota “Rota” means “cracked” or “broken” here and describes the screen. It agrees with the feminine singular noun “pantalla”. Use it to describe a feminine singular object that has been damaged.
están “Están” means “are” here in “están cubiertos”, stating the condition of the accidental damages. It combines with “cubiertos” to say that they are covered by a plan. Use estar with a participle or adjective to describe a current condition.
cubiertos “Cubiertos” means “covered” here in “están cubiertos por un plan de protección”. It agrees with the masculine plural noun “daños”. Use estar + cubiertos when explaining that several items or types of damage have coverage.
un “Un” means “a” in “un plan” and introduces one protection plan. It marks a masculine singular noun phrase. Use it before a masculine singular noun when referring to one non-specific item.
plan “Plan” means “plan” here, specifically the separate protection plan covering accidental damage. It appears in “un plan de protección”. Use it when referring to an organized service or type of protection.
protección “Protección” means “protection” here and specifies the purpose of the plan. It follows de in “un plan de protección”. Use the pattern plan de + noun to identify what a plan is for.
aparte “Aparte” means “separate” or “apart” here, showing that the protection plan is distinct from the warranty. It comes after the noun phrase “un plan de protección”. Use it when distinguishing one service or item from another.
Si “Si” means “if” at the beginning of “Si falla la batería” and introduces a condition. The same unaccented form appears as “si” in “si es mejor”, where it introduces an indirect question meaning “whether”. Use si to introduce either a condition or a yes-or-no question inside a larger sentence.
falla “Falla” means “fails” here, referring to the battery no longer working correctly. It appears after “Si” in the conditional situation “Si falla la batería”. Use it when describing a device component that stops functioning.
batería “Batería” means “battery” here, the component that might fail. It is the subject of “falla”. Use it when discussing the power component of a tablet or another electronic device.
traería “Traería” means “would bring” here and forms part of a polite hypothetical question about bringing the tablet to the shop. It is followed by “la tableta” as the thing brought and “aquí” as the destination. Use this form when asking what you would do in a possible situation.
aquí “Aquí” means “here” here, referring to the shop where the customer could bring the tablet. It identifies the location in “traería la tableta aquí”. Use it to point to the place where the speaker is or where the conversation is taking place.
o “O” means “or” here and presents two alternatives: bringing the tablet to the shop or contacting the manufacturer. It links alternative actions in the question. Use it when asking someone to choose between possibilities.
me pondría en contacto “Me pondría en contacto” means “I would get in touch” here as one complete expression. “Me” marks the person becoming involved, “pondría” gives the hypothetical “would”, and “en contacto” expresses being in contact; “con” introduces the person or organization contacted. Use the pattern ponerse en contacto con + person or organization when asking how to contact someone in a possible situation.
con In “en contacto con el fabricante”, “con” means “with” and introduces the organization the customer would contact. It completes the reusable pattern ponerse en contacto con + person or organization. Use it when naming who someone gets in touch with.
fabricante “Fabricante” means “manufacturer” here, the company that made the tablet. It follows “con” in “contacto con el fabricante”. Use it when discussing the company responsible for making a product.
Puede “Puede” means “you can” here in a formal singular way, giving the customer permission or ability to start the claim. It is followed by the infinitive “iniciar”. Use puede + infinitive when addressing one person formally about what they can do.
iniciar “Iniciar” means “to start” or “to initiate” here and follows “Puede” in “Puede iniciar la reclamación”. The reusable pattern is puede + infinitive + object. Use it when beginning a process, request, or claim.
reclamación “Reclamación” means “claim” here, referring to the formal request connected with the warranty. It is the object of “iniciar”. Use it when starting a claim about a product problem or service issue.
y “Y” means “and” here and joins the instruction to start the claim with the promise to explain what happens next. It connects two related actions in the same sentence. Use it to link actions, facts, or statements.
le “Le” means “to you” here in the formal phrase “le explicaremos”. It marks the person who will receive the explanation. Use le with verbs such as explicar when saying that something is explained to one person formally.
explicaremos “Explicaremos” means “we will explain” here, referring to what the staff will explain after the claim begins. It is followed by “qué pasa después”, the content of the explanation. Use this future form when promising or describing a later explanation.
qué “Qué” means “what” here and introduces the content of the explanation in “qué pasa después”. The accent marks its use in a question or embedded question. Use qué before a clause when asking or explaining what something is or does.
pasa “Pasa” means “happens” here in “qué pasa después”. It asks about the next event in the claim process. Use qué pasa when asking what happens in a situation or process.
después “Después” means “afterwards” or “next” here and refers to the stage following the start of the claim. It appears at the end of “qué pasa después”. Use it to describe a later event in a sequence.
sabría “Sabría” means “would know” here and introduces a hypothetical question about deciding between repair and replacement. It appears in “¿Cómo sabría...?” with the question word “Cómo”. Use this form when asking how someone could know something in a possible situation.
es “Es” means “is” here in “si es mejor”, comparing the available actions. It links the evaluation “mejor” to the alternatives that follow. Use es when stating what something is or which option has a certain quality.
mejor “Mejor” means “better” here and evaluates repair and replacement as possible choices. It appears in the pattern si es mejor + infinitive. Use it when comparing options or asking which action is preferable.
repararla “Repararla” means “to repair it” here, referring to repairing the tablet. It combines the infinitive reparar with the attached pronoun la, which refers to “la tableta”. Use an infinitive with an attached object pronoun when referring to an action performed on a known object.
reemplazarla “Reemplazarla” means “to replace it” here, again referring to the tablet. It combines reemplazar with the attached pronoun la. Use it when comparing replacement with another possible action, such as repair.
Primero “Primero” means “first” here and marks the first step in the staff’s process: checking the problem. It appears before “revisamos”. Use it to organize instructions or describe the first event in a sequence.
revisamos “Revisamos” means “we check” here, referring to the staff’s examination of the problem. It is followed by “el problema” as the thing checked. Use the pattern revisamos + object when describing a checking or review process carried out by more than one person.
luego “Luego” means “then” or “afterwards” here and marks the step after checking the problem. It introduces the explanation of the available options. Use it to connect sequential actions.
explicamos “Explicamos” means “we explain” here, referring to the staff explaining the available options. It follows “luego” and is followed by the thing being explained. Use it when describing what a group explains to a customer or another person.
las “Las” means “the” in “las opciones disponibles” and marks the feminine plural noun phrase. It introduces the specific options that are available after checking the problem. Use it before a specific group of feminine plural nouns.
opciones “Opciones” means “options” here, referring to the possible solutions offered after the problem is checked. It is modified by “disponibles”. Use it when discussing choices in a decision or service process.
disponibles “Disponibles” means “available” here and describes the options that can be offered. It agrees with the plural noun “opciones”. Use it when saying that choices, services, or resources can currently be used or selected.
Eso “Eso” means “that” here and refers to the staff’s explanation of the process and options. It acts as a pronoun for the preceding information rather than naming a new object. Use it to refer back to an idea, explanation, or situation already mentioned.
me “Me” means “to me” here in “me ayuda”, identifying the person who benefits from the help. It appears before the verb in the pattern me ayuda a + infinitive. Use it when saying that something helps you do something.
ayuda “Ayuda” means “helps” here: the explanation helps the customer decide. It is followed by “me” for the person helped and “a decidir” for the resulting action. Use the pattern ayuda a + infinitive when describing what something helps someone do.
a In “me ayuda a decidir”, “a” links “ayuda” to the infinitive “decidir” and gives the meaning “to” in the action pattern. The reusable pattern is ayudar a + infinitive. Use it when explaining what someone or something helps another person do.
decidir “Decidir” means “to decide” here and follows “me ayuda a”. The decision concerns whether the tablet is a sensible choice. Use it when talking about choosing after considering information or alternatives.
opción “Opción” means “option” or “choice” here in “una opción sensata”. It names the tablet as one possible choice for the customer. Use it when evaluating or comparing a possible product, action, or solution.
sensata “Sensata” means “sensible” or “reasonable” here and evaluates the tablet as a choice. It agrees with the feminine noun “opción”. Use it when describing a decision or choice that seems practical and well considered.
detalles “Detalles” means “details” here, referring to the specific information in the warranty. It is the subject of “importan”. Use it when discussing small but relevant pieces of information about a product, agreement, or process.
importan “Importan” means “matter” or “are important” here, stating that warranty details have greater importance in this situation. It agrees with the plural subject “detalles”. Use it when saying that several things matter or have importance.
más “Más” means “more” here and increases the importance of the warranty details in the stated situation. It appears with “importan más”. Use it to compare degree or importance.
cuando “Cuando” means “when” here and introduces the situation in which the warranty details matter more. It connects the main statement to “planea usarla todos los días”. Use it to link an event or fact to the time or situation in which it applies.
planea “Planea” means “you plan” here in a formal singular form, referring to the customer’s intention to use the tablet every day. It is followed by the infinitive “usarla”. Use planea + infinitive when discussing one person’s planned action formally.
usarla “Usarla” means “to use it” here and refers to using the tablet every day. It combines the infinitive usar with the attached pronoun la, referring back to “la tableta”. Use an infinitive with la attached when the object is a known feminine singular item.
todos “Todos” means “every” here as part of “todos los días”. It combines with “los días” to express a repeated daily frequency. Use todos los + plural time noun to say that something happens every one of those time periods.
días “Días” means “days” here in the frequency expression “todos los días”, meaning every day. It is plural because the expression refers to repeated days. Use todos los días when describing an action that happens daily.

Grammar Points

antes de + infinitivo

Antes de comprar una tableta, revisamos la garantía.

AHN-tess deh kohm-PRAR OO-nah tah-BLEH-tah, reh-bee-SAH-mohs lah gah-rahn-TEE-ah.

Before buying a tablet, we check the warranty.

Después de «antes de», se usa el infinitivo. En inglés, normalmente usamos «before» seguido de un verbo terminado en -ing.

condicional: raíz + -ría

Si la batería falla, me pondría en contacto con el fabricante.

See lah bah-teh-REE-ah FAH-yah, meh pohnd-REE-ah ehn koh-NAHK-toh kohn ehl fah-bree-KAHN-teh.

If the battery fails, I would contact the manufacturer.

La terminación «-ría» expresa una acción hipotética o una consecuencia posible: «me pondría» significa «I would contact».

Spanish Vocabulary

antes de prep
AHN-tess deh before Antes de

Antes de comprar esta tableta

causado adj
kow-SAH-doh caused causados
cobertura noun
koh-behr-TOO-rah coverage
comprar verb
kohm-PRAR to buy
cubrir verb
koo-BREER to cover cubre
entender verb
ehn-tehn-DEHR to understand
garantía noun
gah-rahn-TEE-ah warranty
normal adj
nohr-MAHL normal
problema noun
proh-BLEH-mah problem problemas
tableta noun
tah-BLEH-tah tablet
técnico adj
TEHK-nee-koh technical técnicos
uso noun
OO-soh use

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

problem

Show Answerproblemas

tablet

Show Answertableta

to cover

Show Answercubre

to buy

Show Answercomprar