Handling a mismatched shelf label at checkout | Learn Spanish in English

About This Lesson

Use Handling a mismatched shelf label at checkout to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

La caja muestra que este es otro artículo.

lah KAH-hah MWEHS-trah keh EHS OH-troh ar-TEE-koo-loh The register shows this as a different item.

Pero la etiqueta del estante estaba debajo de este producto.

PEH-roh lah eh-tee-KEH-tah dehl eh-STAN-teh eh-STAH-bah deh-BAH-hoh deh EHS-teh proh-DOOK-toh But the shelf label was under this product.

Voy a revisar la etiqueta del estante antes de cambiar algo en la caja.

BOY ah reh-bee-SAR lah eh-tee-KEH-tah dehl eh-STAN-teh AN-tehs deh kam-BYAR AL-goh en lah KAH-hah I'll check the shelf label before changing anything at the register.

Estaba justo debajo de este tamaño.

eh-STAH-bah HOOS-toh deh-BAH-hoh deh EHS-teh tah-MAH-nyoh It was directly below this size.

La etiqueta no coincide con el artículo de nuestro sistema.

lah eh-tee-KEH-tah noh kohn-SEE-deh kohn ehl ar-TEE-koo-loh deh NWES-troh sees-TEH-mah The label doesn't match the item in our system.

¿Podría corregirlo antes de que pague?

poh-DREE-ah koh-rreh-HEER-loh AN-tehs deh keh PAH-gheh Could you correct it before I pay?

Necesito que un supervisor apruebe la corrección.

neh-seh-SEE-toh keh oon soo-pehr-bee-SOR ah-PROO-eh-beh lah koh-rrehk-SYON I need a supervisor to approve the correction.

Puedo esperar mientras lo revisa.

PWEH-doh ehs-peh-RAR MYEHN-tras loh reh-BEE-sah I can wait while you check.

Lo corregiremos en la caja y actualizaremos la etiqueta del estante.

loh koh-rreh-hee-REH-mos en lah KAH-hah ee ak-too-ah-lee-sah-REH-mos lah eh-tee-KEH-tah dehl eh-STAN-teh We'll fix it at the register and update the shelf label.

Prefiero resolverlo ahora que volver más tarde.

preh-fee-EH-roh rreh-sohl-BEHR-loh ah-OH-rah keh bohl-BEHR mahs TAR-deh I'd rather settle it now than come back later.

Word by Word

La “La” means “the” before the feminine nouns “caja” and “etiqueta” in this dialogue. It appears at the beginning of “La caja” and “la etiqueta”. The lowercase form “la” is used after the first word of a sentence.

caja “caja” means the checkout or cash register in “La caja muestra”. In this shop context, it refers to the place or system where the purchase is processed. A useful expression from the dialogue is “en la caja”, meaning “at the checkout”.

muestra “muestra” means “shows” in “La caja muestra que este es otro artículo”. It presents information indicating that the item is classified differently. The reusable pattern is “muestra que + information”, as in the dialogue.

que “que” introduces the information shown in “muestra que este es otro artículo”. It connects “muestra” with the statement about the item. The pattern “muestra que + clause” is useful when reporting what a display or system indicates.

este “este” points to the item being discussed and means “this” in “este es otro artículo” and “este producto”. It identifies something close or already present in the conversation. It can be reused before a noun, as in the exact dialogue phrase “este producto”.

es “es” says that the item is classified as something else in “este es otro artículo”. It links “este” with the description “otro artículo”. The same form is useful in a simple identification pattern such as “X es Y”.

otro “otro” means “another” or “different” in “otro artículo”. Here it shows that the register treats the item as a different article from the expected one. It is used directly before the noun in this phrase.

artículo “artículo” means “item” in the shop context of “otro artículo”. It refers to a product as a catalogued or purchasable item. The dialogue uses it in the reusable phrase “otro artículo”.

Pero “Pero” means “but” and introduces a contrast between the register information and the shelf label in “Pero la etiqueta del estante...”. It signals that the next fact does not fit the previous one. It is useful at the beginning of a sentence when presenting an opposing point.

etiqueta “etiqueta” means “label” in “la etiqueta del estante”. It refers to the price or identifying label placed on the shelf. The dialogue reuses it in “actualizaremos la etiqueta del estante” when describing the needed correction.

del “del” means “of the” in “la etiqueta del estante”. It connects the label with the shelf it belongs to or is associated with. The exact reusable phrase is “etiqueta del estante”.

estante “estante” means “shelf” in “del estante”. It identifies where the label was placed in the shop. It can be reused in the exact construction “la etiqueta del estante”.

estaba “estaba” says that something was located in a particular place in “estaba debajo de este producto” and “Estaba justo debajo de este tamaño”. It describes the label’s earlier position while the customer explains what happened. The dialogue uses it with a location expression after it.

debajo “debajo” means “under” or “below” in “debajo de este producto”. It describes the label’s position relative to the product. The reliable pattern is “debajo de + reference”, as in the dialogue.

de “de” links “debajo” with the thing used as the reference in “debajo de este producto”. In this expression, it is part of the fixed location pattern “debajo de”. The same word also appears in “del estante”, where it helps express a relation with the shelf.

producto “producto” means “product” in “este producto”. It identifies the item under which the shelf label was placed. It is used after the demonstrative “este” in the dialogue.

Voy “Voy” contributes to the speaker’s immediate plan in “Voy a revisar la etiqueta del estante”. Together with “a revisar”, it means “I am going to check the shelf label”. This is useful when announcing an action one intends to do next.

a “a” connects “Voy” with the planned action in “Voy a revisar”. The pattern “voy a + action” presents something the speaker is about to do or intends to do. Here the action is “revisar la etiqueta del estante”.

revisar “revisar” means “to check” or “to review” in “Voy a revisar la etiqueta del estante”. It describes examining the label before making a change. A useful pattern from the dialogue is “revisar + object”, as in “revisar la etiqueta”.

antes “antes” means “before” in “antes de cambiar algo”. It places the checking action before any change at the register. The dialogue uses the pattern “antes de + action”.

cambiar “cambiar” means “to change” in “antes de cambiar algo”. It refers to changing information or a setting at the register. The reusable pattern is “cambiar algo”, with the thing being changed after the verb.

algo “algo” means “something” in “cambiar algo”. It fills the object position without specifying exactly what will be changed. This is useful when the speaker refers generally to an unspecified thing.

en “en” means “at” in “en la caja” and “in” in “en nuestro sistema”. It places an action or information within a location or system. The dialogue uses it in both “cambiar algo en la caja” and “el artículo de nuestro sistema”.

justo “justo” emphasizes the exact position in “justo debajo de este tamaño”. Here it means “directly” or “exactly”, making clear that the label was immediately below the size. It can be placed before a location expression to add this emphasis.

tamaño “tamaño” means “size” in “este tamaño”. It identifies the size whose position is being used as a reference. The dialogue places it after “este” in this short location description.

no “no” negates the statement “coincide con el artículo de nuestro sistema” in “no coincide...”. It shows that the label and the system item do not correspond. It is placed directly before the verb in this dialogue.

coincide “coincide” means “matches” or “corresponds” in “no coincide con el artículo de nuestro sistema”. It describes whether two pieces of information agree. The reliable pattern is “coincide con + reference”.

con “con” means “with” in “coincide con el artículo de nuestro sistema”. It introduces the item used for comparison. With “coincide”, the pattern “coincide con...” expresses what something matches.

el “el” means “the” before “artículo” and “sistema” in “el artículo de nuestro sistema”. It identifies a specific item or system already relevant to the situation. It appears directly before each noun in these phrases.

nuestro “nuestro” means “our” in “nuestro sistema”. It shows that the system belongs to or is used by the shop or the speaker’s organization. It appears directly before “sistema” in the dialogue.

sistema “sistema” means “system” in “el artículo de nuestro sistema”. It refers to the shop’s record or software, which contains the item information. The phrase “de nuestro sistema” identifies the source of that information.

Podría “Podría” makes the request “¿Podría corregirlo...?” polite, meaning “Could you correct it...?” It allows the customer to ask the staff member for help respectfully. A useful request pattern is “¿Podría + action?”.

corregirlo “corregirlo” means “to correct it” in “¿Podría corregirlo antes de que pague?”. The form combines the action “corregir” with “lo”, referring to the problem that needs correction. Here it is used in a polite request about fixing the mismatch before payment.

pague “pague” refers to the customer’s payment in “antes de que pague”, meaning “before I pay”. It describes an action that has not happened yet at the point of the request. The reusable pattern is “antes de que + action” when one event must happen before another.

Necesito “Necesito” means “I need” in “Necesito que un supervisor apruebe la corrección”. It states that the staff member requires a supervisor’s approval before proceeding. The dialogue uses the pattern “Necesito que + person + action”.

un “un” means “a” in “un supervisor”. It introduces one supervisor who is not otherwise identified. It appears directly before the occupation or role.

supervisor “supervisor” means “supervisor” in “un supervisor”. It refers to the person whose approval is needed for the correction. The dialogue uses it after “Necesito que” as the person connected with the approval action.

apruebe “apruebe” means “approve” in “que un supervisor apruebe la corrección”. It describes the supervisor’s required action before the correction can proceed. The reusable construction is “aprobar una corrección”, represented here by “apruebe la corrección”.

corrección “corrección” means “correction” in “la corrección”. It refers to the change needed to resolve the mismatch. The dialogue presents it as something a supervisor must approve.

Puedo “Puedo” means “I can” in “Puedo esperar mientras lo revisa”. It tells the staff member that the customer is able or willing to wait. A useful pattern is “Puedo + action”, followed here by “esperar”.

esperar “esperar” means “to wait” in “Puedo esperar”. It describes remaining available while the staff member checks the issue. It follows “Puedo” in the dialogue’s pattern for saying what the speaker can do.

mientras “mientras” means “while” in “mientras lo revisa”. It connects the waiting with the simultaneous checking. It is useful for introducing an action that happens during another action.

lo “lo” means “it” in “lo revisa”, “Lo corregiremos”, and “resolverlo”. It refers to the issue or item being checked, corrected, or resolved in this checkout situation. It appears before a conjugated verb in “lo revisa” and attached to an infinitive in “corregirlo” and “resolverlo”; it is capitalized as “Lo” at the beginning of “Lo corregiremos”.

revisa “revisa” means “checks” or “reviews” in “mientras lo revisa”. It describes the staff member examining the issue while the customer waits. The related reusable pattern is “revisar + object”, shown here with “lo”.

corregiremos “corregiremos” means “we will correct” in “Lo corregiremos en la caja”. It presents the staff’s planned action for fixing the problem. The dialogue uses it with the object “Lo” and the location “en la caja”.

y “y” means “and” in “Lo corregiremos en la caja y actualizaremos la etiqueta del estante”. It joins the correction with the separate action of updating the shelf label. It is useful for linking two actions in the same plan.

actualizaremos “actualizaremos” means “we will update” in “actualizaremos la etiqueta del estante”. It presents the staff’s planned action of bringing the shelf label up to date. The dialogue uses it before the object “la etiqueta del estante”.

Prefiero “Prefiero” means “I prefer” in “Prefiero resolverlo ahora que volver más tarde”. It expresses the customer’s choice to settle the issue now rather than return later. The dialogue uses it to compare two options with “ahora que volver más tarde”.

resolverlo “resolverlo” means “to resolve it” or “to settle it” in “Prefiero resolverlo ahora”. The form combines “resolver” with “lo”, referring to the checkout problem. It is useful after “Prefiero” when stating which problem the speaker wants to deal with.

ahora “ahora” means “now” in “resolverlo ahora”. It sets the preferred time for resolving the issue. Here it contrasts with returning “más tarde”.

volver “volver” means “to come back” or “to return” in “volver más tarde”. It describes the alternative of leaving and returning to the shop later. The dialogue uses it with a time expression after the verb.

más “más” contributes to the expression “más tarde”, which means “later” in this dialogue. Together, the two words refer to a time after now. Do not interpret “más” alone as “more” in this exact expression.

tarde “tarde” contributes to “más tarde”, meaning “later” in “volver más tarde”. It specifies a later time for returning to the shop. The complete expression is the useful unit here, rather than “tarde” alone.

Grammar Points

mientras + verbo

mientras espera

MYEHN-tras ehs-PEH-rah

while [you/he/she] wait(s)

mientras introduces an action happening at the same time as another action; the subject can be omitted when understood.

Spanish Vocabulary

algo pron

AL-goh something; anything

Voy a revisar la etiqueta del estante antes de cambiar algo en la caja.

caja noun

KAH-hah register; checkout

La caja muestra que este es otro artículo.

cambiar verb

kam-BYAR to change

Voy a revisar la etiqueta del estante antes de cambiar algo en la caja.

coincidir verb

kohn-see-DEER to match

La etiqueta no coincide con el artículo de nuestro sistema.

debajo de prep

deh-BAH-hoh deh under; below

La etiqueta del estante estaba debajo de este producto.

estante noun

eh-STAN-teh shelf

La etiqueta del estante estaba debajo de este producto.

etiqueta noun

eh-tee-KEH-tah label

La etiqueta del estante estaba debajo de este producto.

justo adv

HOOS-toh directly; right

Estaba justo debajo de este tamaño.

muestra verb

MWEHS-trah shows

La caja muestra que este es otro artículo.

otro artículo phrase

OH-troh ar-TEE-koo-loh another item

La caja muestra que este es otro artículo.

revisar verb

reh-bee-SAR to check; to review

Voy a revisar la etiqueta del estante antes de cambiar algo en la caja.

tamaño noun

tah-MAH-nyoh size

Estaba justo debajo de este tamaño.

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

It was directly below this size.

Show Answer

Estaba justo debajo de este tamaño.

Could you correct it before I pay?

Show Answer

¿Podría corregirlo antes de que pague?

I can wait while you check.

Show Answer

Puedo esperar mientras lo revisa.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to change

Show Answer

cambiar

Show Answer

caja

shelf

Show Answer

estante

shows

Show Answer

muestra