Clarifying a taxi route politely | Learn Spanish in English

Spanish lesson set in a contemporary Madrid everyday setting: In a taxi, a passenger asks the driver why the route has changed and requests larger roads when possible..

EN → ES / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Clarifying a taxi route politely to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Disculpe, ¿vamos por una ruta diferente por el tráfico?

dees-KOOL-peh, BAH-mos por OO-nah ROO-tah dee-feh-REN-teh por el TRAH-fee-koh? Excuse me, are we taking a different route because of traffic?
B

La carretera de adelante está bloqueada, así que necesito tomar un desvío.

lah kah-rreh-TEH-rah deh ah-deh-LAHN-teh es-TAH bloh-keh-AH-dah, ah-SEE keh neh-seh-SEE-toh toh-MAHR oon des-BEE-oh. The road ahead is blocked, so I need to take a detour.
A

Lo preguntaba porque no reconozco esta zona.

loh preh-goon-TAH-bah POR-keh no reh-koh-NOHS-koh ES-tah SOH-nah. I was asking because I don't recognize this area.
B

Este camino es un poco más largo, pero debería permitirnos seguir avanzando.

ES-teh kah-MEE-no es oon POH-koh mahs LAR-goh, PEH-roh deh-beh-REE-ah pehr-mee-TEER-nohs seh-GEER ah-bahn-SAHN-doh. This way is a little longer, but it should keep us moving.
A

¿Podríamos ir por calles más grandes si es posible?

poh-DREE-ah-mos eer por KAH-yes mahs GRAHN-des see es poh-SEE-bleh? Could we stay on larger roads if possible?
B

Puedo hacerlo.

PWEH-doh ah-SER-loh. I can do that.
B

Puede añadir unos minutos.

PWEH-deh ahn-YEER OO-nohs mee-NOO-tohs. It may add a few minutes.
B

Pero será más fácil seguir la ruta.

PEH-roh seh-RAH mahs fah-SEEL seh-GEER lah ROO-tah. But it will be easier to follow.
A

Me parece bien. No tengo prisa.

meh pah-REH-seh byen. noh TEHN-goh PREE-sah. That works. I'm not in a hurry.
B

Evitaré las calles pequeñas de aquí en adelante.

eh-bee-tah-REH las KAH-yes peh-KEH-nyas deh ah-KEE en ah-deh-LAHN-teh. I'll avoid the small side streets from here.
A

Aprecio que me explique la ruta.

ah-PREH-syoh keh meh eks-PLEE-keh lah ROO-tah. I appreciate you explaining the route.
B

Le avisaré si necesito cambiarla otra vez.

leh ah-bee-sah-REH see neh-seh-SEE-toh kahm-BYAR-lah OH-trah behs. I'll let you know if I need to change it again.

Word by Word

Disculpe “Disculpe” means “excuse me” here and politely addresses the taxi driver formally. It is useful when getting someone’s attention or beginning a polite question. The exact form is also suitable when speaking respectfully to an unfamiliar person.
vamos “Vamos” means “are we going” in the question “¿vamos por una ruta diferente...?”. It refers to the speaker and the driver traveling together, and it is used with “por” to indicate the route taken. A passenger can use this question when checking whether the vehicle is following a particular route.
por In “vamos por una ruta diferente”, “por” indicates the route being taken; in “por el tráfico”, it introduces the reason, “because of traffic”. Its meaning depends on the phrase it forms with the following words. It is useful for describing movement along a route or a cause.
una “Una” means “a” before the feminine noun “ruta” in “una ruta diferente”. It is the feminine singular determiner that agrees with “ruta”. This pattern is used when referring to one unspecified feminine noun.
ruta “Ruta” means “route” in “una ruta diferente”. It names the course or path followed by the taxi. It is useful with words that describe a route, such as “una ruta diferente” in this dialogue.
diferente “Diferente” means “different” in “una ruta diferente”, contrasting the current route with the route the passenger expected. It follows “ruta” and describes that noun. It can be used after a noun to identify something that is not the same as another option.
el “El” means “the” before the masculine singular noun “tráfico” in “el tráfico”. It identifies the traffic as the cause being discussed. This form is used before a masculine singular noun when referring to a specific or understood thing.
tráfico “Tráfico” means “traffic” in “por el tráfico”. It explains why the taxi is taking a different route. It is useful when discussing road conditions that affect travel.
La “La” means “the” before the feminine singular noun “carretera” in “La carretera de adelante”. It introduces the specific road ahead that is blocked. This form is used before a feminine singular noun.
carretera “Carretera” means “road” in “La carretera de adelante”. It refers to the road ahead that prevents the taxi from continuing normally. It is useful for talking about a road as a travel route.
de In “de adelante”, “de” links “carretera” with the location “ahead”, giving the meaning “the road ahead”. The same preposition appears in the time expression “de aquí en adelante”. It commonly links a noun with information about location, origin, or relation.
adelante “Adelante” means “ahead” in “La carretera de adelante”. It locates the road in front of the taxi. It is useful for referring to something positioned forward or further along the route.
está “Está” means “is” in “está bloqueada”, describing the road’s current condition. It is used with “bloqueada” to say that the road is blocked. This form is useful for describing a present state or condition.
bloqueada “Bloqueada” means “blocked” in “La carretera de adelante está bloqueada”. It describes the road as unable to provide the normal passage. Its feminine form matches “carretera”, and it can be used after “está” to describe a condition.
así “Así” contributes the meaning “so” in “así que necesito tomar un desvío”. Together with “que”, it introduces the result of the blocked road. The expression “así que” is useful for connecting a reason with its consequence.
que In “así que necesito tomar un desvío”, “que” completes the expression “así que”, meaning “so”. It introduces the result that follows from the road being blocked. This construction is useful for explaining what happens because of a previous situation.
necesito “Necesito” means “I need” in “necesito tomar un desvío”. It expresses the driver’s necessity to choose another route. It commonly appears before an infinitive when stating an action that is necessary.
tomar “Tomar” means “to take” in “tomar un desvío”, where Spanish uses “take” for choosing or following a detour. It remains in this infinitive form after “necesito”. The pattern “necesitar tomar” is useful for describing a necessary action.
un “Un” means “a” before the masculine noun “desvío” in “un desvío”. It is the masculine singular determiner for one unspecified detour. This pattern is used before a masculine singular noun.
desvío “Desvío” means “detour” in “tomar un desvío”. It refers to an alternative route used because the normal road is blocked. It is useful when explaining a temporary change to a route.
Lo “Lo” refers to the matter or question being asked in “Lo preguntaba”. It functions as the object of “preguntaba”, so the speaker means “I was asking about it”. This pronoun is useful when the thing being discussed is already understood from the conversation.
preguntaba “Preguntaba” means “I was asking” in “Lo preguntaba porque no reconozco esta zona”. It presents the question as something the passenger was asking to explain the reason for speaking up. It is useful when giving context for a previous question or comment.
porque “Porque” means “because” in “porque no reconozco esta zona”. It introduces the reason the passenger asked about the route. It commonly connects an explanation to the statement or action it explains.
no “No” negates “reconozco” in “no reconozco esta zona”, meaning that the passenger does not recognize the area. It is placed before the verb. This is the standard way to make the verb phrase negative.
reconozco “Reconozco” means “I recognize” in “no reconozco esta zona”. With “no”, it explains that the passenger is unfamiliar with the area. It is useful when saying that a person, place, or thing is not familiar.
esta “Esta” means “this” before the feminine noun “zona” in “esta zona”. It points to the area where the taxi is currently traveling. Its form agrees with the feminine singular noun “zona”.
zona “Zona” means “area” in “esta zona”. It refers to the part of the city the passenger does not recognize. It is useful for identifying a particular area or region.
Este “Este” means “this” before the masculine noun “camino” in “Este camino”. It points to the route currently being discussed. Its form agrees with the masculine singular noun “camino”.
camino “Camino” means “way” or “path” in “Este camino es un poco más largo”. It refers to the route selected for the detour. It is useful when comparing one way of traveling with another.
es “Es” means “is” in “Este camino es un poco más largo”. It links the route with its description. This form is useful for describing what something is like or how it compares.
poco “Poco” means “a little” in “un poco más largo”. It reduces the extent of the comparison, showing that the route is only slightly longer. The pattern “un poco más” is useful for making a comparison less strong.
más “Más” means “more” in “más largo”, creating the comparison “longer”. It comes before the describing word here. It is useful for comparing the degree of a quality.
largo “Largo” means “long” in “más largo”, which means “longer” in this comparison. It describes the length of the route. It can be used after “más” to compare the length of two routes.
pero “Pero” means “but” in “pero debería permitirnos seguir avanzando”. It introduces information that contrasts with the route being longer. It is useful for connecting a drawback with a positive or different consequence.
debería “Debería” means “should” in “debería permitirnos seguir avanzando”. It presents the driver’s expectation that the route will keep the taxi moving. It is useful for expressing an expected or probable result without stating it as a certainty.
permitirnos “Permitirnos” means “allow us” in “permitirnos seguir avanzando”. The form combines the idea of allowing with “us”, the people who will continue moving. It is useful before an infinitive to describe something that enables people to do an action.
seguir “Seguir” means “to continue” in “seguir avanzando”. It introduces the continuation of the movement. The pattern “seguir” plus a gerund describes continuing to do something.
avanzando “Avanzando” means “moving forward” in “seguir avanzando”. Together with “seguir”, it describes continuing along the route. It is useful for describing ongoing progress or movement.
Podríamos “Podríamos” means “could we” in “¿Podríamos ir por calles más grandes...?”. It makes the passenger’s request polite rather than direct. It is useful for making a respectful request about a possible action.
ir “Ir” means “to go” in “Podríamos ir por calles más grandes”. It is the action proposed in the polite request. It remains in the infinitive form after “Podríamos”.
calles “Calles” means “streets” in “calles más grandes”. It refers to the roads the passenger prefers the taxi to use. The plural form is useful when referring to more than one street or to streets generally.
grandes “Grandes” means “larger” in “calles más grandes”. It describes the streets as larger in comparison with the smaller side streets mentioned later. Its plural form agrees with “calles”.
si “Si” means “if” in “si es posible”. It makes the request conditional and leaves room for road conditions or other limits. This expression is useful when making a request politely and acknowledging that it may not be possible.
posible “Posible” means “possible” in “si es posible”. It describes whether using larger streets can be done. The expression “si es posible” is useful for softening a request.
Puedo “Puedo” means “I can” in “Puedo hacerlo”. It shows that the driver is able and willing to follow the request. It is useful before an infinitive or an object referring to an action that the speaker can perform.
hacerlo “Hacerlo” means “do it” in “Puedo hacerlo”, referring to using larger streets as requested. It combines “hacer” with the object pronoun “lo” in one written form. This pattern is useful when referring back to an action that has just been discussed.
Puede “Puede” means “may” in “Puede añadir unos minutos”. It presents the extra time as a possibility rather than a certainty. It is useful before an infinitive when explaining a possible consequence.
añadir “Añadir” means “to add” in “Puede añadir unos minutos”. Here it describes adding extra time to the journey. It remains in the infinitive form after “Puede”.
unos “Unos” means “a few” before the masculine plural noun “minutos” in “unos minutos”. It indicates a small, non-exact number of minutes. This form is useful when giving an approximate amount with a masculine plural noun.
minutos “Minutos” means “minutes” in “unos minutos”. It measures the possible extra time caused by using larger roads. The plural form is used because the amount is more than one minute.
será “Será” means “will be” in “será más fácil seguir la ruta”. It describes an expected future result of choosing the larger roads. It is useful for stating what a situation is expected to be like.
fácil “Fácil” means “easy” in “será más fácil seguir la ruta”. It describes the route as easier to follow. It commonly appears after “ser” when describing the difficulty of an action.
Me “Me” means “to me” in “Me parece bien”. It identifies the person whose opinion or impression is being expressed. It is useful in expressions that state how something seems or feels to the speaker.
parece “Parece” means “seems” in “Me parece bien”. Together with “Me” and “bien”, it expresses that the proposed arrangement is acceptable to the speaker. This pattern is useful for responding positively to a suggestion or plan.
bien “Bien” means “fine” or “well” in “Me parece bien”. Here it shows approval of the driver’s proposal. The expression “Me parece bien” is useful for accepting an arrangement politely.
tengo “Tengo” means “I have” in “No tengo prisa”. With “prisa”, it expresses the speaker’s current lack of urgency. It is useful in the pattern “tener” plus a noun to describe a state or condition.
prisa “Prisa” means “hurry” in “No tengo prisa”. The full expression says that the passenger is not in a hurry. It is useful when explaining that extra time is acceptable.
Evitaré “Evitaré” means “I will avoid” in “Evitaré las calles pequeñas”. It states the driver’s intention from this point onward. It is useful for promising or announcing that a person or thing will be avoided.
las “Las” means “the” before the feminine plural noun “calles” in “las calles pequeñas”. It identifies the particular small streets the driver will avoid. Its form agrees with the feminine plural noun “calles”.
pequeñas “Pequeñas” means “small” in “las calles pequeñas”. It describes the side streets the driver plans to avoid. Its feminine plural form agrees with “calles”.
aquí “Aquí” means “here” in “de aquí en adelante”. In this expression, it marks the current point from which the driver’s plan applies. It is useful for referring to the speaker’s present location or point in a sequence.
en In “de aquí en adelante”, “en” helps form the expression meaning “from here onward”. It marks the continuation from the current point into the future. This phrase is useful when announcing that a new action or rule will apply from now on.
Aprecio “Aprecio” means “I appreciate” in “Aprecio que me explique la ruta”. It expresses gratitude for the driver’s explanation. It is useful when thanking someone for an action or consideration.
explique “Explique” means “explain” in “que me explique la ruta”, referring to the driver’s explanation of the route. The formal address is understood from the conversation, and the form follows “que” in this expression of appreciation. It is useful when politely referring to an explanation given by someone you address formally.
Le “Le” means “to you” in “Le avisaré”. It refers formally to the person who will receive the information. It is useful before a verb when identifying the person who will be informed or affected.
avisaré “Avisaré” means “I will let you know” in “Le avisaré si necesito cambiarla otra vez”. It promises that the driver will inform the passenger if another change becomes necessary. It is useful for promising to give someone information later.
cambiarla “Cambiarla” means “change it” in “necesito cambiarla otra vez”, referring to changing the route. It combines “cambiar” with the object pronoun “la” in one written form. This pattern is useful when an infinitive is followed by a pronoun referring to a previously mentioned feminine noun.
otra “Otra” means “another” in “otra vez”. It indicates that the possible change would happen one more time. The feminine form appears because it belongs to the expression with “vez”.
vez “Vez” means “time” or “occasion” in “otra vez”, meaning “again”. Together, “otra vez” refers to repeating an action or event. This expression is useful when something may happen again.

Grammar Points

Podríamos + infinitivo

Podríamos cambiarla.

poh-DREE-ah-mos kahm-BYAR-lah.

We could change it.

Podríamos is the conditional form of poder and expresses a polite suggestion or possibility.

Futuro simple: raíz + -ré

Avisaré otra vez.

ah-bee-sah-REH OH-trah behs.

I will let you know again.

Avisaré is the first-person singular future of avisar, used for an action that will happen later.

Spanish Vocabulary

así que conj
ah-SEE keh so; therefore

así que necesito tomar un desvío

bloqueado adj
bloh-keh-AH-doh blocked bloqueada

está bloqueada

carretera noun
kah-rreh-TEH-rah road; highway

La carretera de adelante

desvío noun
des-BEE-oh detour

tomar un desvío

diferente adj
dee-feh-REN-teh different

una ruta diferente

disculpar verb
dees-kool-PAHR to excuse; to apologize Disculpe

Disculpe

necesitar verb
neh-seh-see-TAHR to need necesito

necesito tomar un desvío

preguntar verb
preh-goon-TAHR to ask preguntaba

Lo preguntaba porque

reconocer verb
reh-koh-noh-SEHR to recognize reconozco

no reconozco esta zona

ruta noun
ROO-tah route

una ruta diferente

tráfico noun
TRAH-fee-koh traffic

por el tráfico

zona noun
SOH-nah area; zone

esta zona

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

I can do that.

Show AnswerPuedo hacerlo.

It may add a few minutes.

Show AnswerPuede añadir unos minutos.

That works. I'm not in a hurry.

Show AnswerMe parece bien. No tengo prisa.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

different

Show Answerdiferente

to excuse; to apologize

Show AnswerDisculpe

to need

Show Answernecesito

blocked

Show Answerbloqueada