Reporting a lost umbrella on a bus | Learn Spanish in English

Spanish lesson set in a contemporary Madrid everyday setting: At a transport service point, a passenger reports an umbrella left on a bus and gives details for a lost item report..

EN → ES / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Reporting a lost umbrella on a bus to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Dejé mi paraguas en el autobús esta mañana.

deh-HEH mee pah-RAH-gwahs en el ow-toh-BOOS ES-tah mah-NYAH-nah. I left my umbrella on the bus this morning.
B

Deberías presentar un reporte de objeto perdido con los detalles del viaje.

deh-beh-REE-ahs preh-sen-TAR oon reh-POR-teh deh ohb-HEH-toh pehr-DEE-doh kohn lohs deh-TAH-yehs del vee-AH-heh. You should file a lost item report with the trip details.
A

Estaba en el autobús que se detuvo aquí durante la hora punta de la mañana.

es-TAH-bah en el ow-toh-BOOS keh seh deh-TOO-boh ah-KEE doo-RAN-teh lah OH-rah POON-tah deh lah mah-NYAH-nah. It was on the bus that stopped here during the morning rush.
B

¿Puedes describir el paraguas con claridad?

PWEH-des dehs-kree-BEER el pah-RAH-gwahs kohn klah-ree-DAHD? Can you describe the umbrella clearly?
A

Es azul marino y está plegado, con un mango de madera.

es ah-SOOL mah-REE-noh ee es-TAH pleh-GAH-doh kohn oon MAHN-goh deh mah-DEH-rah. It's navy blue and folded, with a wooden handle.
B

Añade un número de teléfono para que el personal pueda contactarte si lo encuentran.

ah-NYAH-deh oon NOO-meh-roh deh teh-LEH-foh-noh PAH-rah keh el pehr-soh-NAHL PWEH-dah kohn-tahk-TAR-teh see loh en-KWEN-trahn. Add a phone number so staff can contact you if it turns up.
A

¿Cuánto se suele tardar en recibir una respuesta?

KWAHN-toh seh SWEH-leh tar-DAHR en reh-see-BEER OO-nah reh-SPWEHS-tah? How long does it usually take to hear back?
B

Depende, pero los objetos encontrados suelen recogerse antes de la noche.

deh-PEN-deh, PEH-roh lohs ohb-HEH-tohs en-kohn-TRAH-dohs SWEH-len reh-koh-HEHR-seh AHN-tehs deh lah NOH-cheh. It depends, but found items are often collected by evening.
A

Presentaré el formulario ahora y volveré a comprobarlo mañana.

preh-sen-tah-REH el for-moo-LAH-ryoh ah-OH-rah ee bohl-beh-REH ah kohm-proh-BAR-loh mah-NYAH-nah. I'll submit the form now and check again tomorrow.
B

Una descripción específica hará que al personal le resulte más fácil identificarlo.

OO-nah dehs-kreep-SYOHN es-peh-SEE-fee-kah ah-RAH keh ahl pehr-soh-NAHL leh reh-SOOL-teh mahs fah-SEEL ee-den-tee-fee-KAR-loh. A specific description will make it easier for staff to match it.

Word by Word

Dejé The exact form “Dejé” means “I left” and describes the speaker’s completed action this morning. It is the first-person form of dejar. Use it with the thing left and its location, as in “Dejé mi paraguas en el autobús”.
mi The form “mi” means “my” and shows that the umbrella belongs to the speaker in “mi paraguas”. It comes directly before the noun it describes. Use “mi” before a noun when identifying something as belonging to you.
paraguas The form “paraguas” means “umbrella”, the item reported as missing in the dialogue. It appears in “mi paraguas” and “el paraguas”. Use it when describing or reporting an umbrella in a lost-and-found situation.
en In “en el autobús”, “en” shows the location where the umbrella was left: on or in the bus. It commonly links an object with its place. Use “en” before a place such as “en el autobús”.
el The form “el” introduces the specific bus in “el autobús”. It is used before the noun rather than standing alone here. Use “el” when referring to a particular masculine noun.
autobús The form “autobús” means “bus” and identifies the vehicle where the umbrella was left. It appears in “en el autobús”. Use it when describing travel or locating something on a bus.
esta In “esta mañana”, “esta” means “this” and points to the morning connected with the present situation. It comes before the time expression “mañana”. Use “esta” before a feminine noun when referring to something current or nearby.
mañana In “esta mañana”, “mañana” means “morning”, not a future day. The word identifies when the umbrella was left. Use the exact pattern “esta mañana” to refer to this morning.
Deberías The form “Deberías” means “you should” and gives a recommendation: “Deberías presentar un reporte”. It is the conditional form of deber used here to make advice less direct. Use “Deberías” followed by an infinitive when recommending an action.
presentar The infinitive “presentar” means “to file” or “to submit” in “presentar un reporte”. It follows “Deberías” and names the recommended action. Use “presentar” with a report or form when handing it in officially.
un The form “un” introduces one non-specific report in “un reporte”. It comes before the noun it determines. Use “un” when referring to one masculine noun that has not been specified before.
reporte The form “reporte” means “report” in “reporte de objeto perdido”. It names the document or record made about the missing item. Use “reporte de” to specify the subject of a report.
de In “reporte de objeto perdido”, “de” links the report with its subject and means “of” or “about”. It connects two nouns in this description. Use the pattern “reporte de + topic” when naming what a report concerns.
objeto The form “objeto” means “item” or “object” in “objeto perdido”. It identifies the general type of thing being reported. Use “objeto” when referring to a physical item whose identity may need to be described.
perdido In “objeto perdido”, “perdido” means “lost” and describes the item’s status. It tells staff what kind of report is being made. Use it after a noun in a phrase such as “objeto perdido” to describe something that has been lost.
con In “con los detalles del viaje”, “con” means “with” and adds the trip information that should accompany the report. It introduces accompanying information. Use “con” followed by a noun when saying that something includes or comes together with it.
los The form “los” introduces the specific set of details in “los detalles del viaje”. It comes before the plural noun “detalles”. Use “los” when referring to particular plural masculine nouns.
detalles The form “detalles” means “details” and refers to the information about the trip. It appears in “los detalles del viaje”. Use “detalles de” to identify the subject or source of the information.
del In “del viaje”, “del” means “of the” and links the details with the trip. It is the combined form of de and el. Use “del” before a masculine singular noun when expressing “of the” or “from the”.
viaje The form “viaje” means “trip” and specifies which details belong in the report. It appears in “los detalles del viaje”. Use it when describing information connected with a journey.
Estaba The exact form “Estaba” means “was located” in “Estaba en el autobús”. It describes where the umbrella was at that past time. Use the pattern “estaba en + place” to give a past location.
que In “el autobús que se detuvo aquí”, “que” introduces information identifying which bus is meant. It links the noun “autobús” with the clause that describes it. Use “noun + que + verb” to identify a particular person or thing.
se In “se detuvo”, “se” is part of the Spanish verb expression used for the bus stopping; it is not translated as a separate word here. It belongs to the exact form “que se detuvo aquí”. Use the same construction when describing a vehicle or person stopping at a place.
detuvo The form “detuvo” means “stopped” in “se detuvo aquí”. It describes the bus’s completed stop at the service point. Use it with “se” and a place, as in “se detuvo aquí”.
aquí The form “aquí” means “here” and identifies the place where the bus stopped. It appears at the end of “se detuvo aquí”. Use “aquí” when referring to the speaker’s current location.
durante In “durante la hora punta de la mañana”, “durante” means “during” and places the bus’s stop within a period. It is followed by the time period being discussed. Use “durante + period” to say when something happened within a span of time.
la The form “la” introduces the specific time period in “la hora punta”. It comes directly before “hora”. Use “la” when referring to a particular feminine singular noun.
hora In “hora punta”, “hora” refers to a time period rather than simply a measured hour. Together, the phrase means the peak or rush period. Use it in the fixed expression “hora punta” when talking about busy travel times.
punta In “hora punta”, “punta” contributes the idea of the peak period, making the phrase mean “rush hour”. It completes this common expression with “hora”. Use “hora punta” when referring to the busiest travel period.
Puedes The form “Puedes” means “can you” and asks whether someone is able to perform an action. Here it introduces “Puedes describir el paraguas”. Use “Puedes + infinitive” to make a direct request about someone’s ability.
describir The infinitive “describir” means “to describe” and names the requested action in “Puedes describir el paraguas”. It follows “Puedes”. Use “describir + object” when asking someone to give identifying details.
claridad In “con claridad”, “claridad” means “clarity” and describes the manner of the description. The phrase means “clearly”. Use “con claridad” when asking for information to be expressed in an understandable way.
Es In “Es azul marino”, “Es” means “is” and links the umbrella with its color. It identifies a characteristic of the item. Use “Es + description” when stating what something is like.
azul The form “azul” means “blue” and contributes the main color in “azul marino”. It appears after “Es”. Use it with a noun or with another color word when giving a precise color description.
marino In “azul marino”, “marino” narrows “azul” to the shade “navy blue”. It completes the color expression. Use the exact phrase “azul marino” when describing an item of that color.
y The form “y” means “and” and joins the color with the umbrella’s folded state in “Es azul marino y está plegado”. It connects two pieces of information. Use “y” to add another description of the same item.
está In “está plegado”, “está” means “is” and presents the umbrella as being in a particular state. It is used with “plegado” rather than with the color phrase. Use “está + state or condition” to describe how something is at a given time.
plegado In “está plegado”, “plegado” means “folded” and describes the umbrella’s physical state. It completes the description of the item. Use it after “está” when explaining that an object is folded.
mango The form “mango” means “handle” in “un mango de madera”. It identifies the part of the umbrella used to hold it. Use “mango de + material” to describe a handle’s material.
madera In “mango de madera”, “madera” means “wood” and identifies the material of the handle. The phrase gives staff a further identifying detail. Use “de madera” after a noun to say that something is made of wood.
Añade The form “Añade” means “add” and gives a direct instruction to include a phone number. It appears in “Añade un número de teléfono”. Use “Añade + noun” when telling someone to include additional information.
número The form “número” means “number” in “número de teléfono”. It names the numerical contact information requested for the report. Use “número de” to specify what kind of number it is.
teléfono The form “teléfono” means “phone” or “telephone” in “número de teléfono”. It specifies the type of contact number needed. Use the phrase “número de teléfono” when giving or requesting a phone number.
para In “para que el personal pueda contactarte”, “para” introduces the purpose of adding the phone number: enabling staff to contact the passenger. The full construction is “para que + clause”. Use “para que” when explaining the intended result of an action.
personal The form “personal” means “staff” in “el personal”. It refers to the workers at the transport service point who may handle the report. Use “el personal” when referring collectively to staff in an organization or service.
pueda In “para que el personal pueda contactarte”, “pueda” means “can” or “may” and expresses the intended ability of the staff. Its form follows “para que”. Use “para que + subject + pueda + infinitive” to state a purpose involving someone’s ability to act.
contactarte The form “contactarte” means “to contact you” in “pueda contactarte”. It combines the infinitive action with the attached pronoun te. Use it when saying that someone may contact the person being addressed.
si The form “si” means “if” in “si lo encuentran” and introduces the condition under which staff will make contact. It connects a possible situation with its result. Use “si + clause” to describe a condition.
lo In “lo encuentran”, “lo” means “it” and refers back to the lost item. It is placed before the conjugated verb in this clause. Use “lo” when referring to a previously mentioned masculine object or item.
encuentran The form “encuentran” means “find” in “si lo encuentran”. It describes the staff finding the lost item. Use it after “si lo” when referring to the possible discovery of that item.
Cuánto In “¿Cuánto se suele tardar en recibir una respuesta?”, “Cuánto” asks “how long” and refers to the duration of the wait. The complete question asks about the usual response time. Use this question to ask how much time a process normally takes.
suele In “se suele tardar”, “suele” contributes the meaning “usually” and asks about the normal duration rather than one particular case. It is part of the impersonal pattern “se suele + infinitive”. Use this pattern when asking or stating how a process normally happens.
tardar The infinitive “tardar” means “to take time” in “se suele tardar en recibir una respuesta”. It describes the duration needed for the response to arrive. Use “tardar en + infinitive” to say how long it takes to do something.
recibir The infinitive “recibir” means “to receive” in “recibir una respuesta”. It names what the waiting time concerns. Use “recibir + noun” when talking about getting a response, message, or other item.
una The form “una” introduces one non-specific feminine noun in “una respuesta”. At the beginning of the last line, the same word appears capitalized as “Una descripción específica”. Use it before a feminine singular noun when referring to one unspecified thing.
respuesta The form “respuesta” means “response” or “reply” in “recibir una respuesta”. It identifies what the passenger is waiting to hear. Use “recibir una respuesta” when expecting an answer from a service or person.
Depende The form “Depende” means “It depends” and gives a standalone answer showing that the response time is not fixed. It is followed by “pero” before the usual outcome is explained. Use “Depende” when an answer varies according to circumstances.
pero The form “pero” means “but” and connects the uncertain answer with the more positive information about found items. It introduces a contrast in “Depende, pero...”. Use “pero” to link two statements that do not point in exactly the same direction.
objetos The form “objetos” means “items” or “objects” in “objetos encontrados”. It refers generally to things handed in to the lost-and-found service. Use it when discussing multiple physical items.
encontrados In “objetos encontrados”, “encontrados” means “found” and describes items that have already been discovered. It identifies the type of objects being discussed. Use it after “objetos” to refer to items that have been found.
suelen In “suelen recogerse”, “suelen” means “usually” and describes what normally happens to found items. It goes with the infinitive “recogerse”. Use “suelen + infinitive” when describing a usual action involving plural items or people.
recogerse In “los objetos encontrados suelen recogerse”, “recogerse” presents the found items as being collected. The attached se is part of the construction and no collector is named. Use this form when focusing on the items that are collected rather than on the person collecting them.
antes In “antes de la noche”, “antes” means “before” and gives the expected deadline for collection. It is followed by “de” and the time expression. Use “antes de + noun” to say that something happens earlier than a stated time.
noche In “antes de la noche”, “noche” refers to the evening or night and sets the time limit for collection. The full phrase means “before evening”. Use it in this expression when giving an expected time by which something may happen.
Presentaré The exact form “Presentaré” means “I will submit” and expresses the speaker’s planned action. It appears in “Presentaré el formulario”. It is the future form of presentar; use it with a document when committing to submit it.
formulario The form “formulario” means “form” and identifies the document the speaker plans to submit. It appears in “Presentaré el formulario”. Use “presentar el formulario” when handing in an official form.
ahora The form “ahora” means “now” and shows that submitting the form will happen immediately. It appears before the later action in the sentence. Use “ahora” to mark an action taking place at the present time.
volveré In “volveré a comprobarlo”, “volveré” says that the speaker will return to an action in the future. The meaning “check again” comes from the whole construction “volveré a comprobarlo”, not from this word alone. Use “volver a + infinitive” to express doing something again.
comprobarlo The form “comprobarlo” means “to check it” and combines the infinitive action with the attached pronoun lo. In “volveré a comprobarlo”, lo refers to the matter being checked. Use an infinitive with an attached object pronoun when referring to checking a previously mentioned thing.
descripción The form “descripción” means “description” and refers to the identifying information about the lost item. It appears in “Una descripción específica”. Use it when explaining the appearance or features of an object.
específica In “Una descripción específica”, “específica” means “specific” and says that the description should contain precise identifying details. It modifies “descripción”. Use it after a noun when emphasizing that information should be precise rather than general.
hará In “hará que al personal le resulte más fácil identificarlo”, “hará” means “will make” and introduces a future effect. The complete construction explains that the specific description will help staff identify the item more easily. Use “hará que ... resulte más fácil” to describe something that will make an action easier.
al In “al personal”, “al” means “to the” and identifies the staff for whom the task becomes easier. It is the combined form of a and el. Use “al” before a masculine singular noun when expressing “to the” or “for the” in this type of construction.
le In “al personal le resulte más fácil”, “le” marks the person or group for whom the task is easier. Here it refers to the staff. Use this pattern when stating that something is easy or difficult for someone.
resulte In “le resulte más fácil”, “resulte” describes how easy the identification will be for the staff. It follows “hará que” and completes the effect introduced by that construction. Use “que ... resulte más fácil” when explaining that something will become easier for someone.
más In “más fácil”, “más” means “more” and increases the degree of ease. Together, the phrase means “easier”. Use “más + adjective” when comparing or describing a higher degree of a quality.
fácil In “le resulte más fácil identificarlo”, “fácil” means “easy” and describes the effort required to identify the item. It completes the expression with “más”. Use “resultar fácil” when saying that an action is easy for someone.
identificarlo The form “identificarlo” means “to identify it” and names the action staff can perform with the help of a specific description. It combines the infinitive identificar with the attached pronoun lo, referring to the lost item. Use it when matching an object with its description.

Grammar Points

Deberías + infinitivo

Deberías presentar un reporte de objeto perdido.

deh-beh-REE-ahs preh-sen-TAR oon reh-POR-teh deh ohb-HEH-toh pehr-DEE-doh.

You should submit a lost item report.

Deberías expresses advice or what someone ought to do, followed by the infinitive form of the verb.

Soler + infinitivo

El personal suele recibir una respuesta.

el pehr-soh-NAHL SWEH-leh reh-see-BEER OO-nah reh-SPWEHS-tah.

The staff usually receives a response.

Soler + infinitive describes something that usually happens or is customary.

Spanish Vocabulary

autobús noun
ow-toh-BOOS bus
deber verb
deh-BEHR should; ought to Deberías
dejar verb
deh-HAR to leave Dejé
describir verb
dehs-kree-BEER to describe
detalle noun
deh-TAH-yeh detail detalles
detenerse verb
deh-teh-NEHR-seh to stop se detuvo
esta mañana phrase
ES-tah mah-NYAH-nah this morning
hora punta phrase
OH-rah POON-tah rush hour
paraguas noun
pah-RAH-gwahs umbrella
presentar verb
preh-sen-TAR to submit; to file
reporte de objeto perdido phrase
reh-POR-teh deh ohb-HEH-toh pehr-DEE-doh lost item report
viaje noun
vee-AH-heh trip; journey

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Can you describe the umbrella clearly?

Show Answer¿Puedes describir el paraguas con claridad?

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

bus

Show Answerautobús

detail

Show Answerdetalles

umbrella

Show Answerparaguas

to leave

Show AnswerDejé