Renegotiating a deadline with clear priorities | Learn Spanish in English

Spanish lesson set in a contemporary Madrid everyday setting: At work, two colleagues plan how to request a short extension after a project scope expands..

EN → ES / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Renegotiating a deadline with clear priorities to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

La fecha límite es mañana, pero el alcance del proyecto se amplió esta mañana.

lah FEH-chah LEE-mee-teh ess mah-NYAH-nah, PEH-roh ehl ahl-KAHN-seh dehl proh-YEHK-toh seh ahm-PLEE-oh ehs-tah mah-NYAH-nah. The deadline is tomorrow, but the project scope expanded this morning.
B

¿Qué parte necesita primero el cliente?

keh PAR-teh neh-seh-SEE-tah pree-MEH-roh ehl klee-EN-teh? Which part does the client need first?
A

El cliente necesita primero el resumen, pero los gráficos detallados pueden esperar.

ehl klee-EN-teh neh-seh-SEE-tah pree-MEH-roh ehl reh-SOO-mehn, PEH-roh lohs GRAH-fee-kohs deh-tah-YAH-dohs PWEH-den ehs-peh-RAR. They need the summary first, but the detailed charts can wait.
B

Entonces, pide una breve prórroga para las secciones de menor prioridad.

ehn-TON-sehs PEE-deh oo-nah BREH-veh PROH-roh-gah pah-rah lahs sehk-SYOH-nehs deh meh-NOR pree-oh-ree-DAHD. Then ask for a short extension on the lower-priority sections.
A

No quiero que parezca que no supe organizar bien mi tiempo.

noh KYEH-roh keh pah-REHS-kah keh noh SOO-peh or-gah-nee-SAR byen mee TYEHM-poh. I don't want it to sound like I failed to manage my time.
B

Enfócalo en la calidad y en la información nueva que recibiste.

ehn-FOH-kah-loh ehn lah kah-lee-DAHD ee ehn lah een-for-mah-SYOHN NWEH-vah keh reh-see-BEES-teh. Frame it around quality and the new information you received.
A

Puedo decir que entregaré el resumen mañana y los gráficos al día siguiente.

PWEH-doh deh-SEER keh ehn-treh-gah-REH ehl reh-SOO-mehn mah-NYAH-nah ee lohs GRAH-fee-kohs ahl DEE-ah see-GYEHN-teh. I can say I'll deliver the summary tomorrow and the charts the following day.
B

Eso les da un plazo realista y una opción clara.

EH-soh lehs dah oon PLAH-soh reh-ah-LEES-tah ee oo-nah ohp-SYOHN KLAH-rah. That gives them a realistic timeline and a clear choice.
A

Enviaré el mensaje pronto para que tengan tiempo de responder.

ehn-bya-REH ehl MEN-sah-heh PROHN-toh pah-rah keh TEHN-gahn TYEHM-poh deh reh-spohn-DEHR. I'll send the message soon so they have time to respond.
B

Así, el cambio en el calendario quedará claro antes de mañana.

ah-SEE, ehl KAHM-byoh ehn ehl kah-lehn-DAH-ree-oh keh-dah-RAH KLAH-roh AHN-tehs deh mah-NYAH-nah. That way, the schedule change is clear before tomorrow.

Word by Word

La “La” means “the” in “La fecha límite” and introduces the feminine noun phrase. It is used before the noun it determines, as in “La fecha límite es mañana.”
fecha “Fecha” means “date” here, as part of “fecha límite,” the date by which something is due. This expression is useful when discussing deadlines or delivery dates.
límite “Límite” gives “fecha” the meaning of a deadline in “fecha límite.” The phrase “fecha límite” is used for the final date for completing or delivering something.
es “Es” connects “La fecha límite” with “mañana,” stating when the deadline is. In this dialogue, it is used in the pattern “La fecha límite es + time.”
mañana “Mañana” means “tomorrow” in “La fecha límite es mañana.” It identifies the next day as the deadline, while “esta mañana” later refers to this morning.
pero “Pero” means “but” and introduces a contrast between the deadline and the expanded project scope. It is useful for linking two ideas that do not fully match.
el “El” means “the” before masculine noun phrases such as “el alcance” and “el proyecto.” In the dialogue, it helps identify a specific scope and project.
alcance “Alcance” means “scope” in “el alcance del proyecto,” referring to the work included in the project. This phrase is useful when discussing what a project covers.
del “Del” means “of the” in “del proyecto” and connects “alcance” with “proyecto.” It is used to express that the scope belongs to or concerns the project.
proyecto “Proyecto” means “project” in “el alcance del proyecto.” It identifies the work whose scope has expanded.
se “Se” is part of “se amplió,” describing the project scope as having expanded without naming who caused the change. This pattern is useful when the change itself is more important than the person responsible.
amplió “Amplió” means “expanded” in “el alcance del proyecto se amplió.” It describes the scope becoming broader after new work or information was added.
esta “Esta” means “this” in “esta mañana,” identifying the morning connected with the present situation. It is used directly before the time expression “mañana” here.
Qué “Qué” asks “which” or “what” in “¿Qué parte necesita primero el cliente?” It introduces the specific part that the client needs first.
parte “Parte” means “part” in the question about which section the client needs first. It is useful for referring to one component of a larger project or document.
necesita “Necesita” means “needs” in “necesita primero el cliente,” describing what the client requires first. A useful pattern is “necesitar + thing,” as in “necesita el resumen.”
primero “Primero” means “first” and marks priority in “necesita primero el cliente” and “necesita primero el resumen.” It is useful when deciding what should happen or be delivered before something else.
cliente “Cliente” means “client,” the person or organization receiving the project material. In the dialogue, it is the client who needs the summary first.
resumen “Resumen” means “summary,” the shorter project material that the client needs first. It is useful for referring to a condensed version of information or a report.
los “Los” means “the” before “gráficos detallados,” identifying the specific charts under discussion. It introduces the plural noun phrase in that sentence.
gráficos “Gráficos” means “charts” or “graphs” in “los gráficos detallados.” It refers to the visual material that can be delivered later.
detallados “Detallados” means “detailed” and describes “los gráficos.” In the dialogue, “los gráficos detallados” identifies the more detailed material that can wait.
pueden “Pueden” means “can” in “pueden esperar,” saying that the detailed charts do not need immediate delivery. It is useful before an action to express that the action is possible or acceptable.
esperar “Esperar” means “wait” after “pueden” in “pueden esperar.” The expression says that the charts can be postponed until later.
Entonces “Entonces” means “then” or “in that case” and introduces the next recommendation after the priorities have been clarified. It is useful for showing a conclusion or next step.
pide “Pide” means “ask for” in the direct instruction “pide una breve prórroga.” It tells the colleague to request an extension for the lower-priority sections.
una “Una” introduces “una breve prórroga,” meaning “a short extension.” It presents the extension as one specific request.
breve “Breve” means “short” or “brief” in “una breve prórroga.” It limits the requested extension to a short additional period.
prórroga “Prórroga” means “extension” in the request for more time on the lower-priority sections. It is useful in formal or work-related requests to extend a deadline.
para “Para” means “for” in “para las secciones,” identifying the sections covered by the extension. It is useful for marking the intended recipient, purpose, or scope of something.
las “Las” means “the” before “secciones,” identifying the specific sections being discussed. It introduces that plural noun phrase.
secciones “Secciones” means “sections” in “las secciones de menor prioridad.” It refers to the parts of the project that can receive the extension.
de “De” means “of” in “de menor prioridad” and links the sections with their priority level. This pattern is useful for describing a quality or category associated with a noun.
menor “Menor” means “lower” in “de menor prioridad,” describing sections that rank below others in priority. The expression “de menor prioridad” is useful when distinguishing less urgent work.
prioridad “Prioridad” means “priority” in “de menor prioridad.” It identifies how urgent or important the sections are in relation to the other project tasks.
No “No” marks negation in “No quiero,” showing that the speaker does not want something. It normally appears before the verb being negated.
quiero “Quiero” means “I want” in “No quiero que parezca,” expressing the speaker’s wish to avoid a certain impression. A useful pattern is “No quiero que + situation,” for saying what one does not want to happen or seem true.
que “Que” introduces the situation the speaker does not want to appear true in “No quiero que parezca.” It connects “quiero” with the following idea.
parezca “Parezca” means “seem” or “appear” in “que parezca que no supe organizar bien mi tiempo.” It introduces the impression the speaker wants to avoid giving.
supe “Supe” means “managed to” or “knew how to” in “no supe organizar bien mi tiempo.” Here it contributes to the idea that the speaker did not manage their time well.
organizar “Organizar” means “organize” or “manage” in “organizar bien mi tiempo.” The pattern “organizar + something” is useful for talking about arranging work, tasks, or time.
bien “Bien” means “well” in “organizar bien mi tiempo,” describing the quality of the time management. It is placed after the action it describes here.
mi “Mi” means “my” in “mi tiempo,” showing that the time belongs to the speaker. It appears directly before the noun it describes.
tiempo “Tiempo” means “time” in “organizar bien mi tiempo.” This phrase is useful when discussing personal time management.
Enfócalo “Enfócalo” means “focus it” or “frame it” in the instruction to present the request around quality and new information. The form includes “lo,” which refers to the matter or message being presented.
en “En” means “in” or “around” in “Enfócalo en la calidad” and “en la información nueva.” After this kind of focusing expression, it marks the aspect that should receive attention.
calidad “Calidad” means “quality” in “Enfócalo en la calidad.” It identifies quality as one of the reasons or points around which the request should be framed.
y “Y” means “and” and joins “la calidad” with “la información nueva.” It connects two related focus points in the recommendation.
información “Información” means “information” in “la información nueva que recibiste.” It refers to the new material received about the project.
nueva “Nueva” means “new” and describes “la información” in “la información nueva.” It indicates that the information was not available earlier in the situation.
recibiste “Recibiste” means “you received” in “la información nueva que recibiste.” It identifies the listener as the person who received the new information.
Puedo “Puedo” means “I can” in “Puedo decir,” presenting a possible way for the speaker to phrase the request. A useful pattern is “Puedo + action” when offering a possible action.
decir “Decir” means “say” after “Puedo” in “Puedo decir que...” It introduces the wording or message the speaker is considering.
entregaré “Entregaré” means “I will deliver” in “entregaré el resumen mañana.” It states a planned future delivery and is useful when making a clear commitment about work.
al “Al” means “to the” or “on the” in “al día siguiente,” referring to the following day. It connects the delivery with that day in the time expression.
día “Día” means “day” in “al día siguiente.” Together with “siguiente,” it identifies when the charts will be delivered after the summary.
siguiente “Siguiente” means “following” or “next” in “al día siguiente.” The expression refers to the day after the earlier delivery mentioned in the plan.
Eso “Eso” means “that” and refers to the delivery plan just proposed. It lets the speaker comment on the whole plan as one thing.
les “Les” means “to them” in “les da un plazo realista y una opción clara,” marking the people who receive the benefit of the plan. It identifies the recipients of the timeline and choice.
da “Da” means “gives” or “provides” in “Eso les da un plazo realista.” The pattern “darle algo a alguien” is useful for saying that someone provides something to another person.
plazo “Plazo” means “time period” or “timeline” in “un plazo realista.” It refers to the amount of time allowed for delivering the work.
realista “Realista” means “realistic” and describes “un plazo” that can reasonably be met. It is useful when evaluating whether a proposed schedule is practical.
opción “Opción” means “option” or “choice” in “una opción clara.” It refers to a clear alternative presented to the client.
clara “Clara” means “clear” and describes “una opción.” It indicates that the client can understand the alternative without confusion.
Enviaré “Enviaré” means “I will send” in “Enviaré el mensaje pronto.” It states the speaker’s planned action of sending the message.
mensaje “Mensaje” means “message” in “Enviaré el mensaje.” It refers to the communication that will explain the delivery plan and schedule change.
pronto “Pronto” means “soon” in “Enviaré el mensaje pronto,” indicating that the message will be sent shortly. It is useful for setting an immediate or near-future time.
tengan “Tengan” means “they have” in “para que tengan tiempo de responder.” It describes the time the recipients need in order to respond to the message.
responder “Responder” means “respond” in “tiempo de responder.” The pattern “tener tiempo de + action” is useful for saying that someone has enough time to do something.
Así “Así” means “that way” or “thus” in “Así, el cambio...” It introduces the result or purpose of sending the message early.
cambio “Cambio” means “change” in “el cambio en el calendario.” It refers to the revised schedule resulting from the new delivery plan.
calendario “Calendario” means “calendar” or “schedule” in “el cambio en el calendario.” In this work context, it refers to the planned timing of the deliveries.
quedará “Quedará” means “will be” or “will remain” in “quedará claro,” describing the future state of the schedule change. The construction “quedar claro” is used when something becomes or remains clear.
claro “Claro” means “clear” in “quedará claro,” describing the schedule change as understandable. It completes the expression “quedará claro” in the dialogue.
antes “Antes” means “before” in the exact construction “antes de mañana.” It marks a time that occurs earlier than the following day.

Grammar Points

Se + verbo en tercera persona

Se amplió el alcance del proyecto.

seh ahm-PLEE-oh ehl ahl-KAHN-seh dehl proh-YEHK-toh.

The project's scope was expanded.

Se can form a passive-style statement. The verb agrees with the thing affected: se amplió el alcance.

Futuro: infinitivo + -é

Entregaré el resumen al día siguiente.

ehn-treh-gah-REH ehl reh-SOO-mehn ahl DEE-ah see-GYEHN-teh.

I will deliver the summary the following day.

For “I will,” add -é to the infinitive: entregar + é = entregaré.

Spanish Vocabulary

alcance noun
ahl-KAHN-seh scope

El alcance del proyecto se amplió.

ampliar verb
ahm-plee-AR to expand se amplió

El alcance del proyecto se amplió esta mañana.

cliente noun
klee-EN-teh client

El cliente necesita primero el resumen.

detallado adj
deh-tah-YAH-doh detailed detallados

Los gráficos detallados pueden esperar.

entonces adv
ehn-TON-sehs then

Entonces, pide una breve prórroga.

esperar verb
ehs-peh-RAR to wait

Los gráficos detallados pueden esperar.

fecha límite phrase
FEH-chah LEE-mee-teh deadline

La fecha límite es mañana.

gráfico noun
GRAH-fee-koh chart gráficos

Los gráficos detallados pueden esperar.

parte noun
PAR-teh part

¿Qué parte necesita primero el cliente?

pedir verb
peh-DEER to ask for pide

Entonces, pide una breve prórroga.

proyecto noun
proh-YEHK-toh project

El alcance del proyecto se amplió.

resumen noun
reh-SOO-mehn summary

El cliente necesita primero el resumen.

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Which part does the client need first?

Show Answer¿Qué parte necesita primero el cliente?

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

part

Show Answerparte

client

Show Answercliente

project

Show Answerproyecto

detailed

Show Answerdetallados