Resolving a Small Work Disagreement | Learn Spanish in English

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Use Resolving a Small Work Disagreement to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Creo que no estamos de acuerdo porque hicimos suposiciones diferentes.

KREH-oh keh noh eh-STAH-mohs deh ah-KWEHR-doh POHR-keh ee-SEE-mohs soo-poh-see-SYOH-nehs dee-feh-REHN-tehs. I think we disagree because we made different assumptions.

Pensaba que el cliente quería primero una versión sencilla.

pehn-SAH-bah keh el klee-EN-teh keh-REE-ah pree-MEH-roh OO-nah behr-SYOHN sen-SEE-yah. I thought the client wanted a simple version first.

Pensaba que el cliente esperaba una versión completa con todas las funciones.

pehn-SAH-bah keh el klee-EN-teh eh-speh-RAH-bah OO-nah behr-SYOHN kohm-PLEH-tah kohn TOH-dahs lahs foon-SYOH-nehs. I thought they expected a complete version with every feature.

Revisemos las notas en vez de discutir de memoria.

reh-bee-SEH-mohs lahs NOH-tahs en behs deh dees-koo-TEER deh meh-MOH-ryah. Let's check the notes instead of arguing from memory.

Las notas dicen que la rapidez es lo más importante, pero todavía se necesita una función avanzada.

lahs NOH-tahs DEE-sen keh lah rah-pee-DEHS es loh mahs eem-por-TAHN-teh, PEH-roh toh-dah-BEE-ah seh neh-seh-SEE-tah OO-nah foon-SYOHN ah-bahn-SAH-dah. The notes say speed matters most, but one advanced feature is still required.

Una versión más sencilla que incluya esa función parece el compromiso adecuado.

OO-nah behr-SYOHN mahs sen-SEE-yah keh een-KLOO-yah EH-sah foon-SYOHN pah-REH-seh el kohm-proh-MEE-soh ah-deh-KWAH-doh. A simpler version that includes that feature sounds like the right compromise.

Puedo aceptar eso si explicamos claramente ese equilibrio.

PWEH-doh ah-sehp-TAHR EH-soh see ehk-splee-KAH-mohs klah-rah-MEN-teh EH-soh eh-kee-LEE-bree-oh. I can accept that if we explain the trade-off clearly.

Podemos enfocarlo en las prioridades del cliente.

poh-DEH-mohs en-foh-KAHR-loh en lahs pree-oh-ree-DAH-dehs del klee-EN-teh. We can frame it around the client's priorities.

Actualizaré la descripción de la tarea para que coincida con la decisión.

ahk-too-ah-lee-sah-REH lah dehs-kreep-SYOHN deh lah tah-REH-ah pah-rah keh koh-een-SEE-dah kohn lah deh-see-SYOHN. I'll update the task description to match the decision.

Entonces, el desacuerdo no debería retrasar el proyecto.

en-TOHN-sehs, el deh-sah-KWEHR-doh noh deh-beh-REE-ah reh-trah-SAHR el proh-YEHK-toh. Then the disagreement should not slow the project down.

Word by Word

Creo “Creo” means “I think” here and introduces the speaker’s opinion. It is the first-person present form of “creer”; use “Creo que ...” before a belief or view.

que “Que” means “that” and links “Creo” to the statement that follows. The reusable pattern is “Creo que ...” when introducing an opinion or belief.

no “No” negates “estamos de acuerdo”, so the speaker says that they are not in agreement. Place “no” before the verb or expression being negated.

estamos In “estamos de acuerdo”, “estamos” means “we are”. It is the first-person plural present form of “estar”; “estar de acuerdo” is used to express agreement.

de In “de acuerdo”, “de” is part of the expression meaning “in agreement”. Use it together with “acuerdo” after “estar” in “estar de acuerdo”.

acuerdo In “estamos de acuerdo”, “acuerdo” refers to agreement. The common reusable expression is “estar de acuerdo” when people share the same view.

porque “Porque” means “because” and introduces the reason for the disagreement. Use “porque” before a clause that explains why something happens.

hicimos “Hicimos” means “we made” in “hicimos suposiciones”. It is the first-person plural past form of “hacer”; use “hicimos” with a noun to describe something the group made or did.

suposiciones “Suposiciones” means “assumptions” here, referring to ideas accepted without checking the notes. The reusable expression is “hacer suposiciones”.

diferentes “Diferentes” means “different” and describes the assumptions as not being the same. It follows the noun “suposiciones” here and can be used after a plural noun to compare it with another one.

Pensaba “Pensaba” means “I thought” and introduces a belief the speaker had about the client’s request. It is the first-person imperfect form of “pensar”; use “Pensaba que ...” for a past belief or understanding.

el “El” means “the” before “cliente” and marks a singular definite noun phrase. Use “el” before a singular masculine noun in this kind of phrase.

cliente “Cliente” means “client” in “el cliente”. It identifies the person whose requested version the teammates are discussing; a common pattern is “el cliente quería ...”.

quería “Quería” means “wanted” in the speaker’s report of the client’s preference. It is the third-person singular imperfect form of “querer”; use “quería + noun” or “quería que ...” to describe a past desire.

primero “Primero” means “first” and places the simple version at the beginning of the planned sequence. Use it to show that something should happen before another step.

una “Una” means “a” before the feminine noun “versión”. Use “una + feminine singular noun” when introducing one non-specific item.

versión “Versión” means “version” in “una versión sencilla” and “una versión completa”. It is used with an adjective to specify the kind of version being discussed.

sencilla “Sencilla” means “simple” here and describes “versión”. Its feminine singular form agrees with “versión”; use a noun followed by an adjective to describe its qualities.

esperaba “Esperaba” means “expected” in the speaker’s account of what the client wanted. It is the third-person singular imperfect form of “esperar”; use “esperaba + noun” to describe an expectation in the past.

completa “Completa” means “complete” and describes the expected version. Its feminine singular form agrees with “versión”; use “versión completa” for a version containing everything intended.

con “Con” means “with” and introduces what the complete version contains in “con todas las funciones”. Use “con + noun phrase” to say that something includes or has something else.

todas “Todas” means “all” and refers to every one of the features in “todas las funciones”. It comes before “las funciones” and agrees with that feminine plural noun phrase.

las “Las” means “the” before the plural noun “funciones”. Use “las + feminine plural noun” for a definite group of feminine items.

funciones “Funciones” means “features” in the context of a project version. It is the plural of “función” and appears in “todas las funciones” to refer to the full set of features.

Revisemos “Revisemos” means “let’s check” and proposes that both teammates examine the notes together. Use “Revisemos + direct object” to suggest checking something jointly.

notas “Notas” means “notes” and is the object of “Revisemos”. The reusable phrase is “revisar las notas” when checking written information.

en In “en vez de”, “en” is part of the expression meaning “instead of”. Keep it with “vez de” before the alternative action.

vez In “en vez de discutir”, “vez” forms the expression “en vez de”, meaning “instead of”. Use “en vez de + infinitive” to replace one action with another.

discutir “Discutir” means “arguing” here and appears as an infinitive after “en vez de”. Use “en vez de discutir” when recommending another action instead of arguing.

memoria In “de memoria”, “memoria” refers to memory, so the teammates should not argue based only on what they remember. Use “de memoria” for information recalled without consulting a source.

dicen “Dicen” means “say” in “Las notas dicen que ...”, with “las notas” as the subject. It is the third-person plural present form of “decir”; use “X dicen que ...” when written information communicates something.

la “La” means “the” before the singular noun “rapidez”. Use “la + feminine singular noun” for a specific feminine concept or thing.

rapidez “Rapidez” means “speed” and is identified in the notes as the most important priority. The phrase “la rapidez” names speed as a specific project concern.

es “Es” means “is” and links “la rapidez” with “lo más importante”. It is the third-person singular present form of “ser”; use “X es + description” to identify or characterize X.

lo In “lo más importante”, “lo” turns the adjective phrase into a general idea, meaning “the most important thing or aspect”. The reusable pattern is “lo + adjective” when speaking about a quality in an abstract way.

más “Más” means “most” in “lo más importante”. Together with “lo” and an adjective, it forms a superlative expression for the highest degree of a quality.

importante “Importante” means “important” in “lo más importante”. It describes the quality that the notes rank highest; the pattern is “lo más importante” for the top priority.

pero “Pero” means “but” and contrasts speed as the main priority with the continuing requirement for an advanced feature. Use “pero” to connect two ideas that do not fully agree.

todavía “Todavía” means “still” and shows that the advanced feature remains necessary despite the priority given to speed. Use it with a verb when a situation continues to be true.

se In “se necesita una función avanzada”, “se” is part of a construction that states what is needed without naming the person who needs it. The reusable pattern is “se necesita + noun” for a general requirement.

necesita In “se necesita una función avanzada”, “necesita” means “is needed”. It is the third-person singular present form of “necesitar” used with “se”; use “se necesita + noun” to state a requirement.

función “Función” means “feature” here, referring to one advanced capability that the project must include. The phrase “una función avanzada” identifies one required feature.

avanzada “Avanzada” means “advanced” and describes “función”. Its feminine singular form agrees with “función”; use a noun followed by “avanzada” to describe a sophisticated feature.

incluya “Incluya” means “includes” in the description of a proposed simpler version. It is the form of “incluir” used after “que” in “que incluya esa función”; use “que incluya + object” to describe what an option contains.

esa “Esa” means “that” and points to the previously mentioned feature in “esa función”. Its feminine singular form agrees with “función”; use “esa + feminine singular noun” to refer back to a specific item.

parece “Parece” means “seems” and presents the proposed version as a suitable compromise. It is the third-person singular present form of “parecer”; use “X parece + description” to give an assessment.

compromiso “Compromiso” means “compromise” here, the solution that balances a simpler version with the required feature. Use it with “un” or “el” when naming an agreed middle option.

adecuado “Adecuado” means “suitable” or “right” and describes “compromiso”. Its masculine singular form agrees with “compromiso”; use “un compromiso adecuado” for an option that fits the situation.

Puedo “Puedo” means “I can” and introduces the speaker’s willingness to accept the proposal under a condition. It is the first-person present form of “poder”; use “Puedo + infinitive” to state an ability or possibility.

aceptar “Aceptar” means “accept” and follows “Puedo” as the action the speaker is willing to take. Use “poder + infinitive”, as in “Puedo aceptar ...”, to express being able or willing to do something.

eso “Eso” means “that” and refers to the proposed compromise as an idea. It is a neuter demonstrative pronoun used as the object of “aceptar” when referring to a situation, proposal, or decision.

si “Si” means “if” and introduces the condition for accepting the compromise. Use “si + clause” to state what must be true for the main action to happen.

explicamos “Explicamos” means “we explain” in the condition “si explicamos claramente ...”. It is the first-person plural present form of “explicar”; use “explicamos + object” when describing an explanation made by the group.

claramente “Claramente” means “clearly” and describes how the trade-off should be explained. It is an adverb that can be placed with the verb to describe the manner of an action.

ese “Ese” means “that” before the masculine noun “equilibrio”. Its masculine singular form agrees with “equilibrio”; use “ese + masculine singular noun” to refer to a specific idea or thing.

equilibrio “Equilibrio” means “balance” or “trade-off” here, referring to the balance between speed and including an advanced feature. Use it when explaining how competing project priorities are balanced.

Podemos “Podemos” means “we can” and introduces a suggested way to present the compromise. It is the first-person plural present form of “poder”; use “Podemos + infinitive” to propose a possible joint action.

enfocarlo “Enfocarlo” means “to focus or frame it”, with “lo” referring to the proposal or compromise. It combines the infinitive “enfocar” with the attached object pronoun “lo”; the reusable pattern is “enfocarlo en + priorities or topic”.

prioridades “Prioridades” means “priorities” and identifies the client’s main concerns in “las prioridades del cliente”. Use “prioridades de + person or group” to say whose priorities they are.

del “Del” means “of the” in “del cliente”. It is the contraction of “de” and “el”; use it before a masculine singular noun when expressing belonging or association.

Actualizaré “Actualizaré” means “I will update” and states the speaker’s planned next action. It is the first-person future form of “actualizar”; use “Actualizaré + direct object” to make a commitment about a future update.

descripción “Descripción” means “description” and is the document text that will be updated. In “la descripción de la tarea”, it is followed by “de” to specify what is being described.

tarea “Tarea” means “task” in “la descripción de la tarea”. The phrase “de la tarea” identifies which task the description belongs to.

para In “para que coincida con la decisión”, “para” introduces the purpose of the update. Use “para que + clause” to explain the result an action is intended to achieve.

coincida “Coincida” means “matches” in “para que coincida con la decisión”, referring to the task description matching the decision. It is the form of “coincidir” used after “para que”; the reusable pattern is “para que X coincida con Y”.

decisión “Decisión” means “decision” and is the reference that the updated task description should match. Use “coincidir con una decisión” when saying that information reflects an agreed choice.

Entonces “Entonces” means “then” or “so” and introduces the consequence of updating the task description. Use it at the start of a sentence to draw a conclusion from what was just agreed.

debería “Debería” means “should” and expresses an expectation that the disagreement will not cause a delay. It is used with an infinitive in “no debería retrasar ...” to say that something ought not to happen.

retrasar “Retrasar” means “delay” or “slow down” and follows “debería”. Use “retrasar + project or task” to describe causing planned work to take longer.

proyecto “Proyecto” means “project” and is the object of “retrasar”. The phrase “retrasar el proyecto” means to delay the project’s progress.

Grammar Points

Revisemos + sustantivo

Revisemos la descripción.

reh-bee-SEH-mohs lah dehs-kreep-SYOHN.

Let's review the description.

Revisemos proposes a shared action and uses the nosotros form of the present subjunctive.

Imperfecto: pensaba, quería, esperaba

Quería una versión sencilla.

keh-REE-ah OO-nah behr-SYOHN sen-SEE-yah.

I wanted a simple version.

The imperfect describes a past desire or expectation without focusing on its completion.

Spanish Vocabulary

cliente noun

klee-EN-teh client

Pensaba que el cliente quería primero una versión sencilla.

completo adj

kohm-PLEH-toh complete completa

Pensaba que el cliente esperaba una versión completa con todas las funciones.

diferente adj

dee-feh-REHN-teh different diferentes

Creo que no estamos de acuerdo porque hicimos suposiciones diferentes.

esperar verb

eh-speh-RAHR to expect esperaba

Pensaba que el cliente esperaba una versión completa con todas las funciones.

estar de acuerdo phrase

eh-STAHR deh ah-KWEHR-doh to agree estamos de acuerdo

Creo que no estamos de acuerdo porque hicimos suposiciones diferentes.

función noun

foon-SYOHN feature funciones

Pensaba que el cliente esperaba una versión completa con todas las funciones.

hacer verb

ah-SEHR to make hicimos

Creo que no estamos de acuerdo porque hicimos suposiciones diferentes.

pensar verb

pehn-SAHR to think pensaba

Pensaba que el cliente quería primero una versión sencilla.

querer verb

keh-REHR to want quería

Pensaba que el cliente quería primero una versión sencilla.

sencillo adj

sen-SEE-yoh simple sencilla

Pensaba que el cliente quería primero una versión sencilla.

suposición noun

soo-poh-see-SYOHN assumption suposiciones

Creo que no estamos de acuerdo porque hicimos suposiciones diferentes.

versión noun

behr-SYOHN version

Pensaba que el cliente quería primero una versión sencilla.

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to make

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hicimos

simple

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sencilla

assumption

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suposiciones

different

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diferentes