About This Lesson
Use Safe hiking plans to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
El sendero de montaña parece hermoso, pero puede ser demasiado difícil para principiantes.
ehl sen-DEH-roh deh mohn-TAHN-yah pah-REH-seh ehr-MOH-soh, PEH-roh PWEH-deh sehr deh-mah-SYAH-doh dee-FEE-seel pah-rah preen-see-pee-AHN-tehs. The mountain trail looks beautiful, but it may be too difficult for beginners.
B
Comprobemos la distancia, el desnivel y el pronóstico del tiempo antes de decidir.
kohm-proh-BEH-mohs lah dees-TAHN-syah, ehl dehs-nee-VEHL ee ehl proh-NOHS-tee-koh dehl TYEHM-poh AHN-tehs deh deh-see-DEER. Let's check the distance, elevation, and weather forecast before we decide.
A
Es una ruta bastante larga.
ehs OO-nah ROO-tah bahs-TAHN-teh LAR-gah. It is a fairly long route.
A
El pronóstico anuncia lluvia ligera por la tarde.
ehl proh-NOHS-tee-koh ah-NOON-syah YOO-byah lee-HEH-rah por lah TAR-deh. The forecast says light rain in the afternoon.
B
Entonces tenemos que salir temprano y tener un plan alternativo.
ehn-TOHN-sehs teh-NEH-mohs keh sah-LEER tehm-PRAH-noh ee teh-NEHR oon plahn ahl-tehr-nah-TEE-boh. Then we need an early start and a backup plan.
A
Hay una ruta más corta que regresa a la misma estación.
eye OO-nah ROO-tah mahs KOR-tah keh reh-GREH-sah ah lah MEES-mah ehs-tah-SYOHN. There is a shorter route that returns to the same station.
B
Eso parece más seguro si las condiciones del sendero se vuelven resbaladizas.
EH-soh pah-REH-seh mahs seh-GOO-roh see lahs kohn-dee-SYOH-nehs dehl sen-DEH-roh seh BWEHL-behn rehs-bah-lah-DEE-sahs. That sounds safer if the trail conditions become slippery.
A
¿Deberíamos decirles a todos que traigan calzado adecuado y agua?
deh-beh-RYAH-mohs deh-SEER-lehs ah TOH-dohs keh TRAH-ee-gahn kahl-SAH-doh ah-deh-KWAH-doh ee AH-gwah? Should we tell everyone to bring proper shoes and water?
B
Deberían traer las dos cosas.
deh-beh-RYAHN trah-EHR lahs dohs KOH-sahs. They should bring both.
B
Deberíamos dejar claro que nos daremos la vuelta si hace falta.
deh-beh-RYAH-mohs deh-HAR KLAH-roh keh nohs dah-REH-mohs lah BWEHL-tah see AH-seh FAHL-tah. We should make it clear that we will turn back if needed.
A
Compartiré el mapa de la ruta y la hora de encuentro esta noche.
kohm-par-tee-REH ehl MAH-pah deh lah ROO-tah ee lah OH-rah deh ehn-KWEHN-troh EHS-tah NOH-cheh. I will share the route map and meeting time tonight.
B
Eso debería ayudar a todos a prepararse y decidir si pueden unirse.
EH-soh deh-beh-RYAH ah-yoo-DAR ah TOH-dohs ah preh-pah-RAHR-seh ee deh-see-DEER see PWEH-dehn oo-NEER-seh. That should help everyone prepare and decide if they can join.Word by Word
El
In 'El sendero', 'El' means 'the' and introduces the singular noun 'sendero'. It is used before a singular noun in descriptions such as the mountain trail in this dialogue. The same article can introduce other singular nouns when the listener knows which one is meant.
sendero
In 'El sendero de montaña', 'sendero' means trail, specifically the path being considered for the hike. Its citation form is sendero, and it is used with a noun phrase that can describe the trail's setting. Use it when talking about a marked or natural path for walking.
de
In 'sendero de montaña', 'de' links the trail with its setting and means 'of' or 'mountain' in the compound idea 'mountain trail'. A common reuse pattern is 'noun + de + noun' to specify type, material, origin, or connection. Here it identifies what kind of trail is being discussed.
montaña
In 'sendero de montaña', 'montaña' means mountain and identifies the environment of the trail. The noun is used after 'de' to specify the type of trail. Use it when describing a route, view, or activity connected with a mountain.
parece
In 'parece hermoso', 'parece' means 'seems' or 'looks' and presents an impression about the trail. It is a form of parecer, and it is followed here by the adjective 'hermoso'. Use 'parece' when giving an appearance-based judgment rather than stating a directly measured fact.
hermoso
In 'parece hermoso', 'hermoso' means beautiful and describes how the trail looks. The form is masculine singular because it describes 'sendero'. Use an adjective after 'parece' to describe the appearance or quality of something.
pero
In 'parece hermoso, pero puede ser demasiado difícil', 'pero' means 'but' and introduces a contrast between the trail's beauty and its possible difficulty. It connects two opposing observations in the same statement. Use it when one fact does not cancel or support the expectation created by the first fact.
puede
In 'puede ser demasiado difícil', 'puede' expresses possibility: the trail may be too difficult. It is a form of poder and is followed here by the infinitive 'ser'. Use 'puede' with an infinitive when describing what may or can happen.
ser
In 'puede ser demasiado difícil', 'ser' supplies the idea of being difficult after 'puede'. Its citation form is ser, and it remains in the infinitive after that verb. Use it to connect a subject with an identifying description or evaluation.
demasiado
In 'demasiado difícil', 'demasiado' means 'too' and shows that the difficulty may exceed what beginners can reasonably manage. It modifies the adjective 'difícil' directly. Use it before an adjective when the degree is excessive for the situation.
difícil
In 'demasiado difícil para principiantes', 'difícil' means difficult and describes the level of the trail. It appears after 'demasiado' and before 'para principiantes'. Use it to evaluate whether an activity, route, or task requires more ability than someone has.
para
In 'difícil para principiantes', 'para' identifies the people for whom the trail may be difficult. It introduces the intended group or point of reference for the evaluation. Use 'para' before a person or group when describing suitability, difficulty, or benefit for them.
principiantes
In 'para principiantes', 'principiantes' means beginners and refers to people with little experience of hiking. It is the plural form used after 'para' for the group being considered. Use it when discussing an activity's level for people who are new to it.
Comprobemos
In 'Comprobemos la distancia, el desnivel y el pronóstico', 'Comprobemos' means 'let's check' and proposes checking information together. It is a form of comprobar used to invite joint action. Use it before the information or object that needs to be checked.
la
In 'la distancia', 'la' means 'the' and introduces the specific distance being checked. It is the feminine singular article used with 'distancia'. Use it before a known or specific feminine singular noun.
distancia
In 'la distancia', 'distancia' means distance, referring to how far the route is. The noun is the object of the checking action. Use it when discussing the length or space between two points.
desnivel
In 'el desnivel', 'desnivel' means the elevation difference or elevation gain of the route. It is one of the practical details to check before deciding about the hike. Use it when evaluating how much a path rises or changes vertically.
y
In 'la distancia, el desnivel y el pronóstico', 'y' means 'and' and joins the final item to the other things being checked. It connects nouns or other equivalent parts of a sentence. Use it to add one related item to a list.
pronóstico
In 'el pronóstico del tiempo', 'pronóstico' means forecast, here the prediction about upcoming weather. Its citation form is pronóstico, and it is specified by 'del tiempo'. Use it when referring to a prediction about conditions before an outdoor activity.
del
In 'del tiempo', 'del' means 'of the' and connects the forecast with the weather. It is the contraction of 'de' and 'el'. Use 'del' before a masculine singular noun when the meaning requires 'de el'.
tiempo
In 'el pronóstico del tiempo', 'tiempo' means weather, not clock time, because it is the subject of a forecast. The phrase 'del tiempo' specifies what kind of forecast is meant. Use this noun in weather-related expressions when discussing outdoor conditions.
antes
In 'antes de decidir', 'antes' means 'before' and places the decision after the checking action in time. It is followed here by 'de' and an infinitive. Use 'antes de' plus an infinitive to describe an action that must happen earlier.
decidir
In 'antes de decidir', 'decidir' means decide and refers to choosing whether to take the route. Its citation form is decidir, and it remains in the infinitive after 'de'. Use it when a person or group must choose after considering information.
Es
In 'Es una ruta bastante larga', 'Es' means 'is' and identifies the route's length. It is a form of ser and links 'una ruta' with its description. Use it to state a stable identification or description.
una
In 'una ruta', 'una' means 'a' and introduces one route that has not yet been identified more specifically. It is the feminine singular article because 'ruta' is feminine. Use it before a feminine singular noun when introducing one example or item.
ruta
In 'una ruta bastante larga', 'ruta' means route and refers to the planned path of the hike. It is described by 'bastante larga'. Use it when discussing the course or path from a starting point to a destination.
bastante
In 'bastante larga', 'bastante' means fairly or quite and indicates a noticeable degree of length without saying that it is extreme. It modifies the adjective 'larga'. Use it before an adjective to give a moderate-to-strong evaluation.
larga
In 'una ruta bastante larga', 'larga' means long and describes the route's distance. It is the feminine singular form of largo, agreeing with 'ruta'. Use an adjective after a noun to describe its size, duration, or extent.
anuncia
In 'El pronóstico anuncia lluvia ligera', 'anuncia' means announces or forecasts and presents the predicted rain as information from the forecast. It is a form of anunciar, with 'el pronóstico' as the source of the information. Use it when a forecast, notice, or report states that something is expected.
lluvia
In 'lluvia ligera', 'lluvia' means rain and names the weather expected in the afternoon. It is modified by 'ligera'. Use it when describing rain as a condition that may affect an outdoor plan.
ligera
In 'lluvia ligera', 'ligera' means light and describes the expected intensity of the rain. It is the feminine singular form of ligero, agreeing with 'lluvia'. Use it after a weather noun when describing low intensity.
por
In 'por la tarde', 'por' places the expected rain within a time period and means during or in this context. It is followed by 'la tarde'. Use 'por' with a part of the day when describing when something happens during that period.
tarde
In 'por la tarde', 'tarde' means afternoon and identifies the time when the light rain is expected. The phrase with 'por' describes a period rather than a precise clock time. Use it when referring to afternoon conditions or activities.
Entonces
In 'Entonces tenemos que salir temprano', 'Entonces' means 'then' and introduces the consequence of the forecast information. It links the weather concern to the next planning decision. Use it at the start of a response when drawing a practical conclusion.
tenemos
In 'tenemos que salir temprano', 'tenemos' contributes the idea that the group has a need or obligation to leave early. It is a form of tener, and the obligation comes from the complete construction 'tenemos que salir'. Use this construction when a group says that an action is necessary.
que
In 'tenemos que salir', 'que' connects 'tenemos' with the action that is necessary. It is part of the construction expressing 'have to' and is followed by the infinitive 'salir'. Use it in this construction before the action that must be done.
salir
In 'tenemos que salir temprano', 'salir' means leave or set out and refers to beginning the hike. It is the infinitive after 'tenemos que'. Use it when talking about leaving a place or setting off on a journey.
temprano
In 'salir temprano', 'temprano' means early and specifies when the group should set out. It modifies the action 'salir'. Use it with an action when the planned time is earlier than usual or earlier than another event.
tener
In 'tener un plan alternativo', 'tener' means have and refers to possessing or keeping a backup plan. It is the infinitive coordinated with 'salir' after the need expressed by 'tenemos que'. Use it before a noun when describing something that should be available.
un
In 'un plan alternativo', 'un' means 'a' and introduces one backup plan. It is the masculine singular article used with 'plan'. Use it before a masculine singular noun when introducing one item.
plan
In 'un plan alternativo', 'plan' means plan and refers to the agreed action if the original route is unsuitable. It is specified by the adjective 'alternativo'. Use it for an intended set of actions or arrangements.
alternativo
In 'un plan alternativo', 'alternativo' means alternative or backup and describes a plan that can replace the first plan. It is the masculine singular form agreeing with 'plan'. Use it for a second option prepared in case the original cannot be used.
Hay
In 'Hay una ruta más corta', 'Hay' means 'there is' and introduces the existence of another route. It is a form of haber used to present something as available or present. Use it before a noun when pointing out that an option exists.
más
In 'más corta', 'más' means 'more' and forms the comparison that the route is shorter than another route. It comes before the adjective 'corta'. Use 'más' before an adjective when comparing the degree of a quality.
corta
In 'una ruta más corta', 'corta' means shorter and describes the alternative route's length. It is the feminine singular form of corto, agreeing with 'ruta', and is intensified by 'más'. Use it to compare routes or distances when one has less length than another.
regresa
In 'que regresa a la misma estación', 'regresa' means returns and describes what the shorter route does. It is a form of regresar, and the destination is introduced by 'a'. Use it in a relative description of a route, person, or vehicle that goes back to a place.
a
In 'regresa a la misma estación', 'a' introduces the destination of the return. It connects the movement with the station. Use it before a destination after verbs that express going or returning.
misma
In 'la misma estación', 'misma' means same and emphasizes that the destination is the station already associated with the route. It is the feminine singular form of mismo, agreeing with 'estación'. Use it before a noun when identifying an identical place or thing.
estación
In 'la misma estación', 'estación' means station and names the route's return point. It is specified by 'la misma'. Use it for a transport station or another designated stopping point when discussing a route.
Eso
In 'Eso parece más seguro', 'Eso' means 'that' and points to the shorter route just mentioned. It refers to the whole proposal rather than to one separate object. Use it to refer back to an idea, suggestion, or situation already discussed.
seguro
In 'parece más seguro', 'seguro' means safe and evaluates the shorter route as safer than the original option. It is the masculine singular form agreeing with the implied route or plan. Use it after 'parece' to describe whether an option seems free from danger.
si
In 'si las condiciones del sendero se vuelven resbaladizas', 'si' means 'if' and introduces the condition under which the shorter route would be safer. It connects a possible situation with its consequence. Use it before a clause that states a condition for an action or judgment.
las
In 'las condiciones del sendero', 'las' means 'the' and introduces the specific plural conditions being considered. It is the feminine plural article used with 'condiciones'. Use it before a known or specific feminine plural noun.
condiciones
In 'las condiciones del sendero', 'condiciones' means conditions and refers to the state of the trail surface. It is the plural form of condición and is specified by 'del sendero'. Use it when discussing the circumstances or physical state that affect an activity.
se
In 'se vuelven resbaladizas', 'se' helps form the expression meaning that the trail conditions become slippery. It shows that the subject is undergoing a change of state together with 'vuelven'. Use it as part of this change-of-state construction when describing something becoming a new condition.
vuelven
In 'se vuelven resbaladizas', 'vuelven' means become or turn, describing a change in the trail conditions. It is a form of volver, and here it is used with 'se' and an adjective rather than with a destination. Use the pattern 'se vuelven + adjective' to describe a subject becoming a certain way.
resbaladizas
In 'se vuelven resbaladizas', 'resbaladizas' means slippery and describes the changed state of the trail conditions. It is the feminine plural form of resbaladizo, agreeing with 'condiciones'. Use it for a surface that may cause people to slide or lose their footing.
Deberíamos
In 'Deberíamos decirles a todos', 'Deberíamos' means 'we should' and presents a recommendation for the group. It is a form of deber and is followed by the infinitive 'decirles'. Use it when suggesting what we ought to do.
decirles
In 'decirles a todos que traigan', 'decirles' means tell them. It combines the infinitive decir with 'les', which refers to the people receiving the message. Use it before the content of the message, as in telling people that they should bring something.
todos
In 'a todos', 'todos' means everyone or all the people in the group. It is the plural form of todo and identifies the recipients of the advice. Use it after 'a' when addressing or referring to every person in a group.
traigan
In 'que traigan calzado adecuado y agua', 'traigan' means bring and states the action recommended for everyone. It is a form of traer used after the message introduced by 'decirles'. Use it when telling a group what to bring to a place or activity.
calzado
In 'calzado adecuado', 'calzado' means footwear or shoes and refers to what hikers should wear on the trail. It is modified by 'adecuado'. Use it when speaking generally about footwear suited to an activity.
adecuado
In 'calzado adecuado', 'adecuado' means proper or suitable and describes footwear appropriate for the hike. It is the masculine singular form agreeing with 'calzado'. Use it after a noun when evaluating whether something fits the needs of a situation.
agua
In 'calzado adecuado y agua', 'agua' means water and names the second thing hikers should bring. It is joined to 'calzado adecuado' by 'y'. Use it when discussing what people need for hydration during an outdoor activity.
Deberían
In 'Deberían traer las dos cosas', 'Deberían' means 'they should' and gives a recommendation about the other people in the group. It is a form of deber and is followed by the infinitive 'traer'. Use it when advising what another person or group ought to do.
traer
In 'Deberían traer las dos cosas', 'traer' means bring and refers to carrying the needed items to the hike. It is the infinitive after 'deberían'. Use it when saying that someone should bring an object to the place where it will be needed.
cosas
In 'las dos cosas', 'cosas' means things and refers back to the footwear and water. It is the plural form of cosa and is quantified by 'dos'. Use it to refer generally to multiple objects when their specific names have already been mentioned.
dejar
In 'dejar claro', 'dejar' helps express the idea of making a message clear. It is the infinitive in the construction 'dejar claro que...' and does not mean simply leaving something behind here. Use this construction when emphasizing that other people must clearly understand a point.
claro
In 'dejar claro que nos daremos la vuelta', 'claro' means clear and describes the message that should be communicated without ambiguity. It completes the expression with 'dejar'. Use it after 'dejar' when stating that an instruction, condition, or intention should be made clear.
nos daremos la vuelta
The exact expression 'nos daremos la vuelta' means 'we will turn back' if continuing becomes unsafe or unsuitable. In it, 'nos' refers to the group itself, 'daremos' carries the future action, 'la' is the article, and 'vuelta' supplies the idea of a turn; together they form the turn-back expression. Use the whole expression when explaining a safety decision to return rather than continue.
hace falta
The exact expression 'hace falta' means 'it is needed' or 'it is necessary' in 'si hace falta'. Here, 'hace' supplies the verb form and 'falta' contributes the idea of lack or need, while the phrase as a whole expresses necessity. Use it after 'si' when an action will happen only if it becomes necessary.
Compartiré
In 'Compartiré el mapa', 'Compartiré' means 'I will share' and states a future action by the speaker. It is a form of compartir and is followed by the item being shared. Use it when announcing that you will send or make information available later.
mapa
In 'el mapa de la ruta', 'mapa' means map and refers to the visual route information the speaker will share. It is specified by 'de la ruta'. Use it when giving people location or route details for a journey.
hora
In 'la hora de encuentro', 'hora' means time and refers to when the group is expected to meet. It is specified by 'de encuentro'. Use it when communicating the scheduled time for an appointment or meeting.
encuentro
In 'hora de encuentro', 'encuentro' means meeting and identifies the event for which the time is being given. It follows 'de' to specify what the hour is for. Use it when referring to an arranged meeting point or gathering.
esta
In 'esta noche', 'esta' means 'this' and points to the current or immediately upcoming night. It is the feminine singular form of este, agreeing with 'noche'. Use it before a time expression when referring to the present day or evening.
noche
In 'esta noche', 'noche' means night and the complete phrase means tonight. It identifies when the route map and meeting time will be shared. Use it with a demonstrative such as 'esta' to refer to the current night.
debería
In 'Eso debería ayudar', 'debería' means 'should' and expresses an expected helpful result from sharing the information. It is a form of deber and is followed by the infinitive 'ayudar'. Use it when making a reasonable prediction or giving advice about a singular subject.
ayudar
In 'debería ayudar a todos', 'ayudar' means help and describes the expected benefit of sharing the map and time. It is the infinitive after 'debería' and is followed by 'a todos', the people helped. Use it when explaining how an action supports a person or group.
prepararse
In 'ayudar a todos a prepararse', 'prepararse' means prepare themselves or get ready for the hike. It is formed from preparar with the attached reflexive pronoun 'se', referring to the people who must get ready. Use it after an expression of help when the people helped are preparing themselves for an activity.
pueden
In 'si pueden unirse', 'pueden' means can or are able to and refers to whether the people are able to join the hike. It is a form of poder followed by the infinitive 'unirse'. Use it with an infinitive after 'si' when checking someone's possibility or ability to participate.
unirse
In 'si pueden unirse', 'unirse' means join and refers to becoming part of the hiking group. It is formed from unir with the attached pronoun 'se'. Use it after a verb of ability or possibility when someone may join an activity or group.
Grammar Points
comprobemos + sustantivo
Comprobemos la distancia y el desnivel.
kohm-proh-BEH-mohs lah dees-TAHN-syah ee ehl dehs-nee-VEHL.Let's check the distance and elevation gain.
The nosotros form comprobemos expresses a suggestion or proposal: “let's check.”
nos daremos la vuelta
Si hace falta, nos daremos la vuelta.
see AH-seh FAHL-tah, nohs dah-REH-mohs lah BWEHL-tah.If needed, we'll turn back.
The reflexive pronoun nos comes before the conjugated future verb: nos daremos.
Spanish Vocabulary
comprobar
verb
kohm-proh-BAHR
to check
comprobemos
decidir
verb
deh-see-DEER
to decide
desnivel
noun
dehs-nee-VEHL
elevation gain; elevation difference
difícil
adj
dee-FEE-seel
difficult
distancia
noun
dees-TAHN-syah
distance
hermoso
adj
ehr-MOH-soh
beautiful
montaña
noun
mohn-TAHN-yah
mountain
parecer
verb
pah-reh-SEHR
to seem; to look
parece
principiante
noun
preen-see-pee-AHN-teh
beginner
principiantes
pronóstico
noun
proh-NOHS-tee-koh
forecast
sendero
noun
sen-DEH-roh
trail
El sendero de montaña
tiempo
noun
TYEHM-poh
weather
el pronóstico del tiempo
Quiz
Word Order
Arrange the words in the correct order.
It is a fairly long route.
Show Answer
Es una ruta bastante larga.They should bring both.
Show Answer
Deberían traer las dos cosas.Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
trail
Show Answer
senderoto seem; to look
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parecedistance
Show Answer
distanciaelevation gain; elevation difference