Borrowing a Suitcase and Agreeing on Care | Learn Spanish in English

Spanish lesson set in a contemporary Madrid everyday setting: Before a trip, one adult borrows a suitcase and agrees how to protect it, document its condition, and return it clean..

EN → ES / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Borrowing a Suitcase and Agreeing on Care to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

¿Podría pedirte prestada tu maleta mediana para mi viaje de la próxima semana?

poh-DRAY-ah peh-DEER-teh prehs-TAH-dah too mah-LEH-tah meh-dee-AH-nah PAH-rah mee vee-AH-heh deh lah PROHK-see-mah seh-MAH-nah Could I borrow your medium suitcase for my trip next week?
B

Puedes pedirla prestada, pero ten cuidado con el asa porque es un poco frágil.

PWEH-dess peh-DEER-lah prehs-TAH-dah PEH-roh ten kwee-DAH-doh kohn el AH-sah POHR-keh ess oon POH-koh FRAH-heal You can, but be careful with the handle because it's a little fragile.
A

Lo tendré en cuenta y evitaré llenarla demasiado.

loh tehn-DRAY en KWEHN-tah ee eh-bee-tah-RAY yeh-NAHR-lah deh-mah-see-AH-doh I'll keep that in mind and avoid overpacking it.
B

Además, tiene un rasguño en un lado.

ah-deh-MAHS, TYEH-neh oon rahz-GOO-nyoh en oon LAH-doh It also has a scratch on the side.
A

¿Quieres que le haga una foto antes de usar la maleta?

KYEH-ress keh leh AH-gah OO-nah FOH-toh AHN-tess deh oo-SAHR lah mah-LEH-tah Would you like me to take a photo before I use it?
B

Una foto dejaría claro el estado de la maleta para los dos.

OO-nah FOH-toh deh-hah-REE-ah KLAH-roh el eh-STAH-doh deh lah mah-LEH-tah PAH-rah lohs DOHS A photo would make the condition clear for both of us.
A

Te la devolveré al día siguiente de volver.

teh lah deh-bohl-beh-RAY al DEE-ah see-GYEN-teh deh bohl-BEHR I'll return it the day after I get back.
B

Limpia las ruedas antes de meter la maleta en casa, por favor.

LEEM-pyah lahs RWEH-dahs AHN-tess deh meh-TEHR lah mah-LEH-tah en KAH-sah, pohr fah-BOHR Please wipe the wheels before bringing it inside.
A

Lo haré afuera antes de devolverte la maleta.

loh ah-RAY ah-FWEH-rah AHN-tess deh deh-bohl-BEHR-teh lah mah-LEH-tah I'll do that outside before I bring it back.
B

Avísame si el asa te da problemas durante el viaje.

ah-BEE-sah-meh see el AH-sah teh dah proh-BLEH-mahs doo-RAHN-teh el vee-AH-heh Let me know if the handle gives you trouble during the trip.

Word by Word

Podría In “¿Podría pedirte prestada...?”, “Podría” politely asks whether the speaker may borrow something. It is the conditional form related to “poder” and is used here to make a respectful request. It can be followed by an infinitive when asking permission for an action.
pedirte In “¿Podría pedirte prestada...?”, “pedirte” means asking you for something to borrow. It is formed from the infinitive “pedir” with “te” attached, referring to the person being asked. It is used with the borrowed item and “prestada” in this request.
prestada In “pedirte prestada tu maleta”, “prestada” means borrowed and describes the suitcase being requested. It is the feminine form of “prestado”, matching “maleta”. The expression is used when asking to borrow a particular item.
tu In “tu maleta”, “tu” means your and identifies the suitcase as belonging to the person being addressed. It comes directly before the noun “maleta”. It is useful for identifying someone’s possession in a request.
maleta “Maleta” means suitcase, the item being borrowed in this dialogue. It is the noun referred to later by pronouns such as “la” and “lo”. It can be used when discussing luggage for a trip.
mediana In “maleta mediana”, “mediana” means medium-sized. It is the feminine form of “mediano”, matching “maleta”, and it follows the noun here. It is useful when specifying the size of an item.
para In “para mi viaje”, “para” means for and marks the purpose of borrowing the suitcase. It introduces the trip that the suitcase is intended for. It commonly links an item or action with its purpose.
mi In “mi viaje”, “mi” means my and identifies the trip as belonging to the speaker. It comes before the noun “viaje”. It is used before a noun when stating personal possession or association.
viaje “Viaje” means trip or journey. Here it is the purpose connected to the suitcase by “para”. It is useful when talking about travel plans.
de In “de la próxima semana”, “de” links the time expression with the week and means of. It identifies which week the speaker is referring to. It commonly connects a noun with another noun or noun phrase.
la In “la próxima semana”, “la” means the and forms the definite noun phrase referring to the upcoming week. It is used with “semana” in this expression. It helps identify a specific time period.
próxima In “la próxima semana”, “próxima” means next or upcoming. It is the feminine form of “próximo”, matching “semana”. It is used here to refer to the week that follows the present one.
semana “Semana” means week. In “la próxima semana”, it identifies the time of the planned trip. It is useful for arranging or describing events by week.
Puedes In “Puedes pedirla prestada”, “Puedes” tells the listener that they are allowed to borrow the suitcase. It is the second-person singular form related to “poder”. It can be followed by an infinitive when granting permission for an action.
pedirla In “Puedes pedirla prestada”, “pedirla” means ask for it, with “la” referring to the suitcase. It is formed from “pedir” with the object pronoun “la” attached. Together with “prestada”, it expresses asking to borrow the item.
pero “Pero” means but and introduces a condition or limitation after permission has been given. Here it connects permission to the warning about handling the suitcase. It is used to contrast or qualify the previous statement.
ten In “ten cuidado con el asa”, “ten” tells the listener to take care. It is the imperative form related to “tener” and forms part of the warning “ten cuidado”. It is commonly used to give a direct caution.
cuidado In “ten cuidado con el asa”, “cuidado” means care, and the whole expression means be careful with the handle. It names the care that the listener is being told to have. The expression can be followed by the thing that requires caution.
con In “cuidado con el asa”, “con” means with and connects the warning to the handle. It identifies the object that must be handled carefully. It is used in the pattern for telling someone to be careful with something.
el In “el asa”, “el” means the and forms the definite phrase referring to the handle. It appears directly before “asa” in this dialogue. It helps identify a specific part of the suitcase.
asa “Asa” means handle, specifically the suitcase handle discussed in the warning. It is the object connected to “cuidado con”. It is useful when describing or reporting a problem with a handle.
porque “Porque” means because and introduces the reason for being careful with the handle. Here it links the warning to the information that the handle is fragile. It is used to explain the reason for a request or statement.
es In “es un poco frágil”, “es” states that the handle has the characteristic of being fragile. It is the third-person singular form related to “ser”. It can be followed by an adjective when describing a characteristic.
un In “un poco frágil”, “un” helps form the expression meaning a little. It comes before “poco”, which then modifies the adjective “frágil”. The pattern “un poco” can soften the degree of an adjective.
poco In “un poco frágil”, “poco” means a little and limits the degree of fragility. Together with “un”, it makes the description less absolute. It is useful for expressing a small amount or degree.
frágil “Frágil” means fragile or easily damaged. Here it describes the handle and gives the reason for the warning. It is useful when explaining that an object needs careful handling.
Lo In “Lo tendré en cuenta”, “Lo” means it or that and refers to the warning or information just given. It is placed before the conjugated verb “tendré”. It can refer to a previous statement that someone intends to remember or consider.
tendré In “Lo tendré en cuenta”, “tendré” means I will have, but the whole expression means I will keep that in mind or take that into account. It is the first-person future form related to “tener”. It is used with information placed before or understood as the object of consideration.
en In “tenerlo en cuenta”, “en” is part of the expression for keeping something in mind or taking it into account. It connects the information with “cuenta”. The expression is used when acknowledging that advice or information will be considered.
cuenta In “tenerlo en cuenta”, “cuenta” contributes to the meaning take into account rather than referring to a literal account. It completes the expression with “tener” and “en”. This expression is useful when promising to consider advice or information.
y “Y” means and and connects the promise to keep the warning in mind with the promise to avoid overfilling the suitcase. It joins two related actions in the same statement. It is used to add another action or idea.
evitaré In “evitaré llenarla demasiado”, “evitaré” means I will avoid. It is the first-person future form related to “evitar”. It is followed here by an infinitive to state the action the speaker intends not to do.
llenarla In “evitaré llenarla demasiado”, “llenarla” means fill it, with “la” referring to the suitcase. It is formed from “llenar” with the object pronoun “la” attached. The phrase says that the speaker will avoid filling the suitcase excessively.
demasiado In “llenarla demasiado”, “demasiado” means too much or excessively. It marks an amount beyond what is appropriate for the suitcase. It is useful when limiting the degree or amount of an action.
Además “Además” means also or besides and introduces another fact about the suitcase. Here it adds the information about the scratch after the warning about the handle. It is useful as a sentence-opening connector when adding information.
tiene In “tiene un rasguño”, “tiene” means has and says that the suitcase bears a scratch. It is the third-person singular form related to “tener”, referring to “maleta”. It can be followed by a noun when describing an object’s features or damage.
rasguño “Rasguño” means scratch. Here it names the existing damage on the suitcase. It is useful when documenting or reporting a mark on an object.
lado In “en un lado”, “lado” means side. It identifies the location of the scratch on the suitcase. The phrase is useful for specifying where a mark or feature is located.
Quieres In “¿Quieres que le haga una foto?”, “Quieres” asks whether the listener wants the speaker to take a photo. It is the second-person singular form related to “querer”. It is followed here by “que” and a clause describing the desired action.
que In “¿Quieres que le haga una foto?”, “que” introduces the action that the listener may want the speaker to perform. It links “Quieres” with the clause about taking a photo. This construction is useful for asking about or expressing someone’s desired action.
le In “le haga una foto”, “le” refers to the suitcase as the thing for which the photo is made. It appears before the conjugated verb “haga”. Together with “hacer una foto”, it contributes the meaning take a photo of it.
haga In “le haga una foto”, “haga” means make or take as part of the expression for taking a photo. It is the form related to “hacer” used after “¿Quieres que...?”. It is useful in the construction for asking whether someone wants another person to perform an action.
una In “una foto” and “Una foto”, “una” means a or one and introduces the photo being discussed. It comes before the noun “foto”. It is useful when referring to one unspecified item.
foto “Foto” means photo. In the dialogue, the photo would document the suitcase’s condition before it is used. It is useful when discussing visual records of an object or situation.
antes In “antes de usar la maleta”, “antes” means before and establishes the earlier time for taking the photo. It is followed here by “de” and an infinitive. The pattern is useful for ordering one action before another.
usar In “antes de usar la maleta”, “usar” means use. It is an infinitive following “antes de” and refers to using the suitcase. This pattern is useful when stating what must happen before an action.
dejaría In “dejaría claro el estado de la maleta”, “dejaría” means would make or would leave as part of the expression make clear. It is the conditional form related to “dejar”. It describes the expected result of taking a photo.
claro In “dejaría claro el estado”, “claro” means clear or understandable. Together with “dejaría”, it says that the photo would make the suitcase’s condition clear. The construction is useful when describing something that clarifies a fact or situation.
estado In “el estado de la maleta”, “estado” means condition or state. It refers to the suitcase’s condition before use, including the visible marks already mentioned. The pattern “estado de” is useful for describing the condition of an item.
los In “para los dos”, “los” forms the expression referring to the two people together. It comes before “dos” in the phrase meaning for both of us. It is useful as part of the expression “los dos” when referring to two people or things together.
dos In “para los dos”, “dos” means two and, in context, both of us. It identifies the two people whose understanding of the suitcase’s condition would be protected. It is useful when referring to two people or items as a pair.
Te In “Te la devolveré”, “Te” means to you and marks the person who will receive the suitcase back. It appears before the verb and together with “la” identifies the recipient and the returned item. It is useful when stating who receives something.
devolveré In “Te la devolveré”, “devolveré” means I will return. It is the first-person future form related to “devolver”, and “te” identifies the recipient while “la” identifies the suitcase. It is useful for making a promise about returning an item.
al In “al día siguiente”, “al” means to the and is the contraction of “a” and “el”. It introduces the specific day when the suitcase will be returned. This form is common in time expressions that begin with “a el”.
día In “al día siguiente”, “día” means day. It identifies the time unit used to schedule the return. The phrase is useful when specifying a day relative to another event.
siguiente In “al día siguiente”, “siguiente” means following or next. It identifies the day after the speaker returns. It is useful for referring to the next point in an ordered sequence of time.
volver In “el día siguiente de volver”, “volver” means return or come back. It is an infinitive after “de” and names the event used as the reference point for the return. It is useful when relating one time to the act of coming back.
Limpia In “Limpia las ruedas”, “Limpia” tells the listener to clean or wipe the wheels. It is the imperative form related to “limpiar”. It is used here as a direct instruction before the suitcase is brought inside.
las In “las ruedas”, “las” means the and introduces the specific wheels of the suitcase. It comes before the plural noun “ruedas”. It helps identify particular parts of an object.
ruedas “Ruedas” means wheels and refers to the suitcase wheels that may be dirty. It is the plural form related to “rueda”. It is useful when giving cleaning instructions for luggage or other wheeled objects.
meter In “antes de meter la maleta en casa”, “meter” means put inside or bring inside. It is the infinitive after “antes de” and describes moving the suitcase into the house. The pattern includes the object and the place introduced by “en”.
casa In “meter la maleta en casa”, “casa” means home or house. It is the destination into which the suitcase should be brought. The expression is useful when describing movement into someone’s home.
por favor Together, “por favor” marks the instruction as a polite request. Within the expression, “por” connects the request with the idea of a favor, while “favor” names that favor. It can be placed with a request to make the tone more courteous.
haré In “Lo haré”, “haré” means I will do. It is the first-person future form related to “hacer”, and “lo” refers to the requested cleaning. It is useful for confirming that the speaker will carry out an action already understood from the conversation.
afuera In “Lo haré afuera”, “afuera” means outside. It specifies where the speaker will clean the wheels. It is useful for indicating that an action happens outside a building or enclosed place.
devolverte In “antes de devolverte la maleta”, “devolverte” means return the suitcase to you. It is formed from “devolver” with “te” attached, identifying the recipient. The infinitive with the attached pronoun is used after “antes de” to describe the later action.
Avísame In “Avísame si el asa te da problemas”, “Avísame” means let me know or inform me. It is the imperative form related to “avisar” with “me” attached, identifying the person who should receive the information. It is useful when asking someone to report a problem or change.
si In “si el asa te da problemas”, “si” means if and introduces the condition for contacting the speaker. It connects the request “Avísame” with a possible problem during the trip. It is used before a clause describing a condition.
da In “el asa te da problemas”, “da” means gives, but the whole expression means that the handle causes you trouble. It is the third-person singular form related to “dar”, referring to “el asa”. The pattern can describe an object causing problems for a person.
problemas In “te da problemas”, “problemas” means trouble or problems. It is the thing that the handle may cause for the traveler. The expression is useful when reporting that an object or situation is causing difficulty.
durante In “durante el viaje”, “durante” means during and places the possible problem within the period of the trip. It is followed by the event or period that contains the action. It is useful for saying when something happens within an ongoing activity or period.

Grammar Points

Futuro simple: infinitivo + -é

Tendré en cuenta el estado de la maleta y la devolveré al día siguiente.

ten-DRAY en KWEHN-tah el eh-STAH-doh deh lah mah-LEH-tah ee lah deh-bohl-beh-RAY al DEE-ah see-GYEN-teh

I will keep the suitcase’s condition in mind and return it the next day.

The simple future expresses planned or promised actions. The ending -é is used with yo.

Imperativo formal: haga / limpia

Haga una foto del lado frágil y limpia las ruedas.

AH-gah OO-nah FOH-toh del LAH-doh FRAH-heal ee LEEM-pyah lahs RWEH-dahs

Take a photo of the fragile side and wipe the wheels.

Formal commands use forms such as haga. Limpia is a direct command for tú.

Spanish Vocabulary

asa noun
AH-sah handle
evitar verb
eh-bee-TAHR to avoid evitaré
frágil adj
FRAH-heal fragile
lado noun
LAH-doh side
llenar verb
yeh-NAHR to fill llenarla
maleta noun
mah-LEH-tah suitcase
mediana adj
meh-dee-AH-nah medium
pedir prestada phrase
peh-DEER prehs-TAH-dah to borrow
próxima adj
PROHK-see-mah next
rasguño noun
rahz-GOO-nyoh scratch
tener en cuenta phrase
teh-NEHR en KWEHN-tah to keep in mind tendré en cuenta
viaje noun
vee-AH-heh trip

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

fragile

Show Answerfrágil

to avoid

Show Answerevitaré

medium

Show Answermediana

trip

Show Answerviaje