Restarting work after a long pause | Learn Spanish in English

Spanish lesson set in a contemporary Madrid everyday setting: After lunch at work, two adults discuss how to regain focus by reviewing notes, choosing the next priority, and reducing distractions..

EN → ES / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Restarting work after a long pause to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Después del almuerzo, me siento completamente desconectado de la tarea.

deh-SPWES del ahl-MWER-soh, meh SYEN-toh kohm-pleh-tah-MEN-teh dehs-koh-nek-TAH-doh deh lah tah-REH-ah. After lunch, I feel completely disconnected from the task.
B

Empieza con un repaso breve en lugar de pasar directamente a la parte más difícil.

ehm-PYEH-sah kohn oon reh-PAH-soh BREH-beh en loo-GAHR deh pah-SAHR dee-rehk-tah-MEN-teh ah lah PAHR-teh mahs dee-FEE-seel. Start with a small review instead of jumping into the hardest part.
A

Perdí el ritmo porque hicimos una pausa a mitad del análisis.

pehr-DEE el REET-moh POR-keh ee-SEE-mohs OO-nah POW-sah ah mee-TAHD del ah-NAH-lee-sees. I lost momentum because we paused in the middle of the analysis.
B

Mira la última nota y elige la próxima prioridad.

MEE-rah lah OOL-tee-mah NOH-tah ee eh-LEE-heh lah PROHK-see-mah pree-oh-ree-DAHD. Look at the last note and pick the next priority.
A

El siguiente paso es comprobar si los números coinciden con el archivo original.

el see-GYEN-teh PAH-soh es kohm-proh-BAHR see lohs NOO-meh-rohs koh-een-SEE-den kohn el ahr-CHEE-boh oh-ree-hee-NAHL. The next step is checking whether the numbers match the source file.
B

Eso te da un punto claro desde el que puedes continuar.

EH-soh teh dah oon POON-toh KLAH-roh DES-deh el keh PWEH-des kohn-tee-noo-AHR. That gives you a clear point to resume from.
A

También tengo que cerrar las aplicaciones de chat porque me distraigo constantemente.

tahm-BYEN TEN-goh keh seh-RRAHR lahs ah-plee-kah-SYOH-nes deh chat POR-keh meh dees-TRY-goh kohn-stahn-teh-MEN-teh. I also need to close chat apps because I keep getting distracted.
B

Mantenlas cerradas mientras trabajas sin distracciones y después revisa tus mensajes.

mahn-TEN-lahs seh-RRAH-dahs MYEN-trahs trah-BAH-hahs seen dees-trak-SYOH-nes ee deh-SPWES reh-BEE-sah toos men-SAH-hes. Keep them closed while you work without distractions, then check your messages.
A

Eso parece manejable. Puedo recuperar la concentración poco a poco.

EH-soh pah-REH-seh mah-neh-HAH-bleh. PWEH-doh reh-koo-peh-RAHR lah kohn-sen-trah-SYOHN POH-koh ah POH-koh. That feels manageable. I can rebuild focus gradually.
B

Empieza por ahí y el resto debería parecer menos pesado.

ehm-PYEH-sah por ah-EE ee el REHS-toh deh-beh-REE-ah pah-reh-SEHR MEH-nohs peh-SAH-doh. Start there, and the rest should feel less heavy.

Word by Word

Después Después means after and places the event later than lunch in Después del almuerzo. It commonly appears before a noun with de or before a clause. In this dialogue, it situates the speaker's difficulty after lunch.
del Del means of the in Después del almuerzo. It combines de and el before the masculine noun almuerzo. This form is used when de comes directly before a singular masculine noun with el.
almuerzo Almuerzo means lunch in Después del almuerzo. Here it identifies the meal after which the speaker feels disconnected. It can be used with después del to refer to the time after lunch.
me Me shows that the feeling in me siento is experienced by the speaker. Together, me siento means I feel. This pronoun is used with the first-person form when describing one's own state or feeling.
siento Siento means feel in me siento completamente desconectado de la tarea. The whole expression describes the speaker's current state, while siento supplies the feeling verb. It can be reused in me siento + adjective to describe how you feel.
completamente Completamente means completely and intensifies desconectado. In me siento completamente desconectado, it shows that the speaker feels fully disconnected from the task. It can be placed before an adjective to express a complete degree.
desconectado Desconectado means disconnected here, describing the speaker's lack of connection with the task. The form appears in me siento completamente desconectado de la tarea. It can describe feeling disconnected de an activity, person, or topic.
de De means from in desconectado de la tarea, identifying what the speaker feels disconnected from. The pattern desconectado de + noun is useful for naming the activity or subject involved. Here it connects the state to the task.
la La identifies tarea as a specific feminine singular noun in la tarea. It means the in this phrase. It is used before a known feminine singular noun.
tarea Tarea means task in desconectado de la tarea. It refers to the work activity from which the speaker feels disconnected. It can be used with la when referring to a specific task.
Empieza Empieza tells one person to start in Empieza con un repaso breve. It introduces the suggested first action after the pause. A useful pattern is Empieza con + noun when recommending what someone should begin with.
con Con means with in Empieza con un repaso breve and identifies what the person should begin with. The pattern empezar con + noun is useful for introducing a first step. Here it introduces a brief review.
un Un introduces repaso as one unspecified masculine singular review in un repaso breve. It has the meaning a in this context. It is used before a singular masculine noun when the item is not presented as a specific known one.
repaso Repaso means review in un repaso breve. It names the small review recommended as the first step. It can be used after empezar con to describe beginning with a review.
breve Breve means brief and describes the review in un repaso breve. It limits the suggested review to a short amount of work. It can be placed after a noun to describe its duration or extent.
en En means in as part of en lugar de, the expression meaning instead of. Here it helps introduce the alternative to starting with a small review. The complete pattern en lugar de + infinitive or noun is used to contrast one option with another.
lugar Lugar means place in en lugar de, but the whole expression means instead of in this dialogue. It introduces the action that should not be chosen first. En lugar de can be followed by an infinitive, as in en lugar de pasar.
pasar Pasar means proceed or move into in pasar directamente a la parte más difícil. It describes going straight to the hardest part of the work. The pattern pasar a + noun is useful when moving to a new task or section.
directamente Directamente means directly and modifies pasar in pasar directamente a la parte más difícil. It emphasizes that the person would go straight there without an intermediate review. It can modify an action to show that it happens without detour.
a A means to in pasar directamente a la parte más difícil and marks the destination of the action. The pattern pasar a + noun identifies the next section or activity. Here the destination is the hardest part.
parte Parte means part in la parte más difícil. It identifies one section of the task. It can be used with la parte + adjective to describe a particular part.
más Más marks the highest degree in la parte más difícil, helping express the hardest part. The whole phrase más difícil means hardest here; más does not carry that complete meaning by itself. It is commonly placed before an adjective when comparing degrees.
difícil Difícil means difficult or hard and describes the part of the task in la parte más difícil. With más, the phrase identifies the part with the greatest difficulty. It can describe a task, step, or part of an activity.
Perdí Perdí means I lost in Perdí el ritmo. It describes losing momentum after the analysis was interrupted. This is the past form of perder used for the speaker's completed experience, and it can be followed by a noun for what was lost.
el El identifies ritmo as a specific masculine singular noun in el ritmo. It means the in this phrase. It is used before a known masculine singular noun.
ritmo Ritmo means rhythm or momentum in Perdí el ritmo. In this work context, it refers to the flow and progress the speaker lost. The pattern perder el ritmo can describe losing momentum in an activity.
porque Porque means because and introduces the reason for Perdí el ritmo. It connects the lost momentum with the pause in the analysis. It commonly links a statement to a reason clause.
hicimos Hicimos means we made or took in hicimos una pausa. Here the whole phrase means we took a break. This past form of hacer can be used with una pausa to describe taking a pause.
una Una introduces pausa as one unspecified feminine singular pause in una pausa. It means a in this context. It is used before a singular feminine noun when the pause is not treated as a specific previously identified one.
pausa Pausa means pause in hicimos una pausa. It names the interruption that affected the work rhythm. The pattern hacer una pausa is used for taking a break or stopping briefly.
mitad Mitad means middle or half in a mitad del análisis. The whole expression means in the middle of the analysis. It can be used with a mitad de + noun to locate an event halfway through something.
análisis Análisis means analysis in a mitad del análisis. It identifies the work activity that was interrupted halfway through. It can follow de when locating an event within the analysis.
Mira Mira tells one person to look in Mira la última nota. It gives a direct instruction to examine the last note. It can be followed by a noun naming what someone should look at.
última Última means last and describes nota in la última nota. It identifies the note that comes at the end of the available notes. It is placed before the feminine noun it describes here.
nota Nota means note in Mira la última nota. It names the written information the speaker should consult. It can be used after mirar to identify what someone should look at.
y Y means and and links the two instructions Mira la última nota and elige la próxima prioridad. It shows that the actions are part of the same recommendation. It joins words, phrases, or clauses.
elige Elige tells one person to choose in elige la próxima prioridad. It introduces the action of selecting what to handle next. It can be followed by a noun naming the selected item.
próxima Próxima means next or upcoming and describes prioridad in la próxima prioridad. It identifies the priority that should be handled after the current point. It is placed before the feminine noun it describes here.
prioridad Prioridad means priority in elige la próxima prioridad. It names the task or concern that should be selected next. It can be used with elegir to talk about choosing what deserves attention.
siguiente Siguiente means next or following in el siguiente paso. It identifies the step that comes next in the process. It can be placed before a noun when ordering steps or items.
paso Paso means step in El siguiente paso. It names the next action in the work process. It can be used with el siguiente to introduce what should happen next.
es Es means is and links El siguiente paso with the action that defines it. Here it presents comprobar si los números coinciden con el archivo original as the next step. It is commonly used to identify or explain what something is.
comprobar Comprobar means check or verify and names the action in El siguiente paso es comprobar si los números coinciden con el archivo original. It introduces the specific task to be carried out. It can be followed by si when checking whether a condition is true.
si Si means whether in comprobar si los números coinciden con el archivo original. It introduces the question being checked rather than a condition in this sentence. The pattern comprobar si + clause is useful for verifying information.
los Los identifies números as a specific masculine plural noun in los números. It means the in this phrase. It is used before a known masculine plural noun.
números Números means numbers in los números coinciden con el archivo original. It names the values being compared with the source file. It can be the subject of coincidir con when numbers match another reference.
coinciden Coinciden means match or correspond in los números coinciden con el archivo original. It says that the numbers agree with the information in the source file. The pattern X coincide con Y is used when two things correspond.
archivo Archivo means file in el archivo original. It identifies the digital document used for comparison. It can be combined with original to refer to the source file.
original Original means original or source in el archivo original. Here it identifies the file against which the numbers are checked. It can describe a document that serves as the starting or reference version.
Eso Eso means that and refers back to the suggested checking action in Eso te da un punto claro. It presents the preceding action as the cause of a useful result. It can refer to a situation, action, or idea already mentioned.
te Te means you as the person receiving the result in Eso te da un punto claro. It identifies who gets the clear point for continuing. It commonly appears with dar when something gives or provides something to someone.
da Da means gives in Eso te da un punto claro. The subject Eso provides te with a clear point. The reusable pattern dar algo a alguien expresses giving something to someone.
punto Punto means point in un punto claro desde el que puedes continuar. Here it means a clear place in the work from which to resume. It can identify a point of reference or starting point.
claro Claro means clear and describes punto in un punto claro. It indicates that the place for continuing is easy to identify. It can describe a point, explanation, or instruction that is easy to understand.
desde Desde means from in desde el que puedes continuar. It marks the point from which the person can continue working. It can be used with a place or point of reference to show where an action starts.
que Que links punto with the clause desde el que puedes continuar, giving the meaning from which. It connects the referenced point to the action that can continue from it. Here it is part of the relative expression desde el que.
puedes Puedes means you can or you are able to in puedes continuar. It expresses the listener's ability or opportunity to continue from the clear point. It can be followed by an infinitive to name the action possible.
continuar Continuar means continue or resume in puedes continuar. It describes returning to the work and carrying it forward from the identified point. It can follow puedes to express an action the listener is able to do.
También También means also and adds another action to the speaker's needs in También tengo que cerrar las aplicaciones de chat. It shows that closing the apps is an additional step. It can be placed at the beginning of a sentence to add related information.
tengo Tengo contributes to the obligation expressed in tengo que cerrar, meaning I need to close. The complete tener que + infinitive pattern expresses something the speaker must or needs to do. Here the needed action is closing the chat apps.
cerrar Cerrar means close in tengo que cerrar las aplicaciones de chat. It names the action the speaker needs to take with the apps. It can be followed by a noun naming the thing to close.
las Las identifies aplicaciones as specific feminine plural items in las aplicaciones. It means the in this phrase. It is used before a known feminine plural noun.
aplicaciones Aplicaciones means applications or apps in las aplicaciones de chat. It refers to the chat apps that cause interruptions. It can be followed by de chat to specify the type of applications.
chat Chat identifies the type of aplicaciones in las aplicaciones de chat. It refers to applications used for chat or messaging. The pattern aplicaciones de + category names what kind of applications they are.
distraigo Distraigo contributes to the meaning get distracted in me distraigo constantemente. With me, the phrase describes the speaker becoming distracted. The pattern me distraigo con + noun can be used to say that something distracts you.
constantemente Constantemente means constantly and modifies me distraigo. It shows that the speaker gets distracted repeatedly rather than only once. It can modify an action that happens again and again.
Mantenlas Mantenlas tells the listener to keep them in Mantenlas cerradas. Las refers to the chat applications mentioned just before, and the whole form means keep them. It is useful when giving an instruction to keep previously mentioned plural feminine items in a certain state.
cerradas Cerradas means closed and describes the applications in Mantenlas cerradas. Its feminine plural form matches the applications being kept closed. It can describe the state something should remain in after mantenerlas.
mientras Mientras means while and introduces the simultaneous activity in mientras trabajas sin distracciones. It shows that the apps should remain closed during the listener's work. It commonly introduces a clause describing an action happening at the same time.
trabajas Trabajas means you work in mientras trabajas sin distracciones. It identifies the period during which the listener should avoid distractions. It can follow mientras to describe what the listener is doing at that time.
sin Sin means without in sin distracciones. It describes working while distractions are absent. The pattern sin + noun is used to state what is not present or not used.
distracciones Distracciones means distractions in trabajas sin distracciones. It names the interruptions the listener is advised to avoid while working. It can follow sin to describe working without interruptions.
revisa Revisa tells one person to check or review in revisa tus mensajes. It gives the later instruction to look at the messages after working. It can be followed by a noun naming what should be checked.
tus Tus means your and identifies mensajes as belonging to or concerning the listener in tus mensajes. Its plural form appears before the plural noun mensajes. It can introduce several items associated with the person being addressed.
mensajes Mensajes means messages in revisa tus mensajes. It names the communications the listener should check after the focused work period. It can follow revisar to identify what someone should review.
parece Parece means seems or appears in Eso parece manejable. It presents the situation as manageable from the speaker's point of view. The pattern parecer + adjective is useful for describing how something appears.
manejable Manejable means manageable in Eso parece manejable. It describes the proposed work plan as possible to handle without feeling overwhelming. It can describe a task, amount of work, or situation that can be handled.
Puedo Puedo means I can or I am able to in Puedo recuperar la concentración gradualmente. It expresses the speaker's ability to regain focus. It can be followed by an infinitive to state what the speaker can do.
recuperar Recuperar means regain or recover in Puedo recuperar la concentración. It describes getting back something that was lost, here concentration. It can be followed by a noun naming the ability or state being regained.
concentración Concentración means focus or concentration in recuperar la concentración. It names the mental focus the speaker wants to regain. The pattern recuperar la concentración is useful when returning to focused work.
poco Poco contributes to the expression poco a poco, which means gradually in this dialogue. It presents progress as happening in small amounts rather than all at once. The complete expression poco a poco is a reusable way to describe gradual change.
por Por helps mark the starting point in Empieza por ahí, which means start there. It links the starting action to the point already indicated. The pattern empezar por + point or option can introduce where or what to start with.
ahí Ahí means there in Empieza por ahí. It points to the clear starting point just discussed rather than naming it again. It can refer to a place, point, or option that is clear from the context.
resto Resto means rest or remainder in el resto. It refers to the work that remains after the first manageable step. It can be used with el to mean the remaining part of a task or group.
debería Debería means should in el resto debería parecer menos pesado. It expresses the expectation that the remaining work will feel easier after starting. It can be followed by an infinitive to state an expected or recommended result.
menos Menos means less in menos pesado. It reduces the degree of the quality described by pesado. The pattern menos + adjective is used to say that something has a lower degree of a quality.
pesado Pesado means heavy in a literal sense, but here it describes the remaining work as burdensome or difficult to handle. In menos pesado, the comparison is that the work should feel less burdensome. It can describe how a task or workload feels, not only physical weight.

Grammar Points

en lugar de + infinitivo

En lugar de continuar, revisa los mensajes.

en loo-GAHR deh kohn-tee-noo-AHR, reh-BEE-sah lohs men-SAH-hes.

Instead of continuing, review the messages.

Después de «en lugar de» se usa un verbo en infinitivo para expresar una alternativa.

Imperativo afirmativo + pronombre de objeto

Mantenlas cerradas.

mahn-TEN-lahs seh-RRAH-dahs.

Keep them closed.

En una orden afirmativa, el pronombre se une al final del verbo: «mantén» + «las» = «mantenlas».

Spanish Vocabulary

almuerzo noun
ahl-MWER-soh lunch
breve adj
BREH-beh brief; short
completamente adv
kohm-pleh-tah-MEN-teh completely
desconectado adj
dehs-koh-nek-TAH-doh disconnected
después adv
deh-SPWES after; afterward
difícil adj
dee-FEE-seel difficult; hard
directamente adv
dee-rehk-tah-MEN-teh directly
empieza verb
ehm-PYEH-sah start
en lugar de phrase
en loo-GAHR deh instead of
me siento verb
meh SYEN-toh I feel
repaso noun
reh-PAH-soh review
tarea noun
tah-REH-ah task

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

disconnected

Show Answerdesconectado

task

Show Answertarea

after; afterward

Show Answerdespués

start

Show Answerempieza