About This Lesson
Use Clarifying flexible break expectations at work to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
No estoy seguro de cómo gestiona los descansos este equipo.
noh ehs-TOY seh-GOO-roh deh KOH-moh khes-tyoh-nah lohs dehs-KAHN-sohs EHS-teh eh-KEE-poh I'm not sure how this team handles breaks.
B
La política es flexible, pero la cobertura sigue siendo importante durante el horario de atención.
lah poh-LEE-tee-kah ehs flehk-SEE-bleh, PEH-roh lah koh-behr-TOO-rah SEE-gheh SYEHN-doh eem-pohr-TAHN-teh doo-RAHN-teh ehl oh-RAH-ryoh deh ah-tehn-SYOHN The policy is flexible, but coverage still matters during service hours.
A
Entonces puedo ausentarme cuando haga falta, siempre que haya alguien disponible.
ehn-TOHN-sehs PWEH-doh ow-sehn-TAHR-meh KWAHN-doh AH-gah FAHL-tah, see-EHM-preh keh AH-yah AHL-gyehn dees-poh-NEE-bleh So I can step away when needed, as long as someone is available.
B
Solo avisa a los demás si vas a ausentarte un rato.
SOH-loh ah-BEE-sah ah lohs deh-MAHS see bahs ah ow-sehn-TAHR-teh oon RAH-toh Just let people know if you'll be gone for a while.
A
Me parece justo. Me preocupaba que pudiera parecer que estaba desapareciendo.
meh pah-REH-seh KHOOS-toh. meh preh-oh-koo-PAH-bah keh poo-DYEH-rah pah-reh-SEHR keh ehs-TAH-bah deh-sah-pah-reh-SYEHN-doh That seems fair. I was worried it might look like I was disappearing.
B
Una nota rápida en el chat del equipo debería evitarlo.
OO-nah NOH-tah RAH-pee-dah ehn ehl chat dehl eh-KEE-poh deh-beh-REE-ah eh-bee-TAHR-loh A quick note in the team chat should prevent that.
A
¿Deberíamos crear un horario compartido durante los periodos de mucho trabajo?
deh-beh-REE-ah-mohs kreh-AHR oon oh-RAH-ryoh kohm-pahr-TEE-doh doo-RAHN-teh lohs peh-ree-OH-dohs deh MOO-choh trah-BAH-hoh Should we create a shared schedule during busy periods?
B
Eso podría ayudar cuando varias personas quieran almorzar a la vez.
EH-soh poh-DREE-ah ah-yoo-DAHR KWAHN-doh BAH-ryahs pehr-SOH-nahs KYEH-rahn ahl-mor-SAHR ah lah BEHS That could help when several people want lunch at the same time.
A
Lo propondré en la próxima reunión de seguimiento del equipo.
loh proh-pohn-DREH ehn lah PROHK-see-mah reh-oo-NYOHN deh seh-ghee-MYEHN-toh dehl eh-KEE-poh I'll suggest it at the next team check-in.
B
Entonces todos sabrán qué esperar.
ehn-TOHN-sehs TOH-dohs sah-BRAHN keh ehs-peh-RAHR Then everyone will know what to expect.Word by Word
No
In “No estoy seguro”, “No” makes the statement negative: the speaker is not sure. Use “No” before a verb when saying that something is not the case.
estoy
In “No estoy seguro”, “estoy” means “I am” and describes the speaker’s state. It is a form of “estar”; reuse “estoy” with an adjective to describe how you feel or are.
seguro
In “estoy seguro”, “seguro” means sure or certain. The pattern “estar seguro de” introduces what someone is certain or uncertain about, as in “de cómo gestiona...”.
de
In “seguro de cómo gestiona”, “de” connects the idea of being sure to what the speaker is unsure about. Reuse “estar seguro de” or “no estar seguro de” before a noun or clause.
cómo
In “de cómo gestiona”, “cómo” asks how something is done or operates inside an indirect question. Reuse “cómo” before a verb when explaining or asking how an action happens.
gestiona
In “gestiona los descansos”, “gestiona” means handles or manages. It is a form of “gestionar”; reuse “gestiona” with the thing or activity that someone manages.
los
In “los descansos”, “los” means “the” before a masculine plural noun. Reuse “los” before a masculine plural noun when referring to specific items or activities.
descansos
In “los descansos”, “descansos” means breaks, here meaning work breaks. It is the plural of “descanso”; reuse it with a workplace context such as “gestiona los descansos”.
este
In “este equipo”, “este” means “this” and points to the team being discussed. Reuse “este” before a singular masculine noun when identifying something near or relevant to the speaker.
equipo
In “este equipo”, “equipo” means team. Reuse “equipo” for a group working together, including a group at work.
La
In “La política”, “La” means “the” before the feminine singular noun “política”. Reuse “la” before a specific feminine singular noun.
política
In “La política es flexible”, “política” means policy or workplace rule. Reuse it when discussing the rules that guide an organization or activity.
es
In “La política es flexible”, “es” means “is” and links the policy to the description “flexible”. It is a form of “ser”; reuse “es” to describe or identify a person, thing, or policy.
flexible
In “es flexible”, “flexible” means allowing some adjustment rather than following one rigid arrangement. Reuse it after “ser” to describe a rule, plan, or arrangement.
pero
In “es flexible, pero la cobertura sigue siendo importante”, “pero” introduces a contrast. Use “pero” to connect a statement with an important limitation or opposing point.
cobertura
In “la cobertura sigue siendo importante”, “cobertura” means having enough people available to maintain service. Reuse “cobertura” when discussing staffing or service availability during a period.
sigue
In “sigue siendo importante”, “sigue” shows that something continues to be true. It is a form of “seguir”; reuse “sigue siendo” before an adjective when a quality remains true.
siendo
In “sigue siendo importante”, “siendo” contributes the meaning “being” to the idea that coverage continues to be important. It is a form of “ser”; reuse “sigue siendo” for a continuing description.
importante
In “sigue siendo importante”, “importante” means important or significant. Reuse it after “ser” or “seguir siendo” to describe something that matters.
durante
In “durante el horario de atención”, “durante” means during and introduces the period when something applies. Reuse “durante” before a time period or activity.
el
In “el horario”, “el” means “the” before the masculine singular noun “horario”. Reuse “el” before a specific masculine singular noun.
horario
In “el horario de atención”, “horario” means schedule or operating hours. Reuse it in time expressions such as “horario de atención” when referring to the hours during which a service operates.
atención
In “horario de atención”, “atención” refers to service or customer-service activity. Together, “horario de atención” means the hours when service is available; use this expression when discussing service hours.
Entonces
In “Entonces puedo ausentarme”, “Entonces” means “so” and introduces a conclusion based on what was just explained. Reuse “Entonces” at the beginning of a clause when drawing a practical conclusion.
puedo
In “puedo ausentarme”, “puedo” means “I can” and expresses the speaker’s permission or ability to step away. It is a form of “poder”; reuse “puedo” before an infinitive.
ausentarme
In “puedo ausentarme”, “ausentarme” means to step away or be absent, with “me” referring to the speaker. Reuse “puedo ausentarme” when telling colleagues that you can leave your place temporarily.
cuando
In “cuando haga falta”, “cuando” means “when” and introduces the situation in which the action is needed. Reuse “cuando” before a clause describing a time or condition.
haga falta
The expression “haga falta” means “is needed” in “cuando haga falta”. “Haga” supplies the action of being needed through a form of “hacer”, while “falta” supplies the idea of need; together they describe a need without naming a specific person. Reuse “cuando haga falta” when saying that something can happen whenever it is necessary.
siempre
In “siempre que haya alguien disponible”, “siempre” contributes the idea of a condition that must be met. With “que”, the expression means “as long as” or “provided that”; use it to state a requirement.
que
In “siempre que haya alguien disponible”, “que” connects the condition to the requirement that someone be available. Reuse “siempre que” before a condition that must be satisfied.
haya
In “haya alguien disponible”, “haya” means “there is” or “there are” within the condition about availability. It is a form of “haber”; reuse “haya” before a noun when describing whether something or someone is present or available.
alguien
In “alguien disponible”, “alguien” means someone or somebody. Reuse “alguien” when referring to one unspecified person who may be present or able to help.
disponible
In “alguien disponible”, “disponible” means available and able to cover the service. Reuse it after “estar” or after a noun to describe a person or resource that can be used or contacted.
Solo
In “Solo avisa”, “Solo” means “just” or “only” and limits the instruction to a simple notification. Use “Solo” before an instruction when emphasizing that no larger action is required.
avisa
In “Solo avisa a los demás”, “avisa” tells the listener to let the others know. It is a form of “avisar”; reuse “avisa a” before the person or group being informed.
a
In “avisa a los demás”, “a” marks the people who receive the information. Reuse “avisar a” before the person or group you notify.
demás
In “a los demás”, “demás” means the others, referring here to the other team members. Reuse “los demás” when referring to the remaining people in a group.
si
In “si vas a ausentarte”, “si” means “if” and introduces the condition for giving notice. Reuse “si” before a clause describing a possible situation.
vas
In “vas a ausentarte”, “vas” contributes the idea that the listener is going to step away. It is a form of “ir”; reuse “vas a” before an infinitive to describe an intended or upcoming action.
ausentarte
In “vas a ausentarte”, “ausentarte” means to be absent or step away, with “te” referring to the listener. Reuse “vas a ausentarte” when discussing the listener’s upcoming temporary absence.
un
In “un rato”, “un” means “a” or “one” before the masculine singular noun “rato”. Reuse “un” before a masculine singular noun when referring to one unspecified item or period.
rato
In “un rato”, “rato” means a while or a short period. Reuse “un rato” when describing a temporary amount of time, such as being away briefly.
Me
In “Me parece justo”, “Me” means “to me” and marks whose opinion is being expressed. Reuse “Me parece” before an adjective or clause when giving your personal evaluation.
parece
In “Me parece justo”, “parece” means seems or appears. It is a form of “parecer”; reuse “me parece” to state how something seems to you.
justo
In “Me parece justo”, “justo” means fair or reasonable. Reuse “me parece justo” when agreeing that a rule, request, or arrangement is fair.
preocupaba
In “Me preocupaba que pudiera parecer...”, “preocupaba” expresses that something was causing the speaker concern. It is a form of “preocupar”; reuse “me preocupaba que” before a concern or feared possibility.
pudiera
In “pudiera parecer”, “pudiera” expresses a possible outcome: it might appear that something was happening. It is related to “poder”; reuse “pudiera” before an infinitive when describing a possible interpretation or result.
parecer
In “pudiera parecer”, “parecer” means to seem or appear. Reuse “parecer” after a form expressing possibility when describing how an action or situation might look to others.
estaba
In “estaba desapareciendo”, “estaba” means “was” and introduces an action that was in progress. It is a form of “estar”; reuse “estaba” before a gerund to describe an ongoing past action.
desapareciendo
In “estaba desapareciendo”, “desapareciendo” means disappearing or seeming to leave without explanation. It is a form of “desaparecer”; reuse it after “estar” when describing an action in progress.
Una
In “Una nota rápida”, “Una” means “a” or “one” before the feminine singular noun “nota”. Reuse “una” before a feminine singular noun when introducing one unspecified item.
nota
In “Una nota rápida”, “nota” means a short note or message. Reuse “nota” for a brief written communication, such as one posted in a team chat.
rápida
In “Una nota rápida”, “rápida” means quick or brief and describes the note. It is the feminine form used with “nota”; reuse it with a feminine singular noun when describing something done quickly.
en
In “en el chat”, “en” means “in” and identifies where the note is posted. Reuse “en” before a place, channel, or medium where something appears.
chat
In “el chat del equipo”, “chat” means the team’s online conversation channel. Reuse it with a group or platform when referring to written team communication.
del
In “el chat del equipo”, “del” means “of the” and links the chat to the team. It combines “de” and “el”; reuse “del” to show belonging or association with a masculine singular noun.
debería
In “debería evitarlo”, “debería” means “should” and presents the expected result of the note. It is related to “deber”; reuse “debería” before an infinitive when giving advice or describing an expected effect.
evitarlo
In “debería evitarlo”, “evitarlo” means prevent or avoid it, with “lo” referring to the unwanted impression mentioned earlier. It combines “evitar” with the object pronoun “lo”; reuse “evitarlo” when the object is already understood.
Deberíamos
In “Deberíamos crear...”, “Deberíamos” means “we should” and introduces a suggestion for joint action. It is related to “deber”; reuse “deberíamos” before an infinitive when proposing something for the group to do.
crear
In “Deberíamos crear un horario”, “crear” means to create or set up. Reuse “deberíamos crear” before the object that the group proposes to make.
compartido
In “un horario compartido”, “compartido” means shared by several people. It describes “horario”; reuse “compartido” after a masculine singular noun when describing something used jointly.
periodos
In “periodos de mucho trabajo”, “periodos” means periods or stretches of time. Reuse it with “de” to identify what characterizes a particular period.
mucho
In “mucho trabajo”, “mucho” means a large amount of or a lot of. It describes the amount of work; reuse “mucho” before a masculine singular noun when referring to a large quantity.
trabajo
In “mucho trabajo”, “trabajo” means work to be done. Reuse it when discussing the amount of work or busy periods in a workplace.
Eso
In “Eso podría ayudar”, “Eso” means “that” and refers to the proposed shared schedule. Reuse “Eso” to point back to an idea or action already mentioned.
podría
In “podría ayudar”, “podría” means “could” and presents the possible benefit of the schedule. It is related to “poder”; reuse “podría” before an infinitive when describing a possible result.
ayudar
In “podría ayudar”, “ayudar” means to help. Reuse “ayudar” after “poder” or “podría” to describe a possible helpful effect.
varias
In “varias personas”, “varias” means several and indicates more than one person without giving an exact number. It is the feminine plural form used with “personas”; reuse it before a feminine plural noun.
personas
In “varias personas”, “personas” means people or persons. Reuse it when referring to human beings, especially as a group taking part in an activity.
quieran
In “cuando varias personas quieran almorzar”, “quieran” expresses that several people want lunch in the possible situation being discussed. It is a form of “querer”; reuse “quieran” in a clause describing what people want in a situation.
almorzar
In “quieran almorzar”, “almorzar” means to have lunch. Reuse it after “querer” or another verb of intention when describing the meal someone wants to have.
a la vez
The expression “a la vez” means “at the same time”. In it, “a” introduces the relation, “la” is the article, and “vez” contributes the idea of a time or occasion; together they describe simultaneous actions. Reuse “a la vez” when several people do or want something simultaneously.
Lo
In “Lo propondré”, “Lo” means “it” or “that” and refers to the shared-schedule idea. Reuse “lo” before a verb when referring back to a masculine or general idea already understood.
propondré
In “Lo propondré”, “propondré” means “I will suggest” or “I will propose”. It is related to “proponer”; reuse it with “lo” or another object when committing to raise an idea later.
próxima
In “la próxima reunión”, “próxima” means next and identifies the meeting that will occur after the current one. It is the feminine form used with “reunión”; reuse it before a feminine noun for the next occurrence.
reunión
In “la próxima reunión”, “reunión” means meeting. Reuse it for a planned gathering where people discuss work or make decisions.
seguimiento
In “reunión de seguimiento”, “seguimiento” means follow-up. Together, “reunión de seguimiento” refers to a meeting used to review or continue work on an issue; reuse this expression for a later check-in.
todos
In “todos sabrán”, “todos” means everyone or all the people in the group. Reuse “todos” before a verb when referring to the whole group collectively.
sabrán
In “todos sabrán qué esperar”, “sabrán” means “will know” and describes the expected knowledge of the team. It is related to “saber”; reuse “sabrán” with information or with “qué” plus an infinitive.
qué
In “qué esperar”, “qué” means “what” and introduces the thing that people will expect. Reuse “saber qué” before an infinitive when saying that someone knows what action or result to expect.
esperar
In “qué esperar”, “esperar” means to expect rather than to wait. Reuse “saber qué esperar” when explaining what people can anticipate in a situation.
Grammar Points
siempre que + subjuntivo
Siempre que haga falta, puedo avisar.
see-EHM-preh keh AH-gah FAHL-tah, PWEH-doh ah-bee-SAHRAs long as necessary, I can let someone know.
Después de «siempre que», se usa el subjuntivo cuando la condición es futura o no segura.
seguir + gerundio
Sigue desapareciendo.
SEE-gheh deh-sah-pah-reh-SYEHN-dohIt keeps disappearing.
«Seguir + gerundio» expresa que una acción continúa.
Spanish Vocabulary
atención
noun
ah-tehn-SYOHN
service; customer service
La política es flexible, pero la cobertura sigue siendo importante durante el horario de atención.
cobertura
noun
koh-behr-TOO-rah
coverage
La política es flexible, pero la cobertura sigue siendo importante durante el horario de atención.
cómo
adv
KOH-moh
how
No estoy seguro de cómo gestiona los descansos este equipo.
descanso
noun
dehs-KAHN-soh
break
descansos
No estoy seguro de cómo gestiona los descansos este equipo.
estar
verb
ehs-TAHR
to be
estoy
No estoy seguro de cómo gestiona los descansos este equipo.
flexible
adj
flehk-SEE-bleh
flexible
La política es flexible, pero la cobertura sigue siendo importante durante el horario de atención.
gestionar
verb
khes-tyoh-NAHR
to handle; to manage
gestiona
No estoy seguro de cómo gestiona los descansos este equipo.
horario
noun
oh-RAH-ryoh
schedule; hours
La política es flexible, pero la cobertura sigue siendo importante durante el horario de atención.
importante
adj
eem-pohr-TAHN-teh
important
La política es flexible, pero la cobertura sigue siendo importante durante el horario de atención.
política
noun
poh-LEE-tee-kah
policy
La política es flexible, pero la cobertura sigue siendo importante durante el horario de atención.
seguir
verb
seh-GEER
to continue; to still be
sigue
La política es flexible, pero la cobertura sigue siendo importante durante el horario de atención.
seguro
adj
seh-GOO-roh
sure
No estoy seguro de cómo gestiona los descansos este equipo.
Quiz
Word Order
Arrange the words in the correct order.
Then everyone will know what to expect.
Show Answer
Entonces todos sabrán qué esperar.Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
how
Show Answer
cómocoverage
Show Answer
coberturato continue; to still be
Show Answer
sigueto be