Responding politely to noise in a quiet area | Learn Spanish in English

Spanish lesson set in a contemporary Madrid everyday setting: In a library silent area, two adults decide how to politely respond when nearby people are talking..

EN → ES / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Responding politely to noise in a quiet area to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

La gente que está detrás de nosotros está hablando en la zona silenciosa.

lah KHEN-teh keh es-TAH deh-TRAHS deh noh-SOH-trohs es-TAH ah-BLAHN-doh ehn lah SOH-nah see-lehn-SYOH-sah. The people behind us are talking in the silent area.
B

Nos distrae, pero podemos resolverlo con educación.

nohs dees-TRAH-eh, PEH-roh poh-DEH-mohs reh-sohl-VEHR-loh kohn eh-doo-kah-SYOHN. It's distracting, but we can handle it politely.
A

¿Debería hablar con ellos o preguntarle al bibliotecario?

deh-beh-REE-ah ah-BLAHR kohn EH-yohs oh preh-goon-TAHR-leh ahl bee-blyoh-teh-KAHR-yoh? Should I speak to them or ask the librarian?
B

Primero intenta pedirles en voz baja que guarden silencio, a menos que te resulte incómodo.

PREE-meh-roh een-TEHN-tah peh-DEER-lehs ehn bohs BAH-hah keh GWAHR-dehn see-LEHN-syoh, ah MEH-nohs keh teh reh-SOOL-teh een-KOH-moh-doh. Try a quiet reminder first, unless that feels uncomfortable.
A

Podría pedirles que continúen la conversación afuera.

poh-DREE-ah peh-DEER-lehs keh kohn-tee-NOO-ehn lah kohn-behr-sah-SYOHN ah-FWEH-rah. I could ask them to take the conversation outside.
B

Así queda claro sin que parezca grosero.

ah-SEE KEH-dah KLAH-roh seen keh pah-REHS-kah groh-SEH-roh. That keeps it clear without sounding rude.
A

Si siguen hablando, podemos pedirle al bibliotecario que intervenga.

see SEE-gehn ah-BLAHN-doh, poh-DEH-mohs peh-DEER-leh ahl bee-blyoh-teh-KAHR-yoh keh een-tehr-BEHN-gah. If they keep talking, we can ask the librarian to step in.
B

Así evitamos que se arme una escena.

ah-SEE eh-bee-TAH-mohs keh seh AHR-meh OO-nah eh-SEH-nah. That way, it doesn't turn into a scene.
A

Preferiría hacer eso a quejarme en voz alta.

preh-feh-ree-REE-ah ah-SEHR EH-soh ah keh-KHAHR-meh ehn bohs AHL-tah. I'd rather do that than complain loudly.
B

Preguntémosles en voz baja y luego volvamos a estudiar.

preh-goon-TEH-mohs-lehs ehn bohs BAH-hah, ee LWEH-goh bohl-BAH-mohs ah ehs-too-DYAHR. Let's ask quietly, then get back to studying.

Word by Word

La La means “the” before a feminine singular noun, here in La gente and la zona. It agrees with the noun that follows, and this article-plus-noun pattern is common when referring to a specific person, group, or place.
gente Gente means “people” as a group in La gente que está detrás de nosotros. It usually refers to people collectively, so the dialogue uses está in the singular. A reusable pattern is La gente que... when identifying a group by what it is doing or where it is.
que Que introduces the clause que está detrás de nosotros, which gives more information about La gente. Here it corresponds to “who” or “that” and connects a noun with a description. A reusable pattern is a noun followed by que plus a clause.
está Está means “is” in que está detrás de nosotros and helps form the ongoing action está hablando. With a place expression it describes where someone is; with hablando it presents the action as in progress. A reusable pattern is estar followed by a gerund such as hablando.
detrás Detrás means “behind” in detrás de nosotros. It normally takes de before the person or thing that serves as the reference point. A reusable pattern is detrás de plus a person or place.
de De links detrás with the reference point in detrás de nosotros, meaning “behind us.” In this expression it introduces the person or thing used to locate someone or something. A reusable pattern is a location word followed by de plus a reference point.
nosotros Nosotros means “us” in detrás de nosotros. After de, it identifies the group that the other people are behind. A reusable pattern is de nosotros when something is described in relation to the speaker and others.
hablando Hablando means “talking” in está hablando. Together, está hablando describes people who are currently engaged in talking. A reusable pattern is estar plus a gerund to describe an action in progress.
en En means “in” in en la zona silenciosa and places the action or people inside a location. It is used before a place noun or noun phrase. A reusable pattern is en plus a location.
zona Zona means “area” or “zone” in la zona silenciosa. It names a defined part of a larger place, here the library’s quiet area. A reusable pattern is zona followed by an adjective describing the area.
silenciosa Silenciosa means “quiet” or “silent” in la zona silenciosa. It describes the kind of zona being referred to and matches that noun in form. A reusable pattern is a noun followed by an adjective describing its quality.
Nos Nos means “us” as the people affected in Nos distrae. The noise or talking is understood as the thing that distracts us. A reusable pattern is nos before a verb when an action affects the speaker and others.
distrae Distrae means “distracts” in Nos distrae. It describes something taking our attention away from studying. A reusable pattern is an object or situation followed by nos distrae when it causes a distraction.
pero Pero means “but” and contrasts the distraction with the decision to handle it politely. It introduces information that does not cancel the preceding statement but qualifies it. A reusable pattern is one situation, pero, and a different response.
podemos Podemos means “we can” in podemos resolverlo and expresses the speakers’ ability or willingness to deal with the problem. It is followed here by the infinitive resolverlo. A reusable pattern is podemos plus an infinitive to describe something the group is able or prepared to do.
resolverlo Resolverlo means “handle it” or “resolve it” in podemos resolverlo. The lo attached to resolver refers to the situation being discussed. A reusable pattern is an infinitive with lo attached when the action is directed at a previously mentioned thing.
con Con means “with” in con educación and describes the manner of dealing with the situation. Here it introduces the quality or attitude used when responding. A reusable pattern is con followed by a noun describing the manner of an action.
educación Educación means “politeness” or “good manners” in con educación. The expression describes handling the matter respectfully rather than aggressively. A reusable pattern is con educación when describing a courteous way of speaking or acting.
Debería Debería means “should” in Debería hablar con ellos and presents a tentative suggestion or question about the appropriate action. It is followed by the infinitive hablar. A reusable pattern is debería plus an infinitive when considering what would be advisable to do.
hablar Hablar means “speak” or “talk” in hablar con ellos. The expression hablar con ellos means speaking directly with them. A reusable pattern is hablar con plus a person when addressing or conversing with someone.
ellos Ellos means “them” in con ellos and refers to the people who are talking. After con, it identifies the people involved in the conversation. A reusable pattern is con ellos when saying that an action is done together with or directed toward that group.
o O means “or” and presents two alternatives: speaking with the people or asking the librarian. It links choices within the same question. A reusable pattern is one option followed by o and another option.
preguntarle Preguntarle means “ask him or her” in preguntarle al bibliotecario. The le attached to preguntar refers to the librarian as the person being asked. A reusable pattern is preguntar plus le when asking a specific person for information or help.
al Al means “to the” in al bibliotecario. It combines a with el before a masculine singular noun and marks the person who is asked. A reusable pattern is pedirle or preguntarle al plus a person.
bibliotecario Bibliotecario means “librarian” in al bibliotecario. It identifies the library worker who could help resolve the noise problem. A reusable pattern is a role noun after al when referring to the person approached for assistance.
Primero Primero means “first” in Primero intenta and establishes the first step in a sequence. It tells the listener to try one action before considering another. A reusable pattern is Primero followed by an instruction or proposed action.
intenta Intenta means “try” in Primero intenta pedirles que guarden silencio. It gives one person a direct instruction about the first action to take. A reusable pattern is intenta followed by an infinitive describing the action to try.
pedirles Pedirles means “ask them” or “request from them” in pedirles que guarden silencio. The les attached to pedir refers to the people being addressed. A reusable pattern is pedirles que followed by the action requested from them.
voz Voz means “voice” in voz baja. In this expression, it helps describe speaking at a low volume. A reusable pattern is voz followed by an adjective to describe how loudly someone speaks.
baja Baja means “low” in voz baja, which means speaking quietly. It describes the volume of the voice rather than physical height. A reusable pattern is en voz baja when asking or speaking discreetly.
guarden Guarden expresses the requested action in pedirles que guarden silencio: keeping or observing silence. It follows pedirles que and presents what the other people are being asked to do. A reusable pattern is pedirle or pedirles que followed by the requested action.
silencio Silencio means “silence” in guarden silencio. Together, guarden silencio is a request to remain quiet; silencio names the condition being maintained. A reusable pattern is guardar silencio when asking someone not to speak.
a A has two functions in this dialogue: a menos que introduces an exception, while hacer eso a quejarme links the preferred action with the alternative being rejected. Its exact meaning depends on the larger construction. A reusable point is to learn a in the complete expressions a menos que and hacer eso a quejarme rather than in isolation.
menos Menos contributes to the expression a menos que, which means “unless” or “except if.” It does not express “less” independently in this sentence. A reusable pattern is a menos que followed by a condition that could change the suggested action.
te Te marks the person affected in te resulte incómodo, meaning that the situation feels uncomfortable to you. It identifies the listener as the person experiencing that reaction. A reusable pattern is te followed by a verb describing how something affects or feels to you.
resulte Resulte means “feels” or “turns out” for the listener in te resulte incómodo. In a menos que te resulte incómodo, it describes a possible circumstance that would make the suggestion unsuitable. A reusable pattern is a menos que followed by a clause describing a possible problem.
incómodo Incómodo means “uncomfortable” in te resulte incómodo. It describes the listener’s reaction to speaking to the people directly. A reusable pattern is resultar incómodo when an action or situation feels uncomfortable to someone.
Podría Podría means “could” in Podría pedirles and presents a tentative proposal. It is followed by an infinitive describing the possible action. A reusable pattern is podría plus an infinitive when suggesting an option without presenting it as a firm decision.
continúen Continúen means “continue” in pedirles que continúen la conversación afuera. It names the action the people are being asked to carry on outside the quiet area. A reusable pattern is pedirles que continúen plus the activity being continued.
conversación Conversación means “conversation” in continúen la conversación afuera. It refers to the talking that should be moved outside. A reusable pattern is continuar or retomar la conversación when referring to an ongoing exchange.
afuera Afuera means “outside” in continúen la conversación afuera. It indicates the place where the conversation should continue. A reusable pattern is placing afuera after an action to state that it happens outside.
Así Así means “that way” in Así queda claro and Así evitamos que se arme una escena. It introduces the result or benefit of the action just proposed. A reusable pattern is Así followed by a consequence of a decision or method.
queda Queda means “is” or “comes across as” in queda claro. Together, queda claro says that the intended message is clear. A reusable pattern is quedar followed by an adjective to describe how something appears or is left.
claro Claro means “clear” in queda claro. It describes the message or intention as understandable without seeming rude. A reusable pattern is queda claro when explaining that a point is communicated clearly.
sin Sin means “without” in sin que parezca grosero. It introduces a condition or result that is avoided while carrying out the proposed action. A reusable pattern is sin que followed by a clause describing something that should not happen or appear.
parezca Parezca means “seems” or “appears” in sin que parezca grosero. It describes how the action might be perceived, and sin que introduces the situation being avoided. A reusable pattern is sin que parezca followed by an adjective describing an unwanted impression.
grosero Grosero means “rude” in sin que parezca grosero. It describes an impression that the speakers want to avoid creating. A reusable pattern is parecer or parezca followed by an adjective describing how an action comes across.
Si Si means “if” in Si siguen hablando and introduces a condition. It connects the possibility that the people continue talking with the next proposed response. A reusable pattern is Si followed by a situation and then the action that will follow.
siguen Siguen means “continue” or “keep” in siguen hablando. Together, siguen hablando means that they continue talking. A reusable pattern is seguir followed by a gerund to describe an action that has not stopped.
pedirle Pedirle means “ask him or her” in pedirle al bibliotecario que intervenga. The le refers to the librarian as the person being asked to help. A reusable pattern is pedirle a alguien que followed by the requested action.
intervenga Intervenga means “step in” or “intervene” in pedirle al bibliotecario que intervenga. It names the action requested from the librarian if the talking continues. A reusable pattern is pedirle a alguien que intervenga when asking a responsible person to help resolve a situation.
evitamos Evitamos means “we avoid” in Así evitamos que se arme una escena. It describes the speakers’ purpose in choosing a calm response. A reusable pattern is evitamos que followed by an unwanted event.
se Se is part of se arme una escena, where it presents the scene as coming about or breaking out rather than identifying a separate person doing the action. Its meaning is best understood with the complete expression. A reusable pattern is se followed by a verb when an event is described as developing or occurring.
arme Arme means “forms” or “breaks out” in se arme una escena. Together, se arme una escena describes a public disturbance coming about, which the speakers want to avoid. A reusable pattern is evitar que se arme followed by an unwanted situation.
una Una means “a” in una escena and introduces one unspecified feminine singular noun. It agrees with escena. A reusable pattern is una followed by a feminine singular noun when introducing a non-specific thing or event.
escena Escena means “scene” in se arme una escena, where it refers to a public disturbance rather than a theatrical scene. The surrounding expression gives it this situational meaning. A reusable pattern is armarse una escena when an interaction develops into a noticeable disturbance.
Preferiría Preferiría means “I would rather” or “I would prefer” in Preferiría hacer eso a quejarme en voz alta. It expresses the speaker’s preference between two actions. A reusable pattern is preferiría one action followed by a rather-than alternative.
hacer Hacer means “do” in Preferiría hacer eso. It is the action chosen in the speaker’s preference and is followed by eso, which refers back to an earlier proposal. A reusable pattern is preferiría hacer plus a reference to the preferred action.
eso Eso means “that” in hacer eso and refers back to the action being discussed. It avoids repeating the complete proposal. A reusable pattern is hacer eso when referring to an action already mentioned.
quejarme Quejarme means “complain” in quejarme en voz alta. It is the form of quejarse used when the speaker refers to complaining personally, with me attached to the infinitive. A reusable pattern is quejarme followed by a phrase describing how or where the complaint is made.
alta Alta means “loud” in en voz alta, which means “aloud” or “loudly.” With voz, it describes volume rather than physical height. A reusable pattern is en voz alta when describing speech that can be clearly heard.
Preguntémosles Preguntémosles means “let’s ask them” in Preguntémosles en voz baja. The les attached to preguntémos refers to the people being addressed, and the whole form proposes a joint action. A reusable pattern is a let’s-form with les attached when the group proposes asking other people.
y Y means “and” in Preguntémosles en voz baja y luego volvamos a estudiar. It links the quiet request with the next action. A reusable pattern is y connecting two actions in sequence.
luego Luego means “then” or “afterwards” in y luego volvamos a estudiar. It marks the second action as following the first. A reusable pattern is luego before an action that will happen afterward.
volvamos Volvamos means “let’s return” or “let’s get back” in volvamos a estudiar. Together with a estudiar, it means returning to the activity of studying. A reusable pattern is volvamos a followed by an infinitive when resuming an activity.
estudiar Estudiar means “study” in volvamos a estudiar. It follows a and names the activity the speakers plan to resume. A reusable pattern is volver a plus an infinitive when returning to an activity.

Grammar Points

a menos que + subjuntivo

A menos que intervenga, ellos siguen hablando en voz alta.

ah MEH-nohs keh een-tehr-BEHN-gah, EH-yohs SEE-gehn ah-BLAHN-doh ehn bohs AHL-tah.

Unless he/she steps in, they keep speaking aloud.

a menos que introduces a condition and normally takes the subjunctive: intervenga.

infinitivo + pronombre de objeto

Intenta resolverlo.

een-TEHN-tah reh-sohl-VEHR-loh.

Try to handle it.

The object pronoun lo attaches to the infinitive resolver, forming resolverlo.

Spanish Vocabulary

bibliotecario noun
bee-blyoh-teh-KAHR-yoh librarian

al bibliotecario

detrás adv
deh-TRAHS behind

está detrás de nosotros

distraer verb
dees-trah-EHR to distract distrae

Nos distrae

educación noun
eh-doo-kah-SYOHN politeness; courtesy

con educación

ellos pron
EH-yohs them

hablar con ellos

gente noun
KHEN-teh people

La gente que está detrás de nosotros

hablar verb
ah-BLAHR to speak; to talk

Debería hablar con ellos

intentar verb
een-tehn-TAHR to try intenta

Primero intenta

nosotros pron
noh-SOH-trohs us

detrás de nosotros

resolver verb
reh-sohl-VEHR to handle; to resolve resolverlo

podemos resolverlo con educación

silencioso adj
see-lehn-SYOH-soh quiet; silent silenciosa

la zona silenciosa

zona noun
SOH-nah area

en la zona silenciosa

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to handle; to resolve

Show Answerresolverlo

to speak; to talk

Show Answerhablar

quiet; silent

Show Answersilenciosa

area

Show Answerzona