About This Lesson
Use Borrowing a laptop adapter before a presentation to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
No encuentro el adaptador de mi portátil y mi presentación empieza pronto.
noh ehn-KWEN-troh ehl ah-dahp-tah-DOHR deh mee pohhr-tah-TEEL ee mee preh-sehn-tah-SYOHN em-PYEH-sah PROHN-toh My laptop adapter is missing, and my presentation starts soon.
B
Tengo uno que puedes usar.
TEHN-goh OO-noh keh PWEH-dehs oo-SAR I have one you can use.
B
Pero comprobemos que funciona con tu portátil.
PEH-roh kohm-proh-BEH-mohs keh foon-SYOH-nah kohn too pohhr-tah-TEEL But let's check that it works with your laptop.
A
Cabe en el puerto. Todavía tengo que probar el proyector.
KAH-beh ehn ehl PWEHR-toh. toh-dah-VEE-ah TEHN-goh keh proh-BAR ehl proh-yehk-TOHR It fits the port. I still need to test the projector.
B
Hazlo ahora; los problemas pequeños se vuelven más difíciles bajo presión.
AHS-loh ah-OH-rah; lohs proh-BLEH-mahs peh-KEH-nyohs seh BWEHL-behn mahs dee-FEE-see-lehs BAH-hoh preh-SYOHN Do it now; small problems get harder under pressure.
A
La imagen se ve bien, así que estamos listos.
lah ee-MAH-hehn seh beh BYEHN, ah-SEE keh ehs-TAH-mohs LEES-tohs The screen is showing correctly, so we're set.
B
Guarda una copia de respaldo de tus diapositivas en un segundo dispositivo, por si acaso.
GWAHR-dah OO-nah KOH-pyah deh rehs-PAHL-doh deh toos dyah-poh-see-TEE-bahs ehn oon seh-GOON-doh deh-bee-see-TEE-boh, pohr see ah-KAH-soh Keep a backup copy of your slides on a second device, just in case.
A
Pondré una en otro dispositivo antes de empezar.
pohn-DRAY OO-nah ehn OH-troh deh-bee-see-TEE-boh ahn-tehs deh em-peh-SAR I'll put one on another device before I start.
B
¿Podrías devolverme el adaptador después de la sesión? Lo necesito más tarde.
poh-DREE-ahs deh-bohl-BEHR-meh ehl ah-dahp-tah-DOHR dehs-PWEHS deh lah seh-SYOHN? loh neh-seh-SEE-toh mahs TAR-deh Could you bring the adapter back after the session? I need it later.
A
Lo devolveré en cuanto termine la sesión.
loh deh-bohl-beh-RAY ehn KWAHN-toh tehr-MEE-neh lah seh-SYOHN I'll return it as soon as the session ends.
B
Así tendrás una cosa menos de la que preocuparte.
ah-SEE tehn-DRAS OO-nah KOH-sah MEH-nohs deh lah keh proh-eh-koo-PAR-teh That should give you one less thing to worry about.Word by Word
No
In "No encuentro el adaptador", "No" makes the statement negative: the speaker cannot find the adapter. It normally comes directly before the verb in a negative sentence, such as when reporting that something cannot be located.
encuentro
"encuentro" means "I find" here, and with "No" it means "I cannot find". This is the first-person form of encontrar; use it with the thing being found, as in "No encuentro el adaptador".
el
"el" means "the" in "el adaptador" and identifies one specific item. It is used before this masculine singular noun, especially when referring to an already relevant object.
adaptador
"adaptador" is the adapter that the speaker needs for the presentation. In "el adaptador de mi portátil", it is followed by "de" to connect it with the laptop it belongs to or is associated with.
de
In "de mi portátil", "de" links the adapter with the laptop and expresses their relationship. This pattern is useful for identifying an object by the device or person associated with it.
mi
"mi" means "my" and identifies the laptop as belonging to or being associated with the speaker. It comes directly before the singular noun in "mi portátil".
portátil
"portátil" means "laptop" in "mi portátil". It identifies the device whose adapter is missing and can be used after a possessive such as "mi" or "tu".
y
"y" means "and" and connects the missing-adapter problem with the presentation starting soon. Use it to join two related statements, as in "No encuentro el adaptador de mi portátil y mi presentación empieza pronto".
presentación
"presentación" refers to the presentation that is about to begin. In "mi presentación", "mi" identifies whose event it is; this noun is useful when discussing a work or study presentation.
empieza
"empieza" means "starts" in "mi presentación empieza pronto". The presentation is the thing that starts, and this form can be used to say when an event begins.
pronto
"pronto" means "soon" and shows that the presentation will begin in a short time. It commonly appears with a verb to indicate that an event will happen shortly, as in "empieza pronto".
Tengo
"Tengo" means "I have" in "Tengo uno que puedes usar". Here it introduces an available item that the other person can use; use it before a possession or available resource.
uno
"uno" means "one" and stands for one available adapter in "Tengo uno que puedes usar". It can replace a previously understood masculine item instead of repeating its noun.
que
In "uno que puedes usar", "que" introduces the description of the item: it is one that the other person can use. This pattern connects a noun or pronoun with information about what it does or can be used for.
puedes
"puedes" means "you can" or "you are able to" in "que puedes usar". It is followed here by the infinitive "usar"; use this pattern to describe an action someone is able to perform.
usar
"usar" means "to use" in "que puedes usar". It remains in the infinitive after "puedes", and the object being used is understood from the preceding context.
Pero
"Pero" means "but" and introduces a condition or additional step after offering the adapter. Use it to add information that limits, qualifies, or contrasts with what was just said.
comprobemos
"comprobemos" means "let's check" and proposes a shared check of the adapter. It is useful when suggesting that the speaker and listener verify something together before continuing.
funciona
"funciona" means "works" or "functions correctly" in "funciona con tu portátil". The adapter is being checked for compatibility with the laptop, so this verb is useful when testing whether equipment operates properly.
con
"con" means "with" in "funciona con tu portátil" and identifies the device the adapter must work together with. Use it after a verb such as "funciona" to name the compatible object.
tu
"tu" means "your" and identifies the laptop as belonging to or being associated with the listener. It comes before the singular noun in "tu portátil".
Cabe
"Cabe" means "it fits" in "Cabe en el puerto". The adapter is understood as the thing that fits, and this form is useful when checking whether an object can go into a particular space.
en
"en" means "in" here and locates the adapter inside the port in "Cabe en el puerto". Use it with a place or container to say where something fits or is located.
puerto
"puerto" means "port", the connection point where the adapter is inserted. In "el puerto", the article identifies the specific port being tested.
Todavía
"Todavía" means "still" and shows that testing the projector remains to be done. It is useful for describing an action or situation that continues to be pending at the current time.
probar
"probar" means "to test" in "tengo que probar el proyector". It follows the obligation expression "tengo que" and takes the projector as the thing being tested.
proyector
"proyector" means "projector", the equipment that still needs to be tested. It appears after "probar" as the object of the test, as in "probar el proyector".
Hazlo
"Hazlo" means "do it" and gives a direct instruction to carry out the pending test. The object pronoun "lo" is attached to the command, referring to the action understood from the context.
ahora
"ahora" means "now" and specifies that the action should happen immediately. It can be placed with an instruction, as in "Hazlo ahora", to emphasize timing.
los
"los" means "the" in "los problemas pequeños" and introduces the specific problems being discussed. It is used before this plural noun phrase.
problemas
"problemas" means "problems" and refers to small technical difficulties that may become harder to handle. It is the noun modified by "pequeños" in "los problemas pequeños".
pequeños
"pequeños" means "small" in "los problemas pequeños". Its plural form describes the plural noun "problemas"; use an adjective like this directly with the noun it describes.
se
In "se vuelven más difíciles", "se" is part of the expression that describes the problems becoming different or more difficult. It should be understood together with "vuelven", not as the complete meaning by itself.
vuelven
"vuelven" means "become" or "get" in "se vuelven más difíciles". Together with "se", it describes a change in the problems, and it is followed by the new condition "más difíciles".
más
"más" means "more" and shows an increase in difficulty in "más difíciles". Use it before an adjective when comparing a stronger degree of a quality.
difíciles
"difíciles" means "difficult" in "se vuelven más difíciles". Its plural form agrees with "problemas", while "más" makes the meaning "more difficult".
bajo
"bajo" means "under" in the expression "bajo presión". It identifies the circumstances in which the problems become harder, and this preposition is useful for describing conditions or situations.
presión
"presión" means "pressure" in "bajo presión". The full expression describes working while feeling time or performance pressure, such as before an important presentation.
La
"La" means "the" in "La imagen" and introduces the specific image on the screen. It is the feminine singular article used before this noun.
imagen
"imagen" means "image" and refers here to what appears on the screen. In "La imagen se ve bien", it is the thing whose visible result is being evaluated.
ve
In "se ve bien", "ve" is the verb form used in the expression meaning that something looks or is seen a certain way. The full expression evaluates the image, so this word should be understood together with "se" and "bien".
bien
"bien" means "well" or "correctly" in "La imagen se ve bien". It describes the satisfactory appearance of the image and is commonly used after an expression describing how something looks or works.
así
"Así" at the beginning of "Así que estamos listos" means "so" or "therefore" and introduces the result of the image appearing correctly. Use this connector to move from a situation to its consequence.
estamos
"estamos" means "we are" in "estamos listos". It describes the current state of the speaker and listener together, and it can be followed by an adjective describing that shared state.
listos
"listos" means "ready" in "estamos listos". Its plural form describes the speaker and listener as a group, so the expression is useful when confirming that people can begin.
Guarda
"Guarda" means "keep" or "save" and is an instruction to preserve a backup copy. It is useful when telling someone to store a file or object for later use.
una
"una" means "a" or "one" in "una copia" and introduces a single copy. It is used before the singular noun "copia" in this phrase.
copia
"copia" means "copy" in "una copia de respaldo". It refers to an additional version of the slides, and the phrase can be used when advising someone to preserve another version of important material.
respaldo
"respaldo" means "backup" in the expression "copia de respaldo". Together, the phrase identifies a copy kept as protection against losing the original.
tus
"tus" means "your" before the plural noun "diapositivas". It identifies the slides as belonging to or being associated with the listener.
diapositivas
"diapositivas" means "slides", referring to the presentation material. In "tus diapositivas", it identifies the files or pages that should be backed up.
un
"un" means "a" or "one" in "un segundo dispositivo". It introduces one device and comes before the singular noun phrase describing it.
segundo
"segundo" means "second" in "un segundo dispositivo" and distinguishes this device from the first one. It is useful when recommending an additional device for backup or redundancy.
dispositivo
"dispositivo" means "device" in "un segundo dispositivo". It refers to another piece of equipment where the backup can be stored, such as another computer or similar device.
por si acaso
"por si acaso" means "just in case" and expresses a precaution against a possible problem. The construction contains "por", "si", and "acaso" and is useful when recommending an action for a contingency, as with keeping a backup.
Pondré
"Pondré" means "I will put" or "I will place" in "Pondré una en otro dispositivo". It is the future form related to poner and is useful for stating a planned action involving an object and a location.
otro
"otro" means "another" or "other" in "otro dispositivo". It distinguishes the second device from the one already being used and comes directly before the noun it specifies.
antes
"antes" means "before" in "antes de empezar" and places one action earlier than another. This pattern is useful for saying that something should happen before a planned activity begins.
empezar
"empezar" means "to start" in "antes de empezar". It is an infinitive after "de" and names the activity that the speaker will begin after making the backup.
Podrías
"Podrías" means "could you" in "¿Podrías devolverme el adaptador...?". It softens the request and is useful when asking another person politely to perform an action.
devolverme
"devolverme" means "return it to me" in "devolverme el adaptador". The form combines returning the adapter with attached "me", which identifies the person who should receive it back.
después
"después" means "after" or "afterward" in "después de la sesión". It places the requested return later than the session and is useful for ordering one event after another.
sesión
"sesión" means "session" in "después de la sesión" and refers to the presentation-related period that will end. It can identify a scheduled meeting, class, or work period.
Lo
"Lo" means "it" in "Lo necesito más tarde" and refers back to the adapter. As an object pronoun, it appears before "necesito" to show what the speaker needs.
necesito
"necesito" means "I need" in "Lo necesito más tarde". The object is expressed by "Lo", while "más tarde" specifies when it will be needed.
tarde
"tarde" means "later" as part of the time expression "más tarde". Use it with "más" to say that something will be needed or happen at a later time.
devolveré
"devolveré" means "I will return" in "Lo devolveré en cuanto termine la sesión". It is the future form related to devolver and states the speaker's promise to give the adapter back.
en cuanto
"en cuanto" means "as soon as" and connects the return with the end of the session. The construction uses "en" and "cuanto" together to introduce the event that triggers the next action.
termine
"termine" means "ends" or "finishes" in "en cuanto termine la sesión". The session is the event that finishes, and this form appears in the time clause that determines when the adapter will be returned.
tendrás
"tendrás" means "you will have" in "tendrás una cosa menos". It describes a future result for the listener and is useful for explaining what someone will have after an action or change.
cosa
"cosa" means "thing" in "una cosa menos de la que preocuparte". It refers broadly to one concern or task, and the phrase specifies that this thing will no longer need attention.
menos
"menos" means "fewer" in "una cosa menos" and shows a reduction in the number of things to worry about. Use it after a quantity or noun phrase when one item is removed from the total.
preocuparte
"preocuparte" means "to worry about" in "una cosa menos de la que preocuparte". The attached "te" refers to the person who would worry, and the full phrase means that the listener has one fewer concern.
Grammar Points
En cuanto + subjuntivo
En cuanto termine la sesión, te devolveré el dispositivo.
ehn KWAHN-toh tehr-MEE-neh lah seh-SYOHN, teh deh-bohl-beh-RAY ehl deh-bee-see-TEE-bohAs soon as the session ends, I will return the device to you.
After «en cuanto», Spanish uses the subjunctive for a future event: «termine», not the present indicative.
Spanish Vocabulary
adaptador
noun
ah-dahp-tah-DOHR
adapter
el adaptador de mi portátil
cabe
verb
KAH-beh
fits
comprobemos
verb
kohm-proh-BEH-mohs
let's check
encuentro
verb
ehn-KWEN-troh
find
funciona
verb
foon-SYOH-nah
works
hazlo
verb
AHS-loh
do it
portátil
noun
pohr-tah-TEEL
laptop
presentación
noun
preh-sehn-tah-SYOHN
presentation
probar
verb
proh-BAR
to test
pronto
adv
PROHN-toh
soon
puerto
noun
PWEHR-toh
port
todavía
adv
toh-dah-VEE-ah
still
Quiz
Word Order
Arrange the words in the correct order.
I have one you can use.
Show Answer
Tengo uno que puedes usar.Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
presentation
Show Answer
presentaciónport
Show Answer
puertolaptop
Show Answer
portátilfits