Borrowing and caring for a non-stick pan | Learn Spanish in English

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Use Borrowing and caring for a non-stick pan to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

¿Puedo tomar prestada tu sartén antiadherente para algo que estoy cocinando?

PWEH-doh toh-MAR prehs-TAH-dah too sar-TEHN an-tee-ah-deh-REHN-teh PAH-rah AHL-goh keh ehs-TOY koh-see-NAHN-doh? Can I borrow your non-stick pan for something I am cooking?

Sí, pero no uses utensilios de metal con ella, por favor.

SEE, PEH-roh noh OO-sehs oo-tehn-SEE-lyohs deh meh-TAHL kohn EH-yah, por fah-VOR. You can, but please do not use metal utensils on it.

Usaré una cuchara de madera para no rayar la superficie.

oo-sah-REH OO-nah koo-CHA-rah deh mah-DEH-rah PAH-rah noh rah-YAR lah soo-pehr-FEE-see-eh. I will use a wooden spoon so I do not scratch the surface.

Mantén también el fuego a temperatura media, porque el fuego alto puede dañar el revestimiento.

mahn-TEHN tahm-BYEHN ehl FWEH-goh ah tehm-peh-rah-TOO-rah MEH-dyah, POR-keh ehl FWEH-goh AHL-toh PWEH-deh dah-NYAR ehl reh-behs-tee-MYEHN-toh. Keep the heat at medium too, because high heat can damage the coating.

Prefiero preguntar ahora que adivinar y estropearla.

preh-FYEH-roh preh-goon-TAR ah-OH-rah keh ah-dee-bee-NAR ee ehs-troh-peh-AR-lah. I would rather ask now than guess and ruin it.

Eso ayuda. Debería durar más si se trata con cuidado.

EH-soh ah-YOO-dah. deh-beh-REE-ah doo-RAR mahs see seh TRAH-tah kohn koo-ee-DAH-doh. That helps. It should last longer if it is handled carefully.

¿Debo lavarla a mano en lugar de meterla en el lavavajillas?

DEH-boh lah-BAR-lah ah MAH-noh ehn loo-GAR deh meh-TEHR-lah ehn ehl lah-bah-bah-HEE-yahs? Should I wash it by hand instead of putting it in the dishwasher?

Lávala suavemente a mano y sécala antes de devolverla.

LAH-bah-lah soo-ah-beh-MEHN-teh ah MAH-noh ee SEH-kah-lah AHN-tehs deh deh-bohl-BEHR-lah. Wash it gently by hand and dry it before you bring it back.

La devolveré limpia cuando termine de cocinar.

lah deh-bohl-beh-REH LEEM-pyah KWAHN-doh tehr-MEE-neh deh koh-see-NAR. I will return it clean after I finish cooking.

Dime cómo queda el plato.

DEE-meh KOH-moh KEH-dah ehl PLAH-toh. Let me know how the dish turns out.

Word by Word

Puedo In ¿Puedo tomar prestada...?, Puedo asks whether the speaker is allowed or able to borrow the pan. It is used at the start of a question about permission or possibility. A reusable pattern is Puedo + an action when asking if you may do something.

tomar In tomar prestada tu sartén antiadherente, tomar contributes the idea of taking or borrowing. The word prestada completes the meaning of borrowing here. Use tomar prestada + an item when asking to borrow a feminine item.

prestada In tomar prestada tu sartén antiadherente, prestada says that the pan is being borrowed rather than kept. Its form refers to the feminine noun sartén in this dialogue. Use it with tomar when describing borrowing this item.

tu Tu marks the pan as belonging to or being associated with the person being addressed. In tu sartén antiadherente, it means your. Use tu directly before the thing belonging to the other person.

sartén Sartén means pan, specifically the cooking pan being borrowed and cared for in this dialogue. It is the object of tomar prestada and is referred to later by la or ella. Use sartén when talking about this type of cooking item.

antiadherente Antiadherente identifies the pan as non-stick, meaning its surface is described as resisting food sticking. In sartén antiadherente, it follows the noun and specifies its type. Use it after a product or cooking-surface noun to describe it as non-stick.

para In para algo que estoy cocinando, para introduces the purpose of borrowing the pan: for something the speaker is cooking. It commonly connects an action or object with its purpose. A reusable pattern is para + an activity or purpose.

algo Algo means something unspecified in para algo que estoy cocinando. The following clause identifies what that something is. Use algo que + a clause when referring to an unspecified thing and then describing it.

que In algo que estoy cocinando, que links algo with the clause describing it: something that I am cooking. It does not mean than in this sentence. Use algo que + a clause to add information about an unspecified thing.

estoy In estoy cocinando, estoy expresses that the speaker is currently in a state of cooking. Together with cocinando, it presents the action as in progress. Use estoy + an ongoing action when saying what you are doing now.

cocinando Cocinando names the action currently in progress in estoy cocinando: cooking. The form follows estoy to describe the ongoing activity. Use estoy cocinando + an object when saying what you are cooking.

Sí Sí means yes and accepts the request in Sí, pero no uses utensilios de metal con ella, por favor. It gives a positive answer before the speaker adds a condition or instruction. Use Sí at the beginning of a reply that confirms something.

pero Pero means but and introduces a limitation after the permission in Sí, pero no uses utensilios de metal con ella, por favor. It connects an agreement with a contrasting instruction. Use pero to add an important qualification to what was just said.

no No marks the negative instruction in no uses utensilios de metal con ella, por favor. It tells the listener not to perform the following action. Use no before an instruction when prohibiting an action.

uses In no uses utensilios de metal con ella, uses tells the person being addressed not to use metal utensils on the pan. With no, it forms a direct prohibition. Use no uses + an object when telling someone not to use something.

utensilios Utensilios means utensils, the tools used for cooking. In utensilios de metal, it refers to multiple cooking tools made of metal. Use utensilios de + material to describe cooking utensils by what they are made of.

de In utensilios de metal, de links the utensils with the material metal: metal utensils. It commonly introduces the material or type associated with a noun. Use noun + de + material when describing what an item is made of.

metal Metal identifies the material of the utensils in utensilios de metal. The full phrase means metal utensils, which the listener is asked not to use on the pan. Use metal after de to name this material.

con In con ella, con means with and identifies the pan as the object the utensils must not be used with. It commonly introduces the person or thing involved in an action. Use con + an object when expressing with that object.

ella Ella means it in con ella and refers back to the pan. The phrase says not to use metal utensils with the pan. Use ella to refer to a feminine thing already understood from the context.

por favor Por favor makes the instruction in no uses utensilios de metal con ella, por favor polite. The components por and favor together form this polite request expression. Use por favor with a request or instruction when asking politely.

Usaré Usaré means I will use in Usaré una cuchara de madera. It expresses the speaker’s planned action or promise in response to the warning. Use Usaré + an object when promising to use something.

una Una introduces one unspecified spoon in una cuchara de madera, meaning a wooden spoon. It appears directly before the feminine noun cuchara. Use una + a feminine singular noun when introducing one item.

cuchara Cuchara means spoon in una cuchara de madera. It names the wooden utensil the speaker plans to use instead of metal utensils. Use cuchara de + material to specify the type of spoon.

madera Madera means wood in cuchara de madera and identifies the spoon’s material. The full phrase means wooden spoon. Use de madera after an object noun to describe it as wooden.

rayar Rayar means scratch in para no rayar la superficie. It names the damage the speaker wants to avoid causing to the pan. Use para no + an action when expressing the purpose of avoiding that action.

la La has two roles in the dialogue: it is the article in la superficie, meaning the surface, and it is the object pronoun in lavarla, Lávala, and La devolveré, referring to the pan. In each case, its meaning depends on the surrounding words. Use la before a feminine noun as an article or with a verb as the pronoun for a feminine object.

superficie Superficie means surface in la superficie, referring to the pan’s coating area that could be scratched. It is the object of rayar. Use la superficie when talking about the outer surface of an item.

Mantén Mantén gives the direct instruction to keep the heat at the specified level in Mantén también el fuego a temperatura media. It asks the listener to maintain a condition. Use Mantén + an object or condition when telling someone to keep something as it is.

también También means also or too in Mantén también el fuego a temperatura media. It adds this heat instruction to the earlier care instruction. Use también to add another action, condition, or piece of advice.

el El is the article before fuego in el fuego. It identifies the heat or fire being discussed as the relevant one for cooking. Use el before a masculine singular noun when referring to a specific item.

fuego Fuego means heat or fire in el fuego a temperatura media and fuego alto. Here it refers to the cooking heat controlled under the pan. Use fuego with a temperature or level to describe cooking heat.

a In el fuego a temperatura media, a links the heat with the level at which it should be kept. The phrase gives the setting or state of the heat. Use a + a specified temperature or level when describing how something is set.

temperatura Temperatura means temperature in a temperatura media. It identifies the heat level requested for cooking. Use temperatura with a descriptive word when specifying how hot something should be.

media Media means medium in a temperatura media. It describes the requested middle heat level and matches temperatura in this phrase. Use temperatura media when referring to medium temperature.

porque Porque introduces the reason for keeping the heat medium in porque el fuego alto puede dañar el revestimiento. It connects advice with its explanation. Use porque + a clause when giving a reason.

alto Alto means high in el fuego alto. It describes the high heat that can damage the coating. Use fuego alto when referring to high cooking heat.

puede Puede expresses possibility or ability in el fuego alto puede dañar el revestimiento: high heat can damage the coating. It is followed by the action dañar. Use puede + an action when saying that something may or can cause an outcome.

dañar Dañar means damage in puede dañar el revestimiento. It names the possible harmful effect of high heat. Use puede dañar + an object when describing what something can damage.

revestimiento Revestimiento means coating in el revestimiento, referring to the protective surface layer of the pan. It is the object that high heat can damage. Use revestimiento when discussing a coating or covering on an item.

Prefiero Prefiero expresses the speaker’s preference in Prefiero preguntar ahora que adivinar y estropearla: I prefer asking now. It presents one action as preferable to another. Use Prefiero + an action when stating what you would rather do.

preguntar Preguntar means ask in Prefiero preguntar ahora. It names the action the speaker prefers instead of guessing. Use Prefiero preguntar when choosing to request information rather than assume.

ahora Ahora means now in preguntar ahora. It places the preferred action at the present moment. Use ahora to say when something happens at this time.

adivinar Adivinar means guess in Prefiero preguntar ahora que adivinar y estropearla. It names the alternative action the speaker wants to avoid. Use adivinar when trying to give an answer without knowing the information for certain.

y Y means and in adivinar y estropearla. It joins the actions of guessing and ruining the pan as connected results. Use y to connect two actions or ideas.

estropearla Estropearla means ruin or damage it in adivinar y estropearla, with la referring to the pan. The attached pronoun identifies what could be ruined. Use an action plus la when the action affects a feminine object already known from the context.

Eso Eso means that in Eso ayuda and refers to the helpful information or exchange just mentioned. It points back to an idea rather than naming it again. Use Eso at the start of a reply when commenting on something already understood.

ayuda Ayuda means helps in Eso ayuda. It says that the previous advice or explanation is useful. Use ayuda when saying that information, advice, or an action is useful.

Debería Debería expresses an expectation or recommendation in Debería durar más: it should last longer. Here it presents the likely result of careful handling. Use Debería + an action when describing what should happen or what would be advisable.

durar Durar means last in Debería durar más. It describes how long the pan is expected to remain usable. Use durar + a time expression or más when discussing how long something continues.

más Más means longer in Debería durar más. It compares the expected useful life with a shorter one without stating the exact length. Use durar más when saying that something will continue for a longer time.

si Si introduces the condition in si se trata con cuidado: if it is handled carefully. It connects careful handling with the expected longer life. Use si + a condition when stating what must be true for a result to occur.

se In se trata con cuidado, se presents the pan as receiving the handling without naming the person who handles it. The full construction means that it is handled with care. Use this type of construction when the handling matters more than the handler.

trata In se trata con cuidado, trata expresses the way the pan is treated or handled. Together with se, it describes the pan receiving careful treatment. Use se trata + a manner expression when describing how an object is handled.

cuidado Cuidado supplies the idea of care in con cuidado, which describes careful handling of the pan. The full phrase explains the manner of treating it. Use con cuidado when saying that an action should be done carefully.

Debo Debo asks whether the speaker should or must wash the pan in ¿Debo lavarla a mano...? It introduces a question about the correct or necessary action. Use Debo + an action when asking whether you are expected to do something.

lavarla Lav arla means wash it in lavarla a mano, with la referring to the pan. The action and object pronoun appear together in this infinitive form. Use lavar + la when saying to wash a feminine object already known from the context.

mano Mano means hand in a mano, and the full phrase means by hand. It contrasts with using the dishwasher in the question. Use a mano when describing an action done manually.

en In en lugar de meterla, en is part of the expression en lugar de, meaning instead of. It does not independently mean instead here. Use en lugar de + an action or noun when replacing one option with another.

lugar In en lugar de meterla, lugar is part of the whole expression meaning instead of, literally referring to a place or position. The full phrase contrasts washing by hand with putting the pan in the dishwasher. Use en lugar de + an action to state the alternative you choose.

meterla Meterla means put it in in en lugar de meterla en el lavavajillas, with la referring to the pan. It describes putting the pan into the dishwasher. Use meter + la when placing a known feminine object somewhere.

lavavajillas Lavavajillas means dishwasher in meterla en el lavavajillas. It names the appliance where the speaker is considering putting the pan. Use en el lavavajillas when referring to putting something in the dishwasher.

Lávala Lávala gives the direct instruction wash it, with la referring to the pan. The object pronoun is attached to the instruction in this form. Use Lávala when telling someone to wash a known feminine object.

suavemente Suavemente means gently in Lávala suavemente a mano. It describes how the pan should be washed. Use suavemente after an action when instructing someone to do it gently.

sécala Sécala gives the instruction dry it, with la referring to the pan. The object pronoun is attached to the instruction. Use Sécala when telling someone to dry a known feminine object.

antes Antes means before in antes de devolverla. It places one action earlier than another. Use antes de + an action when saying that something must happen before another action.

devolverla Devolverla means return it in antes de devolverla, with la referring to the pan. It names the action that must happen after washing and drying. Use devolver + la when returning a known feminine object.

devolveré Devolveré means I will return in La devolveré limpia. It expresses the speaker’s promise or plan to give the pan back. Use La devolveré + a condition or description when saying you will return a known object.

limpia Limpia means clean in La devolveré limpia. It describes the condition in which the pan will be returned. Use devolver + an object + limpia when promising to return a feminine object clean.

cuando Cuando introduces the time condition in cuando termine de cocinar: when I finish cooking. It connects the return of the pan with the completion of cooking. Use cuando + an event to say when another action will happen.

termine In cuando termine de cocinar, termine identifies the point at which the speaker finishes cooking. It completes the time expression introduced by cuando. Use cuando termine de + an activity when linking a future action to finishing that activity.

Dime Dime means tell me in Dime cómo queda el plato. It directly asks the other person to provide information. Use Dime + what you want to know when asking someone to tell you something.

cómo Cómo means how in Dime cómo queda el plato. It introduces the way or result the speaker wants to know. Use cómo + a clause after asking about how something happens or turns out.

queda In cómo queda el plato, queda asks about the result or final state of the dish: how it turns out. It focuses on the finished result rather than the cooking process. Use cómo queda + an item when asking how the result comes out.

plato Plato means dish in cómo queda el plato, referring to the food being prepared. It is the item whose final result the speaker wants to know about. Use plato when talking about a prepared dish or meal.

Grammar Points

Imperativo + pronombre de objeto: sécala

Sécala suavemente.

SEH-kah-lah soo-ah-beh-MEHN-teh.

Dry it gently.

In Spanish, the object pronoun can attach to an affirmative command: seca + la becomes sécala.

terminar de + infinitivo

Termine de cocinar.

tehr-MEE-neh deh koh-see-NAR.

Finish cooking.

Use terminar de followed by an infinitive to express completing an action.

Spanish Vocabulary

cuchara de madera noun

koo-CHA-rah deh mah-DEH-rah wooden spoon

Usaré una cuchara de madera

fuego noun

FWEH-goh heat; fire

el fuego a temperatura media

mantener verb

mahn-teh-NEHR to keep; to maintain mantén

Mantén también el fuego a temperatura media

metal noun

meh-TAHL metal

utensilios de metal

puedo verb

PWEH-doh I can; may I

¿Puedo tomar prestada tu sartén antiadherente?

rayar verb

rah-YAR to scratch

para no rayar la superficie

sartén antiadherente noun

sar-TEHN an-tee-ah-deh-REHN-teh non-stick pan

tu sartén antiadherente

superficie noun

soo-pehr-FEE-see-eh surface

la superficie

temperatura media phrase

tehm-peh-rah-TOO-rah MEH-dyah medium heat; medium temperature

a temperatura media

tomar prestado phrase

toh-MAR prehs-TAH-doh to borrow tomar prestada

¿Puedo tomar prestada tu sartén antiadherente?

usar verb

oo-SAR to use uses

pero no uses utensilios de metal

utensilios noun

oo-tehn-SEE-lyohs utensils

no uses utensilios de metal

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Let me know how the dish turns out.

Show Answer

Dime cómo queda el plato.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to scratch

Show Answer

rayar

utensils

Show Answer

utensilios

I can; may I

Show Answer

puedo

surface

Show Answer

superficie