Borrowing a bicycle repair kit | Learn Spanish in English

Spanish lesson set in a contemporary Madrid everyday setting: In a shared space, one adult borrows bicycle repair tools and asks for guidance while changing a flat tire..

EN → ES / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Borrowing a bicycle repair kit to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Mi neumático está pinchado y necesito un kit de reparación.

mee noo-MAH-tee-koh es-TAH peen-CHAH-doh ee neh-seh-SEE-toh oon keet deh reh-pah-rah-SYOHN My bicycle tire is flat, and I need a repair kit.
B

Tengo un kit con desmontables y una cámara de repuesto.

TEHN-goh oon keet kohn dehs-mohn-TAH-bles ee oo-nah KAH-mah-rah deh reh-PWEHS-toh I have a kit with tire levers and a spare inner tube.
A

¿Podrías enseñarme a quitar la rueda correctamente?

poh-DREE-ahs en-seh-NYAR-meh ah kee-TAR lah RWEH-dah koh-rrek-tah-MEHN-teh Could you show me how to remove the wheel correctly?
B

Empieza poniendo la bicicleta boca abajo con cuidado.

ehm-PYEH-sah poh-NYEHN-doh lah bee-see-KLEH-tah BOH-kah ah-BAH-hoh kohn kwee-DAH-doh Start by turning the bike upside down carefully.
A

Nunca he cambiado una cámara por mi cuenta.

NOON-kah eh kahm-BYAH-doh oo-nah KAH-mah-rah por mee KWEHN-tah I have never changed an inner tube by myself before.
B

Sigue las instrucciones con cuidado y no fuerces ninguna pieza.

SEE-geh lahs een-strook-SYOH-nehs kohn kwee-DAH-doh ee noh FWEHR-sehs neen-GOO-nah PYEH-sah Follow the instructions carefully, and do not force any part to move.
A

Después de cambiarla, ¿debería comprobar la presión?

dehs-PWEHS deh kahm-BYAR-lah deh-beh-REE-ah kohm-proh-BAR lah preh-SYOHN After I replace it, should I check the pressure?
B

El neumático debería estar firme, pero no demasiado duro.

ehl noo-MAH-tee-koh deh-beh-REE-ah es-TAR FEER-meh PEH-roh noh deh-mah-SYAH-doh DOO-roh The tire should feel firm, but not too hard.
A

¿Podrías quedarte cerca mientras intento dar el primer paso?

poh-DREE-ahs keh-DAR-teh SEHR-kah MYEHN-trahs een-TEHN-toh DAHR ehl pree-MEHR PAH-soh Could you stay nearby while I try the first step?
B

Puedo guiarte durante la primera parte mientras usas el kit.

PWEH-doh gee-AR-teh doo-RAHN-teh lah pree-MEH-rah PAR-teh MYEHN-trahs OO-sahs ehl keet I can talk you through the first part while you use the kit.

Word by Word

Mi “Mi” means “my” here and shows that the tire belongs to or is associated with the speaker. It comes directly before “neumático” in “Mi neumático”. Reuse “mi” before a singular noun when referring to something connected with you.
neumático “Neumático” means “tire” in “Mi neumático está pinchado”. It identifies the bicycle part being discussed. Reuse “neumático” with a word describing its condition, as in “neumático está pinchado” in the dialogue.
está “Está” means “is” here and describes the tire’s current condition in “está pinchado”. It is used with “pinchado” to say how the tire is at this moment. Reuse “está” before a condition or description.
pinchado “Pinchado” means “flat” or “punctured” here, describing the condition of the tire in “neumático está pinchado”. The form appears after “está” to describe the tire. Reuse it with “está” when saying that something has been punctured or is flat.
y “Y” connects the two facts that the tire is flat and the speaker needs a repair kit. It corresponds to “and” in “está pinchado y necesito”. Reuse “y” to join two related statements.
necesito “Necesito” means “I need” here: the speaker needs a repair kit. The form identifies the speaker as the person who needs something. Reuse “necesito” before the thing you need, as in “necesito un kit”.
un “Un” means “a” in “un kit de reparación”, introducing one nonspecific kit. It comes before the singular noun “kit”. Reuse “un” before a singular masculine noun when referring to one item.
kit “Kit” means “kit” here, specifically the repair kit the speaker needs. It is the main noun in “un kit de reparación”. Reuse “kit” with “de” plus the purpose or contents of the kit.
de “De” links “kit” with “reparación” in “kit de reparación”, showing the kit’s purpose. Together, “de reparación” means “for repair” or “of repair”. Reuse “de” after a noun to specify its type or purpose.
reparación “Reparación” means “repair” here and specifies what the kit is for in “kit de reparación”. It is used after “de” to describe the kit’s purpose. Reuse “de reparación” after an object made for repairing something.
Tengo “Tengo” means “I have” here: the speaker has a kit available. It introduces the object in “Tengo un kit”. Reuse “tengo” before something you possess or have available.
con “Con” means “with” in “un kit con desmontables y una cámara de repuesto”. It introduces the contents included in the kit. Reuse “con” after an object to name what it contains or includes.
desmontables “Desmontables” refers to tire levers in this bicycle-repair context. It is one of the items included after “un kit con”. Reuse it when naming the tools used to remove a tire from a wheel.
una “Una” means “a” or “one” here, introducing “cámara”. It presents one inner tube as part of the kit. Reuse “una” before a singular feminine noun.
cámara “Cámara” means “inner tube” here, not a camera, because the dialogue is about repairing a bicycle tire. It is the item described in “una cámara de repuesto”. Reuse “cámara” with bicycle-repair words such as “de repuesto”.
repuesto “Repuesto” means “spare” or “replacement” in “cámara de repuesto”. It identifies the inner tube as one kept for replacement. Reuse “de repuesto” after an item that is available as a spare.
Podrías “Podrías” means “could you” here and makes a polite request for help. It introduces “enseñarme a quitar la rueda correctamente”. Reuse “¿Podrías...?” when politely asking someone to do something.
enseñarme “Enseñarme” means “show me” or “teach me” here. It combines “enseñar” with “me”, the person who should be shown, in “enseñarme a quitar”. Reuse “enseñarme a” before an action you want someone to show you how to do.
a “A” links “enseñarme” with the action “quitar” in “enseñarme a quitar”. Here it introduces what the speaker wants to learn to do. Reuse “enseñar a” before an infinitive when describing an action someone is shown how to perform.
quitar “Quitar” means “remove” here, referring to removing the wheel. It appears as an infinitive after “enseñarme a”. Reuse “quitar” before the object that is being removed.
la “La” means “the” here and introduces the specific wheel in “la rueda”. It comes before the singular feminine noun “rueda”. Reuse “la” before a specific singular feminine noun.
rueda “Rueda” means “wheel” here, specifically the bicycle wheel the speaker wants to remove. It is the object of “quitar”. Reuse “quitar la rueda” when talking about removing the wheel in this repair task.
correctamente “Correctamente” means “correctly” here and describes how the wheel should be removed. It modifies the action “quitar”. Reuse “correctamente” after an action to say that it should be done in the proper way.
Empieza “Empieza” means “start” here and gives the first instruction for the repair. It is followed by “poniendo la bicicleta boca abajo”. Reuse “empieza” before an action when telling someone what to do first.
poniendo “Poniendo” means “putting” here and describes the action of placing the bicycle in a position. In “Empieza poniendo”, it tells the listener how to begin. Reuse “empieza” followed by an action in “-iendo” form to describe the first action.
bicicleta “Bicicleta” means “bicycle” here, the object that is put upside down for the repair. It appears in “poniendo la bicicleta boca abajo”. Reuse “bicicleta” with actions related to riding, positioning, or repairing it.
boca abajo “Boca abajo” means “upside down” in “poniendo la bicicleta boca abajo”. The whole expression describes the bicycle’s position; “boca” contributes “mouth” and “abajo” contributes “down”, but together they form the positional expression “upside down”. Reuse “boca abajo” after an object to describe placing or leaving it upside down.
cuidado “Cuidado” contributes to the expression “con cuidado”, which means “carefully” here. It indicates that the bicycle should be positioned with attention and caution. Reuse “con cuidado” after an action when it should be done carefully.
Nunca “Nunca” means “never” here and says that the speaker has not changed an inner tube before. It comes before “he cambiado” in “Nunca he cambiado”. Reuse “nunca” before the verb phrase to say that something has not happened at any time.
he “He” helps form “he cambiado”, meaning “I have changed” in the dialogue. Together with “cambiado”, it presents the action as something the speaker has not done before. Reuse “he” with a past participle when speaking about an action completed or experienced up to the present.
cambiado “Cambiado” means “changed” here and refers to replacing the inner tube. It appears with “he” in “he cambiado”. The relationship to the citation form “cambiar” is certain: “cambiado” is the form used with “he” in this completed-action construction.
por mi cuenta “Por mi cuenta” means “on my own” here and says that the speaker has never changed an inner tube without help. The whole construction expresses independence: “por” links the action to the speaker’s own means, “mi” refers to the speaker, and “cuenta” contributes the idea of one’s own account or responsibility. Reuse “por mi cuenta” after an action to say it was done independently.
Sigue “Sigue” means “follow” here and tells the listener to follow the instructions. It is followed by “las instrucciones”. Reuse “sigue” before instructions, directions, or a route that someone should follow.
las “Las” means “the” here and introduces the specific instructions in “las instrucciones”. It comes before the plural noun “instrucciones”. Reuse “las” before specific plural feminine nouns.
instrucciones “Instrucciones” means “instructions” here, referring to the guidance for repairing the bicycle. It is the object of “Sigue”. Reuse “seguir las instrucciones” when telling someone to act according to written or spoken guidance.
no “No” means “do not” here because it negates the instruction “fuerces ninguna pieza”. It comes directly before the verb. Reuse “no” before a verb to give a negative instruction.
fuerces “Fuerces” means “force” here in the instruction not to force any part to move. It is used after “no” in “no fuerces”. Reuse “no fuerces” before the object that should not be forced.
ninguna “Ninguna” means “any” in the negative instruction “no fuerces ninguna pieza”. It indicates that not even one part should be forced. Reuse “ninguna” before a singular feminine noun in a negative statement or instruction.
pieza “Pieza” means “part” here, referring to any component of the bicycle or repair assembly. It is the object of “fuerces”. Reuse “pieza” when referring to one component of a machine or object.
Después “Después” means “after” here and introduces the action that follows changing the inner tube. In “Después de cambiarla”, it connects the later check with the earlier replacement. Reuse “después de” before a noun or infinitive to indicate what happens first.
cambiarla “Cambiarla” means “change it” here, referring to replacing the inner tube. It combines “cambiar” with “la”, which refers to the feminine object already understood from the context. Reuse an infinitive with attached “la” when the action is to change or replace a specific feminine object.
debería “Debería” means “should” here and asks whether checking the pressure is advisable after changing the inner tube. It comes before the infinitive “comprobar”. Reuse “debería” before an infinitive when asking for or giving advice.
comprobar “Comprobar” means “check” here, referring to checking the tire pressure. It follows “debería” as the action being considered. Reuse “comprobar” before the thing or information that needs to be checked.
presión “Presión” means “pressure” here, specifically the pressure of the bicycle tire. It is the object of “comprobar”. Reuse “comprobar la presión” when checking how much pressure something has.
El “El” means “the” here and introduces the specific tire in “El neumático”. It comes before the singular masculine noun “neumático”. Reuse “el” before a specific singular masculine noun.
estar “Estar” means “be” here and appears after “debería” in “debería estar firme”. It describes the expected condition of the tire. Reuse “debería estar” before a description of the condition something ought to have.
firme “Firme” means “firm” here and describes how the tire should feel after repair. It follows “debería estar”. Reuse “estar firme” to describe something that has a solid, stable condition.
pero “Pero” means “but” here and contrasts the tire being firm with the warning that it should not be too hard. It connects the two descriptions in “firme, pero no demasiado duro”. Reuse “pero” to introduce a limitation or contrast.
demasiado “Demasiado” means “too” or “excessively” here and modifies “duro”. It indicates that the tire should not have an excessive degree of hardness. Reuse “demasiado” before an adjective to say that something exceeds the desirable degree.
duro “Duro” means “hard” here and describes a tire that has too much pressure. It appears after “demasiado” in “demasiado duro”. Reuse “estar demasiado duro” when describing something that has become excessively hard.
quedarte “Quedarte” means “stay” here, with “te” referring to the person being asked to remain nearby. It appears after “Podrías” in “¿Podrías quedarte cerca?”. Reuse “podrías quedarte” when politely asking someone to remain in a place.
cerca “Cerca” means “nearby” here and describes where the other person should stay. It completes “quedarte cerca”. Reuse “quedarse cerca” when asking someone to remain near a person or place.
mientras “Mientras” means “while” here and introduces the action happening at the same time as the other person stays nearby. It links “quedarte cerca” with “intento dar”. Reuse “mientras” before an action to describe two simultaneous activities.
intento “Intento” means “I try” here and says that the speaker will attempt the first step. It is followed by the infinitive phrase “dar el primer paso”. Reuse “intento” before an infinitive when describing an action you are trying to do.
dar “Dar” means “take” in the expression “dar el primer paso” here, meaning to take the first step. It is an infinitive after “intento”. Reuse “intentar dar” before a step, response, or action you are trying to begin.
primer “Primer” means “first” here and identifies the step that comes at the beginning of the repair process. It appears before “paso” in “el primer paso”. Reuse “primer” before a singular masculine noun to identify the first one.
paso “Paso” means “step” here, referring to the first action in the repair process. It is part of the expression “dar el primer paso”. Reuse “dar el primer paso” when beginning a process or taking the first action.
Puedo “Puedo” means “I can” here and offers the speaker’s ability to guide the other person. It is followed by “guiarte”. Reuse “puedo” before an infinitive when offering or stating what you are able to do.
guiarte “Guiarte” means “guide you” here, referring to helping the other person through the repair process. It combines “guiar” with “te”, the person receiving the guidance. Reuse “puedo guiarte” when offering to guide someone through an activity.
durante “Durante” means “during” here and introduces the period covered by the guidance: “durante la primera parte”. It links the guidance with a specific part of the activity. Reuse “durante” before a noun phrase to say when something takes place.
primera “Primera” means “first” here and identifies the initial part of the process in “la primera parte”. It appears before the feminine noun “parte”. Reuse “primera” before a singular feminine noun to identify the first one.
parte “Parte” means “part” here, referring to the initial section of using the repair kit. It is specified by “la primera”. Reuse “la primera parte” when referring to the beginning section of a process or activity.
usas “Usas” means “you use” here and describes the other person using the kit while receiving guidance. It follows “mientras” in “mientras usas el kit”. Reuse “usas” before the object being used when describing what someone is using.

Grammar Points

Imperativo afirmativo informal: empieza, sigue, usa

Empieza con el primer paso.

ehm-PYEH-sah kohn ehl pree-MEHR PAH-soh

Start with the first step.

Informal affirmative commands use the third-person singular present form, such as empieza, sigue, and usa.

Imperativo negativo informal: no + subjuntivo

No fuerces la pieza.

noh FWEHR-sehs lah PYEH-sah

Don't force the part.

Negative informal commands use no followed by the present subjunctive, as in no fuerces.

Spanish Vocabulary

cámara noun
KAH-mah-rah inner tube

Una cámara de repuesto.

correctamente adv
koh-rrek-tah-MEHN-teh correctly

Quitar la rueda correctamente.

de repuesto phrase
deh reh-PWEHS-toh spare

Una cámara de repuesto.

desmontable noun
dehs-mohn-TAH-bleh tire lever desmontables

Tengo un kit con desmontables.

enseñar verb
en-seh-NYAR to show; to teach enseñarme

¿Podrías enseñarme cómo quitar la rueda?

kit noun
keet kit

Tengo un kit.

necesitar verb
neh-seh-see-TAR to need necesito

Necesito un kit de reparación.

neumático noun
noo-MAH-tee-koh tire

Mi neumático está pinchado.

pinchado adj
peen-CHAH-doh flat; punctured

Mi neumático está pinchado.

quitar verb
kee-TAR to remove

Cómo quitar la rueda correctamente.

reparación noun
reh-pah-rah-SYOHN repair

Un kit de reparación.

rueda noun
RWEH-dah wheel

Quitar la rueda correctamente.

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

inner tube

Show Answercámara

to show; to teach

Show Answerenseñarme

tire lever

Show Answerdesmontables

tire

Show Answerneumático