Taking responsibility for a damaged borrowed tool | Learn Spanish in English

Spanish lesson set in a contemporary Madrid everyday setting: In a shared space, one adult explains damage to a borrowed saw and agrees to replace the blade before returning it..

EN → ES / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Taking responsibility for a damaged borrowed tool to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Necesito hablar con honestidad sobre la sierra que pedí prestada.

neh-seh-SEE-toh ah-BLAR kohn oh-nehs-tee-DAHD SOH-breh lah SYEH-rrah keh peh-DEE prehs-TAH-dah I need to be honest about the saw I borrowed.
B

¿Puedes explicar qué pasó?

PWEH-des ehk-splee-KAR keh pah-SOH Can you explain what happened?
A

La hoja se dañó mientras cortaba madera gruesa.

lah OH-hah seh dah-NYOH mee-EN-tras kor-TAH-bah mah-DEH-rah GROO-eh-sah The blade got damaged while I was cutting thick wood.
B

¿La madera era demasiado gruesa para esa sierra?

lah mah-DEH-rah EH-rah deh-mah-SYAH-doh GROO-eh-sah pah-rah EH-sah SYEH-rrah Was the wood too thick for that saw?
A

Probablemente, y debería haber preguntado antes de intentarlo.

proh-bah-BLEH-men-teh ee deh-beh-REE-ah ah-behr preh-goon-TAH-doh AN-tes deh een-ten-TAHR-loh Probably, and I should have asked before trying.
B

Aprecio que hables con franqueza en vez de ocultarlo.

ah-PREH-syoh keh AH-bles kohn fran-KEH-sah en behs deh oh-kool-TAHR-loh I appreciate you being upfront instead of hiding it.
A

Puedo organizar una reparación o reemplazar la hoja.

PWEH-doh or-gah-nee-SAHR OO-nah reh-pah-rah-SYOHN oh reh-ehm-plah-SAHR lah OH-hah I can arrange a repair or replace the blade.
B

Reemplazar la hoja debería ser suficiente.

reh-ehm-plah-SAHR lah OH-hah deh-beh-REE-ah sehr soo-fee-SYEN-teh Replacing the blade should be enough.
A

Me ocuparé de eso hoy.

meh oh-koo-pah-REH deh EH-soh oy I will take care of that today.
B

Dime cuándo la hayas reemplazado antes de traer de vuelta la sierra.

DEE-meh KWAHN-doh lah AH-yas reh-ehm-plah-SAH-doh AN-tes deh trah-EHR deh BWEHL-tah lah SYEH-rrah Tell me when it is replaced before you bring the saw back.

Word by Word

Necesito “Necesito” means “I need” in this sentence. It is used before “hablar” to say that speaking honestly is necessary; a common pattern is “necesito” followed by an infinitive.
hablar “Hablar” means “to speak” or “to talk” here. It follows “Necesito” as the action that is needed, and it can commonly be followed by a topic introduced with “sobre”.
con “Con” means “with” in “con honestidad,” describing the manner of speaking. This preposition commonly introduces the person or manner connected with an action.
honestidad “Honestidad” means “honesty” here. In “con honestidad,” it describes speaking honestly, and the pattern “con” plus a noun can describe how someone acts.
sobre “Sobre” means “about” in “sobre la sierra,” introducing the topic being discussed. It commonly comes before a noun or noun phrase that identifies the subject.
la “La” means “the” before “sierra.” It is the feminine singular article used with this noun, and it commonly comes directly before a specific noun.
sierra “Sierra” means “saw,” the tool being discussed and returned in the dialogue. It is used with “la” when referring to this particular saw.
que “Que” links “la sierra” with the information “pedí prestada,” meaning “that” in the relative clause. It commonly introduces information that describes a noun.
pedí “Pedí” means “I asked for” and, in “pedí prestada,” gives the meaning “I borrowed.” It refers to the speaker’s earlier action involving the saw; the related citation form is “pedir.”
prestada “Prestada” means “borrowed” in “pedí prestada.” Its feminine form agrees with “sierra,” and “pedir prestado” is used when saying that someone borrowed something.
Puedes “Puedes” means “can you” in this question, asking whether the other person is able to explain. It is used before the infinitive “explicar”; the related citation form is “poder.”
explicar “Explicar” means “to explain” here. It follows “Puedes” as the requested action, and it commonly introduces the thing or event that someone wants explained.
qué “Qué” means “what” in “qué pasó,” asking for information about the event. The accent marks it as an interrogative form, and it commonly introduces a question inside a larger question or statement.
pasó “Pasó” means “happened” in “qué pasó.” It asks about the event that occurred; the related citation form is “pasar.”
hoja “Hoja” means “blade” here, specifically the blade of the saw. It is used with “la” in the dialogue and can commonly refer to the cutting part of a tool.
se “Se” is part of “se dañó,” showing that the blade underwent the damage. In this expression, it helps present the blade as the thing that became damaged rather than naming a person who damaged it.
dañó “Dañó” means “got damaged” together with “se” in “se dañó.” It describes what happened to the blade while it was being used; the related citation form is “dañar.”
mientras “Mientras” means “while,” introducing the action that was happening at the same time as the damage. It commonly connects two actions occurring during the same period.
cortaba “Cortaba” means “was cutting” in this sentence. It describes the ongoing action during which the blade was damaged; the related citation form is “cortar.”
madera “Madera” means “wood,” the material being cut. It is used with the adjective “gruesa,” and it commonly names the material involved in a woodworking action.
gruesa “Gruesa” means “thick” in “madera gruesa.” Its feminine form agrees with “madera,” and adjectives commonly follow the noun they describe in this phrase.
era “Era” means “was” when asking about the wood’s thickness for the saw. It describes the wood’s condition or characteristic in the question; the related citation form is “ser.”
demasiado “Demasiado” means “too” or “excessively” in “demasiado gruesa.” It increases the degree of “gruesa” and commonly comes before an adjective when something exceeds a suitable limit.
para “Para” means “for” in “demasiado gruesa para esa sierra,” identifying the saw for which the wood was too thick. It commonly introduces suitability or intended use.
esa “Esa” means “that” before “sierra,” referring to the particular saw under discussion. Its feminine singular form agrees with “sierra,” and demonstratives commonly come before the noun they identify.
Probablemente “Probablemente” means “probably,” expressing that the speaker is not completely certain about the reason. It can be placed at the beginning of a reply to qualify the whole statement that follows.
y “Y” means “and,” linking the probable explanation with the speaker’s admission about asking first. It commonly joins two related statements or actions.
debería “Debería” expresses “should” in “debería haber preguntado,” indicating that asking would have been the better earlier action. It commonly introduces an action that would have been advisable.
haber “Haber” is the auxiliary in “debería haber preguntado,” helping refer to the asking as an earlier completed action. It works together with “preguntado” in this construction rather than meaning “to have” by itself here.
preguntado “Preguntado” means “asked” in “haber preguntado.” Together with “debería haber,” it refers to the question the speaker should have asked before trying; the related citation form is “preguntar.”
antes “Antes” means “before,” marking the time when the speaker should have asked. It commonly comes before an infinitive or another time expression to indicate an earlier point.
intentarlo “Intentarlo” means “to try it” in this sentence. It combines the infinitive “intentar” with the attached pronoun “lo,” and an infinitive with an attached object pronoun is a common pattern.
Aprecio “Aprecio” means “I appreciate” here, expressing gratitude for the other person’s frankness. It introduces the appreciated action with “que hables”; the related citation form is “apreciar.”
hables “Hables” means “you speak” in “que hables con franqueza.” It describes the other person’s frank way of speaking in the appreciation statement, and “aprecio que” commonly introduces an action that is valued.
franqueza “Franqueza” means “frankness” or openness here. In “con franqueza,” it describes speaking directly and honestly, and “con” plus this noun gives the manner of communication.
en “En” is part of “en vez de,” the expression meaning “instead of.” In this expression, it helps set up the alternative action that is being contrasted with hiding the damage.
vez “Vez” is part of the fixed expression “en vez de,” meaning “instead of” in this dialogue. The complete expression introduces the action chosen rather than another possible action.
de “De” completes “en vez de,” which means “instead of” before “ocultarlo.” It links the expression to the alternative action that is not being chosen.
ocultarlo “Ocultarlo” means “to hide it,” referring to hiding the damage. It combines the infinitive “ocultar” with the attached pronoun “lo,” and it follows “en vez de” as the alternative action.
Puedo “Puedo” means “I can,” offering the speaker’s ability or willingness to arrange a repair or replace the blade. It is commonly followed by an infinitive; the related citation form is “poder.”
organizar “Organizar” means “to arrange” here, referring to arranging a repair. It follows “Puedo” as one possible action and commonly takes the thing or service being arranged as its object.
una “Una” means “a” before “reparación.” It is the feminine singular indefinite article used with this noun and commonly introduces one non-specific item or service.
reparación “Reparación” means “repair,” the service the speaker can arrange. It is the object of “organizar,” and it commonly names the work needed to fix damaged equipment.
o “O” means “or,” presenting repair and blade replacement as two possible solutions. It commonly links alternatives in a sentence.
reemplazar “Reemplazar” means “to replace” here, referring to replacing the saw blade. It is coordinated with “organizar” after “Puedo,” so both infinitives describe actions the speaker can take.
ser “Ser” means “to be” in “debería ser suficiente.” It links replacing the blade with the judgment that this action will be enough, and it follows “debería” as an infinitive.
suficiente “Suficiente” means “enough” or “sufficient,” saying that replacing the blade will meet the need. It commonly follows “ser” to evaluate whether an action or amount is adequate.
Me “Me” is part of “Me ocuparé de eso,” where it marks the speaker as the person taking care of the matter. It is used with “ocuparé” in the expression “ocuparse de” for handling or taking responsibility for something.
ocuparé “Ocuparé” means “I will take care of” together with “Me” and “de eso.” It expresses the speaker’s commitment to handle the replacement today; the related citation form is “ocupar.”
eso “Eso” means “that,” referring to the replacement just discussed. It is a neutral demonstrative pronoun and commonly points back to an action or matter already mentioned.
hoy “Hoy” means “today,” specifying when the speaker will take care of the replacement. It can be placed at the end of a sentence to give the time of an action.
Dime “Dime” means “tell me” in this request. It combines a command meaning “tell” with the attached pronoun “me,” and it commonly introduces the information the listener should provide.
cuándo “Cuándo” means “when,” asking for the time at which the replacement has been completed. The accent marks it as an interrogative form, and it follows “Dime” to introduce the requested time information.
hayas “Hayas” is the auxiliary form in “hayas reemplazado,” helping express that the replacement will be completed at the relevant time. It works together with “reemplazado” in the clause introduced by “cuándo.”
reemplazado “Reemplazado” means “replaced” in “hayas reemplazado,” referring to replacing the blade. It combines with “hayas” to describe the completed replacement; the related citation form is “reemplazar.”
traer “Traer” means “to bring” in “traer de vuelta la sierra,” referring to bringing the saw back. It follows “antes de” as an infinitive, a common pattern for saying that one action happens before another.
vuelta “Vuelta” is part of “de vuelta,” which means “back” in “traer de vuelta la sierra.” The complete expression indicates returning the saw to its original place or person.

Grammar Points

Imperfecto: cortaba + sustantivo

Cortaba madera gruesa.

kor-TAH-bah mah-DEH-rah GROO-eh-sah

I was cutting thick wood.

El imperfecto describe una acción que estaba ocurriendo en el pasado.

se + verbo para un cambio o resultado

La hoja se dañó.

lah OH-hah seh dah-NYOH

The blade got damaged.

Se presenta el daño como un cambio que le ocurrió al objeto.

Spanish Vocabulary

cortaba verb
kor-TAH-bah was cutting
debería verb
deh-beh-REE-ah should
explicar verb
ehk-splee-KAR to explain
gruesa adj
GROO-eh-sah thick
hoja noun
OH-hah blade
honestidad noun
oh-nehs-tee-DAHD honesty

hablar con honestidad

madera noun
mah-DEH-rah wood
pasó verb
pah-SOH happened
prestada adj
prehs-TAH-dah borrowed

la sierra que pedí prestada

probablemente adv
proh-bah-BLEH-men-teh probably
se dañó verb
seh dah-NYOH got damaged
sierra noun
SYEH-rrah saw

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Can you explain what happened?

Show Answer¿Puedes explicar qué pasó?

Replacing the blade should be enough.

Show AnswerReemplazar la hoja debería ser suficiente.

I will take care of that today.

Show AnswerMe ocuparé de eso hoy.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to explain

Show Answerexplicar

blade

Show Answerhoja

honesty

Show Answerhonestidad

borrowed

Show Answerprestada