About This Lesson
Use Responding to a coffee spill on a laptop to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
Derramé café cerca de mi laptop y algo de líquido se metió debajo del teclado.
deh-rah-MEH kah-FEH SEHR-kah deh mee LAP-top ee AHL-goh deh LEE-kee-doh seh meh-TYOH deh-BAH-ho del teh-KLAH-doh I spilled coffee near my laptop, and some liquid went under the keyboard.
B
Desconéctala de inmediato y apágala si todavía está encendida.
dehs-koh-NEHK-tah-lah deh ee-meh-dee-AH-toh ee ah-PAH-gah-lah see toh-dah-VEE-ah eh-STAH en-sehn-DEE-dah Unplug it immediately and turn it off if it is still running.
A
¿Debería intentar secar la laptop con un secador de pelo?
deh-beh-REE-ah een-tehn-TAHR seh-KAHR lah LAP-top kohn oon seh-kah-DOR deh PEH-loh Should I try to dry it with a hair dryer?
B
El calor puede causar más daño. Deja que un técnico la revise.
el kah-LOR PWEH-deh kow-SAHR mahs DAH-nyoh. DEH-hah keh oon TEHK-nee-koh lah reh-BEE-seh Heat can cause more damage. Let a technician check it.
A
Me preocupa porque mis archivos del proyecto están ahí.
meh preh-oh-KOO-pah POR-keh mees ahr-CHEE-bohs del proh-YEHK-toh eh-STAHN ah-EE I am worried because my project files are on it.
B
Revisa la copia de seguridad en la nube desde otro dispositivo antes de volver a tocar la laptop.
reh-BEE-sah lah KOH-pyah deh seh-goo-ree-DAHD en lah NOO-beh DEHS-deh OH-troh dees-poh-see-TEE-boh ahn-tehs deh bohl-BEHR ah toh-KAHR lah LAP-top Check your cloud backup from another device before you touch the laptop again.
A
La mayoría de los archivos ya estaban sincronizados.
lah mah-yoh-REE-ah deh lohs ahr-CHEE-bohs yah eh-STAH-bahn seen-kroh-nee-SA-dohs Most of the files were already synced.
B
Mantén la laptop apagada y no intentes encenderla demasiado pronto.
mahn-TEHN lah LAP-top ah-pah-GAH-dah ee noh een-TEHN-tehs en-sehn-DEHR-lah deh-mah-SYAH-doh PROHN-toh Keep the laptop off, and do not try to start it too soon.
A
Llevaré la laptop a un técnico y le preguntaré cuál es el siguiente paso.
yeh-bah-REH lah LAP-top ah oon TEHK-nee-koh ee leh preh-goon-tah-REH kwal ehs el see-GYEHN-teh PAH-soh I will take it to a technician and ask about the next step.
B
Un técnico puede revisarla sin empeorar el daño.
oon TEHK-nee-koh PWEH-deh reh-bee-SAHR-lah seen em-peh-oh-RAHR el DAH-nyoh A technician can check it without making the damage worse.Word by Word
Derramé
In “Derramé café”, this exact form says that the speaker spilled coffee. It reports a completed accident and can be reused with “Derramé” followed by the thing that was spilled when describing what happened.
café
In “Derramé café”, “café” names the liquid that was spilled. It is used here as the object of the action, in a situation where someone is reporting a spill.
cerca
In “cerca de mi laptop”, “cerca” means near and locates the spill in relation to the laptop. The reusable pattern is “cerca de” plus a place or object when describing proximity.
de
In “cerca de mi laptop”, “de” introduces the object used as the reference point for the location. The pattern “cerca de + place or object” means near that place or object.
mi
In “mi laptop”, “mi” shows that the laptop belongs to or is associated with the speaker. It is placed before a singular noun to identify the speaker’s thing in this situation.
laptop
“Laptop” refers to the computer involved in the spill and the later repair advice. In the dialogue it appears in phrases such as “mi laptop” and “la laptop” when discussing the affected device.
y
“Y” connects two related actions or pieces of information, as in “Derramé café cerca de mi laptop y algo de líquido se metió”. It is used to join the spill with what happened afterward.
algo
In “algo de líquido”, “algo” means some or an unspecified amount. The pattern “algo de + substance” is useful when the exact quantity is not known or important.
líquido
In “algo de líquido”, “líquido” identifies the material that moved under the keyboard. It is used after “algo de” to name an unspecified amount of liquid in the accident report.
se
In “se metió debajo del teclado”, “se” is part of the expression describing the liquid as getting underneath the keyboard without naming a separate person who put it there. The pattern “algo se metió + location” describes something getting into or under a place.
metió
In “se metió debajo del teclado”, “metió” says that the liquid got under the keyboard. Together with “se”, it describes movement into a position, and the phrase can be used to report where something got inside or underneath.
debajo
In “debajo del teclado”, “debajo” means underneath and specifies the liquid’s position. The pattern “debajo de + object” locates something below that object.
del
In “debajo del teclado”, “del” combines “de” and “el” to connect “debajo” with “teclado”. The phrase means underneath the keyboard and follows the reusable pattern “debajo del + masculine noun”.
teclado
“Teclado” means keyboard, the part of the laptop beneath which the liquid went. It identifies the specific object after “debajo del” in the accident description.
Desconéctala
“Desconéctala” is a direct instruction to unplug the laptop, with “la” referring to it. It is useful for giving an immediate safety instruction about disconnecting a device.
inmediato
In “de inmediato”, “inmediato” makes the instruction mean immediately, without delay. The complete phrase “de inmediato” is used when an action needs to happen at once.
apágala
“Apágala” instructs the listener to turn the laptop off, with “la” referring to the laptop. It is useful when giving a direct instruction to switch off a device.
si
In “si todavía está encendida”, “si” introduces the condition under which the instruction applies. The pattern “si + condition” is used to say what should happen when a particular situation is true.
todavía
In “todavía está encendida”, “todavía” means still and shows that the laptop may remain in the same state. It is useful for referring to a condition that continues up to the present moment.
está
In “si todavía está encendida”, “está” links the laptop with its current state of being turned on. The pattern “está + state or description” is used to describe a device’s condition.
encendida
In “está encendida”, “encendida” describes the laptop as turned on. It is used with a device when explaining whether it remains powered on.
Debería
At the start of “¿Debería intentar secar...?”, “Debería” asks whether the speaker ought to do something and seeks advice. The pattern “Debería + infinitive?” is useful when asking if a proposed action is advisable.
intentar
In “Debería intentar secar”, “intentar” means to try to do the following action. It is followed by an infinitive here, forming the pattern “intentar + action” when considering an attempt.
secar
In “intentar secar la laptop”, “secar” means to dry the laptop. It follows “intentar” and identifies the action the speaker is considering after the spill.
la
This exact form has two roles in the dialogue. In “la laptop” and “La mayoría”, it is an article before a noun; in “la revise”, it refers back to the laptop as the thing being checked. The surrounding words show which role “la” has in each phrase.
con
In “con un secador de pelo”, “con” introduces the tool used for drying. The pattern “con + tool” is useful when explaining what instrument will be used for an action.
un
In “un secador” and “Un técnico”, “un” identifies one unspecified item or person. It is placed before a singular noun when introducing a dryer or a technician.
secador
In “un secador de pelo”, “secador” refers to the dryer being considered as a tool. The complete phrase identifies the device that could be used for drying the laptop.
pelo
In “secador de pelo”, “pelo” specifies that this is a hair dryer. It helps identify the type of dryer through the pattern “secador de + purpose or material.”
El
In “El calor”, “El” is the article introducing “calor” as the topic of the sentence. The pattern “el + noun” identifies a specific or general thing being discussed.
calor
In “El calor puede causar más daño”, “calor” means heat and is presented as a possible source of further damage. It is used here when warning about a condition that could harm the laptop.
puede
In “puede causar”, “puede” expresses possibility or ability: heat can cause damage. The reusable pattern is “puede + infinitive” when saying that something may produce an effect.
causar
In “puede causar más daño”, “causar” means to cause or produce an effect. It follows “puede” and takes “más daño” as the result in this warning.
más
In “más daño”, “más” means more or additional and indicates damage beyond what has already occurred. It is placed before the noun to describe a greater amount of damage.
daño
In “más daño” and “empeorar el daño”, “daño” refers to harm caused to the laptop. It is used when discussing the possible result of heat or of handling the device incorrectly.
Deja
In “Deja que un técnico la revise”, “Deja” tells the listener to allow the technician to check the laptop. The pattern “Deja que + person + action” is useful for giving permission or recommending that someone else perform an action.
que
In “Deja que un técnico la revise”, “que” introduces the action that the technician is allowed or expected to perform. It connects “Deja” with the clause describing that action.
técnico
In “un técnico”, “técnico” means technician, the person who can inspect the damaged laptop. It is used after “un” to introduce the professional being asked for help.
revise
In “que un técnico la revise”, “revise” describes the technician checking or inspecting the laptop. It appears in the clause after “Deja que”, which presents the technician’s action as the recommended next step.
Me
In “Me preocupa”, “Me” identifies the speaker as the person affected by the worry. The pattern “Me preocupa + situation” is useful for saying that something concerns the speaker.
preocupa
In “Me preocupa”, “preocupa” says that the situation causes concern for the speaker. Together with “Me”, it is used to express worry about an important problem.
porque
In “Me preocupa porque mis archivos...”, “porque” introduces the reason for the concern. The pattern “because + reason” explains why the speaker feels worried.
mis
In “mis archivos”, “mis” shows that the files belong to or are associated with the speaker. It appears before the plural noun to identify the speaker’s files.
archivos
In “mis archivos del proyecto”, “archivos” means files, specifically the project files that may be at risk. It is used as the thing whose backup status the speaker is worried about.
proyecto
In “archivos del proyecto”, “proyecto” identifies which files are meant: the files belonging to the project. The pattern “archivos del + project or activity” specifies the files’ context.
están
In “están ahí”, “están” places the project files in a location or state. Here it connects the files with “ahí” to say where they are in the situation being discussed.
ahí
In “están ahí”, “ahí” means there and refers to the laptop or the location previously mentioned. It is useful when pointing back to a nearby or already identified place.
Revisa
“Revisa” is a direct instruction to check or inspect the cloud backup. It is useful when telling someone to examine information or a device before taking another action.
tu
In “tu copia de seguridad”, “tu” shows that the backup belongs to or is associated with the listener. It is placed before a singular noun to identify the listener’s backup.
copia
In “copia de seguridad”, “copia” contributes the idea of a stored copy of the files. The complete phrase means backup and is used here as something to check after the laptop spill.
seguridad
In “copia de seguridad”, “seguridad” indicates the protective purpose of the copy. Together, the phrase refers to a backup kept to protect or recover data.
en
In “en la nube”, “en” places the backup in the cloud. The pattern “en + location or service” identifies where data or another thing is stored.
nube
In “la nube”, “nube” refers to cloud storage in the phrase “copia de seguridad en la nube”. It identifies the online location of the backup rather than a physical location.
desde
In “desde otro dispositivo”, “desde” marks the device used as the starting point for checking the backup. The pattern “desde + device or place” describes where an action is carried out from.
otro
In “otro dispositivo”, “otro” means another or a different one. It distinguishes the device used for checking from the laptop involved in the spill.
dispositivo
In “otro dispositivo”, “dispositivo” means device and refers to the separate device used to access the backup. It is useful when specifying the equipment from which an action is performed.
antes
In “antes de volver a tocar la laptop”, “antes” establishes that checking the backup must happen earlier. The pattern “antes de + infinitive” is used to order one action before another.
volver
In “volver a tocar”, “volver” contributes the meaning of doing the action again. The reusable pattern “volver a + infinitive” describes a repeated action.
a
This exact form has two functions in the dialogue. In “volver a tocar”, it helps express repetition; in “a un técnico”, it introduces the technician as the destination or person to whom the laptop is taken. The surrounding construction determines its function.
tocar
In “volver a tocar la laptop”, “tocar” means to touch the laptop. It is used after “volver a” to warn against touching the device again too soon.
mayoría
In “La mayoría de los archivos”, “mayoría” means most and refers to more than half or the greater part of the files. The pattern “la mayoría de + plural noun” is used when discussing most members of a group.
los
In “la mayoría de los archivos”, “los” introduces the specific group of files being counted. It is placed before the plural noun “archivos” in this quantifying expression.
ya
In “ya estaban sincronizados”, “ya” means already and shows that the syncing had happened before the current point in the conversation. It is useful for emphasizing that something was completed or true earlier than expected.
estaban
In “ya estaban sincronizados”, “estaban” places the files in the synchronized state at an earlier point. It helps describe the files’ condition when the speaker checked or considered them.
sincronizados
In “estaban sincronizados”, “sincronizados” describes the files as synced with the backup service. It is useful when confirming that copies of files had already been updated or matched.
Mantén
“Mantén la laptop apagada” instructs the listener to keep the laptop in its current off state. The pattern “Mantén + object + state” is useful for telling someone to preserve a condition.
apagada
In “mantén la laptop apagada”, “apagada” describes the laptop as turned off. It names the state that should be maintained while the device is checked or repaired.
no
In “no intentes encenderla”, “no” negates the instruction and tells the listener not to try the action. It is used before the verb in a prohibition.
intentes
In “no intentes encenderla”, “intentes” tells the listener not to try turning the laptop on. The pattern “no intentes + action” is useful when advising someone to avoid a risky attempt.
encenderla
“Encenderla” means to turn it on, with “la” referring to the laptop. The form combines the action of turning on with the object being turned on, and it appears here after “intentes”.
demasiado
In “demasiado pronto”, “demasiado” means too or excessively and strengthens the warning about the timing. It modifies “pronto” to say that the laptop should not be started too early.
pronto
In “demasiado pronto”, “pronto” means soon or early in relation to the recommended waiting period. The complete phrase warns against starting the laptop before it is safe to do so.
Llevaré
“Llevaré la laptop a un técnico” says that the speaker will take the laptop to a technician. It is useful for stating a planned future action involving transporting something to a person or place.
le
In “le preguntaré”, “le” identifies the technician as the person who will receive the question. The pattern “preguntarle + question” is useful when saying that someone will ask another person for information.
preguntaré
In “le preguntaré cuál es el siguiente paso”, “preguntaré” says that the speaker will ask. It introduces the speaker’s planned request for advice about what to do next.
cuál
In “cuál es el siguiente paso”, “cuál” asks which or what item is being identified. The complete question is used to request the next action or stage in a process.
es
In “cuál es el siguiente paso”, “es” links the question word with the step being identified. It helps form the question asking what the next step is.
siguiente
In “el siguiente paso”, “siguiente” means next and places the step in sequence. It is useful when asking or talking about the action that should come after the current one.
paso
In “el siguiente paso”, “paso” means step or next action in a process. It is used here when the speaker asks the technician what to do after the laptop spill.
revisarla
“Revisarla” means to check or inspect it, with “la” referring to the laptop. The form combines the checking action with the object pronoun and appears in the technician’s proposed action.
sin
In “sin empeorar el daño”, “sin” means without and introduces an action that does not happen. The pattern “sin + infinitive” describes carrying something out while avoiding a particular result.
empeorar
In “sin empeorar el daño”, “empeorar” means to make the damage worse or to worsen it. It names the result that the technician can avoid while checking the laptop.
Grammar Points
Imperativo afirmativo + pronombre: desconecta + la → Desconéctala
Desconéctala de inmediato.
dehs-koh-NEHK-tah-lah deh ee-meh-dee-AH-tohUnplug it immediately.
In affirmative commands, the direct-object pronoun attaches to the verb, and the stress may require an accent mark.
Futuro simple para una acción prevista: llevaré / preguntaré
Llevaré el dispositivo al técnico.
yeh-bah-REH el dees-poh-see-TEE-boh al TEHK-nee-kohI will take the device to the technician.
The simple future can express a planned or intended action by the speaker.
Spanish Vocabulary
apagar
verb
ah-pah-GAHR
to turn off
apágala
Y apágala si todavía está encendida.
café
noun
kah-FEH
coffee
Derramé café cerca de mi laptop.
cerca de
prep
SEHR-kah deh
near
Derramé café cerca de mi laptop.
de inmediato
adv
deh ee-meh-dee-AH-toh
immediately
Desconéctala de inmediato.
debajo de
prep
deh-BAH-ho deh
under
Algo de líquido se metió debajo del teclado.
derramar
verb
deh-rah-MAHR
to spill
Derramé
Derramé café cerca de mi laptop.
desconectar
verb
dehs-koh-nehk-TAHR
to unplug
Desconéctala
Desconéctala de inmediato.
encendido
adj
en-sehn-DEE-doh
on; turned on
encendida
La laptop está encendida.
líquido
noun
LEE-kee-doh
liquid
Algo de líquido se metió debajo del teclado.
meterse
verb
meh-TEHR-seh
to get inside
se metió
Algo de líquido se metió debajo del teclado.
teclado
noun
teh-KLAH-doh
keyboard
Debajo del teclado.
todavía
adv
toh-dah-VEE-ah
still
Si todavía está encendida.
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
to spill
Show Answer
Derramékeyboard
Show Answer
tecladoto unplug
Show Answer
Desconéctalacoffee