About This Lesson
Use Planning around a heatwave to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
Se espera que la ola de calor continúe.
seh ehs-PEH-rah keh lah OH-lah deh kah-LOR kohn-tee-NOO-eh The heatwave is expected to continue.
B
Entonces deberíamos planear cualquier actividad al aire libre para la parte más fresca del día.
ehn-TOHN-sehs deh-beh-REE-ah-mohs plah-neh-AR kwahl-KYEHR ahk-tee-bee-DAHD ahl EYE-reh LEE-breh PAH-rah lah PAR-teh mahs FREHS-kah dehl DEE-ah Then we should plan anything outside for the cooler part of the day.
A
Quería visitar el mercado, pero las multitudes podrían hacerlo más difícil.
keh-REE-ah bee-see-TAR ehl mehr-KAH-doh, PEH-roh lahs mool-tee-TOO-dehs poh-DREE-ahn ah-SEHR-loh mahs dee-fee-SEEL I wanted to visit the market, but the crowds might make it harder.
B
Con ese calor, deberíamos elegir un momento más tranquilo y evitar estar de pie sin hacer nada.
kohn EH-seh kah-LOR, deh-beh-REE-ah-mohs eh-leh-HEER oon moh-MEHN-toh mahs trahn-KEE-loh ee eh-bee-TAR ehs-TAR deh PYEH seen ah-SEHR NAH-dah In that heat, we should choose a quieter time and avoid standing around.
A
Podemos tomar calles con sombra y descansar bajo techo cuando sea necesario.
poh-DEH-mohs toh-MAR KAH-yehs kohn SOHM-brah ee dehs-kahn-SAR BAH-hoh TEH-choh kwahn-doh seh-ah neh-seh-SAH-ryoh We can take shaded streets and rest indoors when needed.
B
Eso nos da más flexibilidad si el calor empeora.
EH-soh nohs dah mahs flehk-see-bee-lee-DAHD see ehl kah-LOR ehm-peh-OH-rah That gives us more flexibility if the heat gets worse.
A
¿Ayudarían un sombrero y agua extra?
ah-yoo-dah-REE-ahn oon sohm-BREH-roh ee AH-gwah EHK-strah Would a hat and extra water help?
B
Un sombrero ayudará, y la ropa ligera haría que caminar fuera más fácil.
oon sohm-BREH-roh ah-yoo-dah-RAH, ee lah ROH-pah lee-EH-rah ah-REE-ah keh kah-mee-NAR FWEH-rah mahs FAH-seel A hat will help, and light clothing would make the walk easier.
A
Entonces podemos cambiar el plan si hace demasiado calor.
ehn-TOHN-sehs poh-DEH-mohs kahm-BYAR ehl plahn see AH-seh deh-mah-see-AH-doh kah-LOR Then we can change the plan if it feels too hot.
B
Suena lo bastante flexible para un día caluroso.
SWEH-nah loh bahs-TAHN-teh flehk-SEE-bleh PAH-rah oon DEE-ah kah-loo-ROH-soh That sounds flexible enough for a hot day.Word by Word
Se
In 'Se espera que la ola de calor continúe', 'Se' marks an impersonal statement: the sentence says that the heatwave is expected to continue without naming who expects it. This pattern is useful for general reports or expectations, as in 'Se espera que...'.
espera
In 'Se espera que la ola de calor continúe', 'espera' expresses that something is expected. It comes from 'esperar' and is used in the reusable pattern 'Se espera que + event'.
que
In 'Se espera que la ola de calor continúe', 'que' introduces the event that is expected. It connects 'Se espera' with the following clause, as in the common pattern 'Espero que + event'.
la
'La' identifies 'ola de calor' as a specific feminine noun phrase in 'la ola de calor'. It is used before a noun when referring to the particular heatwave under discussion.
ola
In 'la ola de calor', 'ola' means a wave, and together with 'de calor' it refers to a heatwave. The reusable pattern 'ola de + phenomenon' names a wave or period of something.
de
In 'ola de calor', 'de' links the noun 'ola' with the type of wave, heat. This same linking pattern is used in expressions such as 'una ola de frío' as a new example.
calor
In 'la ola de calor' and 'ese calor', 'calor' means heat, specifically the hot conditions affecting the plans. It commonly appears in weather expressions such as 'hace calor'.
continúe
In 'Se espera que la ola de calor continúe', 'continúe' says that the heatwave keeps going. It comes from 'continuar'; after 'Se espera que', this exact form presents the expected event. A reusable pattern is 'Espero que + subject + continúe'.
Entonces
'Entonces' means then and moves from the expected heatwave to the plan that follows in 'Entonces deberíamos planear...'. It is useful when responding to information with a consequence or next step.
deberíamos
In 'deberíamos planear cualquier actividad al aire libre', 'deberíamos' expresses what the speakers should do. It comes from 'deber' and is used before an infinitive to give advice or a recommendation, such as 'deberíamos cambiar el plan' as a new example.
planear
In 'deberíamos planear cualquier actividad al aire libre', 'planear' means to plan. After 'deberíamos', it remains in the infinitive; a reusable pattern is 'planear + activity or event'.
cualquier
In 'cualquier actividad al aire libre', 'cualquier' means any and allows the statement to include any outdoor activity rather than one named activity. It is placed directly before the singular noun it describes.
actividad
In 'cualquier actividad al aire libre', 'actividad' means activity, referring to something done outdoors. It commonly follows a determiner such as 'una' or 'cualquier'.
al aire libre
'Al aire libre' means outdoors in 'cualquier actividad al aire libre'. It describes an activity that takes place outside, and it can be used after a noun such as 'comida al aire libre' as a new example.
para
In 'para la parte más fresca del día', 'para' marks the time for which the outdoor activity should be planned. It commonly introduces a destination, purpose, or intended time.
parte
In 'la parte más fresca del día', 'parte' means part, here referring to a portion of the day. The reusable pattern 'la parte + adjective + de + period' identifies a particular section of a time period.
más
In 'la parte más fresca del día', 'más' makes 'fresca' comparative, giving the meaning cooler. The pattern 'más + adjective' is used to compare or identify a greater degree.
fresca
In 'la parte más fresca del día', 'fresca' describes the part of the day as cooler than other parts. It contributes the temperature description inside the pattern 'la parte más fresca del día'.
del
In 'la parte más fresca del día', 'del' links the part with the day and means of the. It is the contracted form used in this exact expression, and the pattern 'parte del día' identifies a portion of the day.
día
In 'la parte más fresca del día', 'día' means day and provides the time period being divided into parts. It is commonly used after 'del' in expressions about a part of the day.
Quería
In 'Quería visitar el mercado', 'Quería' presents the speaker's earlier wish to visit the market. It comes from 'querer' and commonly appears before an infinitive to express what someone wanted to do.
visitar
In 'Quería visitar el mercado', 'visitar' means to visit. It follows 'Quería' in the pattern 'querer + infinitive + place or person'.
el
'El' identifies 'mercado' as a specific masculine noun phrase in 'el mercado'. It is used before a singular noun when the listener can identify the place being discussed.
mercado
In 'visitar el mercado', 'mercado' means market, the destination the speaker wanted to visit. It commonly follows 'visitar' when naming a place.
pero
'Pero' means but and introduces the problem that the crowds could make the visit harder in '..., pero las multitudes podrían hacerlo más difícil'. It is useful for contrasting an intention with a limitation or concern.
las
'Las' identifies 'multitudes' as specific plural crowds in 'las multitudes'. It is placed before a plural feminine noun phrase referring to the crowds relevant to the market visit.
multitudes
In 'las multitudes podrían hacerlo más difícil', 'multitudes' means crowds or large groups of people. It is the subject of the possibility described by 'podrían'.
podrían
In 'las multitudes podrían hacerlo más difícil', 'podrían' expresses that the crowds might or could make the visit harder. It comes from 'poder' and is used before an infinitive to describe a possible effect.
hacerlo
In 'podrían hacerlo más difícil', 'hacerlo' means make it or do it, with 'lo' attached to 'hacer'. Here it describes the crowds making the situation under discussion more difficult; the reusable pattern is 'hacerlo + adjective'.
difícil
In 'hacerlo más difícil', 'difícil' describes the situation as harder, with 'más' showing an increase in difficulty. The pattern 'hacer + object + más difícil' describes something becoming harder to do.
Con
In 'Con ese calor, deberíamos elegir un momento más tranquilo', 'Con' means with, but it introduces the heat as the condition affecting the decision. This pattern is useful for explaining a choice under particular conditions.
ese
In 'Con ese calor', 'ese' points to the heat being discussed. It identifies the relevant condition before the noun, as in 'con ese ruido' as a new example.
elegir
In 'deberíamos elegir un momento más tranquilo', 'elegir' means to choose. It follows 'deberíamos' in the pattern 'deberíamos elegir + option' when making a recommendation.
un
In 'un momento más tranquilo' and 'Un sombrero ayudará', 'un' introduces one non-specific singular noun. It presents an option or item without identifying a particular one.
momento
In 'un momento más tranquilo', 'momento' means time or moment, referring to a time for visiting the market. It commonly follows 'elegir' when selecting when to do something.
tranquilo
In 'un momento más tranquilo', 'tranquilo' describes the chosen time as quieter or calmer, with fewer crowds or less activity. It provides the quality being sought in the pattern 'elegir un momento + adjective'.
y
'Y' means and and joins the two recommendations in 'elegir un momento más tranquilo y evitar estar de pie sin hacer nada'. It links actions or ideas that belong to the same plan.
evitar
In 'evitar estar de pie sin hacer nada', 'evitar' means to avoid. It is followed by an infinitive phrase describing what should not happen, as in 'evitar caminar bajo el sol' as a new example.
estar
In 'estar de pie sin hacer nada', 'estar' means to be or remain in a state. It introduces the phrase describing being on one's feet, and after 'evitar' it stays in the infinitive.
de pie
In 'estar de pie sin hacer nada', 'de pie' means standing or on one's feet. It completes the expression 'estar de pie', which is used when describing someone's physical position.
sin
In 'sin hacer nada', 'sin' means without and introduces the action or state that is absent. It is commonly followed by an infinitive, as in 'sin esperar' as a new example.
hacer
In 'sin hacer nada', 'hacer' means to do and forms the phrase for doing nothing. It stays in the infinitive after 'sin'; the pattern is 'sin hacer + activity or thing'.
nada
In 'sin hacer nada', 'nada' means anything or nothing within the expression without doing anything. Together with 'sin hacer', it describes the absence of an activity rather than naming a specific task.
Podemos
In 'Podemos tomar calles con sombra', 'Podemos' means we can and presents an available option for the route. It comes from 'poder' and is followed by an infinitive for the action that is possible.
tomar
In 'Podemos tomar calles con sombra', 'tomar' means to take or use, referring to choosing particular streets for the route. A reusable pattern is 'tomar + route or transport'.
calles
In 'calles con sombra', 'calles' means streets, specifically the streets the speakers can use. It is modified by 'con sombra' to identify the more protected route.
sombra
In 'calles con sombra', 'sombra' means shade, describing streets that offer protection from direct heat or sunlight. The pattern 'con sombra' can describe a place or route that has shade.
descansar
In 'descansar bajo techo', 'descansar' means to rest. It is coordinated with 'tomar' after 'Podemos', so the pattern is 'podemos + infinitive' for available actions.
bajo
In 'bajo techo', 'bajo' means under and introduces the covering provided by the roof. Together, 'bajo techo' is used for resting inside or in a covered place.
techo
In 'bajo techo', 'techo' means roof, and the whole expression means indoors or under cover. The pattern 'estar o descansar bajo techo' describes taking shelter inside.
cuando
In 'cuando sea necesario', 'cuando' means when and introduces the condition or time for resting indoors. It is useful for linking an action to the moment it becomes needed.
sea
In 'cuando sea necesario', 'sea' expresses being in the phrase 'when it is necessary'. It comes from 'ser' and appears here after 'cuando' to describe the condition under which the action is taken.
necesario
In 'cuando sea necesario', 'necesario' means necessary and describes when resting indoors is needed. The reusable pattern 'cuando sea necesario' means whenever the situation requires it.
Eso
In 'Eso nos da más flexibilidad', 'Eso' means that and refers to the route and resting options just mentioned. It is useful for pointing back to a previously described idea or plan.
nos
In 'Eso nos da más flexibilidad', 'nos' means us and identifies the people who receive the benefit. It appears before the verb in the reusable pattern 'algo nos da + benefit'.
da
In 'Eso nos da más flexibilidad', 'da' means gives, describing the plan as providing more flexibility. It comes from 'dar' and is used in the pattern 'dar + person + benefit'.
flexibilidad
In 'más flexibilidad', 'flexibilidad' means flexibility, the ability to change the plan if conditions change. It commonly follows 'dar' in expressions such as 'dar más flexibilidad'.
si
In 'si el calor empeora', 'si' means if and introduces the possible condition that could require a change. It is used before a clause describing a condition or possibility.
empeora
In 'si el calor empeora', 'empeora' means gets worse, referring to the heat becoming more difficult. It comes from 'empeorar' and is used after 'si' to state the possible change in conditions.
Ayudarían
In '¿Ayudarían un sombrero y agua extra?', 'Ayudarían' asks whether the items would help. It comes from 'ayudar' and places the question about usefulness before the plural items being considered.
sombrero
In 'Un sombrero ayudará', 'sombrero' means hat, an item proposed for protection during the hot walk. It commonly appears after an article when naming something to wear or use.
agua
In 'agua extra', 'agua' means water, specifically additional water for the outing. It is used with a quantity or description such as 'extra' when discussing what to bring.
extra
In 'agua extra', 'extra' means additional or more than the usual amount. It is placed after the noun here to specify that the water is additional for the outing.
ayudará
In 'Un sombrero ayudará', 'ayudará' means will help and states the expected benefit of the hat. It comes from 'ayudar' and is used before or after the person or thing that benefits.
ropa
In 'la ropa ligera', 'ropa' means clothing, referring to what would make the walk easier. It commonly appears with an adjective that describes the clothing.
ligera
In 'la ropa ligera', 'ligera' describes the clothing as light, suitable for the hot conditions in this plan. It provides the quality of 'ropa' in the phrase 'ropa + adjective'.
haría
In 'la ropa ligera haría que caminar fuera más fácil', 'haría' means would make and describes a possible effect of light clothing. It comes from 'hacer' and is used in the pattern 'hacer que + clause' to state a result.
caminar
In 'hacer que caminar fuera más fácil', 'caminar' means walking or to walk, the activity whose difficulty would change. It is used as the subject of the clause after 'hacer que'.
fuera
In 'hacer que caminar fuera más fácil', 'fuera' means would be and links walking with the result 'más fácil'. It comes from 'ser' and appears in the subordinate clause after 'hacer que'.
fácil
In 'caminar fuera más fácil', 'fácil' means easier because 'más' increases the degree of ease. The pattern 'hacer que + activity + sea or fuera más fácil' describes something making an activity easier.
cambiar
In 'podemos cambiar el plan', 'cambiar' means to change, referring to adapting the plan if the heat becomes excessive. It follows 'podemos' in the reusable pattern 'poder + infinitive'.
plan
In 'cambiar el plan', 'plan' means plan, the agreed arrangement for visiting the market. It commonly follows 'cambiar' when an arrangement is adjusted.
hace
In 'si hace demasiado calor', 'hace' is part of the weather expression for saying that it is hot. The reusable pattern is 'hacer + weather noun', as in 'hace frío' as a new example.
demasiado
In 'hace demasiado calor', 'demasiado' means too much or excessively, showing that the heat has passed a comfortable level. It commonly appears before the noun in the weather pattern 'hace demasiado calor'.
Suena
In 'Suena lo bastante flexible para un día caluroso', 'Suena' means sounds or seems based on an assessment of the plan. It comes from 'sonar' and commonly introduces an opinion about how something appears.
lo
In 'lo bastante flexible', 'lo' helps express the degree described by 'bastante flexible', meaning flexible enough. The reusable pattern is 'lo bastante + adjective + para'.
bastante
In 'lo bastante flexible para un día caluroso', 'bastante' means enough and says that the plan has a sufficient degree of flexibility. It is used in the pattern 'lo bastante + adjective + para + purpose or situation'.
flexible
In 'lo bastante flexible', 'flexible' describes the plan as able to adapt to changes during a hot day. It is used after 'bastante' to express the required degree of a quality.
caluroso
In 'un día caluroso', 'caluroso' means hot and describes the day. It is a reusable adjective after a noun when characterizing weather conditions, as in 'una tarde calurosa' as a new example.
Grammar Points
Se espera + sustantivo
Se espera una ola de calor.
seh ehs-PEH-rah OO-nah OH-lah deh kah-LORA heatwave is expected.
Se impersonal expresa una expectativa sin indicar quién espera algo.
Continúe + complemento
Continúe bajo techo.
kohn-tee-NOO-eh BAH-hoh TEH-chohStay indoors.
Continúe es una forma formal de mandato para usted; el verbo usa la forma de subjuntivo.
Spanish Vocabulary
al aire libre
phrase
ahl EYE-reh LEE-breh
outdoors; in the open air
continuar
verb
kohn-tee-noo-AR
to continue
continúe
difícil
adj
dee-FEE-seel
difficult; hard
elegir
verb
eh-leh-HEER
to choose
esperar
verb
ehs-peh-RAR
to expect
se espera
estar de pie
phrase
ehs-TAR deh PYEH
to stand; to be standing
evitar
verb
eh-bee-TAR
to avoid
fresco
adj
FREHS-koh
cool
más fresca
multitud
noun
mool-tee-TOOD
crowd
multitudes
ola de calor
phrase
OH-lah deh kah-LOR
heatwave
planear
verb
plah-neh-AR
to plan
sombra
noun
SOHM-brah
shade; shadow
Quiz
Word Order
Arrange the words in the correct order.
Would a hat and extra water help?
Show Answer
¿Ayudarían un sombrero y agua extra?Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
difficult; hard
Show Answer
difícilto continue
Show Answer
continúeto choose
Show Answer
elegirto plan