Checking the Apartment Before a Long Trip | Learn Spanish in English

Spanish lesson set in a contemporary Madrid everyday setting: Before leaving for a long trip, two adults check an apartment's appliances, locks, thermostat, and package arrangements..

EN → ES / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Checking the Apartment Before a Long Trip to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Estaremos fuera varios días, así que revisemos bien el apartamento.

eh-stah-REH-mohs FWEH-rah BAH-ryohs DEE-ahs, ah-SEE keh reh-bee-SEH-mohs byen el ah-par-tah-MEN-toh. We'll be away for several days, so let's double-check the apartment.
B

Desenchufé los pequeños electrodomésticos y apagué la estufa.

deh-sen-choo-FEH lohs peh-KEH-nyohs eh-lehk-troh-doh-MES-tee-kohs ee ah-pah-GEH lah eh-STOO-fah. I unplugged the small appliances and turned off the stove.
A

¿La puerta del balcón y las ventanas del dormitorio están bien cerradas?

lah PWEHR-tah del bal-KOHN ee lahs ben-TAH-nahs del dor-mee-TOH-ryoh ehs-TAHN byen seh-RAH-dahs? Are the balcony door and bedroom windows secure?
B

La puerta del balcón está cerrada con llave y ahora revisaré las ventanas del dormitorio.

lah PWEHR-tah del bal-KOHN ehs-TAH seh-RAH-dah kohn YAH-beh ee ah-OH-rah reh-bee-sah-REH lahs ben-TAH-nahs del dor-mee-TOH-ryoh. The balcony door is locked, and I will check the bedroom windows now.
A

¿Deberíamos bajar el termostato mientras estemos fuera?

deh-beh-REE-ah-mohs bah-HAR el tehr-moh-STAH-toh MYEN-trahs ehs-TEH-mohs FWEH-rah? Should we lower the thermostat while we are gone?
B

Bájalo, pero no tanto como para que el apartamento se enfríe demasiado.

BAH-hah-loh, PEH-roh noh TAHN-toh KOH-moh PAH-rah keh el ah-par-tah-MEN-toh seh en-FREE-eh deh-mah-SYAH-doh. Set it lower, but not so low that the apartment gets too cold.
A

También le pedí a nuestro vecino que recogiera los paquetes que llegaran.

tahm-BYEN leh peh-DEE ah NWES-troh beh-SEE-noh keh reh-koh-HYEH-rah lohs pah-KEH-tehs keh yeh-GAH-rahn. I also asked our neighbor to collect any packages.
B

Eso ayuda a que parezca que hay alguien en casa mientras estamos fuera.

EH-soh ah-YOO-dah ah keh pah-REHS-kah keh eye ahl-GYEN en KAH-sah MYEN-trahs ehs-TAH-mohs FWEH-rah. That helps the place look occupied while we are away.
A

Ahora me siento más tranquilo al irme.

ah-OH-rah meh SYEN-toh mahs trahn-KEE-loh ahl EER-meh. Now I feel more relaxed about leaving.
B

Esta lista de comprobación llevó un poco de tiempo, pero valió la pena.

EHS-tah LEES-tah deh kohm-proh-bah-SYOHN yeh-BOH oon POH-koh deh TYEM-poh, PEH-roh bah-LYOH lah PEH-nah. This checklist took a little time, but it was worth it.

Word by Word

Estaremos In Estaremos fuera, this means that we will be away. It presents the speakers' future absence from the apartment. Use it with a place or state when explaining where people will be later.
fuera Here fuera means away from home or the apartment. In Estaremos fuera, it describes the speakers' absence. It is useful when saying that someone will not be at a place.
varios In varios días, varios means several or more than a few. It describes the number of days the speakers will be away. Use it before a plural noun when the exact number is not given.
días Días means days, the length of the speakers' absence in varios días. The word refers to several complete calendar days here. It is commonly used after a number or quantity to state a duration.
así In así que, así contributes the meaning so or therefore. It connects the speakers' future absence with the decision to check the apartment. Use this expression to introduce a result or conclusion.
que In así que, que completes the connector meaning so or therefore. It links the first situation with the action that follows. Use it as part of this result expression rather than assigning the whole meaning to que alone.
revisemos Revisemos means let's check in this suggestion to inspect the apartment together. It invites the other person to join the action. Use it for a joint proposal to check or review something.
bien In revisemos bien el apartamento, bien means thoroughly or carefully. It shows that the apartment should be checked properly before the trip. It can add the idea of doing an action carefully.
el El identifies apartamento as the specific apartment being discussed. It is the definite article before the singular noun in el apartamento. Use it before a known or specific masculine singular noun.
apartamento Apartamento means apartment, the place the speakers are preparing to leave. In el apartamento, it is the object of the checking action. Use it to refer to an apartment as a home or living space.
Desenchufé Desenchufé means I unplugged, referring to the completed action of disconnecting the small appliances. The form presents the speaker's own action as finished. Use it when reporting that you disconnected an appliance from a power source.
los Los identifies pequeños electrodomésticos as the specific plural appliances being discussed. It is the definite article before this plural noun phrase. Use it before known or specific plural masculine nouns.
pequeños Pequeños means small and describes the appliances that were unplugged. It comes before electrodomésticos in pequeños electrodomésticos. Use it before a noun to describe its size when that position is natural.
electrodomésticos Electrodomésticos means appliances, specifically the small household appliances unplugged before the trip. It is the object of Desenchufé. Use it when referring to electrical household equipment.
y Y means and and joins the two completed safety actions in the sentence. It connects unplugging the appliances with turning off the stove. Use it to link words, phrases, or actions of equal importance.
apagué Apagué means I turned off, referring here to the stove. It reports a completed action by the speaker. Use it when saying that you switched off an appliance or light.
la La identifies estufa as the specific stove being discussed. It is the definite article before the singular noun in la estufa. Use it before a known or specific singular feminine noun.
estufa Estufa means stove, the appliance that was turned off. In la estufa, it is the object of apagué. Use it when referring to the cooking stove in a home.
puerta Puerta means door, here the door leading to the balcony. It is the main noun in la puerta del balcón. Use it when identifying a door by the place or room connected to it.
del Del means of the and links puerta with balcón in la puerta del balcón. It identifies which door is meant: the balcony door. This form is used when a noun is connected to a following singular masculine noun with the meaning of the.
balcón Balcón means balcony and specifies the type of door in la puerta del balcón. It identifies the outdoor area connected to the door. Use it after a noun when naming something associated with the balcony.
las Las identifies ventanas as the specific plural windows being checked. It is the definite article before the plural noun in las ventanas del dormitorio. Use it before known or specific plural feminine nouns.
ventanas Ventanas means windows, here the bedroom windows. It is the object of the checking action in revisaré las ventanas. Use it when referring to windows in a room or building.
dormitorio Dormitorio means bedroom and specifies which windows are meant in las ventanas del dormitorio. It identifies the room associated with the windows. Use it after de when naming something belonging to or located in a bedroom.
están Están means are in the question about the current condition of the door and windows. In están bien cerradas, it links those things with their secured state. Use it with plural subjects when describing their location or condition.
cerradas In están bien cerradas, cerradas means closed or securely shut. It describes the condition of the balcony door and bedroom windows in the question. Use it with a plural group of closed or secured things.
está Está means is in the statement about the balcony door's condition. In está cerrada con llave, it links the singular door with its locked state. Use it with a singular subject when describing its condition or location.
cerrada In está cerrada con llave, cerrada means closed and locked. It describes the condition of the balcony door. Use it when a singular door or other opening is shut, with the locking detail supplied by the surrounding expression.
con Con means with and introduces the key-related detail in cerrada con llave. It helps specify how the door is secured. Use it to connect an action or state with something accompanying or enabling it.
llave Llave means key in cerrada con llave, where it indicates that the door is locked with a key. It is part of the expression describing a locked door. Use it when talking about a key used to lock or open something.
ahora Ahora means now and places the checking action at the present moment. In ahora revisaré, it shows that the speaker will check the windows immediately. Use it to mark what is happening or will happen at this time.
revisaré Revisaré means I will check, referring to the speaker's upcoming inspection of the bedroom windows. It presents the action as a future intention. Use it when telling someone what you will inspect next.
Deberíamos Deberíamos means should we in this suggestion about lowering the thermostat. It asks whether the speakers ought to take that action while away. Use it to propose an action for the group to consider.
bajar Bajar means lower in Deberíamos bajar el termostato. It names the action being considered for the thermostat. Use it with an object whose level, temperature, or position can be reduced.
termostato Termostato means thermostat, the device whose setting the speakers are discussing. It is the object of bajar. Use it when talking about the device that controls a home's temperature.
mientras Mientras means while and introduces the period during which the speakers will be away. In mientras estemos fuera, it connects the thermostat decision with that time. Use it to relate one action or state to another period.
estemos In mientras estemos fuera, estemos means we are or we are being in the period when the speakers are away. It describes the speakers' situation during that time. Use it in a while-clause about a future or not-yet-completed period.
Bájalo Bájalo means lower it, referring to the thermostat setting. The form combines the lowering command with the object pronoun meaning it. Use it when giving a direct instruction to lower a previously mentioned setting or object.
pero Pero means but and introduces a limit to the instruction. It contrasts lowering the thermostat with avoiding an excessively cold apartment. Use it to add an opposing condition or qualification.
no No means not and prevents the thermostat from being lowered beyond the acceptable point. In no tanto, it negates the idea of lowering it that much. Use it directly before the word or phrase being negated.
tanto In no tanto como para que, tanto means so much or to that extent. It sets the amount of lowering that should not be exceeded. Use it with no to limit the degree of an action or condition.
como In no tanto como para que, como helps compare the amount with the consequence that would follow. Together with the surrounding words, it introduces the point at which the result would be excessive. Use it as part of this degree-and-result construction.
para In no tanto como para que, para introduces the consequence that must be avoided. It connects the excessive lowering with the apartment becoming too cold. Use it before a purpose or result clause when the surrounding construction calls for that connection.
se In se enfríe, se marks the apartment's change into a colder state. It is part of the expression for the apartment becoming cold rather than someone directly cooling it. Use it with a change-of-state verb when the subject undergoes the change.
enfríe Enfríe means gets cold or cools down in se enfríe demasiado. It describes the possible result for the apartment. Use it when talking about something becoming colder, especially as a consequence introduced by the surrounding clause.
demasiado Demasiado means too much or too in se enfríe demasiado. It shows that the apartment must not become excessively cold. Use it before or after a description to mark an excessive degree.
También También means also and adds another preparation the speaker made before leaving. It connects asking the neighbor with the earlier safety checks. Use it to add information that applies in addition to something already mentioned.
le Le refers to the person who received the request in le pedí a nuestro vecino. Here it means to him or her, with the neighbor named afterward. Use it with pedir when identifying the person to whom a request is made.
pedí Pedí means I asked, referring to the speaker's completed request to the neighbor. In le pedí a nuestro vecino que recogiera, it introduces the action the neighbor was asked to perform. Use it when reporting a request made to someone.
a In le pedí a nuestro vecino, a marks the person who received the request. It introduces the specific person named after the indirect object pronoun le. Use it before a person when saying whom an action or request is directed to.
nuestro Nuestro means our and identifies the neighbor as belonging to or being connected with the speakers. In nuestro vecino, it comes directly before the noun it describes. Use it before a noun to show that something is associated with we or us.
vecino Vecino means neighbor, the person asked to collect packages. It is the person identified after le pedí a. Use it when referring to someone who lives nearby.
recogiera Recogiera means collect or pick up in the request that the neighbor handle the packages. In que recogiera los paquetes, it names the action the neighbor was asked to do. Use it after a request expression when describing the requested action.
paquetes Paquetes means packages, the deliveries the neighbor may collect. It is the object of recogiera. Use it when talking about parcels or deliveries that arrive at a home.
llegaran In los paquetes que llegaran, llegaran refers to packages that might arrive during the speakers' absence. It identifies which packages the neighbor should collect. Use it in a clause describing an anticipated or unspecified arrival.
Eso Eso means that and refers to the arrangement just mentioned about the neighbor collecting packages. It makes that previous action the subject of ayuda. Use it to point back to an already mentioned situation or action.
ayuda Ayuda means helps and describes the benefit of the package arrangement. In Eso ayuda a que parezca, it introduces the result that the arrangement supports. Use it with a person, action, or situation that makes a desired result easier.
parezca In ayuda a que parezca que hay alguien en casa, parezca means seems or appears. It describes how the apartment will give the impression that someone is home. Use it after an expression such as ayuda a que when describing the resulting appearance.
hay Hay means there is or there are in hay alguien en casa. It states that someone appears to be present at home. Use it to say that a person or thing exists or is present in a place.
alguien Alguien means someone and refers to an unspecified person who appears to be at home. In hay alguien en casa, it is the person whose presence is suggested. Use it when the person's identity is unknown or unimportant.
en En means in or at and links someone with the place casa. In en casa, it expresses being at home. Use it before a place to indicate where someone or something is.
casa Casa means home or house in en casa. It identifies the place where someone appears to be present. Use it with en when saying that someone is at home.
estamos Estamos means we are in mientras estamos fuera. It describes the speakers' current or expected state of being away. Use it with a place or state to describe where the speakers are or how they are.
me Me means me in me siento más tranquilo. It connects the feeling with the speaker who experiences it. Use it with siento when expressing how you feel.
siento In me siento más tranquilo, siento means feel. It describes the speaker's emotional state after completing the checks. Use it with me and a feeling or condition to say how you feel.
más Más means more and shows that the speaker feels calmer than before. In más tranquilo, it increases the degree of tranquilidad being described. Use it before a comparison or adjective to express a greater degree.
tranquilo Tranquilo means relaxed or calm in me siento más tranquilo. It describes the speaker's improved emotional state about leaving. Use it after a feeling expression to describe being calm or at ease.
al Al introduces the action in al irme and gives the meaning when leaving or on leaving. It links the speaker's feeling with the act of going away. Use it before an infinitive phrase when one action or feeling is connected with another action.
irme Irme means leaving or going away in al irme. It refers to the speaker's own departure from the apartment. Use it after al when connecting a feeling or situation with your leaving.
Esta Esta means this and identifies the checklist as the one being discussed. In Esta lista de comprobación, it comes before the feminine singular noun lista. Use it before a singular feminine noun to point to something near or currently under discussion.
lista Lista means list, and here it refers specifically to a checklist of apartment preparations. It is described by de comprobación. Use it when referring to an ordered set of items or tasks.
de De links lista with comprobación in lista de comprobación. It shows what the list is for or what it contains. Use it to connect a noun with a following noun that specifies its purpose or type.
comprobación Comprobación means checking or verification in lista de comprobación. It specifies that the list is used to check things before leaving. Use it after lista de when naming a checklist or verification list.
llevó Llevó means took in llevó un poco de tiempo. It says that completing the checklist required some time. Use it with a duration to say how much time an activity required.
un Un means a or one in un poco de tiempo. It forms the quantity expression a little with poco. Use it before a singular masculine noun or before poco to introduce a small amount.
poco In un poco de tiempo, poco means a little or a small amount. It describes the limited amount of time the checklist required. Use it with un and de before an uncountable amount such as time.
tiempo Tiempo means time in llevó un poco de tiempo. It is the duration required to complete the checklist. Use it after a quantity expression when saying how long an activity took.
valió la pena Valió la pena means was worth it, so the time spent on the checklist was justified by its benefit. Within this expression, valió says that the effort proved worthwhile, la is the article before pena, and pena completes the fixed expression. Use it after an effort or action when its result makes the effort worthwhile.

Grammar Points

revisemos

Revisemos bien.

reh-bee-SEH-mohs byen

Let's check carefully.

The nosotros form revisemos expresses a suggestion or inclusive command: “let's check.”

bajar + lo → bájalo

Bájalo.

BAH-hah-loh

Lower it.

In an affirmative command, the object pronoun lo attaches to the verb and the stress mark preserves pronunciation.

Spanish Vocabulary

apagué verb
ah-pah-GEH I turned off
apartamento noun
ah-par-tah-MEN-toh apartment
desenchufé verb
deh-sen-choo-FEH I unplugged
dormitorio noun
dor-mee-TOH-ryoh bedroom
electrodomésticos noun
eh-lehk-troh-doh-MES-tee-kohs appliances
estaremos verb
eh-stah-REH-mohs we will be
estufa noun
eh-STOO-fah stove
fuera adv
FWEH-rah away; outside
puerta del balcón phrase
PWEHR-tah del bal-KOHN balcony door
revisemos bien phrase
reh-bee-SEH-mohs byen let's check carefully revisemos
varios días phrase
BAH-ryohs DEE-ahs several days
ventanas noun
ben-TAH-nahs windows

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

stove

Show Answerestufa

let's check carefully

Show Answerrevisemos

I unplugged

Show Answerdesenchufé

I turned off

Show Answerapagué