Using the shared laundry room fairly | Learn Spanish in English

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Use Using the shared laundry room fairly to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Todas las lavadoras están llenas otra vez.

TOH-dahs lahs lah-vah-DOH-rahs ehs-TAHN YEH-nahs OH-trah behs. All the washing machines are full again.

Mira el horario y comprueba cuándo termina la próxima carga.

MEE-rah el oh-RAH-ryoh ee kohm-PROO-eh-bah KWAHN-doh tehr-MEE-nah lah PROK-see-mah KAR-gah. Check the schedule and see when the next load finishes.

Una debería terminar pronto, pero la persona que la puso no está aquí.

OO-nah deh-beh-REE-ah tehr-mee-NAR PROHN-toh, PEH-roh lah pehr-SOH-nah keh lah POO-soh noh ehs-TAH ah-KEE. One should be done soon, but the person who started it isn't around.

Dale unos minutos antes de mover su ropa.

DAH-leh OO-nohs mee-NOO-tohs AHN-tehs deh moh-BEHR soo ROH-pah. Give them a few minutes before moving their laundry.

¿Cuánto tiempo es razonable esperar antes de moverla?

KWAHN-toh tee-EHM-poh ehs rah-soh-NAH-bleh ehs-peh-RAR AHN-tehs deh moh-BEHR-lah? How long is fair before I move it?

Un breve margen de espera es suficiente si hay otras personas esperando.

OON BREH-beh MAR-hen deh ehs-PEH-rah ehs soo-fee-SYEHN-teh see eye OH-trahs pehr-SOH-nahs ehs-peh-RAHN-doh. A short grace period is enough if other people are waiting.

Pondré un recordatorio para volver en cuanto termine mi carga.

pohn-DREH oon reh-kor-dah-TOR-yoh pah-rah bol-BEHR en KWAHN-toh tehr-MEE-neh mee KAR-gah. I'll set a reminder so I come back as soon as my load is done.

Así es más fácil pedir lo mismo a los demás.

ah-SEE ehs mahs fah-SEEL peh-DEER loh MEES-moh ah lohs deh-MAHS. That makes it easier to ask the same of everyone else.

No puedo quejarme de la ropa abandonada si yo también dejo allí la mía.

noh PWEH-doh keh-HAR-meh deh lah ROH-pah ah-bahn-doh-NAH-dah see yoh tahm-BYEHN DEH-hoh ah-YEE lah MEE-ah. I can't complain about abandoned laundry if I leave mine there too.

La lavandería compartida funciona mejor cuando la gente controla cuánto duran los ciclos.

lah lah-bahn-deh-REE-ah kohm-par-TEE-dah foon-SYOH-nah meh-HOR KWAHN-doh lah HEN-teh kohn-TROH-lah KWAHN-toh DOO-rahn lohs SEE-klohs. Shared laundry goes more smoothly when people watch the cycle times.

Word by Word

Todas “Todas” means “all” and refers here to the complete group of washing machines. It is used with the feminine plural noun “lavadoras,” as in “Todas las lavadoras”. Use “todas las” before a feminine plural noun when referring to every item in a group.

las “Las” means “the” before the feminine plural noun “lavadoras”. Together with “Todas”, it forms “Todas las lavadoras”, meaning all the washing machines. Use “las” before a feminine plural noun when referring to specific items.

lavadoras “Lavadoras” means washing machines, specifically the machines being used in the shared laundry room. It is the plural noun in “Todas las lavadoras”. Use “lavadoras” when discussing several washing machines.

están “Están” means “are” here and describes the current state of the washing machines. Its citation form is estar, and the form “están” is used with the plural subject “las lavadoras”. Use estar + an adjective to describe a current condition.

llenas “Llenas” means “full” here, describing the washing machines as occupied or containing laundry. It agrees with the feminine plural noun “lavadoras” in “están llenas”. Use “estar lleno” or “estar llena” to describe something that has no available space.

otra “Otra” contributes the meaning “another” in “otra vez”, referring to one more occurrence. It agrees with the feminine noun “vez”. Use “otra vez” when something happens again.

vez “Vez” means a time or occasion in “otra vez”. The whole expression “otra vez” means “again”, so “vez” refers to the repeated occasion. Use “vez” in expressions that count or describe occasions.

Mira “Mira” means “look” or “check” here and tells someone to consult the schedule. It is the direct command used in “Mira el horario”. Use “Mira” followed by an object when telling someone to look at or check something.

el “El” means “the” before the masculine singular noun “horario”. In “Mira el horario”, it identifies a specific schedule. Use “el” before a specific masculine singular noun.

horario “Horario” means schedule or timetable, here the schedule for the laundry machines. It is the object of “Mira” in “Mira el horario”. Use “el horario” when referring to a schedule that shows times.

y “Y” means “and” and connects the two instructions “Mira el horario” and “comprueba cuándo termina la próxima carga”. Use “y” to join related actions or ideas.

comprueba “Comprueba” means “check” or “verify” here, telling the listener to confirm the finishing time. Its citation form is comprobar, and this form is a direct command. Use “comprueba” followed by information that needs to be verified.

cuándo “Cuándo” asks “when” in the question about the next load’s finishing time. The accent marks it as an interrogative form in “comprueba cuándo termina”. Use “cuándo” inside a direct or indirect question about a time.

termina “Termina” means “finishes” here, referring to when the next load reaches its end. Its citation form is terminar, and it agrees with the singular subject “la próxima carga”. Use “terminar” to describe an activity, process, or period reaching its end.

la “La” means “the” before the feminine singular noun “carga”. In “la próxima carga”, it identifies the particular load that will finish next. Use “la” before a specific feminine singular noun.

próxima “Próxima” means “next” here and identifies the load that comes next in the schedule. It agrees with the feminine singular noun “carga”. Use “próxima” before a feminine singular noun when referring to the next item or event.

carga “Carga” means a load of laundry here, referring to the clothes being washed in one machine cycle. It appears in “la próxima carga”. Use “carga” when referring to one batch of items being washed or processed.

Una “Una” means “one” here and refers to one of the washing machines understood from the previous sentence. It is the feminine form used because the implied noun is feminine. Use “una” to refer to one feminine item when the noun is understood from context.

debería “Debería” means “should” here, expressing an expectation that one machine will finish soon. Its citation form is deber, and this form is used before the infinitive “terminar”. Use “debería” + infinitive to describe an expected or advisable action.

terminar “Terminar” means “to finish” here, completing the meaning of “debería terminar”. It is the infinitive used after “debería”. Use an infinitive after “debería” to describe what should happen.

pronto “Pronto” means “soon” and indicates that the load is expected to finish after only a short time. In “terminar pronto”, it modifies the finishing action. Use “pronto” to refer to an event expected in the near future.

pero “Pero” means “but” and introduces a contrast between the expected finishing time and the person’s absence. Use “pero” to connect two ideas that do not fully match.

persona “Persona” means “person” here, referring to the individual who put the laundry in the machine. It is the noun described by the clause “que la puso”. Use “persona” when referring to an individual without specifying their identity.

que “Que” means “who” here and introduces the clause describing the person. In “la persona que la puso”, it links “persona” with the action that person performed. Use “que” to connect a noun with information describing it.

puso “Puso” means “put” here and refers to the person who put the laundry into the machine or started the load. Its citation form is poner, and “puso” describes that completed action in the past. Use poner with an object when describing someone placing or starting something.

no “No” means “not” and negates the statement that the person is present. In “no está aquí”, it appears directly before the verb. Use “no” before a verb to make the statement negative.

está “Está” means “is” here and describes the person’s current location or presence. Its citation form is estar, and it is used in “está aquí”. Use estar with a place expression to say where someone or something is.

aquí “Aquí” means “here” and refers to the laundry room or the speaker’s current location. In “no está aquí”, it completes the statement about the person’s absence. Use “aquí” to point to the place understood as the current location.

Dale “Dale” means “give them” here, telling someone to allow the absent person a little more time. It combines the command to give with the object pronoun referring to that person. Use “dar” with a person and an amount of time when allowing someone time to act.

unos “Unos” means “a few” here and indicates a small, unspecified number of minutes. It agrees with the masculine plural noun “minutos”. Use “unos” before a masculine plural noun when referring to a small number.

minutos “Minutos” means minutes and specifies the amount of time to allow before moving the laundry. It appears in “Dale unos minutos”. Use “minutos” to measure a short period of time.

antes “Antes” means “before” and places the action of moving the laundry after a waiting period. In “antes de moverla”, it is followed by “de” and an infinitive. Use “antes de” + infinitive to describe an action that must happen later than another action.

de “De” forms the sequence “antes de moverla”, meaning “before moving it”. Here it links “antes” to the infinitive “mover”. Use “antes de” + infinitive when one action precedes another.

mover “Mover” means “to move” here, referring to taking the laundry out of the machine or changing its place. It is the infinitive after “antes de”. Use “mover” + an object when describing changing something’s position.

su “Su” means “their” here and shows that the laundry belongs to the person who started the load. It comes directly before the noun “ropa” in “su ropa”. Use “su” before a noun to indicate possession by one person or more than one person when the context identifies the possessor.

ropa “Ropa” means clothes or laundry here, specifically the items belonging to the absent person. It appears in “su ropa”. Use “ropa” when referring to clothes as a group, including laundry.

Cuánto “Cuánto” means “how much” and, with “tiempo”, asks “how long”. In “Cuánto tiempo”, it asks about the length of the waiting period. Use “cuánto” + a noun to ask about an amount or duration.

tiempo “Tiempo” means “time” here and refers to the length of the fair waiting period. The expression “Cuánto tiempo” asks about duration. Use “cuánto tiempo” when asking how long something should last.

es “Es” means “is” here and links the waiting time with the judgment “razonable”. Its citation form is ser. Use “es” + an adjective to evaluate or describe something.

razonable “Razonable” means “reasonable” or “fair” here and evaluates the amount of time before moving the laundry. It describes “cuánto tiempo” in “Cuánto tiempo es razonable”. Use “razonable” when judging an action, amount, or decision as acceptable.

esperar “Esperar” means “to wait” here and describes the waiting understood before moving the laundry. It appears after “antes de” in the longer meaning of the sentence, “antes de moverla”, whose English wording includes waiting. Use “esperar” when describing remaining in place until something happens.

moverla “Moverla” means “to move it”, referring to the laundry. It combines the infinitive mover with the attached pronoun la, which refers to “ropa”. Use an infinitive with an attached object pronoun when referring to moving a specific feminine item.

Un “Un” means “a” or “one” before the masculine singular noun “margen”. It is capitalized because it begins the sentence in “Un breve margen de espera”. Use “un” + a masculine singular noun to introduce one nonspecific item.

breve “Breve” means “short” or “brief” and describes the grace period as limited. In “Un breve margen”, it comes before the noun “margen”. Use “breve” before a noun when describing something that lasts only a short time.

margen “Margen” means a margin or grace period here, referring to the extra time allowed before moving someone’s laundry. It appears in “margen de espera”. Use “margen de” + a noun to describe an allowance or amount reserved for a purpose.

espera “Espera” means waiting here and specifies that the margin is time allowed for waiting. It forms “margen de espera”. Its citation form is esperar, and the noun form is used after “de”. Use “de espera” after a noun when describing a waiting period.

suficiente “Suficiente” means “enough” or “sufficient” here, saying that the short grace period meets the need. It appears after “es” in “es suficiente”. Use “ser suficiente” to say that an amount or action is enough.

si “Si” means “if” and introduces the condition that other people are waiting. In “si hay otras personas esperando”, it connects the condition with the recommendation. Use “si” + a clause to describe a condition.

hay “Hay” means “there is” or “there are” and states that other people are present and waiting. Its citation form is haber, and it is followed here by “otras personas”. Use “hay” before a noun to say that something or someone exists or is present.

otras “Otras” means “other” here and refers to people besides the person currently speaking. It agrees with the feminine plural noun “personas”. Use “otras” before a feminine plural noun when referring to additional people or things.

personas “Personas” means people here, specifically the other people waiting for a machine. It appears in “otras personas esperando”. Use “personas” when referring to individuals as a group.

esperando “Esperando” means “waiting” and describes what the other people are doing. Its citation form is esperar, and this form appears after “personas” to describe their ongoing activity. Use an -ando form to describe an action in progress when the construction calls for it.

Pondré “Pondré” means “I will set” here, referring to setting a reminder for a future action. Its citation form is poner, and this form expresses the speaker’s planned action. Use “poner” with an object such as a reminder when announcing that you will set or place it.

recordatorio “Recordatorio” means “reminder” here, specifically a reminder to return when the load is finished. It is the object of “Pondré” in “Pondré un recordatorio”. Use “poner un recordatorio” when arranging a prompt not to forget an action.

para “Para” introduces the purpose of the reminder: returning at the right time. In “para volver”, it is followed by an infinitive. Use “para” + infinitive to express the purpose of an action.

volver “Volver” means “to come back” here, referring to returning to the laundry room. It is the infinitive after “para”. Use “volver” when describing returning to a place or situation.

en “En” contributes to the time expression “en cuanto”, which means “as soon as” in this sentence. The complete expression introduces the point when the speaker will return. Use “en cuanto” + a clause to connect an action with the moment another event occurs.

cuanto “Cuanto” is part of “en cuanto”, meaning “as soon as” here. Together, “en cuanto termine mi carga” sets the time for returning. Use “en cuanto” + a clause when one action should happen immediately after another event.

termine “Termine” means “finishes” here and refers to the expected completion of the speaker’s load. Its citation form is terminar, and this form appears in the time clause “en cuanto termine mi carga”. Use “en cuanto” with a clause about the event that will trigger the next action.

mi “Mi” means “my” and shows that the load belongs to the speaker. It comes before the noun “carga” in “mi carga”. Use “mi” before a singular noun to identify something belonging to the speaker.

Así “Así” means “that way” or “in this way” and refers to setting a reminder and returning promptly. In “Así es más fácil”, it introduces the result of that approach. Use “así” to refer back to a method or action and describe its result.

más “Más” means “more” here and strengthens the comparison in “más fácil”, meaning easier. It appears before the adjective “fácil”. Use “más” + an adjective to form a comparison.

fácil “Fácil” means “easy” here and describes how simple it becomes to ask the same behavior of everyone else. In “más fácil”, it forms the comparison “easier”. Use “ser fácil” to describe an action that requires little difficulty.

pedir “Pedir” means “to ask for” or “to request” here, referring to asking everyone else to follow the same standard. It is the infinitive after “es más fácil”. Use “pedir algo a alguien” when requesting something from a person.

lo “Lo” helps form “lo mismo”, meaning “the same thing” or “the same request”. It allows “mismo” to refer to an understood action rather than repeating it. Use “lo mismo” when referring to an identical action, request, or idea.

mismo “Mismo” means “same” in “lo mismo”, referring to the same behavior or standard mentioned earlier. The complete expression “pedir lo mismo” means to ask for the same thing. Use “lo mismo” when asking or saying that an identical thing applies.

a “A” marks the people who receive the request in “pedir lo mismo a los demás”. It links the requested action with the people being asked. Use “pedir algo a alguien” to identify what is requested and from whom.

los “Los” means “the” in “los demás”. Together with “demás”, it refers to the other people in the group. Use “los” before a masculine plural noun or expression referring to a masculine plural group.

demás “Demás” means “the others” or “everyone else” in “los demás”. It refers to the people who have not yet been mentioned individually. Use “los demás” when referring to the rest of a group.

puedo “Puedo” means “I can” here and, with “no”, expresses that the speaker cannot complain consistently. Its citation form is poder, and it is followed by the infinitive “quejarme”. Use “poder” + infinitive to express ability, possibility, or permission.

quejarme “Quejarme” means “to complain” here, with the attached pronoun me referring to the speaker. In “no puedo quejarme de la ropa abandonada”, the speaker says they cannot complain about abandoned laundry while doing the same thing. Use the verb quejarse with “de” when identifying the subject of a complaint.

abandonada “Abandonada” means “abandoned” here and describes laundry left behind by its owner. It agrees with the feminine singular noun “ropa” in “la ropa abandonada”. Use “ropa abandonada” to describe clothes that have been left without attention.

yo “Yo” means “I” and gives explicit emphasis to the speaker in “si yo también dejo”. It highlights that the speaker is included in the same behavior. Use “yo” when the identity or responsibility of the speaker needs emphasis.

también “También” means “also” or “too” and adds the speaker to the people who leave laundry behind. In “yo también”, it expresses shared behavior. Use “también” to say that the same action or quality applies to another person.

dejo “Dejo” means “I leave” here and refers to leaving the speaker’s laundry in the machine or laundry room. Its citation form is dejar, and this first-person form is used with the subject “yo”. Use “dejar” + an object and a place expression when describing where something is left.

allí “Allí” means “there” and points to the place where the laundry has been left. In “dejo allí la mía”, it specifies the location of the speaker’s laundry. Use “allí” after a verb when pointing to a place away from the speaker or already established in the conversation.

mía “Mía” means “mine” here and replaces the repeated feminine noun “ropa”. In “la mía”, it refers to the speaker’s laundry and agrees with that understood noun. Use “la mía” when referring to a feminine singular possession without repeating the noun.

lavandería “Lavandería” means laundry room or laundry service here, specifically the shared facility where the machines are located. It is modified by “compartida” in “la lavandería compartida”. Use “lavandería” when talking about a place or service for washing clothes.

compartida “Compartida” means “shared” and describes a laundry facility used by multiple people. It agrees with the feminine singular noun “lavandería”. Use a noun + “compartida” when several people use or hold something together.

funciona “Funciona” means “works” or “operates” here and describes how the shared laundry arrangement operates. Its citation form is funcionar, and it agrees with the singular subject “la lavandería compartida”. Use “funcionar” to describe whether a system, place, or arrangement operates successfully.

mejor “Mejor” means “better” here and says that the shared laundry arrangement operates more smoothly under the stated condition. It appears after “funciona” in “funciona mejor”. Use “funciona mejor” to describe an arrangement that operates more successfully than before or than another arrangement.

cuando “Cuando” means “when” here and introduces the condition under which the shared laundry works better. In “cuando la gente controla”, it is followed by a clause. Use “cuando” + a clause to describe the time or condition connected with an action.

gente “Gente” means “people” here as a collective group of laundry users. In “la gente controla”, the collective noun is followed by a singular verb. Use “la gente” when referring to people collectively.

controla “Controla” means “keeps track of” or “monitors” here, referring to monitoring how long the laundry cycles last. Its citation form is controlar, and it agrees with the singular collective subject “la gente”. Use “controlar” + information or a process when monitoring it.

duran “Duran” means “last” here and asks how long the laundry cycles continue. Its citation form is durar, and it agrees with the plural subject “los ciclos”. Use “cuánto duran” to ask about the duration of plural activities or processes.

ciclos “Ciclos” means cycles here, referring to the operating periods of the washing machines. It appears in “cuánto duran los ciclos”. Use “los ciclos” when discussing repeated machine processes and their duration.

Grammar Points

en cuanto + subjuntivo

Volveré en cuanto termine.

bol-beh-REH en KWAHN-toh tehr-MEE-neh.

I will come back as soon as it finishes.

“En cuanto” means “as soon as” and is followed by the subjunctive when referring to a future event.

pronombre posesivo: la mía

Dejo la mía allí.

DEH-hoh lah MEE-ah ah-YEE.

I leave mine there.

“La mía” means “mine” and agrees with the feminine noun it replaces, such as “lavadora”.

Spanish Vocabulary

carga noun

KAR-gah load

La próxima carga.

comprueba verb

kohm-PROO-eh-bah check

Mira el horario y comprueba cuándo termina la próxima carga.

cuándo adv

KWAHN-doh when

Mira el horario y comprueba cuándo termina la próxima carga.

horario noun

oh-RAH-ryoh schedule

Mira el horario y comprueba cuándo termina la próxima carga.

lavadoras noun

lah-vah-DOH-rahs washing machines

Todas las lavadoras están llenas otra vez.

llenas adj

YEH-nahs full

Todas las lavadoras están llenas otra vez.

mira verb

MEE-rah look; check

Mira el horario y comprueba cuándo termina la próxima carga.

otra vez phrase

OH-trah behs again

Todas las lavadoras están llenas otra vez.

persona noun

pehr-SOH-nah person

La persona que la puso no está aquí.

pronto adv

PROHN-toh soon

Una debería terminar pronto.

próxima adj

PROK-see-mah next

La próxima carga.

termina verb

tehr-MEE-nah finishes; ends

Mira el horario y comprueba cuándo termina la próxima carga.

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

finishes; ends

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termina

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when

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cuándo

schedule

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horario