Sharing gym equipment politely | Learn Spanish in English

Spanish lesson set in a contemporary Madrid everyday setting: In a shared gym, two adults discuss how to politely ask for a turn on a treadmill while keeping other options open..

EN → ES / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Sharing gym equipment politely to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Alguien lleva mucho tiempo usando la cinta de correr.

al-GYEN YEH-vah MOO-choh TYEM-poh oo-SAHN-doh lah SEEN-tah deh koh-REHR Someone has been using the treadmill for a long time.
B

El letrero dice que la gente debe compartirla cuando otras personas están esperando.

el leh-TREH-roh DEE-seh keh lah HEN-teh DEH-beh kom-par-TEER-lah KWAN-doh OH-trahs pehr-SOH-nahs ehs-TAHN ehs-peh-RAHN-doh The sign says people should share it when others are waiting.
A

¿Debería preguntarle o sería de mala educación?

deh-beh-REE-ah preh-goon-TAR-leh oh seh-REE-ah deh MAH-lah eh-doo-kah-SYOHN Should I ask them, or would that seem rude?
B

Pregúntale con educación y di que estás esperando tu turno.

preh-GOON-tah-leh kohn eh-doo-kah-SYOHN ee dee keh ehs-TAHS ehs-peh-RAHN-doh too TOOR-noh Ask politely and say you're waiting for a turn.
A

Puedo decir: «Disculpe, ¿ya casi termina de usar la cinta de correr?»

PWEH-doh deh-SEER, dees-KOOL-peh, yah KAH-see tehr-MEE-nah deh oo-SAR lah SEEN-tah deh koh-REHR I can say, "Excuse me, are you almost finished with the treadmill?"
B

Eso suena claro y no le pone demasiada presión.

EH-soh SWEH-nah KLAH-roh ee noh leh POH-neh deh-mah-SYAH-dah preh-SYOHN That sounds clear without putting too much pressure on them.
A

Si necesita más tiempo, puedo esperar o usar otra máquina.

see neh-seh-SEE-tah mahs TYEM-poh, PWEH-doh ehs-peh-RAR oh oo-SAR OH-trah mah-KEE-nah If they need more time, I can wait or use another machine.
B

Así mantenemos el equipo compartido sin empezar una discusión.

ah-SEE mahn-teh-NEH-mohs el eh-KEE-poh kom-par-TEE-doh seen em-peh-SAR OO-nah dees-koo-SYOHN That keeps the equipment shared without starting an argument.

Word by Word

Alguien “Alguien” means “someone” here: an unspecified person using the treadmill. It is used when the person’s identity is unknown or not important. New example: Alguien está esperando afuera means “Someone is waiting outside.”
lleva “Lleva” helps express that someone has been doing something for a length of time. It is the dialogue form of llevar in the pattern llevar + time + gerund, as in lleva mucho tiempo usando. New example: Lleva dos horas estudiando means “He or she has been studying for two hours.”
mucho “Mucho” means “a lot of” or “much” in mucho tiempo, emphasizing the long duration. Here it comes before the masculine singular noun tiempo. New example: Tengo mucho trabajo means “I have a lot of work.”
tiempo “Tiempo” means “time” here, specifically the amount of time someone has spent using the treadmill. The reusable pattern mucho tiempo + gerund describes a long activity duration. New example: No tengo mucho tiempo means “I do not have much time.”
usando “Usando” means “using” and describes the activity that has continued in lleva mucho tiempo usando. It is the gerund form related to usar. A useful pattern is estar + gerund for an activity in progress, such as están esperando in the dialogue.
la “La” means “the” before the feminine singular noun cinta in la cinta de correr. It identifies the particular treadmill being discussed. New example: Limpio la mesa means “I clean the table.”
cinta de correr “Cinta de correr” means “treadmill,” the gym machine in this dialogue. The whole expression contains cinta, de, and correr: cinta names the belt or machine, de links it to correr, and correr describes running. New example: La cinta de correr está ocupada means “The treadmill is occupied.”
El “El” means “the” before the masculine singular noun letrero in El letrero. It introduces the particular sign that gives the gym instruction. New example: El gimnasio está abierto means “The gym is open.”
letrero “Letrero” means “sign,” here the sign displaying the gym’s sharing instruction. It can be used with decir to report what a sign communicates, as in El letrero dice que. New example: El letrero dice “silencio” means “The sign says ‘silence.’”
dice “Dice” means “says” here, introducing the information written on the sign. It is the dialogue form of decir. A useful pattern is decir que + clause, as in dice que la gente debe compartirla.
que “Que” links dice with the clause containing the sign’s message: que la gente debe compartirla. In this sentence it introduces what the sign says. New example: Creo que está ocupado means “I think it is occupied.”
gente “Gente” means “people” as a group in the sign’s instruction. It is used here as the subject of debe compartirla. New example: La gente espera su turno means “People wait for their turn.”
debe “Debe” expresses that the people should or must share the treadmill according to the sign. It is the dialogue form of deber, followed here by the infinitive compartir. A useful pattern is deber + infinitive for an obligation or recommendation.
compartirla “Compartirla” means “share it,” referring to the feminine noun cinta. It combines compartir, “to share,” with la, “it,” attached to the infinitive. The reusable pattern compartir + object can describe sharing equipment or another item.
cuando “Cuando” means “when” and introduces the situation in which the sharing instruction applies: cuando otras personas están esperando. It connects an action with the time or condition surrounding it. New example: Te aviso cuando llegue means “I’ll let you know when I arrive.”
otras “Otras” means “other” in otras personas, referring to people different from those currently using the treadmill. It agrees with the feminine plural noun personas. New example: Hay otras opciones means “There are other options.”
personas “Personas” means “people” or “persons” here, specifically the people waiting for the equipment. It is the plural of persona. A useful pattern is otras personas + verb for referring to additional people in a shared situation.
están “Están” means “are” in están esperando, describing the waiting people’s current situation. It is the dialogue form of estar and is followed by the gerund esperando. The pattern estar + gerund describes an activity in progress.
esperando “Esperando” means “waiting” in están esperando. It is the gerund form related to esperar and describes what the other people are doing. New example: Estoy esperando el autobús means “I am waiting for the bus.”
Debería “Debería” means “should I” in the question about whether to ask the person using the treadmill. It is the dialogue form of deber used to ask for advice or consider an action. A useful pattern is ¿Debería + infinitive?, as in ¿Debería preguntarle?
preguntarle “Preguntarle” means “ask them” here, referring to the person using the treadmill. It combines preguntar, “to ask,” with le, the indirect object pronoun for the person being asked. A useful pattern is preguntar a alguien or preguntarle a alguien about something.
o “O” means “or” and presents the alternative possibility sería de mala educación. It connects two options in the question. New example: ¿Prefieres esperar o usar otra máquina? means “Do you prefer to wait or use another machine?”
sería “Sería” means “would be” in the possibility that asking might be rude. It is the dialogue form of ser used to describe a hypothetical evaluation. A useful pattern is sería + description when considering how an action might seem.
de mala educación “De mala educación” means “rude” or “impolite” as a whole expression. In this dialogue, de links the description to the idea of asking, mala means “bad,” and educación refers to manners or conduct. New example: Interrumpir sería de mala educación means “Interrupting would be rude.”
Pregúntale “Pregúntale” means “ask them” as direct advice to ask the person using the treadmill. It combines the command form of preguntar with le, referring to the person being asked. A useful pattern is Pregúntale a alguien + question or information.
con “Con” means “with” in con educación, describing the manner of asking. Together with educación, it gives the idea of using politeness or good manners. New example: Habla con cuidado means “Speak carefully.”
educación “Educación” means “politeness” or “good manners” in con educación. Here it describes the respectful manner recommended for asking for a turn. The reusable expression con educación can describe making a request politely.
y “Y” means “and” and joins the two instructions Pregúntale con educación and di que estás esperando tu turno. It links actions that should be carried out together. New example: Puedo esperar y usar otra máquina means “I can wait and use another machine.”
di “Di” means “say” as a direct instruction to tell the person that you are waiting for your turn. It is the command form of decir used here. A useful pattern is di que + clause, as in di que estás esperando tu turno.
estás “Estás” means “you are” in estás esperando, describing the speaker’s current activity. It is the dialogue form of estar and is followed by the gerund esperando. The pattern estar + gerund describes something happening now.
tu “Tu” means “your” in tu turno, identifying the turn that belongs to the person speaking. It comes before the masculine singular noun turno. New example: ¿Dónde está tu máquina? means “Where is your machine?”
turno “Turno” means “turn” or “your opportunity to use the equipment” in tu turno. The expression esperar tu turno is used when waiting until it is your opportunity. New example: Estoy esperando mi turno means “I am waiting for my turn.”
Puedo “Puedo” means “I can” in Puedo decir, expressing the speaker’s ability or option to say something. It is the dialogue form of poder and is followed by the infinitive decir. A useful pattern is puedo + infinitive for stating what you can do.
decir “Decir” means “to say” after puedo and introduces the words the speaker could use. It is an infinitive following puedo. A useful pattern is poder + infinitive, as in puedo esperar or puedo usar.
Disculpe “Disculpe” means “excuse me” as a polite way to get the other person’s attention before asking a question. It is addressed respectfully to the person using the treadmill. New example: Disculpe, ¿me puede ayudar? means “Excuse me, can you help me?”
ya “Ya” means “already” or “by now” in ya casi termina, asking whether the person is nearly finished by this point. Together with casi, it softens the timing question. New example: ¿Ya estás listo? means “Are you ready already?”
casi “Casi” means “almost” in ya casi termina, indicating that the person may be close to finishing. It modifies the idea of finishing without saying that it has happened yet. New example: Ya casi llegamos means “We are almost there.”
termina “Termina” means “finishes” in the polite question about whether the person is nearly finished using the treadmill. It is the dialogue form of terminar and is followed by de usar in this construction. A useful pattern is terminar de + infinitive for finishing an activity.
de “De” forms part of termina de usar, which means “finish using” the treadmill. Here de links termina with the infinitive usar; the meaning comes from the whole construction, not from de alone. A useful pattern is terminar de + infinitive.
usar “Usar” means “to use” in termina de usar, referring to using the treadmill. It is an infinitive after termina de. New example: Quiero usar la máquina means “I want to use the machine.”
Eso “Eso” means “that” and refers to the suggested polite question as a whole. It is the subject of suena claro and points back to what the speaker has just proposed. New example: Eso parece útil means “That seems useful.”
suena “Suena” means “sounds” in suena claro, giving an evaluation of how the proposed wording comes across. It is the dialogue form of sonar. A useful pattern is sonar + adjective when describing how something seems to the listener.
claro “Claro” means “clear” here, describing the proposed question as easy to understand. It agrees with the implied masculine singular eso. New example: El mensaje suena claro means “The message sounds clear.”
no “No” means “not” and negates le pone demasiada presión. It says that the wording does not put too much pressure on the other person. New example: No quiero discutir means “I do not want to argue.”
le “Le” refers to the person using the treadmill in no le pone demasiada presión, meaning that the wording does not put too much pressure on that person. It is an indirect object pronoun used with poner presión a alguien. A useful pattern is ponerle algo a alguien, with the person represented by le.
pone “Pone” means “puts” in le pone demasiada presión, describing the effect of the question on the other person. It is the dialogue form of poner. The reusable pattern poner presión a alguien means “put pressure on someone.”
demasiada “Demasiada” means “too much” in demasiada presión, indicating an excessive amount of pressure. It agrees with the feminine singular noun presión. New example: Hay demasiada gente aquí means “There are too many people here.”
presión “Presión” means “pressure” here, specifically social pressure placed on the person using the treadmill. It appears in the expression poner presión a alguien. New example: No quiero poner presión sobre ti means “I do not want to put pressure on you.”
Si “Si” means “if” and introduces the condition that the person needs more time: Si necesita más tiempo. It connects that condition with the options that follow. New example: Si estás cansado, podemos esperar means “If you are tired, we can wait.”
necesita “Necesita” means “needs” in Si necesita más tiempo, referring to the person who may need additional time on the treadmill. It is the dialogue form of necesitar. A useful pattern is necesitar + noun, as in necesita más tiempo.
más “Más” means “more” in más tiempo, referring to additional time before the person finishes. It comes before the noun it quantifies. New example: Necesito más espacio means “I need more space.”
esperar “Esperar” means “to wait” in puedo esperar. It is an infinitive following puedo and names one possible response if the treadmill remains occupied. New example: Voy a esperar mi turno means “I am going to wait for my turn.”
otra “Otra” means “another” in otra máquina, referring to one different machine that the speaker could use. It agrees with the feminine singular noun máquina. New example: Podemos buscar otra opción means “We can look for another option.”
máquina “Máquina” means “machine,” here another piece of gym equipment that could be used instead of the treadmill. It appears with otra to mean “another machine.” New example: Esta máquina está libre means “This machine is free.”
Así “Así” means “this way” or “that way” and refers to the proposed polite approach and flexible alternatives. It introduces the result described in mantenemos el equipo compartido. New example: Así podemos trabajar juntos means “This way we can work together.”
mantenemos “Mantenemos” means “we keep” or “we maintain” in mantenemos el equipo compartido, describing the shared use of the gym equipment. It is the dialogue form of mantener. A useful pattern is mantener + object + description, as in mantener algo abierto.
equipo “Equipo” means “equipment” here, referring collectively to the gym equipment being shared. It is the object of mantenemos and is described by compartido. New example: El equipo está disponible means “The equipment is available.”
compartido “Compartido” means “shared” in el equipo compartido, describing equipment that people use together. It is related to compartir and agrees with the masculine singular noun equipo. New example: Tenemos un espacio compartido means “We have a shared space.”
sin “Sin” means “without” and introduces the action that does not happen: sin empezar una discusión. It connects an action with the absence of a result. New example: Podemos resolverlo sin discutir means “We can solve it without arguing.”
empezar “Empezar” means “to start” in sin empezar una discusión. It is an infinitive after sin and names the argument that the speakers want to avoid starting. A useful pattern is sin + infinitive for doing something without another action happening.
una “Una” means “a” or “one” before the feminine singular noun discusión in una discusión. It introduces one possible argument or discussion. New example: Necesitamos una solución means “We need a solution.”
discusión “Discusión” means “argument” or “discussion” here, specifically a conflict the speakers want to avoid starting. The expression empezar una discusión means “start an argument” in this context. New example: No quiero tener una discusión means “I do not want to have an argument.”

Grammar Points

llevar + mucho tiempo + gerundio

Alguien lleva mucho tiempo usando la cinta de correr.

al-GYEN YEH-vah MOO-choh TYEM-poh oo-SAHN-doh lah SEEN-tah deh koh-REHR

Someone has been using the treadmill for a long time.

Use llevar with a time expression and a gerund to say how long an action has been continuing.

Imperativo + pronombre: pregúntale

Pregúntale con educación.

preh-GOON-tah-leh kohn eh-doo-kah-SYOHN

Ask them politely.

In affirmative commands, the object pronoun attaches to the end of the verb.

Spanish Vocabulary

alguien pron
al-GYEN someone
cinta de correr noun
SEEN-tah deh koh-REHR treadmill
compartirla verb
kom-par-TEER-lah to share it
dice verb
DEE-seh says
esperando verb
ehs-peh-RAHN-doh waiting
la gente noun
lah HEN-teh people
letrero noun
leh-TREH-roh sign
lleva verb
YEH-vah has been; has spent

lleva mucho tiempo usando

mucho tiempo phrase
MOO-choh TYEM-poh a long time
otras personas phrase
OH-trahs pehr-SOH-nahs other people
preguntarle verb
preh-goon-TAR-leh to ask them
usando verb
oo-SAHN-doh using

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

sign

Show Answerletrero

has been; has spent

Show Answerlleva

using

Show Answerusando

says

Show Answerdice