Politely clarifying a workspace reservation | Learn Spanish in English

Spanish lesson set in a contemporary Madrid everyday setting: In a shared workspace, one person explains a table reservation and another agrees to move to a better place for a call..

EN → ES / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Politely clarifying a workspace reservation to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Reservé esta mesa porque necesito un rincón más tranquilo.

reh-sehr-VEH EH-stah MEH-sah POR-keh neh-seh-SEE-toh oon reen-KON mahs trahn-KEE-loh I reserved this table because I need a quieter corner.
B

No me había dado cuenta de que aquí las reservas eran para mesas individuales.

noh meh ah-BEE-ah DAH-doh KWEHNT-ah deh keh ah-KEE lahs reh-SEHR-bahs EH-rahn PAH-rah MEH-sahs een-dee-bee-DOO-ah-lehs I hadn't realized reservations applied to individual tables here.
A

Pusieron en marcha el sistema después de que varias personas se quejaran de la falta de espacio.

poo-SYEH-rohn en MAR-chah el see-STEH-mah dehs-PWEHS deh keh BAH-ree-ahs pehr-SOH-nahs seh keh-HAH-rahn deh lah FAHL-tah deh ehs-PAH-syoh They started the system after several people complained about crowding.
B

En ese caso, debería cambiarme de sitio antes de que te instales.

en EH-seh KAH-soh deh-beh-REE-ah kahm-BYAR-meh deh SEE-tyoh AHN-tehs deh keh teh een-STAH-lehs In that case, I should move before you settle in.
A

Podrías quedarte si puedes hacer una llamada breve y hablar en voz baja.

poh-DREE-ahs keh-DAR-teh see PWEH-dehs ah-SEHR OO-nah yah-MAH-dah BREH-beh ee ah-BLAR en bohss BAH-hah You could stay if you can keep your call brief and speak quietly.
B

Podría durar más de lo esperado, así que parece más justo que me cambie de sitio.

poh-DREE-ah doo-RAR mahs deh loh ehs-peh-RAH-doh ah-SEE keh pah-REH-seh mahs HOOS-toh keh meh KAHM-byeh deh SEE-tyoh It might run longer than expected, so moving seems fairer.
A

Te lo agradezco, porque necesito grabar una presentación.

teh loh ah-grah-DEHS-koh POR-keh neh-seh-SEE-toh grah-BAR OO-nah preh-sehn-tah-SYON I appreciate that, because I need to record a presentation.
B

Elegiré la zona de descanso, donde hablar resulta menos molesto.

eh-leh-hee-REH lah SOH-nah deh dehs-KAHN-soh DON-deh ah-BLAR reh-SOOL-tah MEH-nohs moh-LEHS-toh I'll choose the lounge area, where speaking is less disruptive.

Word by Word

Reservé In “Reservé esta mesa”, this means that the speaker reserved the table. The form refers to a completed reservation made by the speaker. It is useful when explaining why a particular place is being used.
esta In “esta mesa”, this identifies the table close to or relevant to the speaker. It comes directly before the noun it specifies. Use “esta” with a nearby feminine singular noun such as “mesa”.
mesa Here “mesa” means the table that was reserved in the shared workspace. It is the object of “Reservé”. The reusable phrase “esta mesa” identifies a particular table.
porque “Porque” introduces the reason for reserving the table: the speaker needs a quieter corner. It connects “Reservé esta mesa” with the explanation that follows. Use it to give a reason for an action.
necesito In “necesito un rincón más tranquilo”, this means that the speaker needs a quieter corner. The form states the speaker’s current need. It is followed here by the thing needed, “un rincón más tranquilo”.
un In “un rincón más tranquilo”, “un” introduces one non-specific masculine singular corner. It comes before the noun and its description. Use it before a singular masculine noun when referring to one item without identifying it more specifically.
rincón Here “rincón” means a corner of the workspace. It is the place the speaker wants because it is quieter. The phrase “un rincón más tranquilo” describes a more suitable corner.
más In “más tranquilo”, “más” increases the degree of the following description, giving “quieter”. It compares the desired corner with the current level of noise. Use it before an adjective when expressing a higher degree.
tranquilo Here “tranquilo” describes the corner as quiet or calm. With “más”, the phrase “más tranquilo” means quieter. It is useful when choosing a place with less noise or activity.
No At the start of “No me había dado cuenta”, “No” negates the speaker’s awareness. The sentence says that the speaker had not realized something. Use it before the verb phrase being negated.
me In “No me había dado cuenta”, “me” identifies the speaker as the person who was or was not aware. It belongs to the expression “darse cuenta de”. The reusable pattern “me había dado cuenta de” describes the speaker’s awareness of something.
había In “No me había dado cuenta de que aquí las reservas eran para mesas individuales”, “había” helps place the lack of awareness before the current conversation. It works with “dado” inside the awareness expression. The pattern “No me había dado cuenta de que...” introduces something the speaker previously did not realize.
dado cuenta de Together, “dado cuenta de” is part of the expression “me había dado cuenta de”, meaning had realized or become aware of. “Dado” and “cuenta” form the expression, while “de” introduces what was realized. Use the full pattern “darse cuenta de que...” before the content of the realization.
que In “dado cuenta de que aquí las reservas eran para mesas individuales”, “que” introduces the information the speaker had not realized. It connects the awareness expression with the following statement. Use it after “darse cuenta de” to introduce what someone realizes.
aquí Here “aquí” means in this place, the shared workspace being discussed. It locates the reservation system. Use it to point to the place where a situation or rule applies.
las In “las reservas”, “las” identifies the reservations as a specific plural set being discussed. It comes before the noun. Use it before a known plural feminine noun.
reservas Here “reservas” means reservations for workspace tables. They are the subject of the statement about what applied to individual tables. The phrase “las reservas” refers to the reservation system already under discussion.
eran In “las reservas eran para mesas individuales”, “eran” describes what the reservations covered. It links the reservations with their intended tables. The reusable pattern “eran para...” states what something was intended for.
para In “eran para mesas individuales”, “para” introduces the intended scope of the reservations. It shows that the reservations were for individual tables. Use “para” before the person, thing, or purpose something is intended for.
mesas Here “mesas” means tables in the shared workspace. The reservations apply to these tables individually. The phrase “mesas individuales” identifies separate tables rather than one shared table.
individuales In “mesas individuales”, “individuales” describes the tables as separate or reserved one by one. It clarifies the scope of the reservation system. Use it after a plural noun when emphasizing separate units.
Pusieron en marcha Together, “Pusieron en marcha” means that they started or put the system into operation. “Pusieron” supplies the action by the people, while “en marcha” presents the system as becoming operational. Use the expression with a system or plan that has been started.
el In “el sistema”, “el” identifies the particular system that was introduced. It comes before the singular masculine noun. Use it before a known singular masculine noun.
sistema Here “sistema” means the reservation system used in the workspace. It is the thing they put into operation. The phrase “el sistema” refers to a specific organized procedure or arrangement.
después In “después de que varias personas se quejaran”, “después” marks a later event in the sequence. The system was started after the complaints. Use “después de que” to connect an event with a following clause that happened later.
varias In “varias personas”, “varias” means several and indicates more than one person without giving an exact number. It comes before the plural noun “personas”. Use it to describe an unspecified number of people or things.
personas Here “personas” means the people who complained about the lack of space. It is the group responsible for the complaints in the sentence. The phrase “varias personas” refers to several people as a group.
se In “se quejaran de la falta de espacio”, “se” belongs to the complaint expression used with the people who complained. It is not an independent translation of the whole complaint. The reusable pattern shown here is “se quejaran de...” followed by the subject of the complaint.
quejaran In “varias personas se quejaran de la falta de espacio”, “quejaran” describes the people expressing complaints. Its meaning is completed by “se” and by “de la falta de espacio”. The phrase “se quejaran de...” is useful for stating what people complained about.
falta In “la falta de espacio”, “falta” means a lack or shortage. It explains that the complaints concerned insufficient room. The reusable pattern “falta de...” names something that is missing or insufficient.
espacio Here “espacio” means available room in the workspace. “La falta de espacio” describes crowding as the reason for the complaints. Use it after “falta de” when referring to insufficient room.
En At the start of “En ese caso”, “En” helps frame the response as applying within the situation just described. The whole phrase means in that case. Use “En ese caso” when drawing a conclusion from the previous information.
ese In “ese caso”, “ese” points back to the situation that has just been explained. It identifies that particular case rather than introducing a new one. Use it before “caso” when referring to a previously mentioned situation.
caso Here “caso” means the situation created by the reservation rule. “En ese caso” means that, given those circumstances, the speaker should move. This phrase is useful when responding to information and stating its consequence.
debería In “debería cambiarme de sitio”, “debería” expresses what the speaker considers the appropriate action: moving. It makes the decision sound like a recommendation or reasonable obligation. Use it before an infinitive to suggest what should be done.
cambiarme In “cambiarme de sitio”, “cambiarme” means to move or change places, with the action referring to the speaker. The “me” connects the change of place to the speaker. The full phrase “cambiarme de sitio” is useful when offering to move to another seat or place.
de In “cambiarme de sitio”, “de” is part of the expression for changing places. It links the act of changing with the place or seat being changed. Use the full pattern “cambiarse de sitio” when referring to moving to another place.
sitio Here “sitio” means a place or seat in the workspace. In “cambiarme de sitio”, it is the place the speaker will leave or change. The phrase is useful when someone moves to another seat or location.
antes In “antes de que te instales”, “antes” marks an earlier time. The speaker should move before the other person settles in. Use “antes de que” before a clause describing the event that must happen later.
te In “te instales”, “te” identifies the person being addressed as the one who will settle in. It belongs with the settling-in expression rather than meaning “you” by itself here. The phrase “antes de que te instales” refers to the other person taking possession of the table.
instales In “antes de que te instales”, “instales” means settle in at the table or place. The form describes the action of the person being addressed. Use it in the pattern “antes de que te instales” when timing an action before someone gets settled.
Podrías In “Podrías quedarte”, “Podrías” presents staying as a possible or permitted option. It makes the suggestion polite and conditional. Use it before an infinitive when offering someone a possibility.
quedarte Here “quedarte” means to stay at the table instead of moving. The “te” makes the person staying the person being addressed. The phrase “Podrías quedarte” politely offers the option of remaining.
si In “si puedes hacer una llamada breve y hablar en voz baja”, “si” introduces the condition for staying. The person may stay provided that the call is brief and quiet. Use “si” to state a condition for an action or possibility.
puedes Here “puedes” means can or are able to, referring to the conditions for staying. It introduces the actions the other person must be able to keep brief and quiet. The pattern “si puedes...” introduces a practical condition.
hacer In “hacer una llamada breve”, “hacer” means to make or have a call. Its meaning comes from the complete expression with “una llamada”. Use it before “una llamada” when referring to conducting a call.
una In “una llamada breve”, “una” introduces one non-specific call. It comes before the feminine singular noun “llamada”. Use it before a singular feminine noun when referring to one unspecified item.
llamada Here “llamada” means a call that the person plans to have in the workspace. It is the object of “hacer”. The phrase “hacer una llamada breve” refers to having a short call.
breve In “una llamada breve”, “breve” describes the call as short in duration. It limits how long the person may remain at the table. Use it after a noun to describe something that lasts for a short time.
y Here “y” joins the two conditions “hacer una llamada breve” and “hablar en voz baja”. It shows that both actions are included in the suggestion. Use it to connect related actions or requirements.
hablar In “hablar en voz baja”, “hablar” means to speak. The following phrase specifies that the speaking should be quiet. Use it with a manner phrase such as “en voz baja” to describe how someone speaks.
en voz baja Together, “en voz baja” means quietly or in a low voice. “En” places the speaking in a particular manner, “voz” names the voice, and “baja” describes it as low. Use the full phrase after “hablar” when asking someone to keep their voice down.
Podría In “Podría durar más de lo esperado”, “Podría” expresses a possibility: the call might last longer than expected. It presents this as uncertain rather than definite. Use it before an infinitive when describing a possible future outcome.
durar Here “durar” means to last in time. It refers to the possible length of the call. The pattern “Podría durar más de lo esperado” explains that something may continue longer than planned.
lo In “lo esperado”, “lo” helps refer to what was expected without naming a separate noun. It forms part of the expression meaning the expected amount or duration. The reusable phrase “más de lo esperado” means more than expected.
esperado In “lo esperado”, “esperado” refers to the amount or duration that was expected. It completes the expression with “lo”. Use the phrase “más de lo esperado” when an event may exceed an anticipated limit.
así que Together, “así que” means so or therefore and introduces the consequence of the call possibly running longer. “Así” supplies the result-oriented sense, and “que” links that consequence to the next clause. Use it to connect a reason with a conclusion or decision.
parece In “parece más justo”, “parece” means seems and presents the speaker’s assessment. It introduces the judgment that moving is fairer. Use “parece” before an adjective or evaluation when giving an opinion without stating it as absolute.
justo Here “justo” means fair or equitable. In “parece más justo que me cambie de sitio”, it describes moving as the fairer choice for both people. Use it when evaluating whether an arrangement treats the people involved fairly.
cambie In “que me cambie de sitio”, “cambie” expresses the proposed action of moving to another place. The “me” shows that the speaker is the person who will move. The full phrase is useful when presenting moving as the fair choice.
agradezco In “Te lo agradezco”, “agradezco” expresses the speaker’s gratitude for the other person’s decision to move. It is used with “Te lo” to refer to what the other person has done. Use the full phrase as a direct, polite way to thank someone.
grabar In “necesito grabar una presentación”, “grabar” means to record the presentation. It states the reason the speaker needs a quieter place. Use it after “necesito” when explaining that recording something is necessary.
presentación Here “presentación” means a presentation that the speaker needs to record. It is the object of “grabar”. The phrase “grabar una presentación” describes recording a presentation for later use or delivery.
Elegiré In “Elegiré la zona de descanso”, “Elegiré” states the speaker’s decision to choose the lounge area. It presents the choice as a commitment about what the speaker will do. Use it when announcing a future selection.
la In “la zona de descanso”, “la” identifies a particular feminine singular area. It comes before the noun phrase naming the selected place. Use it before a known singular feminine noun.
zona Here “zona” means an area within the shared workspace. It is the place the speaker chooses for the call. The phrase “la zona de descanso” identifies the particular area selected.
descanso In “la zona de descanso”, “descanso” refers to rest or relaxation and helps identify the lounge area. Together, the phrase names an area intended for resting. Use it in this construction when describing a place associated with rest.
donde In “donde hablar resulta menos molesto”, “donde” introduces the place in which speaking is less disruptive. It connects “la zona de descanso” with the description that follows. Use it to add information about what happens in a particular place.
resulta Here “resulta” means is or turns out to be as part of “resulta menos molesto”. It presents the effect of speaking in the lounge area as an evaluation. Use it with an adjective to describe how something turns out or is experienced.
menos In “menos molesto”, “menos” lowers the degree of the following description and gives the meaning less disruptive or bothersome. It indicates that speaking causes a smaller disturbance in the lounge area. Use it before an adjective when expressing a lower degree.
molesto Here “molesto” describes speaking as bothersome or disruptive to other people. With “menos”, “menos molesto” means less disruptive. It is useful when comparing places according to how much an activity disturbs others.

Grammar Points

me había dado cuenta de + sustantivo

Me había dado cuenta de la falta de espacio.

meh ah-BEE-ah DAH-doh KWEHNT-ah deh lah FAHL-tah deh ehs-PAH-syoh

I had realized the lack of space.

The imperfect past perfect uses había + past participle to describe an action completed before another past moment.

infinitivo + -é

Elegiré la zona de descanso.

eh-leh-hee-REH lah SOH-nah deh dehs-KAHN-soh

I will choose the lounge area.

The simple future is formed by adding -é to the infinitive for the first-person singular, unlike English will.

Spanish Vocabulary

cambiarse de sitio phrase
kahm-BYAR-seh deh SEE-tyoh to move to another place cambiarme de sitio
darse cuenta de phrase
DAR-seh KWEHN-tah deh to realize me había dado cuenta de
falta de espacio phrase
FAHL-tah deh ehs-PAH-syoh lack of space la falta de espacio
individual adj
een-dee-bee-DOO-ahl individual individuales
más tranquilo adj
mahs trahn-KEE-loh quieter
mesa noun
MEH-sah table
poner en marcha phrase
poh-NEHR en MAR-chah to start or put into operation Pusieron en marcha
quejarse verb
keh-HAR-seh to complain se quejaran
reserva noun
reh-SEHR-bah reservation reservas
reservar verb
reh-sehr-BAR to reserve Reservé
rincón noun
reen-KON corner
sistema noun
see-STEH-mah system

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

corner

Show Answerrincón

to reserve

Show AnswerReservé

reservation

Show Answerreservas

table

Show Answermesa