Explaining a technical problem and discussing a fix | Learn Spanish in English

Spanish lesson set in a contemporary Madrid everyday setting: In a shared workspace, two colleagues troubleshoot a printer problem by checking large images and testing the file from another account..

EN → ES / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Explaining a technical problem and discussing a fix to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

La impresora sigue rechazando mi archivo, aunque el formato es compatible.

lah eem-preh-SOH-rah SEE-geh reh-chah-SAHN-doh mee ar-CHEE-boh, AHN-keh el for-MAH-toh es kom-pah-TEE-bleh. The printer keeps rejecting my file, although the format is supported.
B

¿Has comprobado si el documento contiene imágenes demasiado grandes?

ahs kom-proh-BAH-doh see el doh-koo-MEN-toh kon-tee-EH-neh ee-MAH-heh-nes deh-mah-SYAH-doh GRAHN-des? Have you checked whether the document contains oversized images?
A

Es posible, ya que la presentación incluye varios gráficos detallados.

es poh-SEE-bleh, yah keh lah preh-sen-tah-SYOHN een-KLOO-yeh BAH-ryohs GRAH-fee-kohs deh-tah-YAH-dohs. That is possible, since the presentation includes several detailed charts.
B

Comprimirlas podría ayudar sin dañar la calidad visual.

kom-pree-MEER-lahs poh-DREE-ah ah-yoo-DAR seen dah-NYAR lah kah-lee-DAHD bee-SWAHL. Compressing them may help without damaging the visual quality.
A

Preferiría eso a rehacer toda la presentación.

preh-feh-ree-REE-ah EH-soh ah reh-ah-SAIR TOH-dah lah preh-sen-tah-SYOHN. I would prefer that to rebuilding the entire deck.
B

Envíalo a través de la carpeta compartida.

em-BEE-ah-loh ah trah-BAYS deh lah kar-PEH-tah kom-par-TEE-dah. Send it through the shared folder.
B

Puedo probarlo desde mi cuenta.

PWEH-doh proh-BAR-loh DES-deh mee KWEHN-tah. I can test it from my account.
A

Así no tengo que probar configuraciones al azar.

ah-SEE noh TEN-goh keh proh-BAR kon-fee-goo-rah-SYOH-nes al ah-SAR. That saves me from guessing at random settings.
B

Cuando se imprima, deberíamos documentar la solución para los demás.

KWAN-doh seh eem-PREE-mah, deh-beh-REE-ah-mohs doh-koo-men-TAR lah soh-loo-SYOHN PAH-rah lohs deh-MAHS. Once it prints, we should document the fix for others.

Word by Word

La La means “the” in La impresora and introduces the specific printer being discussed. This form is used before a feminine singular noun; here it identifies the device in a technical problem.
impresora Impresora means “printer” in La impresora, the device that is rejecting the file. It is useful when identifying a printer as the subject of a technical problem or troubleshooting discussion.
sigue Sigue means “continues” or “keeps” in sigue rechazando, showing that the printer is still rejecting the file. This form is used before an ongoing action to describe a problem that has not stopped.
rechazando Rechazando means “rejecting” in sigue rechazando mi archivo, describing what the printer keeps doing. The form appears after sigue to express an action that continues; it is useful when reporting repeated system behavior.
mi Mi means “my” in mi archivo and shows that the file belongs to or is associated with the speaker. It is placed directly before the noun it describes and is useful when identifying one’s own file, account, or document.
archivo Archivo means “file” in mi archivo, the digital item the printer will not accept. It is useful with technical actions such as sending, testing, or printing a file.
aunque Aunque means “although” and introduces the fact that the format is compatible despite the printer rejecting the file. It is useful for connecting a problem with a fact that might seem to contradict it.
el El means “the” in el formato and identifies the specific format under discussion. This form is used before a masculine singular noun; it commonly introduces a particular technical format or setting.
formato Formato means “format” in el formato, referring to the file type or structure supported by the printer. It is useful when discussing whether a document or file is accepted by a device or program.
es Es means “is” in es compatible and Es posible, linking the subject with a description or assessment. In this dialogue it states that the format is supported and that a possible cause is being considered.
compatible Compatible means “compatible” or “supported” in el formato es compatible, indicating that the format should work with the printer. It is useful when describing whether a file type, device, or system can work with another system.
Has Has means “have” in Has comprobado, forming the question about whether the other person has checked something. It is used with a completed-action form to ask about a check that may already have been carried out.
comprobado Comprobado means “checked” in Has comprobado si el documento contiene imágenes demasiado grandes. Together with Has, it asks whether the document has been examined for a possible cause; this is useful in troubleshooting questions.
si Si means “whether” in si el documento contiene imágenes demasiado grandes, introducing the matter being checked. It is useful after verbs such as checking or knowing when the question is embedded in a larger sentence.
documento Documento means “document” in el documento, referring to the file’s contents. It is useful when discussing what a document contains, how it is formatted, or why it may cause a technical problem.
contiene Contiene means “contains” in el documento contiene imágenes demasiado grandes, describing the document’s contents. It is useful when stating that a file or document includes particular material.
imágenes Imágenes means “images” in imágenes demasiado grandes, referring to the visual elements inside the document. This plural form is useful when discussing multiple images in a presentation, file, or document.
demasiado Demasiado means “too” or “excessively” in demasiado grandes, indicating that the images exceed a suitable size. It is placed before the adjective here to express an excessive degree.
grandes Grandes means “large” in imágenes demasiado grandes, describing the size of the images. This form is useful after a noun when describing multiple items as large.
posible Posible means “possible” in Es posible, presenting the suggested cause as something that may be true. It is useful for discussing a plausible explanation without stating that it is certain.
ya Ya contributes to the meaning “since” in ya que, introducing the reason that the possibility is being considered. In this exact expression, it connects an explanation to the statement before it.
que Que contributes to the conjunction ya que, which means “since” here and introduces the reason for the preceding statement. This expression is useful when explaining why something is possible or happening.
presentación Presentación means “presentation” and, in this context, refers to the slide deck that contains the charts. It is useful when discussing the contents, design, or technical handling of a presentation.
incluye Incluye means “includes” in la presentación incluye varios gráficos detallados, stating that the presentation contains several charts. It is useful for listing items contained in a document, file, or presentation.
varios Varios means “several” in varios gráficos detallados, indicating more than one chart without giving an exact number. It is useful before a plural noun when referring to a number of items in a group.
gráficos Gráficos means “charts” in varios gráficos detallados, referring to the presentation’s visual data displays. It is useful when discussing charts or graphics as elements of a document or presentation.
detallados Detallados means “detailed” in gráficos detallados, emphasizing that the charts contain a lot of information or visual detail. It describes the plural charts and is useful when explaining why they may affect file size or quality.
Comprimirlas Comprimirlas means “compressing them” in Comprimirlas podría ayudar, referring to reducing the size of the images mentioned earlier. The ending las refers to those images, and the form is useful when proposing an action to solve a file-size problem.
podría Podría means “could” or “might” in Comprimirlas podría ayudar, presenting compression as a possible solution rather than a guarantee. It is useful for making a cautious suggestion about what may improve a technical situation.
ayudar Ayudar means “help” in podría ayudar, describing the possible benefit of compressing the images. It follows podría in the infinitive form and is useful when suggesting that an action may improve a problem.
sin Sin means “without” in sin dañar la calidad visual, indicating that the suggested action should avoid a negative result. It introduces the action or consequence that is being avoided.
dañar Dañar means “damage” in sin dañar la calidad visual, referring to harming the visual quality. It follows sin in the infinitive form and is useful when describing an action that should happen without causing a particular problem.
calidad Calidad means “quality” in la calidad visual, referring to how good the presentation’s visual appearance remains. It is useful when evaluating images, charts, or other visual material.
visual Visual means “visual” in la calidad visual and specifies that the relevant quality concerns appearance. It is useful when distinguishing the appearance of material from other possible qualities, such as technical compatibility.
Preferiría Preferiría means “I would prefer” in Preferiría eso a rehacer toda la presentación, expressing the speaker’s preferred option. It is useful for politely choosing one solution over another.
eso Eso means “that” in Preferiría eso, referring to the proposed compression from the previous line. It is useful for pointing back to an idea or action already mentioned instead of repeating it.
a A marks the alternative after Preferiría eso in Preferiría eso a rehacer toda la presentación, meaning that one option is preferred over another. This pattern is useful when comparing a preferred action with an unwanted alternative.
rehacer Rehacer means “redo” or “rebuild” in rehacer toda la presentación, referring to creating the entire presentation again. It is useful when discussing whether work must be repeated from the beginning.
toda Toda means “the entire” or “whole” in toda la presentación, emphasizing that the complete presentation would have to be redone. It appears before the feminine singular noun it describes.
Envíalo Envíalo means “send it” in Envíalo a través de la carpeta compartida, instructing the other person to send the file or item under discussion. The final lo refers to that item, and this form is useful for giving a direct instruction about sending something.
través A través contributes to the meaning “through” in a través de la carpeta compartida, describing the route used to send the file. The complete expression a través de is useful for indicating a channel, route, or intermediary.
de De links a través with la carpeta compartida in a través de la carpeta compartida, identifying the channel through which the file should be sent. It is useful in expressions that specify a route or means.
carpeta Carpeta means “folder” in la carpeta compartida, referring to the shared digital location for the file. It is useful when directing someone to store, access, or send a document through a particular folder.
compartida Compartida means “shared” in la carpeta compartida, describing a folder that is available to more than one person. It agrees with carpeta and is useful when identifying a common workspace or file location.
Puedo Puedo means “I can” in Puedo probarlo, expressing the speaker’s ability or willingness to test the file. It is useful for offering to perform a task or saying that one is able to do it.
probarlo Probarlo means “test it” in Puedo probarlo, referring to testing the file or item already mentioned. The final lo refers to that item, and the form is useful after expressions of ability or intention when the object is known from context.
desde Desde means “from” in desde mi cuenta, identifying the account used as the starting point for the test. It is useful when specifying the account, location, or source from which an action is performed.
cuenta Cuenta means “account” in mi cuenta, referring to the speaker’s user account. It is useful in technical situations involving access, permissions, testing, or actions performed under a particular account.
Así Así means “that way” or “in this way” in Así no tengo que probar configuraciones al azar, connecting the proposed test with its benefit. It is useful for explaining the result or advantage of an action just mentioned.
no No means “not” in no tengo que probar, making the statement negative. Here it helps express that the speaker will not need to perform the unwanted testing described afterward.
tengo Tengo means “I have” in tengo que probar, where it forms the expression meaning “I have to test.” With no, no tengo que probar means that the speaker does not need to test the settings; this pattern is useful for describing obligations or the absence of an obligation.
probar Probar means “test” in tengo que probar configuraciones al azar, referring to trying settings to see what works. It is useful after tengo que when describing a task that someone must perform.
configuraciones Configuraciones means “settings” in probar configuraciones al azar, referring to the printer or system options being tested. This plural form is useful when several possible settings may affect the result.
al Al is the contraction of a and el in al azar. Together with azar, it forms the expression meaning “at random,” describing action without a planned selection.
azar Azar means “chance” in al azar, and the full expression indicates that settings would be tested randomly. It is useful when describing an action performed without a deliberate order or selection.
Cuando Cuando means “when” or “once” in Cuando se imprima, introducing the expected event that must happen before the next action. It is useful for linking a future event with what should happen afterward.
se Se helps express the printing event in Cuando se imprima without naming the person who performs it. In this context, it keeps the focus on the document being printed and is useful when the actor is unknown or unimportant.
imprima Imprima expresses the expected printing event in Cuando se imprima, referring to the point when the file successfully prints. It is useful after Cuando when describing a future event that serves as the condition for a later action.
deberíamos Deberíamos means “we should” in deberíamos documentar la solución, making a recommendation or expressing a shared responsibility. It is useful when proposing an appropriate next step for a group.
documentar Documentar means “document” in deberíamos documentar la solución, referring to recording the fix so it can be used later. It follows deberíamos in the infinitive form and is useful when preserving a technical procedure for others.
solución Solución means “solution” or “fix” in documentar la solución, referring to the successful way of resolving the printer problem. It is useful when naming the remedy for a technical issue.
para Para means “for” in para los demás, identifying the people who will benefit from the documented solution. It is useful for indicating the intended recipients or purpose of an action.
los Los means “the” in los demás and marks the plural group referred to as the others. It is useful before a plural expression when identifying a particular group of people.
demás Demás means “others” in los demás, referring to other people who may face the same problem. This expression is useful when sharing instructions, fixes, or information with people beyond the current speakers.

Grammar Points

cuando + subjuntivo

Cuando se imprima el documento, deberíamos comprobar la calidad visual.

KWAN-doh seh eem-PREE-mah el doh-koo-MEN-toh, deh-beh-REE-ah-mohs kom-proh-BAR lah kah-lee-DAHD bee-SWAHL.

When the document is printed, we should check the visual quality.

Use the subjunctive after cuando for a future or not-yet-completed action: se imprima.

podría + infinitivo

Podría ayudar a comprimir las imágenes sin dañar la calidad visual.

poh-DREE-ah ah-yoo-DAR ah kom-pree-MEER lahs ee-MAH-heh-nes seen dah-NYAR lah kah-lee-DAHD bee-SWAHL.

It could help compress the images without damaging the visual quality.

Use podría + infinitive to make a tentative suggestion or express a possibility politely.

Spanish Vocabulary

archivo noun
ar-CHEE-boh file
aunque conj
AHN-keh although
compatible adj
kom-pah-TEE-bleh compatible; supported
comprobar verb
kom-proh-BAR to check comprobado
contener verb
kon-teh-NAIR to contain contiene
demasiado adv
deh-mah-SYAH-doh too; excessively
documento noun
doh-koo-MEN-toh document
formato noun
for-MAH-toh format
imagen noun
ee-MAH-hen image imágenes
impresora noun
eem-preh-SOH-rah printer
rechazar verb
reh-chah-SAR to reject rechazando
seguir verb
seh-GEER to keep; to continue sigue

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

I can test it from my account.

Show AnswerPuedo probarlo desde mi cuenta.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

document

Show Answerdocumento

although

Show Answeraunque

to keep; to continue

Show Answersigue

to reject

Show Answerrechazando