Borrowing a charger while confirming return conditions | Learn Spanish in English

About This Lesson

Use Borrowing a charger while confirming return conditions to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Dejé mi cargador en otro lugar y la batería de mi portátil está casi agotada.

deh-HAY mee kar-gah-DOR en OH-troh loo-GAR ee lah bah-teh-REE-ah deh mee por-TAH-teel es-TAH KAH-see ah-goh-TAH-dah. I left my charger elsewhere and my laptop battery is nearly empty.

El mío debería encajar, siempre que tu puerto use el conector más nuevo.

el MEE-oh deh-beh-REE-ah en-kah-HAR, SYEM-preh keh too PWEHR-toh OO-seh el koh-nek-TOR mahs NWEH-boh. Mine should fit, provided your port uses the newer connector.

Sí, mi puerto usa ese conector, aunque solo necesito el cargador durante esta carga.

SEE, mee PWEHR-toh OO-sah EH-seh koh-nek-TOR, OWN-keh SOH-loh neh-seh-SEE-toh el kar-gah-DOR doo-RAN-teh EH-stah KAR-gah. It does, although I only need it during this upload.

Eso se puede hacer, ya que mi computadora ya está completamente cargada.

EH-soh seh PWEH-deh ah-SER, yah keh mee kom-poo-tah-DOH-rah yah es-TAH kom-pleh-tah-MEN-teh kar-GAH-dah. That is manageable, since my computer is already fully charged.

Puedo devolvértelo en cuanto terminen de sincronizarse los archivos.

PWEH-doh deh-bol-BEHR-teh-loh en KWAHN-toh tehr-MEE-nen deh seen-kroh-nee-SAR-seh lohs ar-CHEE-bohs. I can give it back as soon as the files finish synchronizing.

Por favor, déjalo cerca, porque quizá lo necesite más tarde.

por fah-BOR, DEH-hah-loh SEHR-kah, POR-keh kee-SAH loh neh-seh-SEE-teh mahs TAR-deh. Please keep it nearby, because I may need it later.

Puedo quedarme cerca para que puedas recuperarlo fácilmente.

PWEH-doh keh-DAR-meh SEHR-kah PAH-rah keh PWEH-dahs reh-koo-peh-RAR-loh FAH-seel-MEN-teh. I can stay close by so you can get it back easily.

Ese acuerdo funciona sin interrumpir a ninguno de los dos.

EH-seh ah-KWEHR-doh foon-see-OH-nah seen een-teh-rroom-PEER ah nee-NGOO-noh deh lohs DOHS. That arrangement works without interrupting either of us.

Word by Word

Dejé “Dejé” means “I left” in “Dejé mi cargador en otro lugar.” It is the first-person past form of “dejar,” used here to say that the charger was left somewhere else. A useful pattern is “Dejé + object + place.”

mi “Mi” means “my” before “cargador,” identifying the charger as belonging to the speaker. It is used directly before a singular noun, as in “mi cargador.” Use “mi” when referring to one thing that belongs to you.

cargador “Cargador” means “charger,” the device the speaker needs for the laptop. In “mi cargador,” it is the object that was left elsewhere and later borrowed. A common reuse pattern is “necesito mi cargador” for “I need my charger.”

en “En” indicates the place where something is located in “en otro lugar.” Here it contributes the meaning “in” or “at” a place. A reusable pattern is “en + place,” such as “en otro lugar.”

otro “Otro” means “another” in “otro lugar,” referring to a place different from the current one. It comes before the noun here. Use “otro + singular noun” when identifying one different person, thing, or place.

lugar “Lugar” means “place” in “en otro lugar.” The phrase identifies where the charger was left. A common pattern is “en + lugar,” as in “en otro lugar.”

y “Y” connects the two facts in “Dejé mi cargador en otro lugar y la batería...” It means “and” and links related information in the same sentence. Use “y” to join two words, phrases, or complete ideas.

la “La” is the feminine singular article in “la batería,” meaning “the” before that noun. It identifies one specific battery in the situation. Use “la” before a known feminine singular noun.

batería “Batería” means “battery” in “la batería de mi portátil.” Here it is the laptop battery whose charge is nearly gone. A useful pattern is “la batería de + device,” as in “la batería de mi portátil.”

de “De” links the battery to the laptop in “la batería de mi portátil,” meaning “of” or “belonging to.” It introduces the thing that the battery is associated with. A reusable pattern is “la batería de + device.”

portátil “Portátil” means “laptop” in “mi portátil.” It specifies which device the battery belongs to. A common reuse pattern is “mi portátil” when referring to your laptop.

está “Está” means “is” in “la batería ... está casi agotada,” describing the battery’s current condition. It is the form used with the battery in this sentence. A useful pattern is “está + condition,” such as “está casi agotada.”

casi “Casi” means “nearly” or “almost” in “casi agotada.” It shows that the battery has reached a condition very close to being depleted. Use “casi” directly before an adjective or other expression describing the near condition.

agotada “Agotada” means “depleted” or “used up” in “la batería está casi agotada.” It describes the battery as having very little charge left. A useful pattern is “estar + casi agotada” for a battery that is close to empty.

El “El” is the masculine singular article in “El mío,” referring here to the charger that belongs to the other speaker. It appears before “mío” because the omitted item is understood as a masculine singular noun. Use “El mío” to say “mine” when the understood item is masculine singular.

mío “Mío” means “mine” in “El mío debería encajar,” standing for the other speaker’s charger. Together with “El,” it avoids repeating “cargador.” A reusable pattern is “El mío + verb” when identifying your masculine singular item.

debería “Debería” expresses a likely or expected result in “debería encajar,” meaning “should fit.” It softens the statement because the fit depends on the port condition. A common pattern is “debería + infinitive,” as in “debería funcionar.”

encajar “Encajar” means “fit” in “debería encajar,” referring to the charger fitting the laptop port. It appears after “debería” in its infinitive form. Use “encajar” when checking whether one object fits into or with another.

siempre In “siempre que tu puerto use...,” “siempre” contributes to the condition expressed by the full phrase “siempre que,” meaning “provided that” here. The condition limits when the charger should fit. A reusable pattern is “siempre que + condition.”

que In “siempre que tu puerto use...,” “que” completes the expression that introduces the condition. The full phrase “siempre que” means “provided that” in this dialogue. Use it before the condition that must be true.

tu “Tu” means “your” in “tu puerto,” identifying the port as belonging to the person being addressed. It comes directly before the singular noun. Use “tu + singular noun” for one thing belonging to the person you address.

puerto “Puerto” means “port” in “tu puerto use el conector...” Here it refers to the laptop connection where the charger is inserted. A useful pattern is “el puerto de + device” when specifying a device port.

use “Use” means “uses” in “tu puerto use el conector más nuevo,” describing the connector required by the port. It appears inside the condition introduced by “siempre que.” A reusable pattern is “siempre que + subject + use + object” for a condition about what something uses.

conector “Conector” means “connector” in “el conector más nuevo.” It identifies the type of connection required for the charger to fit. A common pattern is “usar el conector + description.”

más “Más” means “more” and helps form the comparison in “más nuevo,” meaning “newer” here. It comes before the adjective it modifies. Use “más + adjective” to compare qualities.

nuevo “Nuevo” means “new” in “el conector más nuevo,” where the comparison makes it “newer.” It describes the connector required by the port. A reusable pattern is “más nuevo” when comparing one item with another.

Sí “Sí” means “yes” in the reply “Sí, mi puerto usa ese conector.” It confirms that the speaker’s port has the required connector. Use “Sí” at the beginning of a reply to confirm information.

usa “Usa” means “uses” in “mi puerto usa ese conector,” stating which connector the port accepts. It is followed by the thing being used, “ese conector.” A useful pattern is “subject + usa + object.”

ese “Ese” means “that” in “ese conector,” referring back to the connector just mentioned. It comes before the masculine singular noun “conector.” Use “ese + singular masculine noun” to point to a known item.

aunque “Aunque” means “although” in “aunque solo necesito el cargador...” It introduces information that limits or qualifies the preceding confirmation. Use “aunque + clause” to add a contrasting qualification.

solo “Solo” means “only” in “solo necesito el cargador durante esta carga.” It limits the need to the specific upload mentioned. A useful pattern is “solo + verb” when emphasizing that the need or action is limited.

necesito “Necesito” means “I need” in “solo necesito el cargador.” It states the speaker’s limited need for the charger. A common pattern is “necesito + object,” as in “necesito el cargador.”

durante “Durante” means “during” in “durante esta carga,” identifying the period when the charger is needed. It is followed by a noun phrase. Use “durante + event or period” to say when something happens.

esta “Esta” means “this” in “esta carga,” referring to the current upload. It comes before the feminine singular noun “carga.” Use “esta + feminine singular noun” for one current or nearby thing.

carga “Carga” refers to “this upload” in “durante esta carga,” rather than to charging the battery. It names the current file-upload activity during which the charger is needed. A useful pattern is “durante esta carga” for the duration of that upload.

Eso “Eso” means “that” in “Eso se puede hacer,” referring to the proposed arrangement of lending the charger briefly. It points back to an idea or situation rather than naming the idea again. Use “Eso + verb” to respond to something just mentioned.

se In “se puede hacer,” “se” helps present the arrangement as possible without naming a specific person who will do it. The full expression “se puede hacer” means “that can be done.” A reusable pattern is “se puede + infinitive” for saying that something is possible.

puede “Puede” means “can” or “is possible” in “se puede hacer.” Together with “se” and “hacer,” it says that the proposed arrangement is manageable. A common pattern is “se puede + infinitive.”

hacer “Hacer” means “do” in “se puede hacer,” referring to carrying out the proposed arrangement. It follows “puede” in the infinitive form. Use “se puede hacer” when saying that an action or arrangement can be carried out.

ya “Ya” means “already” in “ya está completamente cargada.” It shows that the computer reached the charged condition before this moment. Use “ya” with a verb or condition to emphasize that something has happened or is true by now.

computadora “Computadora” means “computer” in “mi computadora.” It is the device whose battery is already fully charged. A common pattern is “mi computadora” when referring to your computer.

completamente “Completamente” means “completely” in “completamente cargada.” It strengthens the description by showing that the computer is fully charged. Use “completamente” before an adjective or participle to express a complete degree.

cargada “Cargada” means “charged” in “mi computadora ya está completamente cargada.” It describes the computer as having a full battery. A useful pattern is “estar completamente cargada” for a device with a full charge.

Puedo “Puedo” means “I can” in “Puedo devolvértelo.” It introduces the speaker’s ability or willingness to return the charger. A common pattern is “Puedo + infinitive” for offering or stating what you can do.

devolvértelo “Devolvértelo” means “give it back to you” in “Puedo devolvértelo.” The form combines the action of returning with “te” for the recipient and “lo” for the charger. A useful pattern is “devolver + object to a person,” expressed here as “devolvértelo.”

cuanto In “en cuanto terminen de sincronizarse los archivos,” “cuanto” completes the time expression “en cuanto,” meaning “as soon as.” It introduces the event that determines when the charger will be returned. Use “en cuanto + clause” for an action that will happen immediately after another event.

terminen “Terminen” means “finish” in “en cuanto terminen de sincronizarse los archivos.” It refers to the files reaching the end of their synchronization. A reusable pattern is “terminar de + infinitive” for finishing an activity.

sincronizarse “Sincronizarse” means “to synchronize” in “terminen de sincronizarse los archivos.” It describes the files completing the synchronization process. A useful pattern is “los archivos + sincronizarse” when referring to files synchronizing.

los “Los” is the masculine plural article in “los archivos,” meaning “the” before that plural noun. It identifies the specific files being synchronized. Use “los” before a known masculine plural noun.

archivos “Archivos” means “files” in “los archivos.” These are the files that must finish synchronizing before the charger is returned. A common pattern is “sincronizar los archivos” when talking about file synchronization.

Por In “Por favor,” “por” is part of the polite expression used to say “please.” It contributes to the fixed request formula together with “favor.” Use “Por favor” before or after a request.

favor In “Por favor,” “favor” completes the polite expression meaning “please.” The full expression softens the request “déjalo cerca.” Use “Por favor” when asking someone to do something politely.

déjalo “Déjalo” means “leave it” or “keep it” in “déjalo cerca,” referring to the charger. It combines the action of leaving with “lo,” which refers to the item. A useful pattern is “déjalo + place” when telling someone where to leave something.

cerca “Cerca” means “nearby” in “déjalo cerca.” It specifies the location where the charger should remain. Use “dejar + object + cerca” to ask someone to keep an item close.

porque “Porque” means “because” in “porque quizá lo necesite más tarde.” It introduces the reason for asking that the charger remain nearby. Use “porque + clause” to explain a reason.

quizá “Quizá” means “perhaps” or “maybe” in “quizá lo necesite más tarde.” It presents the later need as possible rather than certain. Use “quizá + clause” when expressing uncertainty about an event.

lo “Lo” means “it” in “lo necesite,” referring to the charger. It appears before the verb and represents the item that may be needed. Use “lo” to refer back to a known masculine singular object.

necesite “Necesite” expresses “I may need” in “quizá lo necesite más tarde.” The possibility comes from “quizá,” while the object is represented by “lo.” A useful pattern is “quizá + lo + verb” when saying that you may need a known item.

tarde “Tarde” means “later” in “más tarde,” referring to a time after the current moment. It helps explain why the charger should stay nearby. A common pattern is “más tarde” for a later time.

quedarme “Quedarme” means “stay” or “remain” in “Puedo quedarme cerca.” It describes the speaker remaining nearby rather than leaving with the charger. A useful pattern is “puedo quedarme + place” when offering to stay somewhere.

para In “para que puedas recuperarlo fácilmente,” “para” introduces the purpose of the speaker staying nearby. Together with “que,” the phrase means “so that you can...” Use “para que + clause” to explain a purpose involving another person’s action.

puedas “Puedas” means “you can” or “you are able to” in “para que puedas recuperarlo.” It describes what the other person will be able to do as the purpose of staying close. A useful pattern is “para que puedas + infinitive.”

recuperarlo “Recuperarlo” means “get it back” or “retrieve it” in “puedas recuperarlo fácilmente,” referring to the charger. The form combines the action of retrieving with “lo,” which refers to the item. A reusable pattern is “recuperar + object,” expressed here as “recuperarlo.”

fácilmente “Fácilmente” means “easily” in “recuperarlo fácilmente.” It describes how the charger can be retrieved. Use “verb + fácilmente” to say that an action can be done without difficulty.

acuerdo “Acuerdo” means “arrangement” in “Ese acuerdo funciona.” It refers to the agreed plan for keeping the charger nearby without causing interruptions. A useful pattern is “este or ese acuerdo funciona” when evaluating an arrangement.

funciona “Funciona” means “works” in “Ese acuerdo funciona.” It says that the proposed arrangement is practical for both people. A common pattern is “el acuerdo funciona” when confirming that a plan is suitable.

sin “Sin” means “without” in “sin interrumpir a ninguno de los dos.” It introduces an action that does not happen under the arrangement. Use “sin + infinitive” to say that something is done without performing another action.

interrumpir “Interrumpir” means “interrupt” in “sin interrumpir a ninguno de los dos.” It refers to disturbing either person’s work. A useful pattern is “sin + infinitive,” as in “sin interrumpir.”

a In “a ninguno de los dos,” “a” marks the people affected by the action “interrumpir.” It is part of the expression identifying whom the arrangement will not interrupt. Use “interrumpir a + person” when naming the person being interrupted.

ninguno “Ninguno” means “neither” or “none” in “a ninguno de los dos,” meaning that not one of the two people will be interrupted. The full phrase refers specifically to both people in the workspace. A useful pattern is “a ninguno de + group” for saying that no member of a group is affected.

Grammar Points

para que + subjuntivo

para que puedas recuperarlo

PAH-rah keh PWEH-dahs reh-koo-peh-RAR-loh

so that you can retrieve it

Para que introduces a purpose clause, and the following verb uses the subjunctive: puedas.

en cuanto + subjuntivo

en cuanto terminen

en KWAHN-toh tehr-MEE-nen

as soon as they finish

For a future action, en cuanto is followed by the subjunctive: terminen.

Spanish Vocabulary

agotar verb

ah-goh-TAR to run out; to exhaust agotada

está casi agotada

aunque conj

OWN-keh although; even though

aunque solo necesito el cargador

batería noun

bah-teh-REE-ah battery

la batería de mi portátil

carga noun

KAR-gah upload; data upload

durante esta carga

cargador noun

kar-gah-DOR charger

mi cargador

conector noun

koh-nek-TOR connector

el conector más nuevo

encajar verb

en-kah-HAR to fit

debería encajar

mío pron

MEE-oh mine El mío

El mío debería encajar

nuevo adj

NWEH-boh new

el conector más nuevo

portátil noun

por-TAH-teel laptop

mi portátil

puerto noun

PWEHR-toh port

tu puerto

siempre que conj

SYEM-preh keh provided that; as long as

siempre que tu puerto use el conector más nuevo

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

battery

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batería

charger

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cargador

connector

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conector

to run out; to exhaust

Show Answer

agotada