About This Lesson
Use Reporting a Kitchen Sink Leak to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
Noté que se estaba formando una zona húmeda debajo del fregadero de la cocina.
noh-TEH keh seh es-TAH-bah for-MAHN-doh OO-nah SOH-nah OO-meh-dah deh-BAH-ho del freh-gah-DEH-roh deh lah koh-SEE-nah. I noticed a damp patch forming under the kitchen sink.
B
Hay que atenderlo antes de que dañe el mueble.
eye keh ah-ten-DEHR-loh AHN-tehs deh keh DAH-nyeh el MWEH-bleh. That needs attention before it damages the cabinet.
A
Puse un recipiente ahí, pero la fuga sigue goteando lentamente.
POO-seh oon reh-see-pee-EN-teh ah-EE, PEH-rroh lah FOO-gah SEE-gheh goh-teh-AHN-doh len-tah-MEN-teh. I placed a container there, but the leak is still dripping slowly.
B
¿Hay algo guardado ahí que pueda bloquear el acceso?
eye AL-goh gwar-DAH-doh ah-EE keh PWEH-dah bloh-keh-AHR el ak-SEH-soh? Is anything stored there that could block access?
A
Despejé la zona para que el técnico pueda inspeccionarla fácilmente.
des-peh-KHEH lah SOH-nah PAH-rah keh el TEK-nee-koh PWEH-dah een-spehk-see-oh-NAHR-lah fah-seel-MEN-teh. I cleared the area, so the technician can inspect it easily.
B
Puedo marcarlo como urgente, aunque programar la visita todavía puede llevar tiempo.
PWEH-doh mar-KAHR-loh KOH-moh oor-KHEN-teh, OWN-keh proh-grah-MAHR lah bee-SEE-tah toh-dah-BEE-ah PWEH-deh yeh-BAHR tee-EM-poh. I can mark it as urgent, although scheduling may still take time.
A
Por favor, menciona que el suelo está empezando a deformarse.
por fah-BOR, men-see-OH-nah keh el SWEH-loh es-TAH em-peh-SAHN-doh ah deh-for-MAHR-seh. Please mention that the floor is beginning to warp.
B
Ese detalle debe incluirse en el informe.
EH-seh deh-TAH-yeh DEH-beh een-kloo-EER-seh en el een-FOR-meh. That detail should go in the report.
B
Afecta a la seguridad y al plan de reparación.
ah-FEK-tah ah lah seh-goo-ree-DAHD ee al plan deh reh-pah-rah-see-OHN. It affects safety and the repair plan.Word by Word
Noté
In Noté que..., this exact form means “I noticed” the damp area forming. The citation form is notar, and Noté is the form used for the speaker’s completed observation. You can reuse notar when reporting something you observed.
que
In Noté que se estaba formando..., que introduces what was noticed. In Hay que atenderlo..., que is part of the impersonal obligation expression Hay que + infinitive. Use que to connect a statement or observation with its content.
se
In se estaba formando, se helps present the damp patch as undergoing a formation process. The whole sequence se estaba formando means that it was forming. It is useful in descriptions of something taking shape or developing.
estaba
In se estaba formando, estaba shows that the formation process was in progress at the relevant time. The citation form is estar. A useful pattern is estar + a gerund to describe an ongoing action.
formando
In se estaba formando, formando means “forming” or “taking shape.” The citation form is formar, and formando is the gerund used with estaba. This form is useful for describing a process that is currently developing.
una
In una zona húmeda, una means “a” and introduces one unspecified feminine noun, zona. It agrees with the noun it accompanies. Reuse una before a feminine singular noun when introducing an unspecified thing.
zona
In una zona húmeda, zona refers to the damp patch or area under the sink. It is described by the adjective húmeda. A useful pattern is una zona + adjective when identifying a particular area.
húmeda
In una zona húmeda, húmeda describes the area as damp or wet. The citation form is húmedo; húmeda is the form used with zona here. Use it with a noun when describing a damp surface or area.
debajo
In debajo del fregadero de la cocina, debajo means “underneath” and locates the damp area below the sink. It is used with de to identify what is underneath. Reuse debajo de + a place or object for a lower position.
del
In debajo del fregadero, del means “of the” and is the contracted form of de + el. It links debajo with the masculine noun fregadero. Use del before a masculine singular noun when the phrase requires de el.
fregadero
In el fregadero de la cocina, fregadero means “sink,” specifically the sink being discussed in the kitchen. The phrase identifies its location through de la cocina. You can use fregadero when describing where a kitchen leak or object is located.
de
In fregadero de la cocina, de links fregadero with the phrase la cocina and specifies which sink is meant. Here it expresses a relationship such as “of” or “in the kitchen.” A useful pattern is noun + de + noun to identify or specify something.
la
In la cocina, la means “the” before the feminine noun cocina. It marks the kitchen as a specific place. Reuse la before a specific feminine singular noun.
cocina
In de la cocina, cocina means “kitchen,” identifying the room where the sink is located. It completes the phrase fregadero de la cocina. Use it when specifying a kitchen location or object.
Hay
In Hay que atenderlo, Hay begins the impersonal obligation expression meaning that it is necessary to deal with the problem. The citation form is haber, but the obligation comes from the whole pattern Hay que + infinitive. Use Hay que + infinitive to state a general necessity or required action.
atenderlo
In Hay que atenderlo, atenderlo means “to address it” or “to deal with it,” referring to the maintenance problem. It consists of atender plus the attached object pronoun lo. A useful pattern is Hay que atenderlo when saying that an issue needs attention.
antes
In antes de que dañe el mueble, antes means “before.” It places the required attention earlier than the possible damage. Reuse antes de que + a clause when describing an action that must happen before another event.
dañe
In antes de que dañe el mueble, dañe refers to the cabinet being damaged or harmed. The citation form is dañar, and this form follows antes de que to describe the possible event. Use antes de que + dañe or another suitable clause when warning about possible damage.
el
In el mueble, el means “the” before the masculine noun mueble. It identifies the specific cabinet involved in the warning. Reuse el before a specific masculine singular noun.
mueble
In dañe el mueble, mueble refers to the cabinet under the sink. The word can identify a piece of furniture, and the kitchen context makes “cabinet” the relevant meaning here. Use el mueble when referring to the specific piece of furniture being discussed.
Puse
In Puse un recipiente ahí, Puse means “I placed” or “I put” a container there. The citation form is poner, and Puse is the exact form used for the speaker’s completed action. A useful pattern is poner + an object + a location.
un
In un recipiente, un means “a” and introduces one unspecified masculine noun, recipiente. It agrees with the noun that follows. Reuse un before a masculine singular noun when introducing an unspecified object.
recipiente
In Puse un recipiente ahí, recipiente means “container,” referring to the object placed under the leak. It is the direct object of Puse. Use recipiente when naming a container used to hold or catch something.
ahí
In Puse un recipiente ahí, ahí means “there” and points to the location under the sink. It identifies where the container was placed. You can reuse ahí to refer to a nearby or previously mentioned place.
pero
In pero la fuga sigue goteando lentamente, pero introduces a contrast between placing the container and the leak continuing. It means “but.” Use pero to connect two statements when the second one limits or contrasts with the first.
fuga
In la fuga sigue goteando lentamente, fuga means “leak,” referring to the source of the dripping water. It is the subject of sigue goteando. Use la fuga when reporting an ongoing water or other fluid leak.
sigue
In la fuga sigue goteando, sigue means “continues” or “is still.” The citation form is seguir, and sigue is used with the gerund goteando to show that the action has not stopped. A useful pattern is seguir + gerund for an action that is still continuing.
goteando
In sigue goteando lentamente, goteando means “dripping.” The citation form is gotear, and goteando is the gerund used after sigue. Use it to describe liquid falling in repeated drops.
lentamente
In goteando lentamente, lentamente describes the dripping as slow. It modifies the action rather than naming another object. Reuse it with an action when explaining that something happens slowly.
algo
In ¿Hay algo guardado ahí que pueda bloquear el acceso?, algo refers to anything or something stored there. The question asks whether such an item exists. A useful pattern is algo que pueda + infinitive when asking about something that might cause an effect.
guardado
In algo guardado ahí, guardado means “stored” or “kept” there and describes the possible item. The citation form is guardar. Use a noun or algo + guardado when identifying something that has been put in storage or left in a place.
pueda
In que pueda bloquear el acceso, pueda expresses that the item could or may be able to block access. The citation form is poder, and this form appears in the clause introduced by que. A useful pattern is algo que pueda + infinitive for a possible capability or effect.
bloquear
In pueda bloquear el acceso, bloquear means “to block” or prevent access. It is the infinitive that follows pueda. Reuse bloquear + an object when describing something that obstructs a passage or access.
acceso
In bloquear el acceso, acceso means “access,” referring to the ability to reach the area under the sink. It is the object of bloquear. Use acceso when discussing whether a technician or another person can reach a place.
Despejé
In Despejé la zona, Despejé means “I cleared” the area by removing obstacles. The citation form is despejar, and this exact form reports the speaker’s completed action. Use despejar + an area when preparing a place for inspection or work.
para
In para que el técnico pueda inspeccionarla fácilmente, para introduces the purpose of clearing the area. The full expression means “so that the technician can inspect it easily.” Reuse para que + a clause to explain the purpose of an action.
técnico
In el técnico, técnico means “technician,” the person who can inspect the cleared area. It is the subject of pueda inspeccionarla. Use técnico when referring to a person who carries out technical maintenance or inspection.
inspeccionarla
In pueda inspeccionarla fácilmente, inspeccionarla means “inspect it,” referring to the area. It consists of inspeccionar with the attached object pronoun la. Reuse inspeccionar + an object when describing a technician’s examination of a place or item.
fácilmente
In inspeccionarla fácilmente, fácilmente means “easily” and describes how the technician can inspect the area. It modifies the action. Use it with an action when there are no significant obstacles to carrying it out.
Puedo
In Puedo marcarlo como urgente, Puedo means “I can” or “I am able to.” The citation form is poder, and this form introduces the action the speaker offers to perform. A useful pattern is puedo + infinitive when offering or stating what you can do.
marcarlo
In Puedo marcarlo como urgente, marcarlo means “mark it,” referring to the maintenance request. It consists of marcar with the attached object pronoun lo. Reuse marcarlo como + a label or status when assigning a category to something.
como
In marcarlo como urgente, como means “as” and introduces the status assigned to the request. The meaning comes from the full pattern marcar + object + como + status. Use como in this pattern when classifying or labeling something.
urgente
In marcarlo como urgente, urgente means “urgent” and describes the priority given to the request. It functions as the status after como. Use it when an issue needs attention quickly because delay could matter.
aunque
In aunque programar la visita todavía puede llevar tiempo, aunque introduces a concession: the request can be marked urgent, but scheduling may still take time. It means “although.” Reuse aunque + a clause when acknowledging a fact that does not remove the main point.
programar
In programar la visita, programar means “schedule,” referring to arranging the technician’s visit. It is an infinitive after the idea that scheduling may take time. Use programar + an appointment, visit, or other planned event.
visita
In programar la visita, visita means “visit,” specifically the technician’s service visit to the apartment. It is the event being scheduled. Use visita when referring to a planned visit by a person who will provide service or assistance.
todavía
In todavía puede llevar tiempo, todavía means “still” and shows that scheduling may require additional time despite the request being marked urgent. It modifies the possibility expressed by puede. Use todavía when something remains true or has not happened yet.
puede
In puede llevar tiempo, puede means “may” or “can,” expressing the possibility that scheduling will take time. The citation form is poder. A useful pattern is puede + infinitive when describing a possible result or consequence.
llevar
In puede llevar tiempo, llevar contributes the idea of requiring or taking an amount of time. The meaning “take time” belongs to the full expression llevar tiempo. Reuse llevar + an amount or type of time when saying how long an activity may require.
tiempo
In llevar tiempo, tiempo means “time,” the resource that scheduling may require. It completes the expression that something may take time. Use tiempo with llevar to describe the duration or effort required by an activity.
Por
In Por favor, menciona..., Por is part of the fixed polite request Por favor. The polite meaning comes from the whole expression, not from Por alone. Use Por favor before a request when asking someone courteously to do something.
favor
In Por favor, menciona..., favor is the second component of the fixed polite request Por favor. Together, Por favor makes the request courteous. Use it before an imperative or other request addressed to someone.
menciona
In Por favor, menciona que..., menciona is a direct request to mention the condition of the floor. The citation form is mencionar. A useful pattern is menciona que + a clause when asking someone to include information.
suelo
In el suelo está empezando a deformarse, suelo means “floor,” referring to the surface affected by the leak. It is the subject of the developing change. Use suelo when reporting a problem with a floor or ground surface.
está
In está empezando a deformarse, está supports the ongoing process of the floor beginning to warp. The citation form is estar. A useful pattern is estar + gerund to describe an action or process in progress.
empezando
In está empezando a deformarse, empezando means “beginning” or “starting.” The citation form is empezar, and the gerund is followed by a + infinitive. Reuse empezar a + infinitive when describing the start of an action or change.
a
In empezando a deformarse, a links empezando with the action that is beginning. It is part of the pattern empezar a + infinitive. Use this pattern to say that an action or change is starting.
deformarse
In está empezando a deformarse, deformarse means “to warp” or “to become deformed,” referring to the floor changing shape. The citation form is deformar, with the attached se included in the exact dialogue form. Use empezar a deformarse when reporting that a surface is beginning to warp.
Ese
In Ese detalle, Ese means “that” and points to the specific information just mentioned about the floor. It modifies detalle. Use ese before a masculine singular noun to refer back to a particular item or fact.
detalle
In Ese detalle debe incluirse en el informe, detalle means “detail,” referring to the floor beginning to warp. It is the information that should be put in the report. Use detalle when identifying one specific piece of relevant information.
debe
In debe incluirse en el informe, debe expresses that the detail should or must be included. The citation form is deber. A useful pattern is deber + infinitive when stating an obligation or recommendation.
incluirse
In debe incluirse en el informe, incluirse means “to be included,” with the detail as the thing that goes into the report. It consists of incluir with the attached se in the exact dialogue form. Reuse deber + incluirse when stating that information needs to be included.
en
In incluirse en el informe, en means “in” and identifies the report as the place where the detail belongs. It links the inclusion with the report. Reuse en + a document or place when stating where information should appear.
informe
In el informe, informe means “report,” the document where the maintenance detail should be recorded. It is the object of the location phrase en el informe. Use informe when referring to a written record of a problem or request.
Afecta
In Afecta a la seguridad y al plan de reparación, Afecta means “it affects,” referring to the floor problem and its consequences. The citation form is afectar. A useful pattern is afecta a + a person, concern, or plan when explaining what an issue impacts.
seguridad
In afecta a la seguridad, seguridad means “safety,” which is impacted by the maintenance problem. It is one of the two areas affected. Use seguridad when explaining that a physical condition creates a safety concern.
y
In la seguridad y al plan de reparación, y joins the two things affected: safety and the repair plan. It means “and.” Use y to connect related nouns, phrases, or statements.
al
In al plan de reparación, al means “to the” and is the contracted form of a + el. It follows Afecta in the expression Afecta a la seguridad y al plan de reparación. Use al before a masculine singular noun when the phrase requires a el.
plan
In el plan de reparación, plan means “plan,” referring to the proposed steps for fixing the problem. It is specified by de reparación. Use plan de + noun to identify the subject or purpose of a plan.
reparación
In plan de reparación, reparación means “repair,” identifying the purpose of the plan. The phrase refers to the work needed to fix the leak and related damage. Use plan de reparación when discussing how a maintenance problem will be fixed.
Grammar Points
seguir + gerundio
Sigue goteando.
SEE-gheh goh-teh-AHN-doh.It continues dripping.
Seguir + gerundio expresses an action that is still continuing.
Spanish Vocabulary
atender
verb
ah-ten-DEHR
to attend to; to address
atenderlo
Hay que atenderlo
dañar
verb
dah-NYAHR
to damage
dañe
antes de que dañe el mueble
debajo de
prep
deh-BAH-ho deh
under; beneath
debajo del fregadero
formarse
verb
for-MAHR-seh
to form; to develop
se estaba formando
se estaba formando una zona húmeda
fregadero
noun
freh-gah-DEH-roh
sink
el fregadero de la cocina
fuga
noun
FOO-gah
leak
la fuga sigue goteando
gotear
verb
goh-teh-AHR
to drip
goteando
sigue goteando lentamente
mueble
noun
MWEH-bleh
cabinet; piece of furniture
el mueble
notar
verb
noh-TAHR
to notice
Noté
Noté que se estaba formando una zona húmeda.
recipiente
noun
reh-see-pee-EN-teh
container
Puse un recipiente ahí
seguir + gerundio
phrase
seh-GEER pluss kheh-roon-DEE-oh
to continue doing something
sigue goteando
la fuga sigue goteando lentamente
zona húmeda
noun
SOH-nah OO-meh-dah
damp patch
una zona húmeda
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
sink
Show Answer
fregaderocontainer
Show Answer
recipienteto damage
Show Answer
dañecabinet; piece of furniture