Verifying an Unexpected Maintenance Visitor | Learn Spanish in English

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Use Verifying an Unexpected Maintenance Visitor to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Antes llamó alguien a la puerta y dijo que venía a inspeccionar la ventilación.

AHN-tehs yah-MOH ahl-GYEN ah lah PWER-tah ee DEE-hoh keh beh-NEE-ah ah een-spehk-see-oh-NAHR lah behn-tee-lah-see-OHN. Someone knocked earlier and said they were here to inspect the ventilation.

Las visitas de mantenimiento suelen anunciarse a través del sistema del edificio.

Lahs bee-SEE-tahs deh mahn-teh-nee-MYEN-toh SWEH-lehn ah-noon-see-AHR-seh ah trah-BEHS dehl see-STEH-mah dehl eh-dee-FEE-syoh. Maintenance visits are usually announced through the building system.

Eso me hizo ser prudente, así que no dejé entrar a esa persona.

EH-soh meh EE-soh sehr proo-DEHN-teh, ah-SEE keh noh deh-HEH en-TRAHR ah EH-sah pehr-SOH-nah. That made me cautious, so I did not let them in.

Fue una buena decisión. Primero habría que verificar su autorización para entrar.

FWEH oo-nah BWEH-nah deh-see-SYOHN. Pree-MEH-roh ah-BREE-ah keh beh-ree-fee-KAHR soo ow-toh-ree-sah-see-OHN pah-rah en-TRAHR. That was the right call. Their authorization to enter should be verified first.

¿Podrías comprobar si realmente hay una inspección programada?

Koh-DREE-ahs kohm-proh-BAHR see reh-al-MEHN-teh eye oo-nah een-spehk-see-OHN proh-grah-MAH-dah? Could you check whether an inspection is actually scheduled?

Comprobaré los registros y te enviaré un mensaje a través del portal.

Kohm-proh-bah-REH lohs reh-HEES-trohs ee teh en-bee-ah-REH oon mehn-SAH-heh ah trah-BEHS dehl pohr-TAHL. I will check the records and send you a message through the portal.

Preferiría saberlo antes de que vuelva alguien.

Preh-feh-ree-REE-ah sah-BEHR-loh AHN-tehs deh keh BWEHL-bah ahl-GYEN. I would rather know before anyone comes back.

Hasta que esté confirmado, no dejes entrar a nadie a menos que supieras que iba a venir.

AHS-tah keh ehs-TEH kohn-feer-MAH-doh, noh DEH-hehs en-TRAHR ah NAH-dee-eh ah MEH-nohs keh soo-PYEH-rahs keh EE-bah ah beh-NEER. Until it is confirmed, do not let anyone in unless you were expecting them.

Word by Word

Antes “Antes” means earlier in relation to the knock described here. It commonly marks that one event happened before another, as in “Antes llamó alguien a la puerta”.

llamó In “llamó a la puerta”, “llamó” means knocked at the door. The reusable pattern “llamar a la puerta” describes making your presence known at someone’s door.

alguien “Alguien” refers to an unspecified person; here it is the person who knocked and, later, someone who might return. It can be used when the person’s identity is not specified.

a In “a la puerta”, “a” introduces the door as the point at which someone knocked. It is also part of the expression “a través del”, which means through a channel or medium.

la “La” is the feminine singular form of “the” in “la puerta” and “la ventilación”. It identifies a specific feminine singular noun that follows it.

puerta “Puerta” means door in “llamó a la puerta”. The expression “llamar a la puerta” is used when someone knocks or calls at a door.

y “Y” means and and joins the actions “llamó” and “dijo” in this sentence. It can link two actions or clauses in the same account.

dijo “Dijo” means said in “dijo que venía a inspeccionar la ventilación”. It introduces what the visitor reported, followed here by “que” and the reported information.

que In “dijo que venía”, “que” introduces the content of what was said. The same word also appears inside the complete connectors “así que”, “habría que”, and “a menos que”, whose meanings come from the whole expressions.

venía In “venía a inspeccionar”, “venía” means was coming and describes the visitor’s stated purpose. The pattern “venir a + infinitive” can introduce the action someone is coming to do.

inspeccionar “Inspeccionar” means to inspect, specifically the ventilation here. It is an infinitive used after “venía a” to state the visitor’s purpose.

la ventilación “La ventilación” means the ventilation being inspected. “La” identifies the feminine singular noun, while “ventilación” names the air-related system or process; the phrase functions as the object of “inspeccionar”.

Las “Las” means the and identifies the feminine plural noun “visitas” in “Las visitas de mantenimiento”. It is used before a specific feminine plural noun.

visitas “Visitas” means visits, here referring to visits by maintenance staff. The phrase “visitas de mantenimiento” identifies the type of visits being discussed.

de In “visitas de mantenimiento”, “de” links the visits to their maintenance purpose or category. In “del edificio”, it links the system to the building.

mantenimiento “Mantenimiento” means maintenance and specifies the kind of visits in “visitas de mantenimiento”. It can identify a service or task associated with a visit.

suelen “Suelen” expresses that something usually happens or tends to happen; here, visits usually “anunciarse”. The reusable pattern “suelen + infinitive” describes a habitual practice.

anunciarse In “suelen anunciarse”, “anunciarse” means be announced, referring to maintenance visits. The form is used with a plural subject when describing information that is announced through a channel.

a través del In “a través del sistema del edificio”, the whole expression means through the building system. “A través” expresses the route or medium, “a” forms part of that expression, and “del” links it to the specific masculine noun that follows.

sistema “Sistema” means system, here the building’s system used to announce visits. The phrase “sistema del edificio” identifies which system is meant.

edificio “Edificio” means building in “del edificio”. It specifies the building associated with the system.

Eso “Eso” means that and refers to the preceding situation, especially the unexpected knock and explanation. It is useful for pointing back to a fact or event just mentioned.

me “Me” means me and identifies the person affected by “hizo” in “Eso me hizo ser prudente”. It marks who experienced the resulting change or effect.

hizo In “me hizo ser prudente”, “hizo” means made or caused. The pattern “hacer + person + infinitive” describes causing someone to do or be something.

ser “Ser” means to be and completes “hizo ser prudente”, describing the state that the earlier event caused the speaker to have. Here it is used as an infinitive after “hizo”.

prudente “Prudente” means cautious or prudent, describing the speaker’s response to the unexpected visitor. It is used with “ser” in “ser prudente” to describe careful behavior.

así que “Así que” means so or therefore and connects the speaker’s caution with the decision not to allow entry. “Así” contributes the idea of thus, while “que” completes the connector; together they introduce a consequence.

no “No” negates the verb in “no dejé entrar” and “no dejes entrar”. It is placed directly before the verb to state a negative action or instruction.

dejé In “no dejé entrar”, “dejé” means let or allowed, with the negative showing that entry was not permitted. The pattern “dejar + infinitive” expresses allowing an action.

entrar “Entrar” means to enter or go in. In “dejar entrar a esa persona”, it names the action that the speaker did not allow.

esa “Esa” means that and modifies the feminine noun “persona” in “esa persona”. It points to the particular person who was previously mentioned.

persona “Persona” means person, here referring to the unexpected visitor. The phrase “esa persona” identifies that visitor without naming them.

Fue In “Fue una buena decisión”, “Fue” means was and evaluates the earlier choice. This pattern can connect a past action or choice with an assessment.

una “Una” means a or one and introduces a single feminine noun in “una buena decisión” and “una inspección programada”. It agrees with the feminine nouns that follow.

buena “Buena” means good and gives a positive evaluation of the decision in “una buena decisión”. It appears before the noun in this expression.

decisión “Decisión” means decision, here the choice not to let the visitor inside. The phrase “una buena decisión” evaluates that choice positively.

Primero “Primero” means first or first of all and marks the first step: verifying the authorization. It is useful for ordering actions in instructions or explanations.

habría que “Habría que” means one should or it would be necessary to and gives an impersonal recommendation in “habría que verificar”. “Habría” and “que” work together, followed by an infinitive describing the recommended action.

verificar “Verificar” means to verify or check, here the visitor’s authorization. The reusable pattern “verificar + object” identifies what needs to be checked.

su In “su autorización”, “su” indicates that the authorization belongs to the visitor. It is placed before the noun to express this possessive relationship.

autorización “Autorización” means authorization or permission, here the permission to enter. The phrase “autorización para entrar” specifies the action for which permission is required.

para In “para entrar”, “para” introduces the purpose of the authorization: entering. The pattern “para + infinitive” commonly expresses purpose.

Podrías “Podrías” means could you in this polite request for assistance. It is followed here by the infinitive “comprobar” to state the requested action.

comprobar “Comprobar” means to check or verify, here whether an inspection is scheduled. The pattern “comprobar si + clause” introduces something whose truth needs to be checked.

si In “comprobar si realmente hay”, “si” means whether and introduces the matter being checked. It follows verbs such as “comprobar” when the answer is not yet known.

realmente “Realmente” means actually or really and emphasizes whether the inspection truly exists in the schedule. It appears before “hay” to focus on the reality of the situation.

hay “Hay” means there is or there are and states that an inspection exists in the schedule. The pattern “hay + noun” reports the existence or presence of something.

una inspección “Una inspección” means an inspection, specifically one that may be scheduled. “Una” introduces the feminine singular noun, while “inspección” names the examination; the phrase is the thing whose existence is being checked.

programada “Programada” means scheduled in “una inspección programada”. It describes the inspection as arranged in advance and follows the noun here.

Comprobaré “Comprobaré” means I will check and presents the speaker’s commitment to checking the records. It is followed by the object “los registros” in this sentence.

los “Los” means the and identifies the masculine plural noun “registros” in “los registros”. It is used before a specific masculine plural noun.

registros “Registros” means records, here the records that can confirm whether an inspection is scheduled. The phrase “comprobar los registros” states what will be checked.

te “Te” means to you and identifies the recipient of the message in “te enviaré un mensaje”. It commonly appears before a verb to mark the person receiving something.

enviaré “Enviaré” means I will send, referring here to sending a message to the tenant. The pattern “enviar + recipient + object” is shown by “te enviaré un mensaje”.

un “Un” means a or one and introduces the masculine singular noun “mensaje” in “un mensaje”. It presents one unspecified message.

mensaje “Mensaje” means message, here the information that will be sent through the portal. The phrase “enviar un mensaje” describes sending written information.

portal “Portal” means portal, here the online channel through which the message will be sent. The phrase “a través del portal” identifies the communication medium.

Preferiría “Preferiría” means I would rather or I would prefer and expresses the speaker’s preference to know the information in advance. It is followed here by the infinitive phrase “saberlo”.

saberlo “Saberlo” means to know it; “lo” is attached to “saber” and refers to the relevant confirmation or information. The pattern “preferiría saberlo” expresses a preference for having that information.

vuelva In “antes de que vuelva alguien”, “vuelva” means comes back or returns. It describes the possible return of someone and follows the time expression “antes de que”.

Hasta “Hasta” means until and marks the point up to which the instruction applies. In “Hasta que esté confirmado”, it introduces the condition that ends this precaution.

esté In “esté confirmado”, “esté” means is or is in the state of being. Together with “confirmado”, it describes the confirmation status that must be reached.

confirmado “Confirmado” means confirmed in “esté confirmado”. It describes the status of the relevant information or arrangement.

dejes In “no dejes entrar a nadie”, “dejes” means let or allow and forms a negative instruction not to permit entry. The pattern “dejar entrar a alguien” expresses allowing someone to enter.

nadie “Nadie” refers to anyone or no one in the negative expression “no dejes entrar a nadie”. The pattern “no + verb + a nadie” prohibits the action for any person.

a menos que “A menos que” means unless and introduces the exception to the instruction not to let anyone in. “A” and “menos” form the exception expression, while “que” introduces the condition that follows.

supieras In “a menos que supieras”, “supieras” means knew and refers to prior knowledge that the person was going to come. It appears in the condition introduced by “a menos que”.

iba In “iba a venir”, “iba” means was going and helps describe an expected or intended arrival from the past viewpoint. The reusable pattern “iba a + infinitive” expresses an action that was expected or planned.

venir “Venir” means to come and completes “iba a venir”, referring to the visitor’s expected arrival. Here it names the action that the tenant would already have been expecting.

Grammar Points

hasta que + subjuntivo

No dejaré entrar a nadie hasta que vuelva.

Noh deh-hah-REH en-TRAHR ah NAH-dee-eh AHS-tah keh BWEHL-bah.

I won't let anyone in until he/she comes back.

Use the subjunctive after «hasta que» when the future action has not happened yet.

a menos que + subjuntivo

No dejaré entrar a nadie a menos que esté confirmado.

Noh deh-hah-REH en-TRAHR ah NAH-dee-eh ah MEH-nohs keh ehs-TEH kohn-feer-MAH-doh.

I won't let anyone in unless it is confirmed.

«A menos que» introduces an exception and is followed by the subjunctive.

Spanish Vocabulary

a la puerta phrase

ah lah PWER-tah at the door

Antes llamó alguien a la puerta.

a través de prep

ah trah-BEHS deh through

Se anuncian a través del sistema del edificio.

anunciarse verb

ah-noon-see-AHR-seh to be announced

Las visitas de mantenimiento suelen anunciarse.

edificio noun

eh-dee-FEE-syoh building

El sistema del edificio.

inspeccionar verb

een-spehk-see-oh-NAHR to inspect

Dijo que venía a inspeccionar la ventilación.

llamar verb

yah-MAHR to knock; to call llamó

Antes llamó alguien a la puerta.

mantenimiento noun

mahn-teh-nee-MYEN-toh maintenance

Las visitas de mantenimiento suelen anunciarse.

prudente adj

proo-DEHN-teh cautious; prudent

Eso me hizo ser prudente.

sistema noun

see-STEH-mah system

A través del sistema del edificio.

venir verb

beh-NEER to come venía

Dijo que venía a inspeccionar la ventilación.

ventilación noun

behn-tee-lah-see-OHN ventilation

Dijo que venía a inspeccionar la ventilación.

visita noun

bee-SEE-tah visit visitas

Las visitas de mantenimiento suelen anunciarse.

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

visit

Show Answer

visitas

to be announced

Show Answer

anunciarse

to come

Show Answer

venía

to inspect

Show Answer

inspeccionar