About This Lesson
Use Requesting privacy at a clinic reception to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
No me siento a gusto hablando de detalles delicados en el mostrador de recepción.
noh meh SYEHN-toh ah GOOS-toh ah-BLAHN-doh deh deh-TAH-lyehs deh-lee-KAH-dohs en el moh-strah-DOR deh reh-sehp-SYON I am not comfortable discussing sensitive details at the reception desk.
B
Podemos pasar a una zona privada para hablar de cualquier asunto personal.
POH-deh-mohs pah-SAR ah OO-nah SOH-nah pree-BAH-dah pah-rah ah-BLAR deh kwal-KYEHR ah-SOON-toh pehr-soh-NAHL We can move to a private area for anything personal.
A
Eso me ayudaría, porque la sala de espera está muy cerca.
EH-soh meh ah-yoo-dah-REE-ah, POR-keh lah SAH-lah deh eh-SPEH-rah es-TAH MOO-ee SEHR-kah That would help, because the waiting room is very close.
B
Su privacidad es importante, y esos detalles no se deberían tratar en público.
soo pree-bah-see-DAHD es eem-por-TAHN-teh, ee EH-sohs deh-TAH-lyehs noh seh deh-beh-REE-ahn trah-TAR en POO-blee-koh Your privacy matters, and those details should not be discussed in public.
A
¿Podría incluir la mayor parte de la información sobre mis antecedentes en los formularios escritos?
poh-DREE-ah een-kloo-EER lah mah-YOR PAR-teh deh lah een-for-mah-SYON SOH-breh mees ahn-teh-seh-DEHN-tehs en lohs for-moo-LAH-ryohs es-KREE-tohs Could I put most of the background on the written forms instead?
B
Puede hacerlo, aunque el profesional de la salud aún podría hacerle preguntas en privado.
PWEH-deh ah-SEHR-loh, AWN-keh el proh-feh-syoh-NAHL deh lah sah-LOOD ah-OON poh-DREE-ah ah-SEHR-leh preh-GOON-tahs en pree-BAH-doh You can, although the clinician may still ask questions in private.
A
Eso haría que la conversación me resultara mucho más fácil.
EH-soh ah-REE-ah keh lah kon-behr-sah-SYON meh reh-sool-TAH-rah MOO-choh mahs FAH-seel That would make the conversation much easier for me.
B
Anotaré su preferencia antes de que le llamen.
ah-noh-tah-REH soo preh-feh-REHN-syah AHN-tehs deh keh leh YAH-mehn I will note your preference before you are called.Word by Word
No
'No' makes the statement negative: here it says the speaker does not feel comfortable. It comes before 'me siento' in 'No me siento a gusto' and is useful when politely rejecting or limiting an option.
me
'me' identifies the speaker as the person experiencing the feeling in 'No me siento a gusto'. It is also used in 'me ayudaría' when something would help the speaker, so it is useful for describing a personal effect.
siento
'siento' means feel in 'me siento a gusto', describing the speaker’s state. The pattern 'me siento a gusto' is useful for expressing comfort or discomfort during an interaction.
a gusto
'a gusto' means comfortable or at ease in 'me siento a gusto'. The components 'a' and 'gusto' work together as one expression, and this expression is useful when telling someone whether a situation feels comfortable.
hablando
'hablando' means talking or discussing in 'hablando de detalles delicados'. It refers to the activity that makes the speaker uncomfortable and is reusable with 'de' to identify the topic being discussed.
de
'de' introduces the topic after 'hablando' in 'hablando de detalles delicados'. The pattern 'hablando de' is useful when saying what people are discussing, such as sensitive information at a reception.
detalles
'detalles' means details or specific pieces of information in this clinic conversation. The phrase 'detalles delicados' is useful when referring to information that should be handled sensitively.
delicados
'delicados' describes the details as sensitive or delicate in 'detalles delicados'. It is useful for marking information as unsuitable for open discussion in a public setting.
en
'en' marks the location in 'en el mostrador de recepción', meaning at the reception desk. It is useful for locating an action or conversation in a place.
el
'el' identifies the specific desk in 'el mostrador de recepción'. The sequence 'el mostrador' is useful when referring to a known counter or desk.
mostrador
'mostrador' means counter or desk in 'el mostrador de recepción'. It identifies the place where the speaker does not want to discuss sensitive details, and it is useful for describing service or reception areas.
recepción
'recepción' means reception in 'mostrador de recepción', identifying the desk’s function. The phrase 'mostrador de recepción' is useful when directing someone to or describing a clinic’s reception desk.
a
'a' marks the destination after 'pasar' in 'pasar a una zona privada'. The pattern 'pasar a' is useful when suggesting a move to another area.
una
'una' means a or one before 'zona', introducing a private area that has not yet been specified. The phrase 'una zona privada' is useful when offering one possible place to continue a conversation.
zona
'zona' means area or zone in 'una zona privada'. It identifies the place the speakers can move to, and it is useful when referring to a particular area within a building.
privada
'privada' means private and describes 'zona' in 'una zona privada'. It is useful when proposing a place where personal information can be discussed away from other people.
para
'para' introduces the purpose in 'para hablar de cualquier asunto personal'. The pattern 'para + infinitive' is useful for explaining what an action or place is intended for.
hablar
'hablar' means to talk or discuss in 'para hablar de cualquier asunto personal'. It is useful after 'para' when stating the purpose of moving to the private area.
cualquier
'cualquier' means any in 'cualquier asunto personal', leaving the particular personal matter open. It is useful when offering to discuss whichever relevant matter the other person needs to raise.
asunto
'asunto' means matter or issue in 'cualquier asunto personal'. It refers to a topic that needs to be discussed, and the phrase is useful when speaking generally about a personal matter.
personal
'personal' describes the matter in 'asunto personal', meaning related to the individual rather than a public topic. It is useful when distinguishing private information from routine reception business.
Eso
'Eso' means that and refers back to the proposed move to a private area in 'Eso me ayudaría'. It is useful for responding to an action or suggestion that has just been mentioned.
ayudaría
'ayudaría' means would help, describing the expected benefit of moving away from the waiting room. The phrase 'Eso me ayudaría' is useful for politely saying that a proposed solution would make things easier.
porque
'porque' means because and introduces the reason in 'porque la sala de espera está muy cerca'. It is useful for explaining why the speaker wants privacy at the reception desk.
la
'la' identifies the specific waiting room in 'la sala de espera'. The phrase is useful when referring to a known room in the clinic.
sala
'sala' means room in 'la sala de espera'. Together with 'espera', it names the waiting room, which is relevant because it is close to the reception desk.
espera
'espera' means waiting in 'sala de espera', the phrase for waiting room. This expression is useful when identifying the room where patients wait before being called.
está
'está' expresses the location or state of the waiting room in 'está muy cerca'. It is useful with a place or location description to say where something is or how near it is.
muy
'muy' means very and strengthens 'cerca' in 'está muy cerca'. It is useful for emphasizing the degree of nearness or another description.
cerca
'cerca' means close or nearby in 'está muy cerca', referring to the waiting room’s distance from the reception desk. It is useful in location statements about places that are nearby.
Su
'Su' means your here, referring politely to the patient’s privacy in 'Su privacidad'. The pattern 'Su' before a noun is useful when addressing someone formally about something connected with them.
privacidad
'privacidad' means privacy in 'Su privacidad es importante'. It names the personal space and confidentiality the clinic should respect, and it is useful when requesting discreet treatment.
es
'es' means is and links 'Su privacidad' with the description 'importante'. The pattern 'es importante' is useful for stating that a matter deserves attention.
importante
'importante' means important in 'Su privacidad es importante'. It explains why the clinic should accommodate the request, and it is useful for emphasizing the value of a need or concern.
y
'y' means and and connects the statement about privacy with the statement about discussing the details. It is useful for joining two related points in the same response.
esos
'esos' means those and points back to the details already mentioned in 'esos detalles'. It is useful when referring to previously identified items without repeating their full description.
se
'se' helps form the impersonal construction 'no se deberían tratar', leaving unspecified who would discuss the details. It is useful when stating a general rule or recommendation without naming an actor.
deberían
'deberían' expresses should in 'no se deberían tratar', giving a recommendation that the details not be discussed publicly. This form is useful when stating how something ought to be handled.
tratar
'tratar' means discuss or deal with in 'esos detalles no se deberían tratar'. It describes handling the sensitive details and is useful when referring to how a matter should be addressed.
público
'público' means public in 'en público', describing a setting where other people may hear the conversation. The phrase 'en público' is useful when contrasting open discussion with private discussion.
Podría
'Podría' means could I in 'Podría incluir...', forming a polite request for permission. The pattern 'Podría' followed by an action is useful when asking whether a proposed action is acceptable.
incluir
'incluir' means include or put in, referring to placing background information on the written forms. The phrase 'incluir ... en los formularios escritos' is useful when explaining what information will be provided in writing.
mayor
'mayor' contributes the meaning of greatest or largest in 'la mayor parte de', which means most of. This expression is useful when referring to the largest portion of a set of information.
parte
'parte' means part in 'la mayor parte de la información'. Together with 'la mayor', it refers to most of the information, and the expression is useful when describing how much will be included.
información
'información' means information in 'la mayor parte de la información sobre mis antecedentes'. It refers to the background details supplied by the patient and is useful when discussing what forms contain.
sobre
'sobre' means about or concerning in 'información sobre mis antecedentes'. The pattern 'información sobre' is useful for identifying the subject that information covers.
mis
'mis' means my and identifies 'antecedentes' as belonging to the speaker in 'mis antecedentes'. It is useful before a noun when referring to the speaker’s own background or information.
antecedentes
'antecedentes' means background or history in this clinic context. The phrase 'información sobre mis antecedentes' is useful when referring to personal information relevant to a professional assessment.
los
'los' identifies the specified forms in 'los formularios escritos'. It is useful before a noun when referring to forms that are known in the situation.
formularios
'formularios' means forms in 'los formularios escritos'. It refers to the documents on which the patient can provide background information, and it is useful in administrative or clinic settings.
escritos
'escritos' means written and describes 'formularios' in 'los formularios escritos'. It distinguishes information provided on paper or in writing from information discussed aloud.
Puede
'Puede' means you can or you may here, giving the patient permission in 'Puede hacerlo'. It is useful for approving a suggested action in a polite formal exchange.
hacerlo
'hacerlo' means do it and refers to including the background information on the forms. In 'Puede hacerlo', it avoids repeating the earlier action and is useful when referring back to a proposed task.
aunque
'aunque' means although and introduces a limitation in 'aunque el profesional de la salud aún podría hacerle preguntas en privado'. It is useful for granting permission while adding an important qualification.
profesional
'profesional' means professional and, in 'profesional de la salud', refers to the clinician. The phrase is useful when identifying a qualified person working in healthcare.
salud
'salud' means health in 'profesional de la salud'. Together, the phrase identifies the field in which the professional works and is useful for referring generally to a healthcare professional.
aún
'aún' means still in 'aún podría hacerle preguntas en privado'. It shows that the clinician may ask questions even after most background information has been written down.
hacerle
'hacerle' means ask you in 'hacerle preguntas', with 'le' referring formally to the patient receiving the questions. The phrase 'hacerle preguntas' is useful when saying that someone will ask another person questions.
preguntas
'preguntas' means questions in 'hacerle preguntas en privado'. It refers to the clinician’s spoken follow-up and is useful when discussing information that still needs clarification.
privado
'privado' means private in 'en privado', describing how or where the questions will be handled. The phrase is useful when assuring someone that a conversation will take place away from other people.
haría
'haría' means would make in 'Eso haría que la conversación me resultara mucho más fácil'. It presents the private arrangement as a hypothetical cause of an easier conversation, and the pattern 'Eso haría que' is useful for describing an expected result.
que
'que' introduces the result clause after 'haría' in 'haría que la conversación me resultara mucho más fácil'. It connects the proposed action with the effect it would have on the conversation.
conversación
'conversación' means conversation in 'la conversación me resultara mucho más fácil'. It refers to the discussion with the clinician and is useful when describing how an interaction feels or proceeds.
resultara
'resultara' describes how the conversation would turn out or feel for the speaker in 'me resultara mucho más fácil'. The pattern 'resultar' followed by a description is useful for saying how something turns out for someone.
mucho
'mucho' means much in 'mucho más fácil', strongly intensifying the comparison. The pattern 'mucho más' is useful when saying that something is considerably more of a quality.
más
'más' means more in 'mucho más fácil', comparing the conversation with how it would feel at the reception desk. It is useful before a description when expressing a higher degree.
fácil
'fácil' means easy in 'me resultara mucho más fácil'. It describes the conversation as less difficult for the speaker and is useful for evaluating how manageable an interaction feels.
Anotaré
'Anotaré' means I will note in 'Anotaré su preferencia'. It promises that the staff member will record the request before the patient is called, and it is useful when committing to record information.
preferencia
'preferencia' means preference in 'su preferencia', referring to the patient’s request for private discussion and written forms. It is useful when recording how someone wants a service or interaction to be handled.
antes
'antes' means before in 'antes de que le llamen'. It places the recording of the preference earlier than the patient’s being called, and the pattern is useful for ordering two events.
le
'le' refers formally to the patient in 'le llamen', meaning that they call you. It is useful for marking the person who receives an action in a formal interaction.
llamen
'llamen' means call in 'antes de que le llamen', referring to the clinic calling the patient. The pattern 'antes de que le llamen' is useful when saying that something will happen before a person is called.
Grammar Points
sentirse + expresión o adjetivo
Me siento a gusto en privado.
meh SYEHN-toh ah GOOS-toh en pree-BAH-dohI feel comfortable in private.
Sentirse uses a reflexive pronoun: me siento means “I feel.” The expression or adjective describes how you feel.
antes de que + subjuntivo
Antes de que llamen, anotaré la información.
AHN-tehs deh keh YAH-mehn, ah-noh-tah-REH lah een-for-mah-SYONBefore they call, I will write down the information.
Después de antes de que, Spanish uses the subjunctive when the action has not happened yet: llamen.
Spanish Vocabulary
a gusto
phrase
ah GOOS-toh
comfortable
me siento a gusto
asunto personal
phrase
ah-SOON-toh pehr-soh-NAHL
personal matter
cualquier asunto personal
cerca
adv
SEHR-kah
near; close
está muy cerca
delicado
adj
deh-lee-KAH-doh
sensitive; delicate
delicados
detalles delicados
hablar
verb
ah-BLAR
to talk; to discuss
hablando
hablando de detalles delicados
mostrador
noun
moh-strah-DOR
desk; counter
el mostrador de recepción
pasar
verb
pah-SAR
to move; to go
Podemos pasar a una zona privada
privacidad
noun
pree-bah-see-DAHD
privacy
Su privacidad es importante
recepción
noun
reh-sehp-SYON
reception desk; reception
mostrador de recepción
sala de espera
phrase
SAH-lah deh eh-SPEH-rah
waiting room
la sala de espera
sentirse
verb
sehn-TEER-seh
to feel
me siento
No me siento a gusto
zona privada
phrase
SOH-nah pree-BAH-dah
private area
una zona privada
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
to talk; to discuss
Show Answer
hablandoto move; to go
Show Answer
pasarreception desk; reception
Show Answer
recepciónsensitive; delicate