Handling an unfamiliar bank statement charge | Learn Spanish in English

Spanish lesson set in a contemporary Madrid everyday setting: At a banking support desk, one adult asks about an unfamiliar statement charge and agrees to check receipts before opening a formal dispute..

EN → ES / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Handling an unfamiliar bank statement charge to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Noté un cargo en mi estado de cuenta que no reconozco.

noh-TEH oon CAR-goh en mee es-TAH-doh deh KWEHN-tah keh noh reh-koh-NOHS-koh. I noticed a charge on my statement that I don't recognize.
B

Podemos abrir una disputa después de revisar la descripción del comercio.

poh-DEH-mohs ah-BREER oo-nah dees-POO-tah dehs-PWEHS deh reh-bee-SAR lah dehs-kreep-SYOHN del koh-MEHR-syoh. We can open a dispute after we check the merchant description.
A

La descripción es imprecisa, así que no puedo saber de dónde provino.

lah dehs-kreep-SYOHN es eem-preh-SEE-sah, ah-SEE keh noh PWEH-doh sah-BEHR deh DOHN-deh proh-BEE-noh. The description is vague, so I can't tell where it came from.
B

Algunos procesadores de pagos usan un nombre que parece distinto del nombre de la tienda que ven los clientes.

al-GOO-nohs proh-seh-sah-DOH-rehs deh PAH-gohs OO-sahn oon NOHM-breh keh pah-REH-seh dees-TEEN-toh del NOHM-breh deh lah tee-EN-dah keh behn lohs klee-EN-tehs. Some processors use a name that looks different from the shop customers see.
A

Revisaré mis recibos recientes antes de presentar una disputa formal.

reh-bee-sah-REH mees reh-SEE-bohs reh-SYEN-tehs AN-tehs deh preh-sehn-TAR OO-nah dees-POO-tah for-MAL. I'll check my recent receipts before filing a formal dispute.
B

Eso puede evitar retrasos si usted reconoce el cargo.

EH-soh PWEH-deh eh-bee-TAR reh-TRAH-sohs see oos-TEHD reh-koh-NOHS-eh el CAR-goh. That can prevent delays if you recognize the charge.
A

Si todavía no está claro, quiero que investiguen la transacción.

see toh-dah-BEE-ah noh es-TAH KLAH-roh, KYEH-roh keh een-behs-TEE-gwen lah trahn-sak-SYOHN. If it still isn't clear, I want the transaction investigated.
B

Documentaremos su inquietud y comenzaremos la revisión.

doh-koo-mehn-tah-REH-mohs soo een-kyeh-TOOD ee koh-mehn-sah-REH-mohs lah reh-bee-SYOHN. We'll document your concern and start the review.

Word by Word

Noté “Noté” means “I noticed” in the opening statement about a charge. It is the past form of “notar” used to report noticing something. A reusable pattern is “Noté + noun,” as in a new example: “Noté un error.”
un “un” means “a” or “an” before “cargo,” introducing one charge that the speaker noticed. It agrees with the masculine singular noun “cargo.” A reusable pattern is “un + singular masculine noun.”
cargo “cargo” means a charge or debit recorded on the statement. Here it refers to the unfamiliar financial entry, not to a job or responsibility. A reusable pattern is “un cargo en + account or statement.”
en “en” links the charge to the place where it appears: “en mi estado de cuenta” means “on my statement.” It can also mark location in a new example such as “en la cuenta.”
mi “mi” means “my” in “mi estado de cuenta,” identifying the statement as belonging to the speaker. It is used directly before the singular noun phrase. A reusable pattern is “mi + noun.”
estado “estado” contributes the meaning “statement” inside the exact banking expression “estado de cuenta.” In this expression, it refers to the account statement rather than a general condition. A reusable pattern is “estado de cuenta.”
de “de” connects “estado” and “cuenta” in “estado de cuenta,” giving the expression its meaning “account statement.” It commonly links one noun to the type or source of another noun. A reusable pattern is “noun + de + noun.”
cuenta “cuenta” means “account” in the exact expression “estado de cuenta,” referring to the account whose statement is being discussed. A reusable pattern is “mi cuenta” for “my account.”
que “que” introduces the part of the sentence that identifies which charge the speaker does not recognize: “un cargo ... que no reconozco.” It links a noun to information about that noun. A reusable pattern is “noun + que + clause.”
no “no” makes “reconozco” negative, so “no reconozco” means “I do not recognize.” It normally appears directly before the verb it negates. A reusable pattern is “no + verb.”
reconozco “reconozco” means “I recognize” in the negative expression “no reconozco,” stating that the speaker cannot identify the charge as familiar. It is the dialogue form of “reconocer” used with the speaker as subject. A reusable pattern is “reconozco + noun,” as in a new example: “Reconozco el nombre.”
Podemos “Podemos” means “we can” in “Podemos abrir una disputa,” presenting an available action for the support staff and customer. It is the dialogue form of “poder” followed by an infinitive. A reusable pattern is “Podemos + infinitive.”
abrir “abrir” means “open” in “abrir una disputa,” referring to starting a formal dispute process. After “podemos,” it remains in the infinitive form. A reusable pattern is “abrir + noun,” such as “abrir una disputa.”
una “una” means “a” or “an” before “disputa,” introducing one dispute that can be opened. It agrees with the feminine singular noun “disputa.” A reusable pattern is “una + singular feminine noun.”
disputa “disputa” means a dispute or formal challenge to the charge in this banking context. The exact phrase “abrir una disputa” refers to initiating that process. A reusable pattern is “presentar una disputa” for filing a dispute.
después “después” means “after” in “después de revisar la descripción,” placing the possible dispute after the review. Here it is followed by “de” and an infinitive. A reusable pattern is “después de + infinitive.”
revisar “revisar” means “to check” or “to review” in “después de revisar la descripción.” It names the action that must happen before opening the dispute. A reusable pattern is “revisar + noun,” such as “revisar la descripción.”
la “la” means “the” before the feminine singular noun “descripción” in “la descripción.” It identifies a specific description already relevant to the charge. A reusable pattern is “la + singular feminine noun.”
descripción “descripción” means the description shown for the merchant or charge. In “la descripción del comercio,” it identifies the information that the speakers will check. A reusable pattern is “revisar la descripción.”
del “del” means “of the” or “from the” in “la descripción del comercio,” linking the description to the merchant or business. It is the fixed contraction of “de” and “el.” A reusable pattern is “noun + del + noun.”
comercio “comercio” refers to the merchant or business associated with the charge in “la descripción del comercio.” The phrase identifies whose description is being checked. A reusable pattern is “del comercio” when referring to something associated with the merchant.
es “es” means “is” in “La descripción es imprecisa,” stating a quality of the description. It is the dialogue form of “ser” used to identify what the description is like. A reusable pattern is “noun + es + adjective.”
imprecisa “imprecisa” means vague or unclear in “La descripción es imprecisa,” explaining why the speaker cannot identify the source. It describes the feminine noun “descripción.” A reusable pattern is “la descripción es imprecisa.”
así “así” contributes “so” or “thus” in “así que no puedo saber,” connecting the vague description with its consequence. The exact expression “así que” introduces a result. A reusable pattern is “así que + clause.”
puedo “puedo” means “I can” in “no puedo saber,” expressing that the speaker is unable to determine the source. It is followed by the infinitive “saber.” A reusable pattern is “puedo + infinitive.”
saber “saber” means “to know” or “to tell” in “no puedo saber de dónde provino,” referring to determining the source of the charge. It follows “puedo” in the infinitive form. A reusable pattern is “saber + information,” such as “saber de dónde provino.”
dónde “dónde” means “where” in “de dónde provino,” asking about the origin of the charge. Its accent marks it as the question word used inside this indirect question. A reusable pattern is “saber de dónde + verb.”
provino “provino” means “came from” or “originated” in “de dónde provino,” referring to the source of the charge. It is the past form of “provenir.” A reusable pattern is “de dónde provino + noun or event.”
Algunos “Algunos” means “some” in “Algunos procesadores de pagos,” referring to an unspecified number of payment processors. It agrees with the masculine plural noun “procesadores.” A reusable pattern is “Algunos + plural noun.”
procesadores “procesadores” means processors in “procesadores de pagos,” referring to companies or services that handle payments. The phrase specifies the type of processors being discussed. A reusable pattern is “procesadores de pagos.”
pagos “pagos” means payments in “procesadores de pagos,” identifying what the processors handle. It completes the expression describing payment processors. A reusable pattern is “de pagos” after a noun describing a payment-related service.
usan “usan” means “use” in “usan un nombre,” describing what some payment processors do with a name. It is the dialogue form of “usar” with a plural subject. A reusable pattern is “usar + noun.”
nombre “nombre” means “name” in “usan un nombre que parece distinto,” referring to the name displayed by the processor. The name may differ from the shop name customers see. A reusable pattern is “usar un nombre.”
parece “parece” means “seems” or “looks” in “parece distinto,” describing how the processor’s name appears in comparison. It is the dialogue form of “parecer.” A reusable pattern is “parece + adjective.”
distinto “distinto” means “different” in “parece distinto del nombre de la tienda,” marking a difference between two names. It agrees with the masculine singular noun “nombre.” A reusable pattern is “distinto de + noun.”
tienda “tienda” means “shop” or “store” in “el nombre de la tienda,” identifying the business customers recognize. A reusable pattern is “nombre de la tienda.”
ven “ven” means “see” in “que ven los clientes,” referring to the name that customers see. It is the dialogue form of “ver” in the clause describing customers’ view. A reusable pattern is “ver + noun,” such as “ver el nombre.”
los “los” means “the” before “clientes” in “los clientes,” referring to the customers as a specific group. It agrees with the masculine plural noun “clientes.” A reusable pattern is “los + plural masculine noun.”
clientes “clientes” means customers in “los clientes que ven,” referring to the people who see the shop’s displayed name. A reusable pattern is “los clientes ven + noun.”
Revisaré “Revisaré” means “I will check” or “I will review” in “Revisaré mis recibos,” stating the speaker’s planned next action. It is the future form of “revisar.” A reusable pattern is “Revisaré + object,” such as “Revisaré mis recibos.”
mis “mis” means “my” before the plural noun “recibos,” identifying the receipts as belonging to the speaker. Its plural form matches “recibos.” A reusable pattern is “mis + plural noun.”
recibos “recibos” means receipts in “mis recibos recientes,” referring to purchase records that may help identify the charge. A reusable pattern is “revisar los recibos” when checking receipts.
recientes “recientes” means recent in “mis recibos recientes,” limiting the receipts to those from the near past. It describes the plural noun “recibos.” A reusable pattern is “noun + reciente” or “noun + recientes.”
antes “antes” means “before” in “antes de presentar una disputa formal,” ordering the receipt check before the filing action. Here it is part of the exact expression “antes de + infinitive.” A reusable pattern is “antes de + infinitive.”
presentar “presentar” means “to file” or “to submit” in “presentar una disputa formal,” referring to formally submitting the dispute. It follows “antes de” in the infinitive form. A reusable pattern is “presentar + document or request,” such as “presentar una disputa.”
formal “formal” means formal in “una disputa formal,” emphasizing that the dispute would be officially submitted. It describes the feminine noun “disputa” without changing its form. A reusable pattern is “una solicitud formal” in a new example.
Eso “Eso” means “that” and refers to the preceding action of checking the recent receipts. In “Eso puede evitar retrasos,” it makes that whole action the subject of the statement. A reusable pattern is “Eso puede + infinitive.”
puede “puede” means “can” or “may” in “puede evitar retrasos,” expressing that the receipt check has the possibility of preventing delays. It is followed by the infinitive “evitar.” A reusable pattern is “puede + infinitive.”
evitar “evitar” means “to prevent” or “to avoid” in “evitar retrasos,” describing the result the receipt check may produce. It follows “puede” in the infinitive form. A reusable pattern is “evitar + noun,” such as “evitar retrasos.”
retrasos “retrasos” means delays in “evitar retrasos,” referring to slower handling of the dispute process. A reusable pattern is “evitar retrasos” when discussing steps that keep a process moving.
si “si” means “if” in “si usted reconoce el cargo,” introducing the condition under which the charge may be identified. It connects a condition with its possible result. A reusable pattern is “si + clause, clause.”
usted “usted” means “you” in the formal customer-service address “si usted reconoce.” It makes the listener the person who may recognize the charge. A reusable pattern is “usted + verb” in a formal interaction.
reconoce “reconoce” means “recognizes” in “si usted reconoce el cargo,” describing whether the listener identifies the charge. It is the dialogue form of “reconocer” used with “usted.” A reusable pattern is “reconocer + noun,” such as “reconocer el cargo.”
todavía “todavía” means “still” in “todavía no está claro,” showing that the lack of clarity continues at that point. It commonly appears with a negative clause to describe an ongoing situation. A reusable pattern is “todavía no + verb or adjective.”
está “está” means “is” in “no está claro,” describing the current state of the matter. It is the dialogue form of “estar” used with the adjective “claro.” A reusable pattern is “está + adjective.”
claro “claro” means clear in “no está claro,” stating that the transaction’s origin remains unclear. It describes the situation rather than a physical object. A reusable pattern is “no está claro” when information has not been clarified.
quiero “quiero” means “I want” in “quiero que investiguen la transacción,” expressing the speaker’s request for an investigation. It is the dialogue form of “querer” followed by “que” and a clause. A reusable pattern is “quiero que + clause.”
investiguen “investiguen” expresses the requested action “investigate” in “quiero que investiguen la transacción.” It appears after “quiero que” and refers to the people responsible for examining the transaction. A reusable pattern is “quiero que investiguen + object.”
transacción “transacción” means transaction in “investiguen la transacción,” referring to the specific financial operation under review. A reusable pattern is “investigar una transacción.”
Documentaremos “Documentaremos” means “we will document” in “Documentaremos su inquietud,” promising to record the customer’s concern. It is the future form of “documentar.” A reusable pattern is “Documentaremos + concern or information.”
su “su” means “your” in “su inquietud,” referring to the concern belonging to the customer addressed as “usted.” It appears directly before the singular noun “inquietud.” A reusable pattern is “su + noun” in formal customer-service communication.
inquietud “inquietud” means concern in “Documentaremos su inquietud,” referring to the customer’s worry about the unfamiliar charge. A reusable pattern is “expresar una inquietud” when raising a concern.
y “y” means “and” in “Documentaremos ... y comenzaremos,” linking two actions that the support staff will take. It joins coordinated verbs or clauses. A reusable pattern is “verb + y + verb.”
comenzaremos “comenzaremos” means “we will start” in “comenzaremos la revisión,” stating the next step in handling the concern. It is the future form of “comenzar.” A reusable pattern is “comenzaremos + process or activity.”
revisión “revisión” means review in “comenzaremos la revisión,” referring to the examination of the charge and the customer’s concern. A reusable pattern is “comenzar la revisión” when starting an examination.

Grammar Points

Quiero que + subjuntivo

Quiero que investiguen la transacción.

KYEH-roh keh een-behs-TEE-gwen lah trahn-sak-SYOHN.

I want them to investigate the transaction.

After querer que, the following verb uses the subjunctive: investiguen.

Pretérito de primera persona: -é

Noté un cargo impreciso.

noh-TEH oon CAR-goh eem-preh-SEE-soh.

I noticed an imprecise charge.

Noté is the first-person singular preterite of notar, used for a completed past action.

Spanish Vocabulary

abrir verb
ah-BREER to open
cargo noun
CAR-goh charge
comercio noun
koh-MEHR-syoh merchant; commerce
descripción noun
dehs-kreep-SYOHN description
después adv
dehs-PWEHS afterward; after
disputa noun
dees-POO-tah dispute
estado de cuenta phrase
eh-STAH-doh deh KWEHN-tah bank statement
impreciso adj
eem-preh-SEE-soh vague; imprecise imprecisa
notar verb
noh-TAR to notice Noté
provenir verb
proh-beh-NEER to come from; to originate provino
reconocer verb
reh-koh-noh-SEHR to recognize reconozco
revisar verb
reh-bee-SAR to check; to review

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

charge

Show Answercargo

dispute

Show Answerdisputa

description

Show Answerdescripción

to check; to review

Show Answerrevisar