Handling a Seating Issue Politely | Learn Spanish in English

Spanish lesson set in a contemporary Madrid everyday setting: At a restaurant, a guest explains that a reserved table is too loud and a staff member offers a quieter corner table..

EN → ES / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Handling a Seating Issue Politely to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Reservamos una mesa tranquila, pero esta zona es mucho más ruidosa de lo que esperábamos.

reh-ser-VAH-mohs OO-nah MEH-sah trahn-KEE-lah, PEH-roh EH-stah SOH-nah es MOO-choh mahs rwee-DOH-sah deh loh keh es-peh-RAH-bah-mohs. We reserved a quiet table, but this area is much louder than expected.
B

Lo siento; esa sección se llenó antes de lo que esperábamos.

loh SYEN-toh; EH-sah sehk-SYOHN seh yeh-NYOH AHN-tes deh loh keh es-peh-RAH-bah-mohs. I'm sorry; that section filled up earlier than we expected.
A

En esta mesa, a nuestro grupo le resultará difícil oírse entre sí.

en EH-stah MEH-sah, ah NWES-troh GROO-poh leh reh-sool-tah-RAH dee-FEE-seel oh-EER-seh EN-treh SEE. This table will make it hard for our group to hear each other.
B

Puedo cambiarlos a una mesa en una esquina que tiene más espacio alrededor.

PWEH-doh kahm-BYAR-lohs ah OO-nah MEH-sah en OO-nah es-KEE-nah keh TYEH-neh mahs es-PAH-syoh ahl-reh-deh-DOR. I can move you to a corner table that has more space around it.
A

Eso nos ayudaría, siempre y cuando nuestro camarero pueda seguir nuestro ritmo.

EH-soh nohs ah-yoo-dah-REE-ah, SYEM-preh ee KWAN-doh NWES-troh kah-mah-REH-roh PWEH-dah seh-GEER NWES-troh REET-moh. That would help, as long as our server can still keep up with us.
B

El mismo camarero atiende esa esquina, así que el servicio debería seguir funcionando sin problemas.

el MEES-moh kah-mah-REH-roh ah-TYEN-deh EH-sah es-KEE-nah, ah-SEE keh el sehr-BEE-syoh deh-beh-REE-ah seh-GEER foon-syoh-NAHN-doh seen proh-BLEH-mahs. The same server covers that corner, so service should stay on track.
A

Entonces, vamos a cambiarnos de mesa antes de que todos se sienten.

en-TOHN-ses, BAH-mohs ah kahm-BYAR-nohs deh MEH-sah AHN-tes deh keh TOH-dohs seh SYEN-ten. Then let's move before everyone sits down.
B

Haré que preparen de nuevo la mesa ahora.

ah-REH keh preh-PAH-ren deh NWEH-boh lah MEH-sah ah-OH-rah. I'll have the table reset now.

Word by Word

Reservamos «Reservamos» means “we reserved” in the opening sentence, referring to the group’s completed reservation. It is the dialogue form of reservar. A useful pattern is «Reservamos una mesa» for saying that you reserved a table.
una In «una mesa», «una» introduces one table and agrees with the feminine noun «mesa». It is the feminine singular form of the indefinite article. Use «una» before a feminine singular noun when introducing one item.
mesa «Mesa» means “table”; here it is the restaurant table the group reserved. It appears in «una mesa tranquila». A common reuse pattern is «reservar una mesa».
tranquila «Tranquila» describes the table as quiet or peaceful in «una mesa tranquila». Its form matches the feminine noun «mesa». Use «tranquila» with a feminine singular noun when describing a quiet setting.
pero «Pero» means “but” and introduces the contrast between the quiet table that was reserved and the louder area. It connects two contrasting statements. Use «pero» to present an unexpected difference between two ideas.
esta «Esta» means “this” in «esta zona», pointing to the area where the speakers are now. It comes before the noun «zona». Use «esta» before a feminine singular noun to identify something nearby or currently being discussed.
zona «Zona» means “area” or “section”; here it refers to the part of the restaurant around the table. It appears in «esta zona». A useful pattern is «esta zona es...» when describing a particular area.
es «Es» links «esta zona» with the description «mucho más ruidosa»: this area is much louder. It is the dialogue form of ser. Use «es» to describe what something is like or to give a characteristic.
mucho In «mucho más ruidosa», «mucho» strongly intensifies the comparison, meaning “much” or “far”. It makes the difference in noise more substantial. A reusable pattern is «mucho más» plus an adjective or adverb.
más «Más» means “more” in the comparison «mucho más ruidosa». It marks that this area has a greater degree of noise than the expected level. Use «más» before an adjective or adverb when comparing degrees.
ruidosa «Ruidosa» means “noisy” or “loud” and describes «esta zona». It is the feminine form used with «zona». Use it after «ser», as in «la zona es ruidosa», to describe a noisy area.
de In «más ruidosa de lo que esperábamos», «de» is part of the comparative expression meaning “than what we expected”. It connects the comparison with the clause «lo que esperábamos». A useful pattern is «más + adjective + de lo que...».
lo In «lo que esperábamos», «lo» is the neuter element that turns «que» into a phrase meaning “what” or “that which”. Together, «lo que esperábamos» refers to the level or situation the speakers expected. Use «lo que» before a clause when referring to what someone knows, expects, or wants.
que In «lo que esperábamos», «que» links the clause «esperábamos» to the preceding neuter element «lo». The whole phrase means “what we expected”. Use «que» as a clause linker inside expressions such as «lo que...».
esperábamos «Esperábamos» means “we expected” in «lo que esperábamos». It is the dialogue form of esperar and describes the expectation used as the comparison point. A reusable pattern is «lo que esperábamos» when referring to what the group expected.
Lo siento «Lo siento» is the standard polite apology «I’m sorry». In this expression, «lo» refers to the situation, while «siento» is the dialogue form of sentir, “I feel”; together they form the apology. Use «Lo siento» when acknowledging that someone has experienced an inconvenience.
esa «Esa» means “that” in «esa sección», pointing to the restaurant section already being discussed. It comes before the feminine singular noun «sección». Use «esa» before a feminine singular noun to identify something at some distance or previously mentioned.
sección «Sección» means “section”; here it is a part of the restaurant that filled up. It appears in «esa sección». A useful pattern is «una sección del restaurante» when referring to a restaurant area.
se In «se llenó», «se» helps present the section as becoming full or filling up. It is part of the expression rather than an independently translated object here. Learn it together with the verb form «se llenó» when describing a place that becomes full.
llenó In «se llenó», «llenó» means “filled up” or “became full”, referring to the restaurant section. It is the dialogue form of llenar. Use it with «se» when describing a place becoming full.
antes In «antes de lo que esperábamos», «antes» means “earlier” or “before”. It says that the section filled up sooner than expected. A common pattern is «antes de» followed by a noun or clause.
En «En» means “in” or “at”; in «En esta mesa» it locates the difficulty at the table. The capital letter appears because it begins the sentence. Use «en» before a place or setting to say where something happens.
a In «a nuestro grupo le resultará difícil», «a» marks the group for whom the situation will be difficult. It works together with «le» in this construction. A useful pattern is «a + person or group + le resultará difícil».
nuestro «Nuestro» means “our” and identifies the group as belonging to the speakers in «nuestro grupo». It agrees with the masculine noun «grupo». Use «nuestro» before a masculine singular noun to express possession by “our” group.
grupo «Grupo» means “group”; here it refers to the diners who need to hear one another. It appears in «a nuestro grupo». A common pattern is «nuestro grupo» when speaking about the people you are with.
le In «a nuestro grupo le resultará difícil», «le» refers back to «nuestro grupo» and marks the group affected by the difficulty. It is an indirect-object pronoun used together with the explicit phrase «a nuestro grupo». Use «a + person or group + le» when identifying who experiences a result.
resultará In «le resultará difícil», «resultará» means “will be” or “will prove to be”, describing how the situation will affect the group. It is the dialogue form of resultar. A useful pattern is «le resultará + adjective» for saying that something will prove difficult, useful, or surprising to someone.
difícil «Difícil» means “difficult” or “hard”; here hearing one another will be difficult for the group. It completes «le resultará difícil». Use «resultará difícil» to describe an action or situation that will be hard.
oírse In «oírse entre sí», «oírse» means “to hear one another”. It is the infinitive form of oír with «se», which makes the hearing reciprocal in this context. Use the expression «oírse entre sí» when members of a group need to hear each other.
entre sí «Entre sí» means “each other” in «oírse entre sí». «Entre» expresses the relation among the members, and «sí» is the pronoun used in this reciprocal expression. Use «entre sí» after a plural group or action to show that the participants act toward one another.
Puedo «Puedo» means “I can” and introduces the staff member’s offer to move the diners. It is the dialogue form of poder. A useful pattern is «Puedo» plus an infinitive when offering or stating an ability to do something.
cambiarlos «Cambiarlos» means “to move or change them”; here «los» refers to the diners being moved to another table. It combines cambiar with the attached object pronoun «los». Use «puedo cambiarlos» when offering to move or change a group of people.
esquina «Esquina» means “corner”; in «una mesa en una esquina» it identifies the location of the alternative table. A common pattern is «en una esquina» for describing a corner location.
tiene «Tiene» means “has” in «que tiene más espacio alrededor», describing the corner table. It is the dialogue form of tener. Use «un lugar que tiene...» or «una mesa que tiene...» to add a description of something.
espacio «Espacio» means “space”; here the corner table has more space around it. It appears in «más espacio alrededor». A useful pattern is «tener espacio» when saying that there is room for people or movement.
alrededor «Alrededor» means “around”; in «espacio alrededor» it describes the space surrounding the table. It is used after the noun it relates to here. Use «espacio alrededor» when describing room surrounding an object.
Eso «Eso» means “that” and refers to the proposed move to the corner table. In «Eso nos ayudaría», it is the thing that would help the group. Use «Eso» plus a verb when responding to or evaluating something just mentioned.
nos «Nos» means “us” or “to us” in «Eso nos ayudaría». It identifies the speakers as the people who would benefit from the change. Use «nos» before a verb when “we” are affected by its action or result.
ayudaría «Ayudaría» means “would help” in «Eso nos ayudaría». It is the dialogue form of ayudar and presents the proposed move as a helpful possibility. A useful pattern is «Eso nos ayudaría» when politely accepting a possible solution.
siempre y cuando «Siempre y cuando» means “as long as” and introduces the condition for accepting the move. «Siempre», «y», and «cuando» combine to form this conditional expression rather than being translated separately in the sentence. Use «siempre y cuando» before the requirement that must be satisfied.
camarero «Camarero» means “server” or “waiter”; here it refers to the person responsible for serving the group. It appears in «nuestro camarero». A useful pattern is «el camarero atiende la mesa» when talking about restaurant service.
pueda In «siempre y cuando nuestro camarero pueda seguir...», «pueda» means “can” or “may be able to”. It is the dialogue form of poder used for the ability required by the condition. Use «pueda» plus an infinitive after «siempre y cuando» to state what must be possible.
seguir In «seguir nuestro ritmo», «seguir» means “keep up with” or “follow”, not simply move behind someone. It describes the server maintaining the group’s pace of service. A useful pattern is «seguir el ritmo de...» or, as in the dialogue, «seguir nuestro ritmo».
ritmo «Ritmo» means “pace” or “rhythm”; here it is the pace at which the group needs service. It appears in «seguir nuestro ritmo». Use «seguir el ritmo» when describing someone keeping pace with an activity.
El «El» is the masculine singular form of “the” in «El mismo camarero». It introduces the specific server who also covers the corner. Use «el» before a masculine singular noun.
mismo «Mismo» means “same” in «El mismo camarero», identifying the server as the one already associated with the group. It appears directly before «camarero». Use «el mismo» plus a noun when referring to an identical person or thing.
atiende «Atiende» means “serves” or “attends to” in «atiende esa esquina», describing the server’s responsibility for that corner. It is the dialogue form of atender. Use «atender» with a table, area, or customer when talking about providing service.
así que «Así que» means “so” or “therefore” and introduces the consequence that service should continue smoothly. «Así» contributes the idea of “that way”, and «que» links it to the result; together they form the connector. Use «así que» between a reason and its consequence.
servicio «Servicio» means “service”; here it refers to the restaurant service the group will receive. It appears in «el servicio debería seguir funcionando». A useful pattern is «el servicio funciona» when evaluating how service is proceeding.
debería «Debería» means “should” in «el servicio debería seguir funcionando», expressing an expectation or likely result. It is the dialogue form of deber. Use «debería» plus an infinitive when stating what is expected to happen.
funcionando In «seguir funcionando», «funcionando» means “working” or “running”, referring to the service continuing properly. It is the form used after «seguir» to express continued operation. Use «seguir funcionando» for a service, system, or arrangement that continues to work.
sin «Sin» means “without” in «sin problemas», marking the absence of difficulties. It comes before the noun «problemas». Use «sin» plus a noun to say that something happens without that thing.
problemas In «sin problemas», «problemas» means “problems” or “difficulties”. The complete phrase means that service should continue smoothly. Use «sin problemas» when saying that an action can proceed without difficulties.
Entonces «Entonces» means “then” and marks the speakers’ decision after the condition has been addressed. It introduces the move to the next action. Use «Entonces» at the start of a response when drawing a conclusion or announcing what will happen next.
vamos In «vamos a cambiarnos de mesa», «vamos» means “let’s go” or “let’s move” and introduces a joint proposal. It is the dialogue form of ir in the construction «vamos a» plus an infinitive. Use «vamos a» to suggest that a group do something.
cambiarnos In «vamos a cambiarnos de mesa», «cambiarnos» means “to move or change tables” for the group. It combines cambiar with the attached pronoun «nos», showing that the speakers change their own place. Use «cambiarnos de mesa» when a group moves to another table.
todos «Todos» means “everyone” or “all”; here it refers to all the people in the group. It is the subject of «se sienten». Use «todos» before or with a verb when referring to every member of a group.
sienten With «se» in «se sienten», «sienten» contributes to the meaning “sit down” in the clause «antes de que todos se sienten». This form appears after the expression meaning “before”. Use the complete expression «se sienten» when referring to people taking their seats.
Haré In «Haré que preparen...», «Haré» means “I’ll arrange” or “I’ll have”, showing that the speaker will cause another person to prepare the table. It is the dialogue form of hacer. A useful pattern is «haré que» plus a verb when arranging for someone else to do something.
preparen In «Haré que preparen de nuevo la mesa», «preparen» means “they prepare” or “they set up”, referring to the staff resetting the table. It follows «haré que» and expresses the action the staff will carry out. Use «hacer que» plus a verb when arranging for someone else to perform an action.
de nuevo «De nuevo» means “again” in «preparen de nuevo la mesa». «De» and «nuevo» combine to express repetition of the preparation. Use «de nuevo» after a verb when an action is repeated.
la In «la mesa», «la» means “the” and introduces the specific table being reset. It is the feminine singular form of the definite article. Use «la» before a known feminine singular noun.
ahora «Ahora» means “now” and shows that the table will be reset immediately. It appears at the end of «Haré que preparen de nuevo la mesa ahora». Use «ahora» to indicate that an action is happening or will happen at the present time.

Grammar Points

hacer que + subjuntivo

Haré que preparen de nuevo la mesa.

ah-REH keh preh-PAH-ren deh NWEH-boh lah MEH-sah.

I'll have them prepare the table again.

Hacer que + subjuntivo expresses causing or arranging for someone else to do something.

siempre y cuando + subjuntivo

Siempre y cuando el servicio funcione sin problemas.

SYEM-preh ee KWAN-doh el sehr-BEE-syoh foon-SYOH-neh seen proh-BLEH-mahs.

As long as the service works without problems.

Siempre y cuando introduces a condition and is followed by the subjunctive.

Spanish Vocabulary

cambiar verb
kahm-BYAR to move or change cambiarlos
difícil adj
dee-FEE-seel difficult
esperar verb
es-peh-RAHR to expect esperábamos
llenarse verb
yeh-NAHR-seh to fill up se llenó
lo siento phrase
loh SYEN-toh I'm sorry
mesa noun
MEH-sah table
oírse entre sí phrase
oh-EER-seh EN-treh SEE to hear each other
reservar verb
reh-ser-BAHR to reserve Reservamos
ruidoso adj
rwee-DOH-soh noisy ruidosa
sección noun
sehk-SYOHN section
tranquilo adj
trahn-KEE-loh quiet tranquila
zona noun
SOH-nah area

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

section

Show Answersección

table

Show Answermesa

area

Show Answerzona

to expect

Show Answeresperábamos