Asking About Dietary Restrictions | Learn Spanish in English

Spanish lesson set in a contemporary Madrid everyday setting: At a restaurant, a guest asks for clear ingredient and preparation details before the group orders..

EN → ES / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Asking About Dietary Restrictions to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Uno de los invitados tiene una restricción alimentaria, así que necesitamos información clara antes de pedir.

OO-noh deh lohs een-bee-TAH-dohs tee-EH-neh OO-nah res-treek-see-OWN ah-lee-men-TAH-ryah, ah-SEE keh neh-seh-see-TAH-mohs een-for-mah-see-OWN KLAH-rah AHN-tehs deh peh-DEER. One guest has a dietary restriction, so we need clear information before ordering.
B

Podemos enumerar los ingredientes.

poh-DEH-mohs eh-noo-meh-RAHR lohs een-greh-DYEN-tehs. We can list the ingredients.
B

Pero debo mencionar que las áreas de preparación son compartidas.

PEH-roh DEH-boh men-see-oh-NAHR keh lahs AH-reh-ahs deh preh-pah-rah-see-OWN sohn kohm-par-TEE-dahs. But I should mention that the prep areas are shared.
A

Eso ayuda; el invitado puede decidir qué nivel de riesgo le resulta aceptable.

EH-soh ah-YOO-dah; ehl een-bee-TAH-doh PWEH-deh deh-see-DEER keh nee-BEHL deh REES-goh leh reh-SOOL-tah ahk-sehp-TAH-bleh. That helps; the guest can decide what level of risk is acceptable.
B

Le pediré a la cocina que revise cada componente en lugar de hacer suposiciones.

leh peh-dee-REH ah lah koh-SEE-nah keh reh-BEE-seh KAH-dah kohm-poh-NEHN-teh ehn loo-GAHR deh ah-SEHR soo-poh-see-SYOH-nehs. I'll ask the kitchen to check each component instead of guessing.
A

Incluyan también las salsas y los ingredientes adicionales, porque es fácil pasarlos por alto.

een-KLOO-yahn tahm-BYEN lahs SAHL-sahs ee lohs een-greh-DYEN-tehs ah-dee-see-oh-NAH-lehs, POR-keh ehs FAH-seel pah-SAR-lohs por AHL-toh. Please include sauces and toppings too, since those are easy to miss.
B

Me aseguraré de que los revisen por separado.

meh ah-seh-goo-rah-REH deh keh lohs reh-BEE-sehn por seh-pah-RAH-doh. I'll make sure they check those separately.
A

Así, todos pueden pedir sin presionar al invitado.

ah-SEE, TOH-dohs PWEH-dehn peh-DEER seen preh-see-oh-NAHR ahl een-bee-TAH-doh. Then everyone can order without putting pressure on the guest.
B

Cuando tenga los detalles, volveré para explicárselos.

KWAHN-doh TEN-gah lohs deh-TAH-yehs, bohl-beh-REH PAH-rah ex-plee-KAHR-seh-lohs. Once I have the details, I'll come back and walk you through them.

Word by Word

Uno “Uno” means one in “Uno de los invitados,” identifying a single guest from the group. “Uno de” is a reusable pattern for “one of” followed by a plural noun.
de In “Uno de los invitados,” “de” introduces the group from which one guest is selected. The reusable pattern is “uno de” plus a plural noun.
los “Los” is the article meaning “the” before the plural noun “invitados”; here it does not mean “them.” It is used before a specific plural group, as in “los invitados.”
invitados “Invitados” means guests in this restaurant situation. It refers to the people who have been invited; the singular citation form is “invitado.”
tiene “Tiene” means has in “tiene una restricción alimentaria,” describing what the guest has. It is the form of “tener” used with “el invitado” or another singular subject.
una “Una” means a or one before the feminine noun “restricción.” It introduces one nonspecific restriction and agrees with that noun.
restricción “Restricción” means restriction in “una restricción alimentaria.” The pattern “tener una restricción” describes having a limitation that must be taken into account.
alimentaria “Alimentaria” means dietary or related to food, specifying the type of restriction. It agrees with the feminine noun “restricción.”
así In “así que,” “así” contributes the idea of a resulting situation, and the whole connector means so or therefore. Use “así que” to introduce a consequence, as in “Así que necesitamos información clara.”
que In “así que,” “que” completes the connector that means so or therefore. Here it is not the standalone word “that”; keep it together with “así.”
necesitamos “Necesitamos” means we need in “necesitamos información clara.” It is the form of “necesitar” used for a speaker together with other people, and it commonly comes before the thing needed.
información “Información” means information, specifically the details needed before ordering. A common pattern is “necesitar información sobre” a topic, although this dialogue uses “necesitamos información clara.”
clara “Clara” means clear in “información clara,” describing information that is easy to understand. It agrees with the feminine noun “información.”
antes “Antes” means before in “antes de pedir,” placing the need for information earlier than the ordering. The reusable pattern is “antes de” plus an infinitive or noun.
pedir “Pedir” means to order in this restaurant context, in “antes de pedir.” The same verb can also mean to ask for or request something, and it commonly takes the requested item after it.
Podemos “Podemos” means we can in “Podemos enumerar los ingredientes,” expressing ability or a possible action. It is followed here by the infinitive “enumerar,” a common pattern after this form.
enumerar “Enumerar” means to list the ingredients one by one. It follows “Podemos,” and the pattern “poder” plus an infinitive expresses what someone can do.
ingredientes “Ingredientes” means ingredients, the items that make up a dish. It is used here as the direct object of “enumerar,” in “enumerar los ingredientes.”
Pero “Pero” means but and introduces a limitation to the offer to list the ingredients. Use it to contrast an earlier statement with important additional information.
debo “Debo” means I should or I must in “debo mencionar,” showing that the speaker considers mentioning the shared preparation areas necessary. It is commonly followed by an infinitive for an obligation or important duty.
mencionar “Mencionar” means to mention the fact about the preparation areas. It follows “debo,” and “deber” plus an infinitive is a reusable way to express what the speaker should or must do.
las “Las” is the article meaning “the” before the feminine plural noun “áreas.” It identifies specific areas already relevant to the restaurant’s preparation process.
áreas “Áreas” means areas, here the preparation areas in the restaurant. It is the plural form used in “las áreas de preparación.”
preparación “Preparación” means preparation in “áreas de preparación,” identifying what happens in those areas. The pattern “área de” plus a noun names the function or type of an area.
son “Son” means are in “son compartidas,” describing the preparation areas. It is the plural form of “ser” used with “las áreas.”
compartidas “Compartidas” means shared, explaining that the preparation areas are used in common. It matches the feminine plural noun “áreas.”
Eso “Eso” means that and refers to the information just given about the shared preparation areas. It can be used to point back to a fact or situation before commenting on it.
ayuda “Ayuda” means helps in “Eso ayuda,” indicating that the information is useful to the guest. The pattern “eso ayuda” is a practical way to acknowledge helpful information.
el “El” is the article meaning “the” before the masculine singular noun “invitado.” It identifies the specific guest being discussed.
invitado “Invitado” means guest in “el invitado.” It refers to the individual with the dietary restriction; the plural form used earlier is “invitados.”
puede “Puede” means can or is able to in “puede decidir,” describing what the guest is able to do. It is followed by the infinitive “decidir,” a common pattern after this form.
decidir “Decidir” means to decide what level of risk is acceptable. It follows “puede,” and “poder” plus an infinitive expresses an available action.
qué “Qué” means what or which in “qué nivel de riesgo,” introducing the choice the guest must evaluate. The accent marks it as an interrogative word, including in this embedded question.
nivel “Nivel” means level in “qué nivel de riesgo,” referring to the degree of risk the guest considers acceptable. The pattern “nivel de” is used to specify a degree of something.
riesgo “Riesgo” means risk, here the possible risk from shared preparation areas or ingredients. It appears in the phrase “nivel de riesgo,” meaning level of risk.
le “Le” marks the person for whom something is acceptable in “le resulta aceptable.” Here it refers to the guest, and the same form can refer to a man, a woman, or a formal singular “you.”
resulta In “le resulta aceptable,” “resulta” expresses how something turns out or seems for the guest, so the phrase means is acceptable to the guest. This construction places the person with “le” and the evaluation after it.
aceptable “Aceptable” means acceptable in “le resulta aceptable,” describing a level of risk the guest can accept. It commonly follows a phrase expressing how something seems or turns out for someone.
pediré “Pediré” means I will ask in “Le pediré a la cocina que revise cada componente.” It expresses a future request and keeps the requested action in the following “que” clause.
a In “pediré a la cocina,” “a” introduces the person or group being asked to act. The reusable pattern is “pedir a alguien que” followed by the requested action.
la “La” is the article meaning “the” before the feminine singular noun “cocina.” It identifies the restaurant kitchen as the group receiving the request.
cocina “Cocina” means kitchen in “a la cocina.” Here it refers to the kitchen staff as the people being asked to check the components.
revise “Revise” means check or review in the request “que revise cada componente.” It names the action requested from the kitchen, and “pedir que” commonly introduces such a requested action.
cada “Cada” means each or every and focuses on the components one by one. It is placed directly before the singular noun “componente.”
componente “Componente” means component, referring to each individual part of the dish. The pattern “cada componente” means each component separately within the full item.
en In “en lugar de hacer suposiciones,” “en” is part of the expression meaning instead of. Keep it with “lugar de” when using this contrast.
lugar In “en lugar de hacer suposiciones,” “lugar” contributes the idea of an alternative, and the whole expression means instead of doing something. The reusable pattern is “en lugar de” plus an infinitive or noun.
hacer “Hacer” means to make or do in “hacer suposiciones,” which means to make assumptions. It follows “en lugar de,” a common pattern for replacing one action with another.
suposiciones “Suposiciones” means assumptions or guesses in “hacer suposiciones.” The common expression “hacer suposiciones” describes deciding something without checking the facts.
Incluyan “Incluyan” means include, addressed to the group being asked to check the food. It is a plural request or command, and it takes the items to be included directly after it.
también “También” means also or too, adding sauces and additional ingredients to the items that should be included. It can be placed before or after the added information, as in “Incluyan también...”.
salsas “Salsas” means sauces, which should be checked along with the main ingredients. It is one of the plural items governed by “Incluyan.”
y “Y” means and and joins “las salsas” with “los ingredientes adicionales.” It connects items in a list.
adicionales “Adicionales” means additional or extra in “los ingredientes adicionales,” identifying ingredients beyond the main ones. It agrees with the plural noun “ingredientes.”
porque “Porque” means because and introduces the reason sauces and additional ingredients should be included. It commonly links an action or statement to its explanation.
es “Es” means is in “es fácil pasarlos por alto,” describing the difficulty of noticing the items. It is used with the singular expression “fácil.”
fácil “Fácil” means easy in “es fácil pasarlos por alto.” Here it describes how easy it is for someone to overlook the sauces and additional ingredients.
pasarlos por alto “Pasarlos por alto” means to overlook or miss them. In this expression, “pasarlos” supplies the action and “los” refers to “las salsas y los ingredientes adicionales”; “por alto” completes the meaning of overlooking. The full pattern is useful when saying that someone failed to notice specific items.
Me In “Me aseguraré de que,” “Me” is part of the expression for the speaker making sure that something happens. The reusable pattern is “me aseguraré de que” plus the action that will be ensured.
aseguraré “Aseguraré” means will make sure in “Me aseguraré de que los revisen por separado.” Together with “me,” it expresses the speaker’s future commitment to ensure the checking happens.
revisen “Revisen” means check or review in “que los revisen por separado,” referring to checking the sauces and additional ingredients. It follows “asegurarse de que” and names the action the other people are expected to carry out.
por In “por separado,” “por” is part of the expression meaning separately. Keep it with “separado” when describing actions performed apart from one another.
separado In “por separado,” “separado” contributes the idea that the items are kept apart during the checking. The whole expression means separately and can modify many kinds of actions.
todos “Todos” means everyone or all, referring to all the people in the group. Here it is the subject of “pueden pedir,” so everyone can place an order.
pueden “Pueden” means can in “todos pueden pedir,” expressing that everyone is able or free to order. It is followed by the infinitive “pedir,” a common pattern after this form.
sin “Sin” means without and introduces an action that does not happen. In “sin presionar al invitado,” it introduces the infinitive phrase describing what the group avoids.
presionar “Presionar” means to pressure, and “sin presionar al invitado” means without pressuring the guest. After “sin,” an infinitive commonly names the action that is absent.
al “Al” is the contraction of “a” and “el” in “presionar al invitado.” It marks the guest as the person affected by the action.
Cuando “Cuando” means when or once in “Cuando tenga los detalles,” introducing the time or condition for the later actions. It is useful for linking a future event with what will happen afterward.
tenga “Tenga” means have in “Cuando tenga los detalles,” referring to the speaker having the details. After “cuando,” this form presents a future time or condition before the next action.
detalles “Detalles” means details, here the specific ingredient and preparation information. It is the direct object of “tenga” in “tenga los detalles.”
volveré “Volveré” means I will come back or return. In “volveré para explicárselos,” it states the speaker’s future return for the purpose of explaining the details.
para “Para” means to or in order to in “volveré para explicárselos,” introducing the purpose of returning. The pattern “para” plus an infinitive expresses purpose.
explicárselos “Explicárselos” means to explain them to him, her, or you, with “los” referring to “los detalles.” The form combines the action of explaining with “se” for the recipient and “los” for the details; the full pattern is useful for saying that information will be explained to someone.

Grammar Points

antes de + infinitivo

Antes de pedir, revise los ingredientes.

AHN-tehs deh peh-DEER, reh-BEE-seh lohs een-greh-DYEN-tehs.

Before ordering, check the ingredients.

Use antes de followed by an infinitive to express an action that happens earlier.

infinitivo + pronombres unidos

Volveré para explicárselos.

bohl-beh-REH PAH-rah ex-plee-KAHR-seh-lohs.

I will come back to explain them to you.

Object and indirect-object pronouns can attach to an infinitive: explicar + se + los = explicárselos.

Spanish Vocabulary

aceptable adj
ahk-sehp-TAH-bleh acceptable
antes de pedir phrase
AHN-tehs deh peh-DEER before ordering
áreas de preparación phrase
AH-reh-ahs deh preh-pah-rah-see-OWN preparation areas
compartidas adj
kohm-par-TEE-dahs shared
componente noun
kohm-poh-NEHN-teh component
decidir verb
deh-see-DEER to decide
enumerar verb
eh-noo-meh-RAHR to list or enumerate
información clara phrase
een-for-mah-see-OWN KLAH-rah clear information
ingredientes noun
een-greh-DYEN-tehs ingredients
mencionar verb
men-see-oh-NAHR to mention
nivel de riesgo phrase
nee-BEHL deh REES-goh level of risk
restricción alimentaria phrase
res-treek-see-OWN ah-lee-men-TAH-ryah dietary restriction

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

We can list the ingredients.

Show AnswerPodemos enumerar los ingredientes.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

ingredients

Show Answeringredientes

to list or enumerate

Show Answerenumerar

to mention

Show Answermencionar

to decide

Show Answerdecidir