Discussing rebooking after a possible missed connection | Learn Spanish in English

Spanish lesson set in a contemporary Madrid everyday setting: During a travel delay, a traveler checks rebooking options and asks for routes with enough transfer time..

EN → ES / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Discussing rebooking after a possible missed connection to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Puede que pierda mi conexión por este retraso.

PWEH-deh keh PYEHR-dah mee koh-nehk-SYOHN por EHS-teh reh-TRAH-soh. I might miss my connection because of this delay.
B

El mostrador de atención puede consultar otras rutas cuando se confirme el retraso.

Ehl moh-strah-DOR deh ah-tehn-SYOHN PWEH-deh kohn-sool-TAR OH-trahs ROO-tahs KWAHN-doh seh kohn-FEER-meh ehl reh-TRAH-soh. The service desk can check other routes once the delay is confirmed.
A

Prefiero hacer un plan ahora que tener que apresurarme después.

Preh-FYEH-roh ah-SEHR oon plahn ah-OH-rah keh teh-NEHR keh ah-preh-soo-RAR-meh dehspoo-EHS. I would rather make a plan now than rush later.
B

Entonces comparemos las opciones, pero ten en cuenta que pueden cambiar.

Ehn-TOHN-sehs kohm-pah-REH-mohs lahs ohp-SYOH-nehs, PEH-roh tehn ehn KWEHN-tah keh PWEH-dehn kahm-BYAR. Then let us compare the options, but keep in mind they may change.
A

¿Puedes comprobar si aquí ofrecen cambios de reserva flexibles?

PWEH-dehs kohm-proh-BAR see ah-KEE oh-FREH-sehn KAHM-byohs deh reh-SEHR-vah flehk-SEE-blehs? Can you check whether flexible rebooking is available here?
B

Puedo preguntar, pero la empresa operadora tiene que aprobarlo.

PWEH-doh preh-goon-TAR, PEH-roh lah ehm-PREH-sah oh-peh-rah-DOH-rah TYEH-neh keh ah-proh-BAR-loh. I can ask, but the operator has to approve it.
A

Busca, por favor, rutas con tiempo suficiente entre los transbordos.

BOOS-kah, por fah-BOR, ROO-tahs kohn TYEHM-poh soo-fee-SYEHN-teh EHN-treh lohs trahns-BOR-dohs. Please look for routes with enough time between transfers.
B

Daré prioridad a esas rutas.

Dah-REH pree-oh-ree-DAHD ah EH-sahs ROO-tahs. I will put those first.
B

Así no tendremos que correr para tomar el próximo tren.

Ah-SEE noh tehn-DREH-mohs keh koh-RREHR pah-rah toh-MAR ehl PROHK-see-moh trehn. So we are not running for the next train.

Word by Word

Puede Puede is the form of poder used in Puede que pierda mi conexión to express that the speaker may miss the connection. The same form also appears in puede consultar, where it expresses ability. A useful pattern is puede que + clause for a possible event.
que In Puede que pierda mi conexión, que links the possibility to the event that may happen. In Prefiero hacer un plan ahora que tener que apresurarme después, it introduces the alternative being compared; in ten en cuenta que pueden cambiar, it introduces the information to keep in mind. Its function depends on the construction around it.
pierda Pierda means that the speaker may miss the connection in Puede que pierda mi conexión. It is the form of perder used after puede que for a possible event. A reusable pattern is puede que + pierda or another clause describing a possible problem.
mi Mi means my in mi conexión and identifies the connection as belonging to the speaker. It comes directly before the noun it describes. The same pattern is mi + noun when referring to something belonging to the speaker.
conexión Conexión means connection in mi conexión, referring to the next part of the journey that the traveler may fail to catch. It is used with mi here to identify a particular connection. In travel situations, conexión can be used for a link between parts of a route.
por Por means because of in por este retraso and gives the cause of the possible missed connection. It is followed here by the cause, este retraso. The same preposition also appears in por favor as part of a polite request.
este Este means this in este retraso and points to the delay currently affecting the travelers. It appears directly before the noun retraso. A useful pattern is este + noun for something present or relevant in the current situation.
retraso Retraso means delay in este retraso and identifies the cause of the possible missed connection. It is modified by este and follows por because it is the cause being mentioned. In travel situations, retraso can refer to a delay affecting a service or journey.
El El means the in El mostrador de atención and introduces the specific service desk being discussed. It is the singular article used before mostrador here. The same article pattern is el + singular noun.
mostrador Mostrador means desk or counter in El mostrador de atención, referring to the place where the traveler can request assistance. The phrase de atención specifies the desk's service function. In a travel setting, mostrador can identify a customer-service or information counter.
de De links nouns in mostrador de atención and describes the type or function of the desk. It also appears in cambios de reserva, where it links cambios with the reservation being changed. A reusable pattern is noun + de + noun to express a relationship between nouns.
atención Atención means service or assistance in mostrador de atención, so the phrase refers to a service desk. It is connected to mostrador by de. This noun is useful when identifying a place or service intended to help customers.
consultar Consultar means to check or inquire about in puede consultar otras rutas. The service desk is checking possible routes, and the infinitive follows puede. A useful pattern is consultar + information or option being checked.
otras Otras means other in otras rutas and indicates routes different from the one currently planned. It comes before and agrees with rutas. A reusable pattern is otras + plural noun when considering additional alternatives.
rutas Rutas means routes in otras rutas and refers to alternative travel paths. It is the object of consultar and is modified by otras. In this dialogue, routes are compared as possible solutions to the delay.
cuando Cuando means once or when in cuando se confirme el retraso and introduces the point at which the desk can check other routes. It refers to an expected confirmation before the checking happens. A useful pattern is cuando + event for linking an action to a time or condition.
se Se helps present the confirmation in se confirme el retraso without naming who confirms it. Together with confirme, it describes the delay becoming confirmed. This pattern is useful when the person or organization performing the action is not specified.
confirme Confirme means is confirmed in cuando se confirme el retraso. It is the form of confirmar used for the expected confirmation of the delay after cuando. A reusable pattern is cuando se confirme + event or fact when an action depends on confirmation.
Prefiero Prefiero means I prefer in Prefiero hacer un plan ahora que tener que apresurarme después. It expresses the speaker's choice of planning now over having to hurry later. A useful pattern is prefiero + infinitive + que + alternative.
hacer Hacer means to make or do in hacer un plan, where it means to make a plan. It is an infinitive following prefiero and is followed by the object un plan. The pattern hacer un plan is useful when describing advance preparation.
un Un means a in un plan and introduces one unspecified plan. It comes before the singular noun plan. The pattern un + singular noun is used when introducing one item or idea.
plan Plan means plan in hacer un plan and refers to an arrangement prepared before the situation becomes more urgent. It is the object of hacer. The expression hacer un plan is a reusable way to talk about preparing an approach.
ahora Ahora means now in hacer un plan ahora and places the planning in the present moment. It contrasts with después, when the speaker might have to hurry. It can be placed with an action to emphasize that it should happen immediately.
tener Tener means to have in tener que apresurarme, but with que it contributes to the obligation of having to hurry. Here it is an infinitive in the alternative after prefiero. The reusable pattern is tener que + infinitive for an obligation or necessity.
apresurarme Apresurarme means to hurry in tener que apresurarme después, referring to the speaker needing to move quickly later. The form combines apresurar with me, which refers back to the speaker. A useful pattern is tener que apresurarme when describing a need to hurry oneself.
después Después means later or afterwards in apresurarme después and places the possible hurry after the current planning. It marks a later point in the journey or situation. It can be used after an action to indicate that the action happens later.
Entonces Entonces means then in Entonces comparemos las opciones and signals a conclusion or next step based on what was just said. Here it introduces the proposal to compare the options. A useful pattern is Entonces + clause when moving from discussion to an action.
comparemos Comparemos means let us compare in comparemos las opciones and proposes that the speakers examine the options together. It is the form of comparar used for a joint suggestion. The pattern comparemos + object is useful for proposing a shared comparison.
las Las means the in las opciones and introduces the specific options already relevant to the discussion. It is the plural article used before opciones here. The pattern las + plural noun identifies a known group of items.
opciones Opciones means options in comparemos las opciones and refers to the available rebooking choices. It is the object of comparemos and is introduced by las. In this situation, options are the different routes or booking possibilities being evaluated.
pero Pero means but and introduces a limitation to the proposal in pero ten en cuenta que pueden cambiar. It contrasts comparing the options with remembering that they are not fixed. It is useful for connecting an action with a caution or qualification.
ten en cuenta Ten en cuenta means keep in mind in ten en cuenta que pueden cambiar and asks the listener to remember that the options may change. Ten is a command form of tener, en contributes the idea of holding something in mind, and cuenta refers to what is taken into consideration. A useful pattern is ten en cuenta que + clause when adding an important caution.
pueden Pueden means may or can in pueden cambiar and says that the options are capable of changing or may change. The subject is opciones, so the form matches that plural subject. A reusable pattern is pueden + infinitive for possibility or ability.
cambiar Cambiar means to change in pueden cambiar and refers to the options becoming different. It follows pueden as an infinitive. The pattern pueden cambiar is useful when warning that arrangements or information may not stay the same.
Puedes Puedes means can you in Puedes comprobar si aquí ofrecen cambios de reserva flexibles? and asks the listener whether they are able to check something. It is the form of poder used with the person being addressed. A useful pattern is puedes + infinitive for a request about someone's ability to do something.
comprobar Comprobar means to check in Puedes comprobar si aquí ofrecen cambios de reserva flexibles? It is the action the speaker asks the listener to carry out and follows puedes. A useful pattern is comprobar si + clause for checking whether something is available or true.
si Si means whether in comprobar si aquí ofrecen cambios de reserva flexibles and introduces the yes-or-no matter being checked. It is part of an indirect question, not the condition meaning of si in this sentence. A useful pattern is comprobar si + clause when asking someone to verify a possibility.
aquí Aquí means here in si aquí ofrecen cambios de reserva flexibles and identifies the current service point or location. It comes before the verb phrase that describes what is offered there. It is useful for specifying where a service or option is available.
ofrecen Ofrecen means offer in aquí ofrecen cambios de reserva flexibles and asks whether the service point provides flexible booking changes. The provider is understood from the travel context. A useful pattern is ofrecer + service or option when asking what a place provides.
cambios Cambios means changes in cambios de reserva flexibles and refers to modifications to the booking. It is plural because the question concerns flexible booking changes as an available service. The phrase cambios de reserva is useful when discussing changes to a reservation.
reserva Reserva means reservation or booking in cambios de reserva and identifies what is being changed. De connects it to cambios as the booking concerned. This noun is useful in travel situations when referring to a booked journey or service.
flexibles Flexibles means flexible in cambios de reserva flexibles and describes changes that can accommodate adjustments. It modifies the plural noun cambios, so it has the same plural form. The phrase cambios de reserva flexibles is useful when asking about adaptable booking arrangements.
Puedo Puedo means I can in Puedo preguntar and says that the speaker is able or willing to ask. It is the form of poder used by the speaker and is followed by the infinitive preguntar. A useful pattern is puedo + infinitive when offering to do an action.
preguntar Preguntar means to ask in Puedo preguntar and describes the action the speaker can take to get an answer. It follows puedo as an infinitive. A useful pattern is preguntar about a service, condition, or decision when seeking information.
la La means the in la empresa operadora and introduces the specific operating company. It is the singular article used before empresa here. The pattern la + singular noun identifies a known feminine noun.
empresa Empresa means company in la empresa operadora and identifies the organization whose approval is required. It is described by operadora. In this travel context, empresa refers to the company responsible for operating the service.
operadora Operadora describes the company in la empresa operadora as the company operating the service. It matches empresa in its form and appears after the noun. This expression is useful when identifying which company has authority over a transport service.
tiene Tiene contributes the meaning has to in tiene que aprobarlo and expresses that the operating company is required to approve it. It is followed by que and the infinitive aprobarlo. The reusable pattern tiene que + infinitive expresses an obligation.
aprobarlo Aprobarlo means approve it in tiene que aprobarlo. It combines aprobar, to approve, with lo, which refers to the flexible booking change being discussed. A useful pattern is aprobar + object, with an object pronoun attached to the infinitive when the object is already understood.
Busca Busca means look for in Busca, por favor, rutas con tiempo suficiente entre los transbordos and gives the listener a direct request to search for routes. It is the command form of buscar used here. A useful pattern is busca + object when asking someone to find a particular thing.
por favor Por favor means please in Busca, por favor and makes the request more polite. Por is the preposition in the expression, and favor refers to a favor or kindness; together they form the polite request expression. It can be placed with a request to soften it.
con Con means with in rutas con tiempo suficiente and introduces a feature the requested routes should have. Here it connects rutas with tiempo suficiente. A useful pattern is noun + con + feature when specifying a requirement.
tiempo Tiempo means time in tiempo suficiente and refers to the amount of time available between transfers. It is modified by suficiente to express that the amount should be adequate. In travel planning, tiempo can describe the interval needed to make a transfer.
suficiente Suficiente means enough or sufficient in tiempo suficiente and says that the available time must be adequate. It follows the noun tiempo in this phrase. A useful pattern is noun + suficiente when describing an adequate amount.
entre Entre means between in entre los transbordos and locates the required time in the interval separating the transfers. It is followed by the noun phrase los transbordos. A useful pattern is entre + noun phrase when identifying the space or interval separating things.
los Los means the in los transbordos and introduces the specific transfers relevant to the route. It is the plural article used before transbordos here. The pattern los + plural noun identifies a known group.
transbordos Transbordos means transfers in entre los transbordos and refers to the changes from one part of the journey to another. It is the noun after entre and is modified by los. In this travel context, transbordos are the points where the traveler must change services or vehicles.
Daré Daré means I will give in Daré prioridad a esas rutas and states that the speaker will prioritize the routes just requested. It is the future form of dar used by the speaker. A useful pattern is dar prioridad a + noun when deciding to place something first.
prioridad Prioridad means priority in Daré prioridad a esas rutas and identifies what the speaker will give to the suitable routes. It appears in the expression dar prioridad a. This pattern is useful when selecting one group or task before others.
a A links prioridad with the routes receiving it in daré prioridad a esas rutas. It marks the target of the priority given. The reusable pattern is dar prioridad a + noun or noun phrase.
esas Esas means those in esas rutas and points back to the routes with enough transfer time. It comes before rutas and matches that plural noun. A useful pattern is esas + plural noun when referring to items already identified in the conversation.
Así Así means so or in this way in Así no tendremos que correr and introduces the intended result of prioritizing those routes. It connects the chosen route features with avoiding a hurried transfer. A useful pattern is Así + clause when explaining a consequence.
no No negates tendremos que correr in Así no tendremos que correr, so the speakers will not need to run. It appears directly before the verb phrase being negated. A useful pattern is no + verb phrase to state that an action or necessity does not apply.
tendremos Tendremos contributes the meaning we will have to in no tendremos que correr and refers to a future necessity for the speakers. Together with que correr, it expresses that running will not be necessary. The reusable pattern is tendremos que + infinitive for a future obligation or necessity.
correr Correr means to run in tendremos que correr and describes the hurried action the travelers want to avoid. It is an infinitive after tendremos que. In this context, correr is connected with trying to catch the next train under time pressure.
para Para means in order to in para tomar el próximo tren and introduces the purpose of running. It is followed by the infinitive tomar. A useful pattern is para + infinitive when explaining the purpose of an action.
tomar Tomar means to take or catch in para tomar el próximo tren and refers to catching the next train. It follows para as an infinitive and takes el próximo tren as its object. The pattern tomar + transport noun is useful when describing catching a service.
próximo Próximo means next in el próximo tren and identifies the train that comes after the current one. It comes before and agrees with tren. A useful pattern is el próximo + singular noun when referring to the next available item or service.
tren Tren means train in tomar el próximo tren and is the transport service the travelers are trying to catch. It is the object of tomar and is modified by el próximo. In this dialogue, it is the next connection they want to reach without running.

Grammar Points

Puede que + subjuntivo

Puede que pierda la conexión.

PWEH-deh keh PYEHR-dah lah koh-nehk-SYOHN.

I may miss the connection.

“Puede que” expresses possibility and is followed by the subjunctive, such as “pierda”.

Ten en cuenta + sustantivo

Ten en cuenta las opciones flexibles.

Tehn ehn KWEHN-tah lahs ohp-SYOH-nehs flehk-SEE-blehs.

Keep the flexible options in mind.

“Ten en cuenta” is an informal singular imperative used to tell someone to consider something.

Spanish Vocabulary

apresurarse verb
ah-preh-soo-RAR-seh to rush; to hurry apresurarme

tener que apresurarme después

conexión noun
koh-nehk-SYOHN connection

Puede que pierda mi conexión por este retraso.

confirmar verb
kohn-feer-MAR to confirm se confirme

cuando se confirme el retraso

consultar verb
kohn-sool-TAR to check; to consult

El mostrador de atención puede consultar otras rutas cuando se confirme el retraso.

entonces adv
ehn-TOHN-sehs then

Entonces comparemos las opciones, pero ten en cuenta que pueden cambiar.

hacer un plan phrase
ah-SEHR oon plahn to make a plan

Prefiero hacer un plan ahora que tener que apresurarme después.

mostrador de atención phrase
moh-strah-DOR deh ah-tehn-SYOHN service desk

El mostrador de atención puede consultar otras rutas cuando se confirme el retraso.

perder verb
pehr-DEHR to miss; to lose pierda

Puede que pierda mi conexión por este retraso.

preferir verb
preh-feh-REER to prefer Prefiero

Prefiero hacer un plan ahora que tener que apresurarme después.

puede que phrase
PWEH-deh keh may; it may be that

Puede que pierda mi conexión por este retraso.

retraso noun
reh-TRAH-soh delay

Puede que pierda mi conexión por este retraso.

ruta noun
ROO-tah route rutas

El mostrador de atención puede consultar otras rutas cuando se confirme el retraso.

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

I will put those first.

Show AnswerDaré prioridad a esas rutas.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

route

Show Answerrutas

to miss; to lose

Show Answerpierda

to check; to consult

Show Answerconsultar

connection

Show Answerconexión