Clarifying a Return Policy | Learn Spanish in English

Spanish lesson set in a contemporary Madrid everyday setting: At a shop service counter, a customer clarifies whether an opened package can still be returned after checking the policy..

EN → ES / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Clarifying a Return Policy to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Puede que haya entendido mal la política de devolución después de abrir el paquete.

PWEH-deh keh AH-yah en-ten-DEE-doh mahl lah poh-LEE-tee-kah deh deh-boh-loo-SYOHN des-PWEHS deh ah-BREER el pah-KEH-teh. I may have misunderstood the return policy after opening the package.
B

Abrirlo para inspeccionarlo está bien, siempre que el artículo esté completo.

AH-breer-loh pah-rah een-spehk-syoh-NAR-loh es-TAH byen, SYEM-preh keh el ar-TEE-koo-loh es-TEH kom-PLEH-toh. Opening it for inspection is fine as long as the item is complete.
A

Conservé todos los accesorios y el embalaje sigue intacto.

kon-ser-BEH to-DOHS lohs ak-seh-SOH-ryohs ee el em-bah-LAH-heh SEE-gweh een-TAHK-toh. I kept every accessory, and the packaging is still intact.
B

Entonces, el estado del artículo no debería retrasar la devolución.

en-TON-ses, el es-TAH-doh del ar-TEE-koo-loh noh deh-beh-REE-ah reh-trah-SAR lah deh-boh-loo-SYOHN. Then the condition should not slow down the return.
A

Eso me ayuda, porque la redacción dejaba margen para la duda.

EH-soh meh ah-YOO-dah, POR-keh lah reh-dak-SYOHN deh-HAH-bah MAR-hen pah-rah lah DOO-dah. That helps, because the wording left room for doubt.
B

Las políticas pueden ser complicadas, así que hiciste bien en comprobarlo primero.

las poh-LEE-tee-kas PWEH-den ser kom-plee-KAH-das, ah-SEE keh ee-SEE-steh byen en kom-proh-BAR-loh pree-MEH-roh. Policies can be dense, so checking first was the right move.
A

Sobre todo, quiero evitar hacer perder el tiempo a nadie.

SOH-breh TOH-doh, KYEH-roh eh-bee-TAR ah-SER ah-ser per-DER el TYEM-poh ah NAH-dyeh. I mainly want to avoid wasting anyone's time.
B

Llevarlo todo contigo debería hacer que el proceso sea más sencillo.

yeh-BAR-loh TOH-doh kon-TEE-goh deh-beh-REE-ah ah-SER keh el proh-SEH-soh SEH-ah mahs sen-SEE-yoh. Bringing everything with you should make the process smoother.

Word by Word

Puede “Puede” expresses possibility here: the speaker may have misunderstood the policy. It is used with “que” to introduce what may have happened, as in the new example “Puede que llegue tarde” (“I may arrive late”).
que In “Puede que haya entendido mal”, “que” introduces the possible situation after “Puede”. Together, “Puede que” expresses “may” or “it is possible that”; the new example “Puede que funcione” uses the same pattern.
haya In “haya entendido”, “haya” helps express that the possible misunderstanding occurred before now. It works with “entendido” to form the meaning “may have understood”, as in the new example “Puede que haya olvidado la cita” (“I may have forgotten the appointment”).
entendido “Entendido” means understood in “haya entendido mal”. Together with “haya” and “mal”, “haya entendido mal” means “may have misunderstood”; the related citation form is “entender” (“to understand”).
mal “Mal” means wrongly in “haya entendido mal”, so it shows that the policy was understood incorrectly. It can also describe an action negatively in the new example “Lo hice mal” (“I did it wrong”).
la “La” means “the” before “política” in “la política de devolución”. It identifies a specific policy being discussed at the service counter.
política “Política” means policy here, specifically the shop’s rules for returns. The phrase “la política de devolución” is a reusable way to refer to a return policy.
de In “política de devolución”, “de” links the policy to its subject, giving the meaning “return policy”. The same linking pattern appears in the new example “política de privacidad” (“privacy policy”).
devolución “Devolución” means return in this shop context, referring to giving the purchased item back. “Política de devolución” is a common expression for the rules governing returns.
después “Después” places the opening of the package later in the sequence. In “después de abrir el paquete”, it is followed by “de” and an infinitive; the new example “después de comer” means “after eating”.
abrir “Abrir” means to open the package in “después de abrir el paquete”. After “después de”, the action is expressed with an infinitive; the new example “abrir la caja” means “to open the box”.
el “El” means “the” before “paquete” in “el paquete”. It identifies the particular package that was opened.
paquete “Paquete” means package, the container opened by the customer. “Abrir el paquete” is a reusable expression for opening a package.
Abrirlo “Abrirlo” means “to open it” and refers to the item or package already understood from the conversation. It combines “abrir” with “lo”; the new example “Voy a abrirlo” uses the same form.
para In “para inspeccionarlo”, “para” introduces the purpose of opening the item: it is opened in order to inspect it. The pattern “para” plus an infinitive is reusable for stating purpose, as in the new example “para comprobarlo” (“in order to check it”).
inspeccionarlo “Inspeccionarlo” means “to inspect it”, referring to examining the opened item. It combines “inspeccionar” with “lo”, and in “Abrirlo para inspeccionarlo” it states the purpose of opening it.
está In “está bien”, “está” presents the action as being in an acceptable state. The phrase “está bien” means that opening the item for inspection is acceptable here.
bien “Bien” means fine or acceptable in “está bien”. Together, “está bien” is used to reassure someone that an action or situation is okay, as in the new example “Así está bien” (“That is fine this way”).
siempre que “Siempre que” means “as long as” or “provided that” and introduces the condition for the opening to be acceptable. “Siempre” contributes the idea of the condition holding whenever it applies, while “que” links that condition to the following clause; the new example “Puedes usarlo siempre que lo devuelvas” uses the same construction.
artículo “Artículo” means item here, referring to the product being returned. “El artículo” is a reusable way to identify the product in a shop or service discussion.
esté “Esté” describes the item’s condition within the condition “siempre que el artículo esté completo”. It says that the item is complete for the return requirement; the new example “siempre que esté limpio” uses the same conditional pattern.
completo “Completo” means complete, including all the parts needed for the return. In “el artículo esté completo”, it describes the required condition of the item.
Conservé “Conservé” says that the speaker kept or retained every accessory. The related citation form is “conservar”, and “Conservé todos los accesorios” is useful when confirming that nothing was discarded.
todos “Todos” means all or every in “todos los accesorios”. It emphasizes that the speaker kept the entire set, not just some accessories.
los “Los” means “the” before “accesorios” in “todos los accesorios”. It refers to the specific accessories belonging with the item.
accesorios “Accesorios” means accessories, the additional pieces that came with the item. “Conservar todos los accesorios” is a reusable expression when explaining that a product is complete.
y “Y” connects the statement about keeping the accessories with the statement about the packaging. It means “and” and joins these two pieces of information about the returned item.
embalaje “Embalaje” means packaging, referring to the material around the product. “El embalaje sigue intacto” is a useful expression for confirming that the packaging has not been damaged.
sigue “Sigue” means remains or continues to be in “sigue intacto”. It shows that the packaging is still in the same intact condition; the related citation form is “seguir”.
intacto “Intacto” means intact or undamaged in “el embalaje sigue intacto”. It describes packaging that has not been altered or damaged.
Entonces “Entonces” means then here and draws a conclusion from the information about the accessories and packaging. It is useful when responding to new information, as in the new example “Entonces, podemos continuar” (“Then, we can continue”).
estado “Estado” means condition in “el estado del artículo”. It refers to the item’s physical condition, and “el estado del artículo” is a reusable phrase in a return discussion.
del “Del” means “of the” in “el estado del artículo”. It combines “de” with “el” and links the condition to the item; the new example “el estado del producto” uses the same form.
no “No” negates “debería retrasar” in the statement that the item’s condition should not delay the return. It is placed directly before the verb phrase being negated.
debería “Debería” expresses what is expected or advisable: the item’s condition should not delay the return. It is used with an infinitive, “debería retrasar”; the new example “Debería funcionar” means “It should work”.
retrasar “Retrasar” means to delay or slow down the return process in “no debería retrasar la devolución”. It follows “debería” as the action that is not expected to happen.
Eso “Eso” means “that” and refers to the reassurance just given about the return. It lets the speaker comment on the previous statement without repeating it, as in the new example “Eso es importante” (“That is important”).
me “Me” means “to me” in “Eso me ayuda”, identifying the person who receives the help. The pattern “me ayuda” is reusable when saying that something helps the speaker.
ayuda “Ayuda” means helps in “Eso me ayuda”. Together, “me ayuda” says that the information is helpful to the speaker; the related citation form is “ayudar” (“to help”).
porque “Porque” introduces the reason why the reassurance helps: the wording had allowed room for doubt. It means “because” and connects an explanation to the preceding statement.
redacción “Redacción” means wording, referring to how the policy was written. “La redacción dejaba margen para la duda” is useful when unclear wording causes uncertainty.
dejaba “Dejaba” says that the wording left room for doubt in the situation being described. The related citation form is “dejar”; here it is used with “margen para” to describe what the wording allowed.
margen “Margen” means room or scope in “dejaba margen para la duda”. The pattern “dejar margen para” describes something allowing space for a possibility or interpretation.
duda “Duda” means doubt or uncertainty. In “margen para la duda”, it identifies the uncertainty created by the policy’s wording.
Las “Las” means “the” before “políticas” in “Las políticas”. It refers to policies as a specific group being discussed.
políticas “Políticas” means policies, here referring to shop rules or written guidelines. “Las políticas pueden ser complicadas” is a reusable way to acknowledge that such rules may be difficult to understand.
pueden “Pueden” means can or may in “Las políticas pueden ser complicadas”, expressing a possible characteristic of policies. It is followed by the infinitive “ser”; the new example “Pueden cambiar” means “They may change”.
ser “Ser” means “to be” and completes “pueden ser complicadas”, describing what policies can be like. It is an infinitive after “pueden”, as in the new example “pueden ser útiles” (“they can be useful”).
complicadas “Complicadas” means complicated here, describing policies whose wording or requirements may be difficult to follow. It describes “políticas” in “Las políticas pueden ser complicadas”.
así que “Así que” means “so” or “therefore” and introduces the conclusion that checking first was the right move. “Así” contributes the idea of a resulting conclusion, while “que” links it to that consequence; the new example “Está lloviendo, así que llevo un paraguas” uses the same connector.
hiciste In “hiciste bien en comprobarlo”, “hiciste” means “you did” as part of the expression saying that the listener made the right choice. The related citation form is “hacer”; the complete pattern “hacer bien en” is followed by an infinitive.
en In “hiciste bien en comprobarlo”, “en” links “hiciste bien” to the action that was a good choice. The reusable pattern is “hacer bien en” plus an infinitive, as in the new example “Hiciste bien en preguntar” (“You did well to ask”).
comprobarlo “Comprobarlo” means “to check it”, referring to checking the return policy. It combines “comprobar” with “lo”; in “hiciste bien en comprobarlo”, it names the action that was wise to take.
primero “Primero” means first and shows that the policy was checked before proceeding with the return. “Comprobarlo primero” is a reusable phrase for checking something before taking the next step.
Sobre todo “Sobre todo” means mainly or above all and highlights the speaker’s primary concern. “Sobre” contributes the focus on a priority, while “todo” gives the sense of “all” or “above all”; the new example “Sobre todo, quiero ser claro” uses the same expression.
quiero “Quiero” means “I want” and introduces the speaker’s main aim. It is followed by the infinitive “evitar”; the related citation form is “querer”.
evitar “Evitar” means to avoid in “quiero evitar hacer perder el tiempo”. It follows “quiero” as the action the speaker wants not to cause, and it can introduce another infinitive.
hacer In “hacer perder el tiempo”, “hacer” means to cause someone to experience the action that follows. Together, “hacer perder el tiempo a nadie” means to cause nobody to waste time; the new example “hacer reír a alguien” uses the same causative pattern.
perder “Perder” means to waste in “hacer perder el tiempo”. It follows “hacer” and takes “el tiempo” as what is wasted; the new example “perder tiempo” uses the same object.
tiempo “Tiempo” means time in “hacer perder el tiempo”. The expression “hacer perder el tiempo” means to waste someone’s time and is useful when apologizing for an unnecessary delay.
a In “hacer perder el tiempo a nadie”, “a” marks the person whose time would be wasted. The pattern “hacer perder el tiempo a alguien” keeps this person slot, as in the new example “No quiero hacerte perder el tiempo” (“I don’t want to waste your time”).
nadie “Nadie” means anyone or no one in this negative context: the speaker wants not to waste anyone’s time. It appears after “a” in “a nadie”; the new example “No llamé a nadie” means “I didn’t call anyone”.
Llevarlo “Llevarlo” means “to bring it” or “to take it”, referring here to bringing the complete item and its parts to the counter. It combines “llevar” with “lo”; the new example “Voy a llevarlo mañana” uses the same form.
todo “Todo” means everything or all in “Llevarlo todo contigo”. It refers collectively to everything needed for the return, and the pattern “llevarlo todo” is useful when emphasizing completeness.
contigo “Contigo” means “with you” and shows that the customer should have everything with them when coming to the counter. The new example “Lo llevaré contigo” uses “contigo” to express being together with the listener.
proceso “Proceso” means process, referring to the steps involved in handling the return. “Hacer que el proceso sea más sencillo” is a reusable expression for making a procedure easier.
sea “Sea” means “be” in “hacer que el proceso sea más sencillo”, describing the resulting condition of the process. It completes the expression about making the process simpler; the new example “Quiero que sea claro” uses the same form.
más “Más” means more and indicates an increase in simplicity in “más sencillo”. It modifies “sencillo” to say that the process becomes easier than before.
sencillo “Sencillo” means simple or easier to manage in “hacer que el proceso sea más sencillo”. It describes the desired result for the return process; the new example “un proceso sencillo” means “a simple process”.

Grammar Points

puede que + subjuntivo perfecto

Puede que haya entendido mal.

PWEH-deh keh AH-yah en-ten-DEE-doh mahl.

I may have misunderstood.

Puede que expresses uncertainty and is followed by the subjunctive; haya entendido is the present perfect subjunctive.

infinitivo + lo

abrirlo

ah-BREER-loh

to open it

The object pronoun lo attaches directly to the end of an infinitive.

Spanish Vocabulary

abrirlo verb
ah-BREER-loh to open it
accesorios noun
ak-seh-SOH-ryohs accessories
artículo noun
ar-TEE-koo-loh item; article
completo adj
kom-PLEH-toh complete
conservé verb
kon-ser-BEH I kept; I preserved
devolución noun
deh-boh-loo-SYOHN return
embalaje noun
em-bah-LAH-heh packaging
haya entendido mal verb
AH-yah en-ten-DEE-doh mahl may have misunderstood
inspeccionarlo verb
een-spehk-syoh-NAR-loh to inspect it
política de devolución phrase
poh-LEE-tee-kah deh deh-boh-loo-SYOHN return policy
puede que phrase
PWEH-deh keh it may be that; maybe
siempre que conj
SYEM-preh keh as long as; provided that

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

item; article

Show Answerartículo

return

Show Answerdevolución

to open it

Show Answerabrirlo

complete

Show Answercompleto