About This Lesson
Use Calmly Addressing a Noise Issue to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
Quería comentarte que tu música se oye claramente a través de la pared.
keh-REE-ah koh-men-TAR-teh keh too MOO-see-kah seh OH-yeh klah-rah-MEN-teh ah trah-BES deh lah pah-RED. I wanted to mention that your music carries clearly through the wall.
B
No me había dado cuenta de que llegaba hasta tu lado.
noh meh ah-BEE-ah DAH-doh KWEN-tah deh keh yeh-GAH-bah AH-stah too LAH-doh. I did not realize it was reaching your side.
A
Se nota sobre todo tarde por la noche, cuando el edificio está en silencio.
seh NOH-tah SOH-breh TOH-doh TAR-deh por lah NOH-cheh, KWAN-doh el eh-dee-FEE-syoh ehs-TAH en see-LEN-syoh. It is mostly noticeable late at night, when the building is quiet.
B
Puedo bajar los graves y alejar los altavoces de la pared.
PWEH-doh bah-HAR lohs GRAH-bes ee ah-leh-HAR lohs ahl-tah-BOH-sehs deh lah pah-RED. I can lower the bass and move the speakers away from the wall.
A
Eso ayudaría, especialmente las noches entre semana.
EH-soh ah-yoo-dah-REE-ah, ehs-peh-syahl-MEN-teh lahs NOH-chehs EN-treh seh-MAH-nah. That would help, especially on work nights.
B
Por favor, dime si el cambio no es suficiente.
por fah-BOR, DEE-meh see el KAHM-byoh noh ehs soo-fee-SYEN-teh. Please tell me if the change is not enough.
A
Te agradezco que quieras hablarlo.
teh ah-grah-DES-koh keh KYEH-rahs ah-BLAR-loh. I appreciate you being willing to talk about it.
B
Es mejor resolver esto antes de que genere tensión.
ehs meh-HOR reh-sol-BER EES-toh AN-tehs deh keh heh-NEH-reh ten-SYON. It is better to sort this out before it turns into tension.Word by Word
Quería
In “Quería comentarte que”, this means “I wanted to” and introduces a considerate remark. The form comes from querer and is useful when raising a topic gently with a neighbor, colleague, or other person.
comentarte
In “Quería comentarte que”, this means “to mention to you” or “to tell you about”. It combines the action of mentioning with “to you” and is reusable in the pattern “Quería comentarte que...” when introducing information politely.
que
In “Quería comentarte que tu música...”, this introduces the information being mentioned: “that your music...”. It commonly connects an introductory expression such as “Quería comentarte” with a complete statement.
tu
In “tu música”, this means “your” and identifies the music as belonging to the person being addressed. It is useful before the thing being referred to, as in “tu música” in a calm complaint or request.
música
In “tu música”, this means “music”, specifically the neighbor’s music in this conversation. It can be used to identify the sound or musical activity being discussed in a building, room, or public place.
se
In “se oye claramente”, this helps express that the music is heard or noticeable, without naming a listener as the subject. The meaning belongs to the whole construction “se oye”, which is useful when describing how a sound comes across.
oye
In “se oye claramente”, this means “is heard”. It is the form used with “se” to describe the music being audible, a useful pattern when explaining that a sound can be heard from another room or through a wall.
claramente
In “se oye claramente”, this means “clearly” and says that the sound can be heard without much difficulty. It is reusable after a verb to describe how clearly something is perceived or understood.
a
In “a través de la pared”, this is part of the expression meaning “through the wall”. The complete pattern “a través de” is useful for describing movement, sound, or information passing through something.
través
In “a través de la pared”, this contributes the meaning “through” in the fixed expression “a través de”. Use the complete expression when explaining that something passes from one side of an object or place to another.
de
In “a través de la pared”, this completes the expression “a través de” and identifies what the sound passes through. It commonly follows “a través” before the object or place involved.
la
In “la pared”, this is the definite article introducing the specific wall being discussed. It is useful before a known or clearly identified noun, such as a wall shared by neighbors.
pared
In “a través de la pared”, this means “wall”, specifically the wall separating the neighbors’ spaces. It is useful when discussing sound, movement, or objects located on the other side of a wall.
No
At the start of “No me había dado cuenta”, this means “not” and negates the realization. It is commonly placed before the verb phrase when saying that someone did not notice or understand something.
me
In “No me había dado cuenta”, this refers to the speaker as the person who had not realized something. It is part of the fixed construction “darse cuenta de” and is useful when describing one’s own awareness or lack of awareness.
había
In “No me había dado cuenta”, this helps express that the realization had not occurred before the conversation. It is part of the construction “había dado cuenta” here and is useful for referring to an earlier state of awareness.
dado
In “me había dado cuenta”, this is part of the fixed expression “darse cuenta de”, meaning “to realize” or “to become aware”. Its contribution cannot be understood as a separate literal “given” in this sentence; use the complete expression when talking about noticing something.
cuenta
In “me había dado cuenta”, this is part of the expression “darse cuenta de”, which means “to realize” or “to become aware”. The construction is useful for admitting that you had not noticed a fact before someone pointed it out.
llegaba
In “llegaba hasta tu lado”, this means “was reaching” and describes the music extending as far as the other person’s side. The form is useful for explaining how a sound, smell, signal, or other effect reaches a place.
hasta
In “llegaba hasta tu lado”, this means “as far as” and marks the endpoint reached by the music. It is reusable before a place or boundary when describing the extent of something.
lado
In “tu lado”, this means “side”, referring to the neighbor’s side of the wall or building. It is useful with a possessive expression when distinguishing one person’s side from another’s.
nota
In “Se nota sobre todo tarde por la noche”, this means “is noticeable” or “can be noticed”. The meaning comes with “se nota”, a useful construction for describing when a sound, difference, or effect becomes perceptible.
sobre
In “sobre todo”, this contributes to the expression meaning “mostly” or “above all”, rather than meaning “on” or “above” here. Use the complete phrase “sobre todo” to highlight the time or factor that matters most.
todo
In “sobre todo”, this helps form the expression meaning “mostly” or “especially”. The complete phrase is useful when selecting the main time, reason, or feature among several possibilities.
tarde
In “tarde por la noche”, this means “late” and indicates that the noise is most noticeable late in the night. It is useful before or with a time expression when specifying that something happens later than usual.
por
Here “por” appears in “tarde por la noche” to place the event during the night, and in “Por favor” as part of a polite request. These are common patterns: “por” can mark a time period, while “por favor” softens a request.
noche
In “por la noche”, this means “night” and identifies the period when the building is quiet. The expression “por la noche” is useful when describing when an activity or event happens.
cuando
In “cuando el edificio está en silencio”, this means “when” and introduces the situation in which the music is especially noticeable. It is useful for connecting an event with the time or circumstances surrounding it.
el
In “el edificio”, this is the definite article introducing the specific building shared by the speakers. It is useful before a known noun when referring to a particular place in the conversation.
edificio
In “el edificio”, this means “building”, the shared residence where the noise issue occurs. It is useful when discussing conditions, rules, or events in a residential or workplace building.
está
In “el edificio está en silencio”, this means “is” and describes the building’s current quiet condition. It is useful with a state or condition, especially in the pattern “estar en...”.
en
In “está en silencio”, this means “in” and forms the expression “in silence”. It commonly connects estar with a state or condition, as in “estar en silencio”.
silencio
In “está en silencio”, this means “silence” and describes the quiet state of the building. The expression “estar en silencio” is useful when saying that people or places are quiet.
Puedo
In “Puedo bajar los graves”, this means “I can” and introduces an adjustment the speaker is able or willing to make. It is useful before an infinitive when offering a practical action.
bajar
In “Puedo bajar los graves”, this means “lower” and refers to reducing the bass level. After “Puedo”, it stays in this infinitive form; the pattern is useful when offering to reduce a setting or level.
los
In “los graves”, this is the definite article introducing the specific bass tones being discussed. It is useful before a known sound setting or group of tones in a conversation about audio.
graves
In “bajar los graves”, this means “bass tones” or “bass” in an audio setting. The reusable pattern “bajar los graves” describes reducing low-frequency sound to make music less intrusive.
y
In “bajar los graves y alejar los altavoces”, this means “and” and joins two practical adjustments. It is useful for linking coordinated actions in an offer or plan.
alejar
In “alejar los altavoces de la pared”, this means “move the speakers away”. The pattern “alejar algo de...” is useful when describing an object being moved farther from a wall, person, or other reference point.
altavoces
In “alejar los altavoces de la pared”, this means “speakers”, the devices producing the music. It is useful when discussing where audio equipment is placed or how its position affects sound.
Eso
In “Eso ayudaría”, this means “that” and refers to the proposed changes just mentioned. It is useful for acknowledging or evaluating a previously stated action or suggestion.
ayudaría
In “Eso ayudaría”, this means “would help” and gives a polite, measured evaluation of the proposed changes. It is useful when saying that an action would improve a situation without claiming that it will solve everything.
especialmente
In “especialmente las noches entre semana”, this means “especially” and highlights the times when reducing the noise matters most. It is useful before the specific circumstance receiving extra emphasis.
las
In “las noches entre semana”, this is the definite article introducing the particular nights being discussed. It is useful before a known set of times or occasions.
noches
In “las noches entre semana”, this means “nights” and refers to weekday nights. It is useful when specifying recurring times during which quiet or another condition is important.
entre
In “entre semana”, this contributes to the expression meaning “during the week” or “on weekdays”. The complete pattern is useful when referring to regular weekday times rather than the weekend.
semana
In “entre semana”, this means “week” as part of the expression for weekday time. The phrase is useful when setting a schedule or describing when a recurring situation occurs.
favor
In “Por favor”, this is part of the polite expression meaning “please”. Use the complete expression before or around a request, such as asking someone to report whether a change is sufficient.
dime
In “dime si el cambio no es suficiente”, this means “tell me” and directly invites the other person to give feedback. It is useful when asking someone to report a result, problem, or change in circumstances.
si
In “dime si el cambio no es suficiente”, this means “if” and introduces the condition under which the other person should respond. It is useful after verbs such as “dime” when asking someone to report whether a situation has a particular result.
cambio
In “si el cambio no es suficiente”, this means “change”, referring to the adjustments to the music and speakers. It is useful when evaluating whether a proposed modification has produced enough improvement.
suficiente
In “no es suficiente”, this means “enough” or “sufficient” and evaluates whether the change adequately reduces the problem. The pattern “ser suficiente” is useful when deciding whether an action or amount meets a need.
Te
In “Te agradezco que quieras hablarlo”, this means “to you” and identifies the person receiving the speaker’s appreciation. It is part of the pattern “te agradezco que...” used to thank someone for an action or attitude.
agradezco
In “Te agradezco que quieras hablarlo”, this means “I appreciate” or “I thank you for”. It is useful for acknowledging another person’s cooperation, especially after a sensitive conversation or helpful action.
quieras
In “que quieras hablarlo”, this expresses that the other person wants or is willing to discuss the issue. It follows “Te agradezco que” and is useful when appreciating someone’s willingness to do something.
hablarlo
In “quieras hablarlo”, this means “talk about it”, with “lo” referring to the noise issue. The attached form is useful after an infinitive when referring back to a specific matter being discussed.
Es
In “Es mejor resolver esto”, this means “it is” and introduces an evaluation of the best course of action. The pattern “Es mejor + infinitive” is useful for giving calm practical advice.
mejor
In “Es mejor resolver esto”, this means “better” and presents resolving the issue as the preferable option. It is useful after “Es” when recommending one action over leaving a problem unresolved.
resolver
In “resolver esto”, this means “resolve” or “sort out” and refers to dealing with the noise issue constructively. After “Es mejor”, it stays in the infinitive form; the pattern is useful for recommending action on a problem.
esto
In “resolver esto”, this means “this” and points to the noise issue being discussed. It is useful for referring to a current problem or situation without repeating its full description.
antes
In “antes de que genere tensión”, this means “before” and places the recommended resolution earlier than a possible negative result. The pattern “antes de que...” is useful when warning that one event should happen before another.
genere
In “antes de que genere tensión”, this means “causes” or “creates” and refers to the issue producing tension. The pattern “generar tensión” is useful when describing a situation that could damage a relationship or make a conversation more difficult.
tensión
In “genere tensión”, this means “tension”, referring to strained relations between the neighbors. It is useful when discussing interpersonal friction that may develop if a practical problem is not addressed.
Grammar Points
antes de que + subjuntivo
Antes de que genere tensión, hay que hablarlo.
AN-tehs deh keh heh-NEH-reh ten-SYON, eye keh ah-BLAR-loh.Before it generates tension, we need to talk about it.
Use the subjunctive after “antes de que” for an action that has not happened yet.
agradecer que + subjuntivo
Agradezco que quieras hablarlo.
ah-grah-DES-koh keh KYEH-rahs ah-BLAR-loh.I appreciate that you are willing to talk about it.
After “agradezco que,” use the subjunctive to express appreciation for someone’s willingness or action.
Spanish Vocabulary
a través de
prep
ah trah-BES deh
through
claramente
adv
klah-rah-MEN-teh
clearly
comentarte
verb
koh-men-TAR-teh
to mention to you
hasta
prep
AH-stah
as far as
lado
noun
LAH-doh
side
llegaba
verb
yeh-GAH-bah
was reaching
me había dado cuenta
phrase
meh ah-BEE-ah DAH-doh KWEN-tah
I had realized
música
noun
MOO-see-kah
music
pared
noun
pah-RED
wall
quería
verb
keh-REE-ah
wanted to
se nota
phrase
seh NOH-tah
is noticeable
se oye
phrase
seh OH-yeh
can be heard
Quiz
Word Order
Arrange the words in the correct order.
I appreciate you being willing to talk about it.
Show Answer
Te agradezco que quieras hablarlo.Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
was reaching
Show Answer
llegabamusic
Show Answer
músicato mention to you
Show Answer
comentartewall