Setting boundaries for remote video meetings | Learn Spanish in English

Spanish lesson set in a contemporary Madrid everyday setting: In a remote work discussion, two adults decide when video meetings are needed and when written updates can replace them..

EN → ES / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Setting boundaries for remote video meetings to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Quiero reducir las reuniones de vídeo innecesarias siempre que sea posible.

kee-EH-roh reh-doo-SEER lahs reh-oo-nee-OH-nehs deh BEE-deh-oh een-neh-seh-SAH-ryahs SYEM-preh keh seh poh-SEE-bleh. I want to reduce unnecessary video meetings where possible.
B

Lo entiendo, aunque algunas conversaciones se benefician de las reacciones visibles.

loh en-tee-EN-doh, AHNG-keh al-GOO-nahs kon-behr-sah-see-OH-nehs seh beh-neh-FEE-syahn deh lahs reh-ak-see-OH-nehs bee-SEE-blehs. I understand, though some discussions benefit from visible reactions.
A

Las decisiones complejas merecen una conversación en tiempo real, pero las actualizaciones a menudo no.

lahs deh-see-SYOH-nehs kom-PLEK-sahs meh-REH-sen OO-nah kon-behr-sah-see-OHN en TYEM-poh reh-AL, PEH-roh lahs ak-too-ah-lee-sah-SYOH-nehs ah meh-NOO-doh NOH. Complex decisions deserve live discussion, but updates often do not.
B

Entonces deberíamos separar las reuniones para tomar decisiones de las reuniones para compartir información.

en-TOHN-sehs deh-beh-REE-ah-mohs seh-pah-RAHR lahs reh-oo-nee-OH-nehs pah-rah toh-MAHR deh-see-SYOH-nehs deh lahs reh-oo-nee-OH-nehs pah-rah kom-par-TEER een-for-mah-SYOHN. Then we should separate decision meetings from information sharing.
A

Las actualizaciones por escrito permitirían que la gente respondiera con más detenimiento.

lahs ak-too-ah-lee-sah-SYOH-nehs por es-KREE-toh pehr-mee-tee-RYAHN keh lah HEN-teh reh-spohn-DYEH-rah kohn mahs deh-teh-nee-MYEN-toh. Written updates would let people respond more thoughtfully.
B

También crean registros, lo cual resulta útil más adelante.

tahm-BYEN KREH-ahn reh-HEES-trohs, loh kwahl reh-SOOL-tah OO-teel mahs ah-deh-LAHN-teh. They also create records, which is useful later.
A

¿Podríamos poner a prueba ese enfoque con una reunión recurrente?

poh-DREE-ah-mohs poh-NEHR ah PROO-eh-bah EH-seh en-FOH-keh kohn OO-nah reh-oo-nee-OHN reh-koo-RREN-teh? Could we pilot that approach with a recurring meeting?
B

Podemos probarlo y comparar la calidad de los resultados.

poh-DEH-mohs proh-BAHR-loh ee kom-pah-RAHR lah kah-lee-DAHD deh lohs reh-sool-TAH-dohs. We can test it and compare the quality of outcomes.

Word by Word

Quiero In «Quiero reducir», this means “I want” and expresses the speaker’s intention. It is the first-person singular present form of the verb meaning “to want,” followed by an infinitive. Use this pattern to state an intention about an action.
reducir In «reducir las reuniones de vídeo innecesarias», this means “to reduce” or “to cut down.” It is an infinitive after «Quiero». Use it before the thing being reduced, as in «reducir las reuniones».
las In «las reuniones de vídeo innecesarias» and «Las decisiones complejas», this is the feminine plural form of “the.” It introduces plural nouns treated as feminine in these phrases. Reuse it directly before a feminine plural noun.
reuniones In «las reuniones de vídeo innecesarias», this means “meetings,” specifically the video meetings being discussed. It is plural because the discussion concerns meetings in general rather than one meeting. Use it after a determiner such as «las» when referring to several meetings.
de In «reuniones de vídeo», «de» links «reuniones» with «vídeo» and identifies the type of meetings. Here it has the meaning “of” or “video” as a noun modifier. Use «de» to connect a general noun with the type or subject that specifies it.
vídeo In «reuniones de vídeo», this means “video” and specifies the kind of meetings. The phrase describes meetings conducted with video. Reuse the pattern «reuniones de» plus the type of meeting.
innecesarias In «las reuniones de vídeo innecesarias», this means “unnecessary” and describes meetings that are not needed. Its form matches the feminine plural noun «reuniones». Use an adjective after a noun when describing which meetings are unnecessary.
siempre In «siempre que sea posible», this contributes the meaning “whenever” or “always” within the condition “whenever possible.” It forms part of a fixed conditional expression with «que». Use it in this expression when allowing an action whenever circumstances permit.
que In «siempre que sea posible», this is a connector introducing the condition “whenever possible.” Its meaning comes from the whole expression, not from «que» alone. Reuse it after «siempre» to introduce a condition.
sea In «siempre que sea posible», this means “be” and helps express the condition “whenever it is possible.” It is a form of the verb meaning “to be” used in this conditional expression. Use it with «posible» in the phrase «sea posible».
posible In «siempre que sea posible», this means “possible.” Together with «sea», it describes whether circumstances allow the action. Use it after «sea» to express that something can be done when circumstances permit.
Lo In «Lo entiendo», «Lo» is the object pronoun meaning “it,” referring to what the other speaker has said. In «lo cual», the lowercase form is part of a relative expression referring to the preceding situation. Use «Lo entiendo» to acknowledge an idea or statement, and «lo cual» to comment on a preceding fact.
entiendo In «Lo entiendo», this means “I understand.” It is the first-person singular present form of the verb meaning “to understand,” with «Lo» as its object. Use «Lo entiendo» to show that you follow or accept what someone has explained.
aunque In «aunque algunas conversaciones se benefician de las reacciones visibles», this means “although” or “though” and introduces a qualification to the previous statement. It connects the speaker’s agreement with an additional consideration. Use «aunque» before a clause that limits or qualifies what was just said.
algunas In «algunas conversaciones», this means “some” and refers to an unspecified part of the feminine plural group. Its form matches «conversaciones». Use it before a feminine plural noun when referring to some members of a group.
conversaciones In «algunas conversaciones», this means “conversations” or discussions. Here it refers to discussions that may benefit from visible reactions. Use it after a word such as «algunas» when identifying several conversations.
se In «se benefician de las reacciones visibles», «se» is part of the pronominal verb construction meaning “benefit from.” It works with «benefician» and does not mean “themselves” separately here. Reuse the complete pattern «se benefician de» before the thing that provides the benefit.
benefician In «se benefician de las reacciones visibles», this means “benefit from.” The form is used with the plural subject «algunas conversaciones». Use «beneficiarse de» or the dialogue pattern «se benefician de» to identify what provides a benefit.
reacciones In «las reacciones visibles», this means “reactions,” referring to reactions that can be seen during a discussion. It is the thing from which some conversations benefit. Use it after a determiner and before an adjective when describing particular reactions.
visibles In «las reacciones visibles», this means “visible” or “that can be seen.” It describes the plural noun «reacciones». Use it after a plural noun to specify that the reactions are observable.
decisiones In «Las decisiones complejas», this means “decisions.” The phrase refers to decisions that require live discussion. Use it with an adjective or other modifier to identify the type of decisions being discussed.
complejas In «Las decisiones complejas», this means “complex” and describes decisions that are not simple. Its form matches the feminine plural noun «decisiones». Use it after a plural noun when characterizing decisions as complex.
merecen In «Las decisiones complejas merecen una conversación», this means “deserve” and says that the decisions warrant a conversation. It is the plural form used with «Las decisiones complejas». Use «merecen» before the thing that is considered warranted, such as «una conversación».
una In «una conversación en tiempo real», this means “a” and introduces one conversation without identifying a specific one. Its form matches the feminine singular noun «conversación». Use it before a feminine singular noun when introducing one item.
conversación In «una conversación en tiempo real», this means “conversation” or discussion. Here it refers to a live discussion about a complex decision. Use it with «una» for one conversation and with «en tiempo real» to specify how it takes place.
en In «en tiempo real», «en» means “in” and introduces the manner or setting of the conversation. The complete phrase means “in real time.” Reuse «en» in this fixed expression to describe something happening live.
tiempo In «en tiempo real», this means “time.” Together with «real», it forms the expression “in real time,” meaning during the live event rather than later. Use it in the pattern «en tiempo real» for live communication or activity.
real In «en tiempo real», this means “real” and specifies that the time is current or live. Its meaning is part of the fixed phrase «en tiempo real». Use that phrase when an exchange happens as the event is unfolding.
pero In «pero las actualizaciones a menudo no», this means “but” and introduces a contrast with the preceding statement. It contrasts complex decisions that deserve live discussion with updates that often do not. Use «pero» to connect two opposing points.
actualizaciones In «las actualizaciones a menudo no», this means “updates,” referring to information about ongoing work. The sentence contrasts these updates with complex decisions. Use it after a determiner such as «las» when discussing several updates.
a In «a menudo», «a» is part of the fixed expression meaning “often.” Its meaning here comes from the complete phrase rather than from «a» alone. Reuse «a menudo» to describe something that happens frequently.
menudo In «a menudo», this contributes to the adverbial expression meaning “often.” The phrase describes the frequency of the updates not requiring live discussion. Use «a menudo» before or after a clause to state that something happens frequently.
no In «pero las actualizaciones a menudo no», «no» negates the omitted idea that the updates deserve a live discussion. The predicate is left unstated because it is understood from the preceding clause. Use «no» before a verb, or at the end here when the repeated predicate is clear from context.
Entonces In «Entonces deberíamos separar», this means “then” and introduces a conclusion or proposed next step. It connects the previous distinction with the suggestion that follows. Use it at the beginning of a sentence when drawing a practical conclusion.
deberíamos In «deberíamos separar», this means “we should” and presents a recommendation. It is a conditional form of the verb meaning “to have to” or “should,” followed by an infinitive. Use «deberíamos» plus an infinitive to suggest a course of action.
separar In «separar las reuniones para tomar decisiones de las reuniones para compartir información», this means “to separate.” It is the infinitive after «deberíamos» and takes two groups that are being distinguished. Use it before the first group and «de» before the second group.
para In «reuniones para tomar decisiones» and «reuniones para compartir información», «para» introduces the purpose of each type of meeting. It means “for” or “in order to” before an infinitive. Use «para» plus an infinitive to explain what an activity is intended to accomplish.
tomar In «para tomar decisiones», this means “to take” as part of the expression “to make decisions.” The infinitive follows «para» and identifies the purpose of the meetings. Reuse the exact pattern «tomar decisiones» when describing decision-making.
compartir In «para compartir información», this means “to share” and identifies the purpose of the information-sharing meetings. It is an infinitive after «para». Use it before the thing being shared, as in «compartir información».
información In «compartir información», this means “information.” It is the content that the meetings are intended to share. Use it after «compartir» when referring generally to information without a determiner.
por In «actualizaciones por escrito», «por» is part of the expression meaning “in writing” or “in written form.” It indicates the medium used for the updates. Reuse «por escrito» to describe communication that is delivered in written form.
escrito In «por escrito», this means “written” and completes the expression “in writing.” Together, «por escrito» describes the format of the updates. Use the complete phrase when contrasting written communication with live discussion.
permitirían In «Las actualizaciones por escrito permitirían que la gente respondiera», this means “would allow.” It presents a possible result of using written updates and is followed by «que» plus another clause. Use «permitirían que» to describe what a proposed measure would enable.
la In «la gente», «la» means “the” and introduces the singular feminine noun «gente». It identifies the people who would respond. Use it directly before a singular feminine noun when referring to a specific group.
gente In «la gente respondiera», this means “people” or “the people.” It is the group whose response would be enabled by the written updates. Use it with «la» when referring to people as a collective group.
respondiera In «que la gente respondiera con más detenimiento», this means “would respond.” It is used in the subordinate clause after «permitirían que» to describe the possible response enabled by the updates. Use the pattern «permitir que» followed by a clause describing the action someone may take.
con In «con más detenimiento», «con» means “with” and introduces the manner of responding. The complete phrase means responding with greater care or deliberation. Use «con» before a noun phrase that describes how an action is carried out.
más In «con más detenimiento», this means “more” and increases the degree of care or deliberation. It modifies «detenimiento» within the phrase describing how people would respond. Use «más» before a quality or quantity when expressing a greater degree.
detenimiento In «con más detenimiento», this refers to care, deliberation, or taking more time before responding. The phrase describes a more considered response to a written update. Reuse the complete expression «con más detenimiento» to describe careful consideration.
También In «También crean registros», this means “also” and adds another benefit of written updates. It links the creation of records to the previous benefit of more thoughtful responses. Use it at the beginning of a sentence to add a related point.
crean In «También crean registros», this means “create” and describes what written updates do. It is the plural form used with the understood subject referring to the updates. Use it before the thing that is created, such as «registros».
registros In «crean registros», this means “records,” referring to a written trace that can be consulted later. It is the result created by the updates. Use it after «crear» when describing documentation or a record of information.
cual In «lo cual resulta útil más adelante», «cual» is the relative element meaning “which.” Together with «lo», it refers to the preceding fact that the updates create records. Use the expression «lo cual» to comment on a whole preceding statement.
resulta In «lo cual resulta útil más adelante», this means “turns out to be” or “proves to be.” It connects the preceding fact with the evaluation «útil». Use «resulta» before an adjective when describing how something proves useful or significant.
útil In «resulta útil más adelante», this means “useful.” It describes the records as helpful at a later time. Use it after «resulta» to evaluate the practical value of something.
adelante In «más adelante», this means “later” and places the usefulness at a future point. Its temporal meaning comes from the complete phrase «más adelante». Use that phrase when referring to a later stage or time.
Podríamos In «Podríamos poner a prueba ese enfoque», this means “could we” and politely introduces a proposal. It is a conditional form of the verb meaning “can” and is followed by an infinitive. Use «Podríamos» plus an infinitive to suggest a possible action collaboratively.
poner In «poner a prueba ese enfoque», this means “to put” as part of the expression “to put to the test.” The complete phrase means to test an approach in practice. Reuse the exact pattern «poner a prueba» before the thing being tested.
prueba In «poner a prueba ese enfoque», this means “test.” Together with «poner a», it forms the expression “to put to the test.” Use it in «poner a prueba» when trying an approach to evaluate it.
ese In «ese enfoque», this means “that” and points to the approach previously discussed. Its form agrees with the masculine singular noun «enfoque». Use it before a masculine singular noun when referring back to a specific idea or method.
enfoque In «ese enfoque», this means “approach” or method. It refers to replacing some recurring video meetings with written updates. Use it after a demonstrative such as «ese» when referring to a particular approach.
reunión In «una reunión recurrente», this means “meeting.” Here it refers to one meeting selected for the trial. Use it with «una» when introducing a single meeting.
recurrente In «una reunión recurrente», this means “recurring” and describes a meeting that takes place repeatedly. It modifies the singular noun «reunión». Use it after a noun to identify an activity that happens again at regular or repeated intervals.
Podemos In «Podemos probarlo y comparar la calidad de los resultados», this means “we can.” It expresses the speakers’ ability or agreement to carry out the proposed test. Use «podemos» followed by one or more infinitives for actions the group can undertake.
probarlo In «Podemos probarlo», this means “to test it.” The ending «lo» refers back to «ese enfoque», so the object is the proposed approach. Use an infinitive with an attached object pronoun when referring directly to something already identified.
y In «probarlo y comparar», «y» means “and” and joins two coordinated actions. Both actions depend on «Podemos»: testing the approach and comparing the results. Use it to connect actions that belong to the same plan.
comparar In «Podemos ... comparar la calidad de los resultados», this means “to compare.” It is coordinated with «probarlo» after «Podemos». Use it before the two things or qualities being evaluated against each other.
calidad In «la calidad de los resultados», this means “quality.” It identifies the aspect of the outcomes that the speakers will evaluate. Use the pattern «calidad de» before the thing whose quality is being assessed.
los In «los resultados», «los» means “the” and introduces the masculine plural noun «resultados». It refers to the outcomes produced by the compared approaches. Use it before a specific masculine plural noun.
resultados In «la calidad de los resultados», this means “results” or “outcomes.” It refers to what will be compared after testing the approach. Use it after «de» when discussing the quality of the outcomes of an action.

Grammar Points

aunque + imperfecto de subjuntivo

Aunque respondiera con detenimiento

AHNG-keh reh-spohn-DYEH-rah kohn deh-teh-nee-MYEN-toh

Although they responded thoughtfully

Aunque puede introducir una situación hipotética o no confirmada; respondiera es imperfecto de subjuntivo.

deberíamos + infinitivo

Deberíamos separar las conversaciones

deh-beh-REE-ah-mohs seh-pah-RAHR lahs kon-behr-sah-see-OH-nehs

We should separate the conversations

Deberíamos expresa una recomendación de forma condicional y va seguido de un infinitivo.

Spanish Vocabulary

aunque conj
AHNG-keh although; though
beneficiarse verb
beh-neh-fee-SYAR-seh to benefit se benefician
complejo adj
kom-PLEH-hoh complex complejas
conversación noun
kon-behr-sah-see-OHN conversation; discussion conversaciones
decisión noun
deh-see-SYOHN decision decisiones
entender verb
en-tehn-DEHR to understand entiendo
innecesario adj
ee-neh-seh-SAH-ryoh unnecessary innecesarias
merecer verb
meh-reh-SEHR to deserve merecen
reacción noun
reh-ak-see-OHN reaction reacciones
reducir verb
reh-doo-SEER to reduce
reunión noun
reh-oo-nee-OHN meeting reuniones
siempre que sea posible phrase
SYEM-preh keh seh poh-SEE-bleh whenever possible

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to reduce

Show Answerreducir

reaction

Show Answerreacciones

unnecessary

Show Answerinnecesarias

although; though

Show Answeraunque