Day 28 of 160

Day 28: Why Mom Writes Like a Robot

At home in Irapuato, Jessica (A) dictates an email to her boss into her phone, asking for Friday morning off for the school festival of her young son Adán (B), who is listening.

How to study this lesson 3 steps
  1. Read the situation under the title. It says who is talking and how they know each other, which decides how politely they speak.
  2. Read the dialogue line by line with its translation, until every line makes sense. Point at (or tap) a Spanish word to see what it means.
  3. Spend at least 30 minutes listening to native Spanish, for example from the Resources page. It doesn't matter if you don't understand it yet.

Dialogue

Audio recordings are on the way. For now, each lesson is the dialogue with its English translation.

Keys: E hide English · ← → previous / next day · point at a word to see its meaning

  1. A

    “Estimado licenciado Ortiz: le agradecería que me concediera permiso el viernes por la mañana, con motivo del festival de mi hijo”.

    “Dear Mr. Ortiz, I would be grateful if you could grant me leave on Friday morning on the occasion of my son's festival.”

  2. B

    ¡Mamá, hablas como si fueras un robot! ¿Quién dice “le agradecería”?

    Mom, you sound like a robot! Who says “I would be grateful”?

  3. A

    Así se escribe en la oficina, mi amor: la formalidad es señal de respeto.

    That's how people write at the office, sweetheart: being formal is a sign of respect.

  4. B

    ¿Y por qué no le pones nomás “Jefe, el viernes no voy, tengo festival”?

    So why don't you just put “Boss, I'm not coming in on Friday, I've got a festival”?

  5. A

    Porque me quedaría sin permiso y sin trabajo. Escucha: “Cabe señalar que dejaré mis pendientes resueltos el jueves”.

    Because I'd end up with no morning off and no job. Listen: “It should be noted that I will have my outstanding work completed on Thursday.”

  6. B

    ¿“Cabe señalar”? Suenas igualita a la directora de mi escuela.

    “It should be noted”? You sound just like the principal at my school.

  7. A

    Hablando de la directora: quiere tu carta de disculpa por el vidrio roto, y a la brevedad.

    Speaking of the principal: she wants your letter of apology for the broken window, at your earliest convenience.

Your progress is saved in this browser only, with no sign-up. The course page and the menu show where you left off. Well done! Next up: Day 29: Avocados and the Old Pesos 

If this free course has helped you in your Spanish journey, please consider supporting the project. It's a one-person effort, and even small contributions help keep it running and free for everyone.