Day 44: A Day Center for Grandpa
At dinner in Tampico, Marcela (A) and her husband Hugo (B) talk about her father's first day at a day center for older people, while their young daughter Frida (C) listens; danzón is a traditional ballroom dance, and doña is a respectful title.
How to study this lesson 3 steps
- Read the situation under the title. It says who is talking and how they know each other, which decides how politely they speak.
- 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.
- 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
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A
¿Cómo viste a mi papá? Ojalá no se haya pasado el día sentado en un rincón.
How did my dad seem to you? I hope he didn't spend the whole day sitting in a corner.
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B
Salió muy abatido y no me contó nada de las actividades. No creo que le haya gustado.
He came out very downcast and didn't tell me anything about the activities. I don't think he liked it.
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C
Mamá, ¿la casa de día es como una escuela para abuelitos? ¿Les dejan tarea?
Mom, is the day center like a school for grandparents? Do they get homework?
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A
Algo así, mi vida: hay talleres y gente de su edad. Hugo, estaría cansado: era su primer día.
Sort of, sweetheart: there are workshops and people his age. Hugo, he was probably tired: it was his first day.
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B
O estaría nervioso: no conocería a nadie, y tu papá no hace amigos así nomás.
Or nervous: he probably didn't know anyone, and your dad doesn't make friends just like that.
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A
Peor estaría encerrado en la casa: desde que murió mi mamá, el aislamiento lo está acabando.
He'd be worse off shut up at home: since my mom died, the isolation has been wearing him down.
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C
El abuelito me contó en secreto que mañana quiere llegar temprano: le toca bailar danzón con doña Esther.
Grandpa told me in secret that he wants to get there early tomorrow: it's his turn to dance danzón with Doña Esther.
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