A
Traveller in Spain
Introductions
Peter, a young man from London
decides to take a sabbatical after recently completing
his university course and goes to Spain to improve
his basic Spanish. He arrives in Madrid via
the Eurostar train - London to Paris, then takes
an overnight train from Paris to Madrid on the trainhotel
'Francisco
de Goya.
He has slept well and is eager
to see the sights of this vibrant city. He stops
off at a local cafe and meets another young man sitting
at the table alongside him. He decides to try out
his language skills in a basic conversation.
Peter: Buenos días
José: Buenos dias, ¿como estás?
P: Muy bien gracias, ¿y tú?
J: Muy bien. ¿Cómo te llamas?
P: Me llamo Peter. ¿Y tú?
J: Me llamo José
P: Dónde vives?
J: Vivo aquí en Madrid. ¿De
dónde eres?
P: Soy de Inglaterra
J: ¿De qué parte?
P: Soy de Londres.
J: ¿Dónde te alojas?
P: No sé en este momento. Conoces algún
hostal bastante barato?
J: Sí, hay un hostal bastante cerca de aquí.
Es barato y la dueña es muy simpática.
Te escribo la dirección?
P: Sí, muchas gracias.
J: Bueno, encantado de conocerte.
P: Igualmente, adiós
J: Adiós.
Peter finishes his drink and goes in search
of the hostel that José had recommended.
to be continued..........
VOCABULARY |
USEFUL
PHRASES - Getting Started |
Spanish |
English |
Spanish |
English |
| ¿Dónde te alojas? |
Where are you staying? |
Sí |
Yes |
| No sé |
I don't know |
No |
No |
| Conocer |
To know, be familiar with |
Por favor |
Please |
| Bastante |
Quite |
Gracias |
Thank you |
| Cerca |
Near |
Vale |
OK |
| Aquí |
Here |
Perdón |
Excuse me |
| Dueña |
Owner |
No entiendo |
I don't understand |
| Simpática |
Lovely |
Lo siento |
I'm sorry |
| Dirección |
Address |
Hola |
Hello |
| Encantado de conocerte |
Nice to meet you |
Buenos días |
Good morning |
| Igualmente |
Likewise |
Buenas tardes |
Good afternoon |
| |
|
Adiós |
Goodbye |
| |
|
Encantado |
Nice to meet you |
|
I
have tried several methods of learning Spanish, including
group courses, which I found difficult, firstly because
fitting the classes into my busy time-table was not
easy as I work. And secondly, because I didn't always
feel I could ask the teacher to repeat something
or explain further because the rest of the class
didn't seem to need it.
