A1 Spanish

Stories completed

29. ¿Adoptamos a un perro?

(Shall We Adopt a Dog?)

Lucía wants a dog. Her father says no. Too much work, too much noise, too expensive. The conversation is over. Or is it?

Illustration of a concerned man looking at a spotted dog sitting on a chair

Spanish version

La familia cena junta.

Después de cenar, se quedan en la mesa y hablan <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="a while" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">un rato: es <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="after-dinner chat" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">la sobremesa.

Lucía mira a su padre.

—Papá... <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="I think that" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">creo que necesitamos un perro.

Javier deja <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="fork" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">el tenedor.

—¿Un perro? No, Lucía.

Beatriz mira a Javier.

—Pero Javier, <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="I think that" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">pienso que un perro es <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="good for" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">bueno para los niños.

—Para mí, los perros <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="they give a lot of work" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">dan mucho trabajo.

—Papá, <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="I'll take care of it" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">yo lo cuido. Yo hago todo.

—Lucía, creo que los perros hacen mucho ruido. Además, <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="they make dirty" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">ensucian la casa.

Beatriz <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="She rests" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">apoya la mano en la mesa. Está enfadada.

—<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="It seems to me that" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Me parece que no es <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="so difficult" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">tan difícil, Javier.

—Y además me parece que es caro tener un perro. La comida y <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="veterinarian" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">el veterinario cuestan mucho.

Lucía <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="she gets sad" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">se pone triste.

—Pero <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="all my friends" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">todos mis amigos tienen un perro, papá.

—Pienso que no es <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="a good reason" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">una buena razón.

—Pero papá...

—No quiero un perro en casa.

Beatriz mira a Lucía y después a Javier.

—Javier, <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="In my opinion" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">en mi opinión, Lucía es muy responsable.

—Para mí, <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="it's clear" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">está claro. No necesitamos un perro.

—Papá, por favor...

—No, Lucía. No quiero hablar más de esto.

Beatriz mira a Javier muy seria.

—Bueno... creo que tengo que <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="to say something important" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">decir algo importante.

—¿Qué?

—<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="It's too late now" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Ya es tarde.

—¿Tarde? ¿Por qué?

—Javier, creo que vas a entender en un minuto.

Lucía se levanta rápido y va a su habitación.

—¿Qué pasa? No entiendo.

—Espera.

Lucía vuelve con <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="a little dog" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">un perrito pequeño. Es marrón y blanco.

—Papá... <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="let me introduce you to" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">te presento a Paquito.

—¡¿Qué?! ¿Ya tienen un perro? ¿<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="without talking to me" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Sin hablar conmigo?

Mira a Beatriz.

—¿Cuándo?

—Esta tarde.

—<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="I can't believe this" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">No puedo creer esto.

Lucía pone a Paquito en el suelo.

El perrito corre hacia Javier. Salta cerca de sus piernas.

—¡No, no!

Javier se sienta.

Paquito mira a Javier con los ojos muy <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="open" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">abiertos.

Después se sienta cerca de los pies de Javier.

Apoya la cabeza en <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="foot" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">el pie de Javier.

Javier mira al perrito.

—Es... muy pequeño.

Toca la cabeza de Paquito <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="carefully" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">con cuidado.

Paquito cierra los ojos.

Javier toca a Paquito otra vez. El perrito está muy tranquilo.

Después, Javier coge a Paquito y lo pone en sus <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="arms" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">brazos.

Paquito <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="falls asleep" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">se duerme.

Javier mira a Paquito dormir. Sonríe un poco.

—Mira... es muy tranquilo.

Después mira a Beatriz y a Lucía.

—Bueno... me parece que no es <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="such a bad idea" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">tan mala idea tener un perro.

Spanish story with English translation

La familia cena junta.

The family has dinner together.

Después de cenar, se quedan en la mesa y hablan un rato: es la sobremesa.

After dinner, they stay at the table and talk for a while: it's the sobremesa.

Lucía mira a su padre.

Lucía looks at her father.

—Papá... creo que necesitamos un perro.

"Dad... I think we need a dog."

Javier deja el tenedor.

Javier puts down his fork.

—¿Un perro? No, Lucía.

"A dog? No, Lucía."

Beatriz mira a Javier.

Beatriz looks at Javier.

—Pero Javier, pienso que un perro es bueno para los niños.

"But Javier, I think a dog is good for children."

—Para mí, los perros dan mucho trabajo.

"For me, dogs are a lot of work."

—Papá, yo lo cuido. Yo hago todo.

"Dad, I'll take care of it. I'll do everything."

—Lucía, creo que los perros hacen mucho ruido. Además, ensucian la casa.

"Lucía, I think dogs make a lot of noise. Also, they make the house dirty."

Beatriz apoya la mano en la mesa. Está enfadada.

Beatriz puts her hand on the table. She is annoyed.

—Me parece que no es tan difícil, Javier.

"It seems to me that it's not that difficult, Javier."

—Y además me parece que es caro tener un perro. La comida y el veterinario cuestan mucho.

"And also it seems to me that it's expensive to have a dog. The food and the vet cost a lot."

Lucía se pone triste.

Lucía becomes sad.

—Pero todos mis amigos tienen un perro, papá.

"But all my friends have a dog, Dad."

—Pienso que no es una buena razón.

"I think that's not a good reason."

—Pero papá...

"But Dad..."

—No quiero un perro en casa.

"I don't want a dog in the house."

Beatriz mira a Lucía y después a Javier.

Beatriz looks at Lucía and then at Javier.

—Javier, en mi opinión, Lucía es muy responsable.

"Javier, in my opinion, Lucía is very responsible."

—Para mí, está claro. No necesitamos un perro.

"For me, it's clear. We don't need a dog."

—Papá, por favor...

"Dad, please..."

—No, Lucía. No quiero hablar más de esto.

"No, Lucía. I don't want to talk about this anymore."

Beatriz mira a Javier muy seria.

Beatriz looks at Javier very seriously.

—Bueno... creo que tengo que decir algo importante.

"Well... I think I have to say something important."

—¿Qué?

"What?"

—Ya es tarde.

"It's already too late."

—¿Tarde? ¿Por qué?

"Too late? Why?"

—Javier, creo que vas a entender en un minuto.

"Javier, I think you're going to understand in a minute."

Lucía se levanta rápido y va a su habitación.

Lucía gets up quickly and goes to her room.

—¿Qué pasa? No entiendo.

"What's happening? I don't understand."

—Espera.

"Wait."

Lucía vuelve con un perrito pequeño. Es marrón y blanco.

Lucía comes back with a small puppy. It is brown and white.

—Papá... te presento a Paquito.

"Dad... I present to you Paquito."

—¡¿Qué?! ¿Ya tienen un perro? ¿Sin hablar conmigo?

"What?! You already have a dog? Without talking to me?"

Mira a Beatriz.

He looks at Beatriz.

—¿Cuándo?

"When?"

—Esta tarde.

"This afternoon."

—No puedo creer esto.

"I can't believe this."

Lucía pone a Paquito en el suelo.

Lucía puts Paquito on the floor.

El perrito corre hacia Javier. Salta cerca de sus piernas.

The puppy runs toward Javier. It jumps near his legs.

—¡No, no!

"No, no!"

Javier se sienta.

Javier sits down.

Paquito mira a Javier con los ojos muy abiertos.

Paquito looks at Javier with his eyes wide open.

Después se sienta cerca de los pies de Javier.

Then he sits near Javier's feet.

Apoya la cabeza en el pie de Javier.

He rests his head on Javier's foot.

Javier mira al perrito.

Javier looks at the puppy.

—Es... muy pequeño.

"He's... very small."

Toca la cabeza de Paquito con cuidado.

He touches Paquito's head carefully.

Paquito cierra los ojos.

Paquito closes his eyes.

Javier toca a Paquito otra vez. El perrito está muy tranquilo.

Javier touches Paquito again. The puppy is very calm.

Después, Javier coge a Paquito y lo pone en sus brazos.

Then, Javier picks up Paquito and puts him in his arms.

Paquito se duerme.

Paquito falls asleep.

Javier mira a Paquito dormir. Sonríe un poco.

Javier watches Paquito sleep. He smiles a little.

—Mira... es muy tranquilo.

"Look... he's very calm."

Después mira a Beatriz y a Lucía.

Then he looks at Beatriz and Lucía.

—Bueno... me parece que no es tan mala idea tener un perro.

"Well... it seems to me that it's not such a bad idea to have a dog."

Part 2

Vocabulary Flashcards

Part 3

Story Challenge

Part 4

Patterns Challenge

Part 5

Listening Challenge

Part 6

Writing Challenge

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Question 1

Your friend asks about the family dinner. Reply in Spanish: I think Lucía wants a dog. In my opinion, Javier doesn't want a dog.

Example: Creo que Lucía quiere un perro. En mi opinión, Javier no quiere un perro.

Notes:

"Creo que" = I think that. After "creo que" you just write a normal sentence. Creo que + Lucía quiere un perro. The "que" connects your opinion to the fact.
"En mi opinión" works the same way but without "que" - "En mi opinión, Javier no quiere un perro."

Question 2

Javier says that dogs are too much work and too expensive. Reply to him in Spanish: I think dogs are not a lot of work. For me, a dog is good for the family.

Example: Creo que los perros no dan mucho trabajo. Para mí, un perro es bueno para la familia.

Notes:

To disagree with someone just add "no" to your opinion: "Creo que los perros no dan mucho trabajo." Your opinion expression stays positive and the sentence inside it gets the "no"
"Para mí" is the most conversational way to share your point of view.

Question 3

Beatriz asks what you think. Answer in Spanish: In my opinion, dogs are good friends. I think Lucía can take care of Paquito.

Example: En mi opinión, los perros son buenos amigos. Creo que Lucía puede cuidar a Paquito.

Notes:

"Cuidar A Paquito" needs the personal "a." Taking care of a person or animal always needs "a" before them: cuidar a Lucía, cuidar a Paquito.
"En mi opinión" and "para mí" mean the same thing here. You could also say "Para mí, los perros son buenos amigos."

Question 4

Translate to Spanish: I think Paquito is very small. For Javier, dogs are a lot of work. In my opinion, Lucía is responsible.

Example: Creo que Paquito es muy pequeño. Para Javier, los perros dan mucho trabajo. En mi opinión, Lucía es responsable.

Notes:

"Creo que," "para + person," "en mi opinión." Three different ways to say what someone thinks.
"Para Javier" = for Javier / in Javier's view. You can use this with anyone: para mí, para ti, para Beatriz, para Lucía. Always "para" + person.

Question 5

Translate to Spanish: Lucía thinks the family needs a dog. But Javier thinks it is expensive to have a dog. Beatriz thinks it is not so difficult.

Example: Lucía piensa que la familia necesita un perro. Pero Javier piensa que es caro tener un perro. Beatriz piensa que no es tan difícil.

Notes:

"Piensa que" = thinks that. This is the él/ella form. Yo creo, tú crees, él/ella piensa. Use "piensa que" anytime you're describing what someone else thinks.
"Es caro tener un perro" literally says "it is expensive to have a dog." In Spanish you can put an infinitive right after an adjective like this: es difícil estudiar, es bueno comer fruta, es caro tener un perro.

Question 6

Translate to Spanish: Paquito is very calm. He falls asleep in Javier's arms. I think Javier likes Paquito. Do you think it is a bad idea?

Example: Paquito es muy tranquilo. Se duerme en los brazos de Javier. Creo que a Javier le gusta Paquito. ¿Crees que es una mala idea?

Notes:

"Crees que" is the tú form: creo (I think), crees (you think), cree (he/she thinks).
"Me parece que" is one more expression worth knowing. It works like GUSTAR: "a mí me parece," "a Javier le parece." In the story, Javier says "me parece que no es tan mala idea." Same meaning as "creo que" but it's just a bit more personal.

Reply in Spanish and join the discussion!

One small dog, three big opinions… and a father who changes his mind. Now tell us:

Who do you think loves Paquito the most now? Why?
Lucía and Beatriz buy the dog without telling Javier. In your opinion, is that OK or not?
What is something everybody likes but you don't?

Part 7

Speaking Challenge

The dinner plates are empty but nobody's leaving this table. Between Javier's arguments and Lucía's secret, there's a lot to talk about… and everyone wants to know what YOU think.

Caught in the Middle

You're having dinner at Javier and Beatriz's house. After dinner everyone stays at the table for sobremesa.

Your task - share your opinions:

Tell Lucía you like dogs a lot - you think they are very fun.
Tell Javier you don't agree - you think small dogs don't make much noise and don't dirty the house.
Tell Javier you think having a small dog is not that expensive.
Tell Lucía you think she is very responsible and she can take care of a dog.

Speak for 30-45 seconds

Reveal sample answer

Me gustan mucho los perros. Pienso que son muy divertidos.
1. I like dogs a lot. I think that they are very fun.
No estoy de acuerdo. Creo que los perros pequeños no hacen mucho ruido y no ensucian la casa.
1. I don't agree. I think that small dogs don't make much noise and don't dirty the house.
Pienso que tener un perro pequeño no es tan caro.
1. I think that having a small dog is not that expensive.
Pienso que eres muy responsable y puedes cuidar al perro.
1. I think that you are very responsible and you can take care of the dog.

Building Lucía's Case

Lucía calls you before dinner. Tonight she's going to ask her father for a dog and she needs strong arguments.

Your task - help Lucía build her case:

Say you think adopting a dog is a good idea.
Say you think a dog is good for children and that children are happier with a pet.
Say in your opinion, having a dog is not much work - you only have to walk the dog and give him food.
Say you think Lucía can learn a lot with a dog and be more responsible.
Say you think the family can walk the dog together on the weekends.
Say you think Javier is going to understand because he is a good father.

Speak for 45 seconds - 1 minute

Reveal sample answer

Creo que adoptar un perro es una buena idea.
1. I think that adopting a dog is a good idea.
Pienso que un perro es bueno para los niños y que los niños están más contentos con un perro.
1. I think that a dog is good for the children and that children are happier with a dog.
En mi opinión, tener un perro no da mucho trabajo. Solo tienes que pasear al perro y darle comida.
1. In my opinion, having a dog doesn't give much work. You only have to walk the dog and give him food.
Creo que puedes aprender mucho con un perro y ser más responsable.
1. I think that you can learn a lot with a dog and be more responsible.
Pienso que la familia puede pasear al perro junta los fines de semana.
1. I think that the family can walk the dog together on the weekends.
Creo que Javier va a entender porque es un buen padre.
1. I think that Javier is going to understand because he is a good father.

Javier at Work

You're Javier and a coworker at the office mentions they're thinking of getting a dog.

Your task - share your opinions about dogs:

Say that, in your opinion, dogs give a lot of work.
Say you think dogs make a lot of noise and they dirty the house.
Say you also think dogs are very expensive - the food and the vet cost a lot of money.
Say your wife thinks a dog is good for the children, but for you, no.
Your coworker says dogs can live inside the house. Say you don't agree - you think dogs should not be in the house.

Speak for 45 seconds - 1 minute

Reveal sample answer

Para mí, los perros dan mucho trabajo.
1. For me, dogs give a lot of work.
Pienso que los perros hacen mucho ruido y ensucian la casa.
1. I think that dogs make a lot of noise and they dirty the house.
Además, creo que tener un perro es muy caro. La comida y el veterinario cuestan mucho dinero.
1. Also, I think that having a dog is very expensive. The food and the vet cost a lot of money.
Mi mujer cree que un perro es bueno para los niños. Pero para mí, no.
1. My wife believes that a dog is good for the children. But for me, no.
No estoy de acuerdo. Pienso que los perros no deben estar en la casa.
1. I don't agree. I think that dogs should not be in the house.

Agree or Disagree

A friend makes five bold statements and wants your real opinion. For each one, say if you agree or disagree and explain why.

Your task - agree or disagree and explain why:

"Cats are better pets than dogs." Say what you think and give a reason (connect your ideas with: porque, pero, sin embargo).
"It is better to live in a big city than in a small town." Share your opinion and explain why.
"A person doesn't need friends to be happy." Agree or disagree and give a reason.
"Money is more important than free time." Say what you think and explain.
"Dogs should not be on the sofa." Agree or disagree and explain.

Speak for 1 minute - 1 minute 15 seconds

Reveal sample answer

No estoy de acuerdo. Creo que los perros son mejores que los gatos porque son más divertidos. / Estoy de acuerdo. Para mí, los gatos son mejores porque son más tranquilos.
1. I don't agree. I think that dogs are better than cats because they are more fun. / I agree. For me, cats are better because they are more quiet.
En mi opinión, es mejor vivir en un pueblo pequeño porque es más tranquilo. Sin embargo, la ciudad tiene más cosas. / Para mí, la ciudad es mejor porque tiene más restaurantes y más tiendas.
1. In my opinion, it is better to live in a small town because it is more quiet. However, the city has more things. / For me, the city is better because it has more restaurants and more stores.
No estoy de acuerdo. Pienso que las personas necesitan amigos porque los amigos son muy importantes.
1. I don't agree. I think that people need friends because friends are very important.
Me parece que el tiempo libre es más importante que el dinero. El dinero es importante, pero no es todo. / Creo que sí. Sin dinero, no puedes hacer muchas cosas.
1. It seems to me that free time is more important than money. Money is important, but it is not everything. / I think yes. Without money, you can't do many things.
No estoy de acuerdo. En mi opinión, los perros pueden estar en el sofá. ¡El sofá es para todos! / Estoy de acuerdo. Creo que los perros deben estar en el suelo porque el sofá es para las personas.
1. I don't agree. In my opinion, dogs can be on the sofa. The sofa is for everyone! / I agree. I think that dogs should be on the floor because the sofa is for people.

Wait, I Know This One

You're having coffee with a friend and he says: "My father was completely against getting a dog. Now he's the one who loves the dog the most." You put down your coffee. "Wait - I read a story exactly like that."

Your task - tell the story in your own words:

Where is the family and what are they doing? (dinner, sobremesa)
What does Lucía say to her father?
What is Javier's opinion? His three arguments against a dog (noise, mess, cost).
What does Beatriz think? And what does Lucía say to convince Javier? (her friends, responsibility)
What does Javier decide? Does he want to talk more about this?
What does Beatriz say? Why is it "too late"?
Describe who Lucía brings back and how Javier reacts (name, size, colors).
What does Paquito do with Javier? (run, sit near feet, head on foot)
How does Javier change? (touch, hold, Paquito sleeps, smile)
What does Javier say at the end about having a dog?
What do you think about this story? Why?
Do you think Javier is going to like Paquito a lot?
Do you agree with Javier that having a dog is expensive and a lot of work?
In your opinion, are children more responsible with a pet?

Speak for 2.5-3.5 minutes

Reveal sample answer

La familia cena junta. Después de cenar, se quedan en la mesa y hablan. Es la sobremesa.
1. The family eats dinner together. After eating dinner, they stay at the table and they talk. It's the sobremesa.
Lucía mira a su padre y dice: "Papá, creo que necesitamos un perro."
1. Lucía looks at her father and says: "Dad, I think that we need a dog."
Javier piensa que los perros hacen mucho ruido. También piensa que ensucian la casa. Y dice que son muy caros - la comida y el veterinario cuestan mucho.
1. Javier thinks that dogs make a lot of noise. He also thinks that they dirty the house. And he says that they are very expensive - the food and the vet cost a lot.
Beatriz piensa que un perro es bueno para los niños. Dice que no es tan difícil. Lucía dice que todos sus amigos tienen un perro y que ella puede cuidar al perro.
1. Beatriz thinks that a dog is good for the children. She says that it is not that difficult. Lucía says that all her friends have a dog and that she can take care of the dog.
Javier no quiere un perro. No quiere hablar más de esto.
1. Javier doesn't want a dog. He doesn't want to talk more about this.
Beatriz dice que tiene que decir algo importante. Ya es tarde porque... ya tienen un perro.
1. Beatriz says that she has to say something important. It is already too late because... they already have a dog.
Lucía va a su habitación y vuelve con un perrito pequeño. Se llama Paquito. Es marrón y blanco. ¡Javier no puede creer esto!
1. Lucía goes to her room and comes back with a small puppy. His name is Paquito. He is brown and white. Javier can't believe this!
Paquito corre hacia Javier. Se sienta cerca de sus pies. Apoya la cabeza en el pie de Javier.
1. Paquito runs towards Javier. He sits near his feet. He rests his head on Javier's foot.
Javier toca la cabeza de Paquito con cuidado. Después, coge a Paquito y lo pone en sus brazos. Paquito se duerme. Javier sonríe.
1. Javier touches Paquito's head carefully. Then, he picks up Paquito and puts him in his arms. Paquito falls asleep. Javier smiles.
Al final, Javier dice: "Me parece que no es tan mala idea tener un perro."
1. At the end, Javier says: "It seems to me that it is not such a bad idea to have a dog."
Creo que esta historia es muy divertida. Me gusta mucho porque Javier dice que no, pero al final dice que sí.
1. I think that this story is very funny. I like it a lot because Javier says no, but at the end he says yes.
Creo que sí. Pienso que a Javier le va a gustar mucho Paquito porque ya le gusta el perrito.
1. I think yes. I think that Javier is going to like Paquito a lot because he already likes the puppy.
Para mí, tener un perro da mucho trabajo, pero no es tan caro. / Creo que sí. Tener un perro es caro y da mucho trabajo.
1. For me, having a dog gives a lot of work, but it is not that expensive. / I think yes. Having a dog is expensive and gives a lot of work.
Creo que sí. Los niños son más responsables cuando tienen un animal. / Pienso que no. Los niños quieren un perro, pero no son muy responsables.
1. I think yes. Children are more responsible when they have an animal. / I think no. Children want a dog, but they are not very responsible.

Part 8

Culture

1. The Moment Beatriz and Lucía Were Waiting For

The family finishes dinner. And then… nobody gets up.

They just stay at the table. Talking.

You already know Spain eats late.

But here's something you might not know yet: in Spain, the meal doesn't end when the food does. It ends whenever everyone feels like getting up.

What you just read in this story has a name. And it's one of those Spanish words that doesn't exist in English.

The word with no translation

Sobremesa. From sobre (over) + mesa (table). The time you spend at the table after the food is gone.

No English word covers it. Sobremesa isn't something you do because you're too lazy to get up. It's the part of the meal where the real conversation happens.

The plates get cleared. Someone makes coffee. Maybe someone brings out dessert. And then people just… talk. About their day, about their kids, about whatever comes up.

On a weekday it might last twenty or thirty minutes. On a Sunday with family? Easily two hours.

Spanish TV knows about this. The afternoon programming block between roughly 2 and 5 PM is called "la sobremesa" in scheduling terms. The main afternoon news airs then… because everyone's still at the table after lunch.

And the word has layers.

The Royal Spanish Academy lists three definitions:

The tradition - the time spent at the table after eating. The one everyone knows
A table cover - a cloth or mat on the table. Rarely used this way anymore
Dessert - marked as archaic by the RAE, but in some Latin American countries… especially Colombia… you'll still hear "sobremesa" mean the drink or dessert you have after a meal

Why this is where families make decisions

Sobremesa is relaxed. People are full. Guards are down.

Spanish families know this. Sobremesa is where you bring up the holiday plans. Where you mention you're changing jobs. Where your kid asks for something they know you're going to say no to.

Beatriz and Lucía didn't bring up the dog during dinner. They waited. They let Javier eat. They let him relax.

And then Lucía looked at her father and said "Papá… creo que necesitamos un perro."

Classic sobremesa move.

What to expect if you eat with a Spanish family

If you're ever eating at someone's home in Spain… don't expect to leave early.

The meal will end. And then nobody will move. Coffee will appear. Someone might pour a small glass of something. And the conversation will just keep going.

If you stand up too soon… it feels abrupt. Like leaving a party while the music's still playing.

Coffee is almost guaranteed - café solo (espresso) or café con leche after lunch. After dinner, people often skip it and go straight to talking
Topics go everywhere - one minute it's school, the next it's politics, the next someone's telling a story about a cousin you've never met
Children are included - kids eat with the adults and stay for sobremesa. It's how they learn to sit and be part of the conversation

Your First Sobremesa

If you ever end up eating with a Spanish family… just know.

When the plates disappear… nobody's getting up. Don't fight it. Stay put.

Let the conversation carry you. Have the coffee. Relax into it.

You'll understand in about fifteen minutes why this tradition exists and why Spanish is the only language with a word for it.

Just don't be surprised if someone waits until you're relaxed and full… and then asks for something big. It works. Ask Javier.

Did You Know?

🇪🇸 Spaniards spend an average of 2 hours and 6 minutes per day eating and drinking according to the OECD. Americans spend about 1 hour
🗣️ There's a Spanish saying: "La mejor conversación es la de sobremesa." The best conversation is the one at the table after eating
🇬🇧 Sobremesa regularly appears on lists of the world's most untranslatable words. No single word in English, French or German covers the same idea
🍽️ In Spanish restaurants, the waiter will almost never bring you the bill unless you ask. Rushing someone out of a meal is considered rude
🕒 Some Spanish workplace lunch breaks are long enough to include sobremesa. A 2-hour lunch isn't unusual

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