Spanish version

Sofía tiene 24 años.

Es de Venezuela.

Hoy es su primer día en Madrid, España.

Está <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="alone" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">sola</span>. Su <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="family" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">familia</span> está en Venezuela.

No tiene <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="friends" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">amigos</span> en Madrid.

No tiene <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="money" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">dinero</span>.

<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="she needs" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Necesita</span> <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="work" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">trabajo</span>.

<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="she enters" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Entra</span> en un restaurante grande.

—Buenos días. ¿Tiene trabajo aquí? —<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="she asks" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">pregunta</span> Sofía.

—Hola. No hay trabajo, <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="I'm sorry" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">lo siento</span> —dice un hombre.

<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="she sees" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Ve</span> <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="another" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">otro</span> restaurante. Entra.

—Hola, buenas tardes. ¿Necesitan personas para trabajar?

—¿Eres <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="waitress" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">camarera</span>? —pregunta una <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="cook" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">cocinera</span>.

—No. Puedo <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="to learn" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">aprender</span>.

—No, gracias. Adiós.

Sofía entra en muchos restaurantes. Todas las personas dicen "no".

Sofía está muy <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="sad" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">triste</span>.

Ve otro restaurante.

El restaurante se llama "La Cocina de Rosa". Es un restaurante <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="small" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">pequeño</span>. Sofía entra.

Una mujer <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="she cleans" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">limpia</span> una <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="table" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">mesa</span>. Ella es <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="kind" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">amable</span>.

—Disculpe, buenas tardes... ¿tiene trabajo aquí? —pregunta Sofía.

—Hola. No, lo siento. Ahora no necesitamos personas —dice la mujer.

Sofía <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="she cries" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">llora</span>.

—Ay, <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="are you okay?" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">¿estás bien?</span> —pregunta la mujer—. <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="what's wrong?" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">¿Qué pasa?</span> ¿Por qué lloras?

—Lo siento. Necesito trabajo… y dinero. Mi familia también necesita dinero —dice Sofía.

La mujer <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="she looks" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">mira</span> a Sofía.

—Ven aquí. <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="sit down" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Siéntate</span>. No llores. ¿Cómo te llamas?

—Me llamo Sofía. ¿Y usted?

—Mucho gusto, Sofía. Yo me llamo Rosa.

—Encantada, Rosa.

—¿Cómo estás, Sofía?

—Estoy mal. Necesito trabajo.

—Tranquila. ¿Cuántos años tienes, Sofía?

—Tengo 24 años. Soy <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="young" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">joven</span>. Trabajo bien.

—Claro que sí. ¿Eres <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="student" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">estudiante</span>?

—Sí. Soy estudiante de medicina. Quiero ser doctora.

—¡Ah, doctora! Es una <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="profession" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">profesión</span> buena. Muy importante —dice Rosa—. ¿Y de dónde eres? ¿Eres española?

—No, no soy española. Soy de Venezuela. Soy nueva en Madrid.

—¿De Venezuela? ¿De qué <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="city" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">ciudad</span> eres?

—Soy de Caracas, la capital.

—<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="it can't be!" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">¡No puede ser!</span> ¡Yo también soy de Caracas!

—¿Sí? <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="really?" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">¿De verdad?</span>

—Sí. Nosotras somos del mismo país. ¡De la misma ciudad!

Rosa mira a Sofía.

—¿Tienes experiencia en restaurantes?

—No... no tengo experiencia. Lo siento.

Rosa <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="she smiles" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">sonríe</span>.

—No importa. Tú eres de Venezuela. Yo soy de Venezuela. Nosotras somos venezolanas. El trabajo es tuyo.

—¿De verdad? —pregunta Sofía.

—Sí, de verdad. <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="welcome" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Bienvenida</span> a Madrid.

—¡Muchas gracias, Rosa!

Ahora Sofía tiene trabajo… y tiene una amiga.

Spanish story with English translation

Sofía tiene 24 años.

Sofía is 24 years old.

Es de Venezuela.

She is from Venezuela.

Hoy es su primer día en Madrid, España.

Today is her first day in Madrid, Spain.

Está sola. Su familia está en Venezuela.

She is alone. Her family is in Venezuela.

No tiene amigos en Madrid.

She has no friends in Madrid.

No tiene dinero.

She has no money.

Necesita trabajo.

She needs work.

Entra en un restaurante grande.

She enters a large restaurant.

—Buenos días. ¿Tiene trabajo aquí? —pregunta Sofía.

"Good morning. Do you have work here?" asks Sofía.

—Hola. No hay trabajo, lo siento —dice un hombre.

"Hello. There is no work, I'm sorry," says a man.

Ve otro restaurante. Entra.

She sees another restaurant. She enters.

—Hola, buenas tardes. ¿Necesitan personas para trabajar?

"Hello, good afternoon. Do you need people to work?"

—¿Eres camarera? —pregunta una cocinera.

"Are you a waitress?" asks a cook.

—No. Puedo aprender.

"No. I can learn."

—No, gracias. Adiós.

"No, thank you. Goodbye."

Sofía entra en muchos restaurantes. Todas las personas dicen "no".

Sofía enters many restaurants. All the people say "no".

Sofía está muy triste.

Sofía is very sad.

Ve otro restaurante.

She sees another restaurant.

El restaurante se llama "La Cocina de Rosa".

The restaurant is called "La Cocina de Rosa."

Es un restaurante pequeño. Sofía entra.

It is a small restaurant. Sofía enters.

Una mujer limpia una mesa. Ella es amable.

A woman is cleaning a table. She is kind.

—Disculpe, buenas tardes... ¿tiene trabajo aquí? —pregunta Sofía.

"Excuse me, good afternoon... do you have work here?" asks Sofía.

—Hola. No, lo siento. Ahora no necesitamos personas —dice la mujer.

"Hello. No, I'm sorry. Right now we don't need people," says the woman.

Sofía llora.

Sofía cries.

—Ay, ¿estás bien? —pregunta la mujer—. ¿Qué pasa? ¿Por qué lloras?

"Oh, are you okay?" asks the woman. "What's wrong? Why are you crying?"

—Lo siento. Necesito trabajo… y dinero. Mi familia también necesita dinero —dice Sofía.

"I'm sorry. I need work... and money. My family also needs money," says Sofía.

La mujer mira a Sofía.

The woman looks at Sofía.

—Ven aquí. Siéntate. No llores. ¿Cómo te llamas?

"Come here. Sit down. Don't cry. What's your name?"

—Me llamo Sofía. ¿Y usted?

"My name is Sofía. And you?"

—Mucho gusto, Sofía. Yo me llamo Rosa.

"Nice to meet you, Sofía. My name is Rosa."

—Encantada, Rosa.

"Pleased to meet you, Rosa."

—¿Cómo estás, Sofía?

"How are you, Sofía?"

—Estoy mal. Necesito trabajo.

"I'm not well. I need work."

—Tranquila. ¿Cuántos años tienes, Sofía?

"It's okay. How old are you, Sofía?"

—Tengo 24 años. Soy joven. Trabajo bien.

"I am 24 years old. I am young. I work well."

—Claro que sí. ¿Eres estudiante?

"Of course. Are you a student?"

—Sí. Soy estudiante de medicina. Quiero ser doctora.

"Yes. I am a medical student. I want to be a doctor."

—¡Ah, doctora! Es una profesión buena. Muy importante —dice Rosa—. ¿Y de dónde eres? ¿Eres española?

"Oh, a doctor! It is a good profession. Very important," says Rosa. "And where are you from? Are you Spanish?"

—No, no soy española. Soy de Venezuela. Soy nueva en Madrid.

"No, I'm not Spanish. I'm from Venezuela. I'm new in Madrid."

—¿De Venezuela? ¿De qué ciudad eres?

"From Venezuela? What city are you from?"

—Soy de Caracas, la capital.

"I'm from Caracas, the capital."

—¡No puede ser! ¡Yo también soy de Caracas!

"That can't be! I'm also from Caracas!"

—¿Sí? ¿De verdad?

"Really? Truly?"

—Sí. Nosotras somos del mismo país. ¡De la misma ciudad!

"Yes. We are from the same country. From the same city!"

Rosa mira a Sofía.

Rosa looks at Sofía.

—¿Tienes experiencia en restaurantes?

"Do you have experience in restaurants?"

—No... no tengo experiencia. Lo siento.

"No... I don't have experience. I'm sorry."

Rosa sonríe.

Rosa smiles.

—No importa. Tú eres de Venezuela. Yo soy de Venezuela. Nosotras somos venezolanas. El trabajo es tuyo.

"It doesn't matter. You are from Venezuela. I am from Venezuela. We are Venezuelan. The job is yours."

—¿De verdad? —pregunta Sofía.

"Really?" asks Sofía.

—Sí, de verdad. Bienvenida a Madrid.

"Yes, really. Welcome to Madrid."

—¡Muchas gracias, Rosa!

"Thank you very much, Rosa!"

Ahora Sofía tiene trabajo… y tiene una amiga.

Now Sofía has work... and she has a friend.

Illustration of a girl stacking triangular cards, representing the key Vocabulary Flashcards
Part 2

Vocabulary Flashcards

Instructions
Illustration of a person going through a circular frame, representing the story challenge
Part 3

Story Challenge

Instructions
Review Story
Illustration of a girl assembling puzzle pieces, representing the patterns challenge
Part 4

Patterns Challenge

Instructions

Challenge

Flashcards

Illustration of a girl sitting with headphones and a book, representing the listening challenge
Part 5

Listening Challenge

Instructions
Illustration of Elena sitting cross-legged and writing in a notebook, representing the writing challenge
Part 6

Writing Challenge

Instructions

Elena

Solo

Discussion

Illustrations of Elena, the Fluent with Stories Spanish Teacher.
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Example 1: Es de Venezuela, de Caracas. Es estudiante de medicina.

Example 2: Sofía es venezolana. Es de Caracas. Es estudiante de medicina.

Example 3: Es de Caracas, Venezuela. Es estudiante de medicina.

Notes:

  • There are three ways to express origin: "es de Venezuela" (is from Venezuela), "es venezolana" (is Venezuelan), or both together. All correct, but "es de + place" is the most versatile since it works for any city or country.
  • "Venezolana" ends in -a because Sofía is female. For a man: "venezolano."
  • No need for "ella" here. Since your friend asked about Sofía, it's already clear who you mean.

Example 1: ¿Cómo te llamas? ¿De dónde eres? ¿Cuántos años tienes?

Example 2: ¿Cuál es tu nombre? ¿De dónde eres? ¿Cuántos años tienes?

Notes:

  • "¿Cómo te llamas?" (literally "How do you call yourself?") is much more common in everyday Spanish than "¿Cuál es tu nombre?" Both are correct, but the first one sounds more natural.
  • Watch the "de" in "¿De dónde eres?" You need it. "¿Dónde eres?" is a common mistake that changes the meaning entirely.
  • "¿Cuántos años tienes?" literally means "How many years do you have?" Spanish uses TENER (to have) for age, not SER (to be).

Example: Me llamo Ana. Soy de Lisboa, Portugal. No soy cocinera. Soy estudiante.

Notes:

  • "No soy cocinera" puts "no" right before the verb. That's always where it goes in Spanish.
  • Notice there's no "un/una" (a) before professions: "Soy estudiante," not "Soy un estudiante." In Spanish you drop the article when stating what you are.
  • "Cocinera" (female cook) vs "cocinero" (male cook)

Example 1: (Yo) soy de Venezuela. (Tú) eres estudiante. (Ella) es cocinera. (Nosotros) somos de la misma ciudad. (Ellos) son camareros.

Notes:

  • Five forms of SER in one go: soy, eres, es, somos, son. Each verb ending already tells you who's speaking, which is why the pronouns in parentheses are optional.
  • "Camareros" covers an all-male group or a mixed group. If they're all women: "camareras."
  • "La misma ciudad" needs "la" (the) and "misma" (same) to agree in feminine because "ciudad" is feminine.

Example: Sofía tiene 24 años. Es de Caracas, Venezuela. Es estudiante. Es nueva en Madrid.

Notes:

  • Be careful with the switch: "tiene 24 años" (TENER for age) but "es de Caracas" and "es estudiante" (SER for origin and profession).

Example 1: Me llamo Rosa. Soy de Caracas. Sofía también es de Caracas. Somos de la misma ciudad. Somos amigas.

Example 2: Mi nombre es Rosa. Soy de Caracas. Sofía también es de Caracas. (Nosotras) somos de la misma ciudad. Somos amigas.

Notes:

  • "También" (also/too) goes before the verb: "también es de Caracas," not "es de Caracas también" (though the second is understood, the first is more natural).
  • "Amigas" not "amigos" because both Rosa and Sofía are women. If the group were mixed, you'd say "amigos."
  • "Nosotras" (we, all-female) vs "nosotros" (we, mixed or all-male).

Reply in Spanish and join the discussion!

Sofía is from Venezuela, lives in Madrid, and is a medical student. What about you?

  1. Where are you from?
  2. Where do you live?
  3. Are you a student or do you work? What is your profession?

Comments section for language learners

Illustration of a confident woman being interviewed with multiple microphones, representing the speaking challenge
Part 7

Speaking Challenge

Instructions

You're at "La Cocina de Rosa now"! Practice speaking by introducing yourself to Rosa, chatting with Sofía and talking about the story to your friends.

Scenario 1

Scenario 2

Scenario 3

Scenario 4

Scenario 5

Introducing Yourself to Rosa

It's your first day at La Cocina de Rosa. Rosa wants to know about you before you start working.

Your task - tell Rosa about yourself:

  1. Say your name
  2. Say your age
  3. Say your country and nationality
  4. Say what you do

Speak for 30-45 seconds

Reveal sample answer

  1. Me llamo [name].
    1. My name is [name].
  2. Tengo [X] años.
    1. I'm [X] years old.
  3. Soy de [country]. Soy [nationality].
    1. I'm from [country]. I'm [nationality].
  4. Soy estudiante. / Soy camarero/a. / Trabajo en...
    1. I'm a student. / I'm a waiter/waitress. / I work at...

Getting to Know Sofía

You're on break at the restaurant. Sofía is sitting alone. You want to meet her.

Your task - talk to Sofía:

  1. Greet her
  2. Ask her name
  3. Ask how she is
  4. Ask where she's from
  5. Ask her age
  6. Ask if she's a student
  7. Ask who her best friend is

Speak for 45 seconds - 1 minute

Reveal sample answer

  1. ¡Hola!
    1. Hi!
  2. ¿Cómo te llamas?
    1. What's your name?
  3. ¿Cómo estás?
    1. How are you?
  4. ¿De dónde eres?
    1. Where are you from?
  5. ¿Cuántos años tienes?
    1. How old are you?
  6. ¿Eres estudiante?
    1. Are you a student?
  7. ¿Quién es tu mejor amigo/a?
    1. Who is your best friend?

Sofía Talks About Her Friend

Sofía mentions she has a good friend and you're curious about him.

Your task - ask Sofía about him:

  1. Ask what his name is
  2. Ask where he's from
  3. Ask how old he is
  4. Ask what he does (student?)
  5. Ask if he's Spanish

Speak for 45 seconds - 1 minute

Reveal sample answer

  1. ¿Cómo se llama él?
    1. What's his name?
  2. ¿De dónde es?
    1. Where is he from?
  3. ¿Cuántos años tiene?
    1. How old is he?
  4. ¿Qué hace? ¿Es estudiante?
    1. What does he do? Is he a student?
  5. ¿Es español??
    1. Is he Spanish?

Describing Rosa

Your friend asks: "Who's your boss at the restaurant?"

Your task - describe Rosa:

  1. Say who she is (the owner)
  2. Say where she's from (country and city)
  3. Say what the restaurant is called
  4. Say what she's like

Speak for 45 seconds - 1 minute

Reveal sample answer

  1. Rosa es la dueña del restaurante.
    1. Rosa is the owner of the restaurant.
  2. Es de Venezuela, de Caracas.
    1. She's from Venezuela, from Caracas.
  3. El restaurante se llama La Cocina de Rosa.
    1. The restaurant is called La Cocina de Rosa.
  4. Ella es muy amable. / Es muy simpática. / Es buena persona.
    1. She's very kind. / She's very nice. / She's a good person.

Tell Sofía's Story

Your friend asks: "You're learning Spanish with stories? Tell me about the first one. Is it good?"

Your task - tell the story in your own words:

  1. Who is Sofía? (name, age, country, city)
  2. Why does she go to Madrid?
  3. What happens when she looks for work? (how many restaurants? what do people say?)
  4. Where does she go last? (the restaurant name)
  5. Who is Rosa?
  6. What does Rosa ask Sofía?
  7. Why does Rosa give Sofía the job? (what do they have in common?)
  8. How does Sofía feel at the end? (is she happy? sad? nervous?)
  9. Now as yourself - what do you think about the story? (Esta historia es...)

Speak for 1.5-2 minutes

Reveal sample answer

  1. Sofía tiene 24 años. Es de Venezuela, de Caracas.
    1. Sofía is 24 years old. She's from Venezuela, from Caracas.
  2. Necesita trabajo en Madrid. No tiene dinero.
    1. She needs work in Madrid. She doesn't have money.
  3. Entra en muchos restaurantes. Todas las personas dicen "no".
    1. She goes into many restaurants. Everyone says "no".
  4. Entra en un restaurante pequeño. Se llama La Cocina de Rosa.
    1. She goes into a small restaurant. It's called La Cocina de Rosa.
  5. Rosa es la dueña. Es de Venezuela también, de Caracas.
    1. Rosa is the owner. She's from Venezuela too, from Caracas.
  6. Rosa pregunta: "¿Cómo te llamas? ¿De dónde eres? ¿Cuántos años tienes?"
    1. Rosa asks: "What's your name? Where are you from? How old are you?"
  7. Porque Rosa y Sofía son de la misma ciudad.
    1. Because Rosa and Sofía are from the same city.
  8. Sofía está muy contenta. Ahora tiene trabajo y tiene una amiga.
    1. Sofía is very happy. Now she has work and she has a friend.
  9. Esta historia es bonita. / Esta historia es triste y bonita. / Esta historia es interesante.
    1. This story is beautiful. / This story is sad and beautiful. / This story is interesting.
Illustration of people around a globe with location markers, representing the culture section.
Part 8

Culture

Context

1. Why Sofía Left Everything Behind

Sofía should be studying medicine in Caracas.

Instead, she's in Madrid… desperate for a restaurant job.

What made her leave everything behind?

Why does she need money so badly that she cries in front of a stranger?

The "Infeliz Navidad" of 2017

Venezuelans called Christmas 2017 "Infeliz Navidad" (Unhappy Christmas) because hyperinflation made money worthless overnight.

What the crisis actually looked like:

  • Inflation rate - 863% in 2017 (over 4,000% by some estimates)
  • Stores stopped using price tags - prices changed hourly
  • Families couldn't afford Christmas dinner or gifts
  • 2012 - Minimum wage was $476/month (highest in Latin America)
  • 2017 - It dropped to $11/month, then to $1.83-$4/month
  • A 100-bolívar bill - went from buying 288 eggs (2007) to 0.2 eggs (2017)

Sofía says her family needs money. Now you know why.

Venezuelan-born population in Spain (2000–2020), according to INE (Spain’s National Statistics Institute). By January 2025, that number had nearly doubled again to 692,000.
  • 7.9 million Venezuelans have left - since the crisis began (roughly 23% of the population). Numbers comparable only to Syria and Ukraine.
  • Spain received nearly 700,000 - as of January 2025, making Venezuelans the third-largest immigrant group in the country.

Sofía is one of them. Twenty-four years old, alone, no money, no contacts.

Just a name on a long list of people who had no choice.

2. Why Did Rosa Help Sofía?

Rosa hired Sofía on the spot. No CV, no experience, no further questions.

That sounds crazy. But if you're from a migrant community… it makes perfect sense.

The paisano code

For Latin American migrants in Spain, helping a compatriot (a paisano) from the same country isn't charity. It's closer to a reflex.

When Rosa first arrived years earlier, someone probably helped her too. Now it's her turn.

This is something that runs deep in migrant communities across Spain.

And here's something you might not expect.

Unlike in the US, where "Latino" functions as a broad identity, in Spain people identify by nationality: Venezuelan, Colombian, Ecuadorian. The Spanish census doesn't even have a "Latino" category.

That national bond is what Rosa and Sofía share. Same country, same city. That's all Rosa needs to hear.

How big are these communities?

As of January 2025, nearly 6.9 million foreign nationals live in Spain.

Latin Americans make up a massive share:

  • Colombians - 676,000
  • Venezuelans - 692,000
  • Moroccans - among the three largest groups

Madrid alone hosts over a million Latin American residents. Roughly one in every seven people in the city.

Rosa and Sofía aren't alone. Not even close.

3. Sofía's New Home: Madrid

Madrid has its own rhythm and it's nothing like the typical 9-to-5 city.

Aerial view of Plaza de Cibeles and central Madrid, with the Cibeles fountain in the foreground
Plaza de Cibeles, one of Madrid's most iconic landmarks.

There's always room for one more coffee, one more tapa, one more conversation in the street.

But before we talk about what Madrid feels like… here's how it got here.

A capital that was chosen for being… nothing special

Madrid wasn't always important.

In fact, it became the capital of Spain in 1561 for a kind of funny reason: it had no history.

King Philip II needed a central, neutral base to run his empire.

Cities like Toledo and Barcelona were powerful, established and full of people who already had too much influence.

Madrid? It was a small town in the middle of the peninsula. No major river. No port. No powerful church. No political baggage.

Perfect.

Philip moved his court there and Madrid went from about 20,000 people to the centre of the Spanish Empire almost overnight.

It's been the capital ever since (except for a brief detour to Valladolid in the early 1600s because the king's advisor wanted to make money on property there… seriously).

Then Philip III brought the court back to Madrid, made it the capital for good and built Plaza Mayor. End of discussion.

Equestrian statue of Philip III in Plaza Mayor, Madrid, with red-brick buildings behind
That's Philip III's statue in the middle of Plaza Mayor. Built in the 1600s. Still the place where everyone in Madrid ends up.

Honestly… good call, Philip.

Everything grew around the crown: palaces, churches, artists, writers.

Cervantes and Velázquez both lived and worked here.

What Madrid actually feels like

This is the part that matters if you ever visit. And you should.

  • Taberna culture is life - Spain has more bars and tabernas per inhabitant than any other EU country (roughly one for every 175 people). In Andalucía alone, there are more bars than in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Ireland combined
Interior of a traditional Spanish taberna with wooden tables, white walls and warm lighting
This is where the best food in Spain hides. No fancy menus. No reservations. Just a taberna with wooden tables and recipes older than the building.
  • Everything runs late - Lunch 2-4 PM, dinner 9-11 PM. If you eat at 7 PM, you're alone in the restaurant
  • Metro is the main transport - runs 6 AM to 1:30 AM, goes everywhere
  • Nobody's in a hurry - Coffee takes time, meals last 2+ hours, "mañana" really means "whenever"
  • Loud and alive - People talk loud, restaurants are never quiet, outdoor seating is always full

Madrid is also the sunniest capital in Europe, with more than 2,900 hours of sunshine each year.

And at roughly 650 metres above sea level, it's one of the highest capitals in Europe… which means the sunsets are something else entirely.

Gran Vía, Madrid
Sunset view of Gran Via, Madrid

What to do when you get there

OK so if you land in Madrid tomorrow… start here.

  • Puerta del Sol - the literal centre of Spain. Madrid's most famous square. There's a plaque on the ground marking kilometre zero of all Spanish roads. It's always packed, always loud and it's where everyone ends up on New Year's Eve
Aerial view of Puerta del Sol and Madrid's rooftops at sunset
Puerta del Sol, Madrid. Kilometre zero of every road in Spain.
  • Gran Vía - Madrid's big avenue. Think theatres, shops, rooftop bars and buildings from the early 1900s that make you stop and look up
  • Plaza Mayor - a huge square from the 1600s surrounded by red buildings. People sit outside, order a drink and just watch. One of my favourite spots in the city.
  • El Rastro - the Sunday flea market. It's been running every Sunday morning since the 1700s. Over 3,500 stalls. If you go… hold onto your wallet
  • Mercado de San Miguel - a glass-walled food market right next to Plaza Mayor. Tiny portions of everything Spanish: jamón, croquetas, olives, wine, vermouth... I could spend an hour in here and not eat the same thing twice.
  • Museo del Prado - one of the greatest art museums in the world. Spanish kings spent centuries collecting paintings for themselves. Now you get to see all of it. Free entry Mon-Sat 6-8 PM
  • Parque del Retiro - 125 hectares of gardens and fountains right in the centre. Used to be the king's private garden. Now it's where everyone goes to do absolutely nothing on a Sunday. Best way to spend a Sunday in Spain. And that's a competitive list.
The Crystal Palace in Retiro Park, Madrid, surrounded by trees
The Crystal Palace in Parque del Retiro, built in 1887 for a flower exhibition.

And when you're done walking… find a terrace. Order a caña (a small draft beer). Don't check the time. Nobody else is.

And if you happen to see Sofía… take her to San Ginés near Puerta del Sol for churros con chocolate. That'll cheer her right up.

Did You Know?

  • 🐻 Madrid's official symbol is a bear eating from a strawberry tree (madroño). You'll see the statue at Puerta del Sol
  • 🍽️ Sobrino de Botín in Madrid holds the Guinness Record as the world's oldest restaurant. It's been open since 1725. Goya reportedly worked there as a waiter
  • 🎭 Gran Vía is nicknamed "the Spanish Broadway." There are usually around 11 shows running at any given time. Madrid is ranked the third biggest city in Europe for musical theatre
  • 🇻🇪 More Venezuelan-born people live in Spain (692,000) than in the entire city of Málaga
  • 🇪🇸 Latin Americans can apply for Spanish citizenship after just two years of legal residence. For most other nationalities it takes ten
  • 🐱 People born in Madrid are sometimes called "gatos" (cats). The nickname comes from a soldier in 1083 who climbed the city's 12-metre Arab wall using just a dagger… like a cat
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1. De Caracas a Madrid

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Table of Contents

1. Story:
De Caracas a Madrid
2. Flashcards
3. Story challenge
4. Patterns
5. Listening
6. Writing
7. Speaking
8. Culture