A1 Spanish

Stories completed

13. Doce uvas y un anillo

(Twelve Grapes and a Ring)

Ignacio invites his friends over for New Year's Eve. Everyone shares their resolutions after dinner. But why is he nervous to share his?

Illustration of four hands raising glasses in a celebratory toast with sparkles around them

Spanish version

Es 30 de <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="December" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">diciembre.

Ignacio habla con sus amigos por WhatsApp.

—<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="Guys" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Chicos, la fiesta es en <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="my house" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">mi casa mañana.

—Yo voy a traer comida. Jamón y queso —dice Sergio.

—Yo voy a traer <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="the grapes" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">las uvas y <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="the balloons" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">los globos —dice Inés, la novia de Sergio.

—¿Necesitas <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="drinks" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">bebidas? —pregunta Maite.

—No, tengo vino y <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="champagne" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">champán. Pero quiero <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="dessert" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">postre.

—Perfecto. Yo voy a traer un <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="cake" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">pastel.

Laura, la novia de Ignacio, escribe:

—Yo voy a traer <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="pastries" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">empanadillas.

—Perfecto. Nos vemos mañana a las 7 de la tarde —responde Ignacio.

Es 31 de diciembre, la fiesta de <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="New Year's Eve" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Nochevieja.

Los amigos llegan al piso de Ignacio. Hay música y comida.

—¡Bienvenidos! ¿Quieren vino?

—Sí, gracias —dicen todos.

Todos hablan y <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="they laugh" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">ríen.

Son las 11 de <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="the night" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">la noche. Todos se sientan a la mesa.

—Las empanadillas están deliciosas, Laura.

—Gracias.

—¿Quieren más jamón? —pregunta Maite.

—Sí, quiero más —dice Rubén.

—Yo no quiero más. Estoy <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="full" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">llena —dice Inés.

Después de la cena, Maite dice:

—Bueno, chicos. ¿Qué <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="do you want" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">quieren <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="to do" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">hacer en <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="the new year" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">el año nuevo?

—Yo quiero correr <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="more" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">más. Quiero estar más sano —dice Sergio.

—Yo no quiero correr. <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="I hate" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Odio correr —dice Rubén—. Pero quiero aprender italiano.

—Yo quiero cambiar de trabajo —dice Inés—. Quiero ganar más dinero.

—Yo quiero conocer gente nueva —dice Maite.

—¿Y tú, Laura? ¿Qué quieres hacer? —pregunta Sergio.

—Yo quiero leer más libros. Y quiero viajar más con Ignacio.

—Qué <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="nice" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">bonito —dice Maite.

Todos miran a Ignacio.

—¿Y tú, Ignacio? ¿Qué quieres?

Ignacio está nervioso.

—Yo... yo quiero <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="many things" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">muchas cosas. Quiero trabajar <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="less" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">menos. Quiero ser feliz. Quiero <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="to spend more time" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">pasar más tiempo con Laura. Y quiero... quiero <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="to get married" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">casarme.

—¿Quieres casarte? —pregunta Laura—. <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="With whom?" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">¿Con quién?

Ignacio se levanta. Saca una caja pequeña de su bolsillo.

—<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="With you" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Contigo. Quiero casarme contigo.

Abre la caja. Hay <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="a ring" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">un anillo <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="inside" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">dentro.

Ignacio <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="kneels" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">se arrodilla.

—Laura, <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="I love you" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">te quiero mucho. ¿Quieres casarte conmigo?

Laura llora y sonríe.

—Sí. ¡Sí quiero!

—¡Felicidades! —dicen todos.

<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="Suddenly" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">De repente, todos miran <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="the television" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">el televisor.

—¡Las uvas! ¡Rápido!

Todos toman sus uvas.

"¡Diez! ¡Nueve! ¡Ocho!..."

Comen una uva con <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="each" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">cada <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="bell chime" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">campanada.

A medianoche: ¡Feliz Año Nuevo!

Todos <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="they hug" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">se abrazan. Laura <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="kisses" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">besa a Ignacio.

—¿Quieres <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="to dance" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">bailar, mi amor? —dice Sergio a Inés.

—Sí.

—Bueno... mi <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="resolution" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">resolución de correr es aburrida ahora —dice Sergio.

—Y yo no quiero dinero. Yo quiero un anillo —dice Inés.

Spanish story with English translation

Es 30 de diciembre.

It is December 30th.

Ignacio habla con sus amigos por WhatsApp.

Ignacio talks with his friends on WhatsApp.

—Chicos, la fiesta es en mi casa mañana.

"Guys, the party is at my house tomorrow."

—Yo voy a traer comida. Jamón y queso —dice Sergio.

"I'm going to bring food. Ham and cheese," says Sergio.

—Yo voy a traer las uvas y los globos —dice Inés, la novia de Sergio.

"I'm going to bring the grapes and the balloons," says Inés, Sergio's girlfriend.

—¿Necesitas bebidas? —pregunta Maite.

"Do you need drinks?" asks Maite.

—No, tengo vino y champán. Pero quiero postre.

"No, I have wine and champagne. But I want dessert."

—Perfecto. Yo voy a traer un pastel.

"Perfect. I'm going to bring a cake."

Laura, la novia de Ignacio, escribe:

Laura, Ignacio's girlfriend, writes:

—Yo voy a traer empanadillas.

"I'm going to bring empanadillas."

—Perfecto. Nos vemos mañana a las 7 de la tarde —responde Ignacio.

"Perfect. See you tomorrow at 7 in the evening," responds Ignacio.

Es 31 de diciembre, la fiesta de Nochevieja.

It is December 31st, the New Year's Eve party.

Los amigos llegan al piso de Ignacio. Hay música y comida.

The friends arrive at Ignacio's apartment. There is music and food.

—¡Bienvenidos! ¿Quieren vino?

"Welcome! Do you want wine?"

—Sí, gracias —dicen todos.

"Yes, thank you," everyone says.

Todos hablan y ríen.

Everyone talks and laughs.

Son las 11 de la noche. Todos se sientan a la mesa.

It is 11 at night. Everyone sits down at the table.

—Las empanadillas están deliciosas, Laura.

"The empanadillas are delicious, Laura."

—Gracias.

"Thank you."

—¿Quieren más jamón? —pregunta Maite.

"Do you want more ham?" asks Maite.

—Sí, quiero más —dice Rubén.

"Yes, I want more," says Rubén.

—Yo no quiero más. Estoy llena —dice Inés.

"I don't want more. I'm full," says Inés.

Después de la cena, Maite dice:

After dinner, Maite says:

—Bueno, chicos. ¿Qué quieren hacer en el año nuevo?

"Well, guys. What do you want to do in the new year?"

—Yo quiero correr más. Quiero estar más sano —dice Sergio.

"I want to run more. I want to be healthier," says Sergio.

—Yo no quiero correr. Odio correr —dice Rubén—. Pero quiero aprender italiano.

"I don't want to run. I hate running," says Rubén. "But I want to learn Italian."

—Yo quiero cambiar de trabajo —dice Inés—. Quiero ganar más dinero.

"I want to change jobs," says Inés. "I want to earn more money."

—Yo quiero conocer gente nueva —dice Maite.

"I want to meet new people," says Maite.

—¿Y tú, Laura? ¿Qué quieres hacer? —pregunta Sergio.

"And you, Laura? What do you want to do?" asks Sergio.

—Yo quiero leer más libros. Y quiero viajar más con Ignacio.

"I want to read more books. And I want to travel more with Ignacio."

—Qué bonito —dice Maite.

"How lovely," says Maite.

Todos miran a Ignacio.

Everyone looks at Ignacio.

—¿Y tú, Ignacio? ¿Qué quieres?

"And you, Ignacio? What do you want?"

Ignacio está nervioso.

Ignacio is nervous.

—Yo... yo quiero muchas cosas. Quiero trabajar menos. Quiero ser feliz. Quiero pasar más tiempo con Laura. Y quiero... quiero casarme.

"I... I want many things. I want to work less. I want to be happy. I want to spend more time with Laura. And I want... I want to get married."

—¿Quieres casarte? —pregunta Laura—. ¿Con quién?

"You want to get married?" asks Laura. "With whom?"

Ignacio se levanta. Saca una caja pequeña de su bolsillo.

Ignacio stands up. He takes a small box out of his pocket.

—Contigo. Quiero casarme contigo.

"With you. I want to marry you."

Abre la caja. Hay un anillo dentro.

He opens the box. There is a ring inside.

Ignacio se arrodilla.

Ignacio kneels down.

—Laura, te quiero mucho. ¿Quieres casarte conmigo?

"Laura, I love you very much. Will you marry me?"

Laura llora y sonríe.

Laura cries and smiles.

—Sí. ¡Sí quiero!

"Yes. Yes, I will!"

—¡Felicidades! —dicen todos.

"Congratulations!" everyone says.

De repente, todos miran el televisor.

Suddenly, everyone looks at the television.

—¡Las uvas! ¡Rápido!

"The grapes! Quick!"

Todos toman sus uvas.

Everyone takes their grapes.

"¡Diez! ¡Nueve! ¡Ocho!..."

"Ten! Nine! Eight!..."

Comen una uva con cada campanada.

They eat one grape with each bell chime.

A medianoche: ¡Feliz Año Nuevo!

At midnight: Happy New Year!

Todos se abrazan. Laura besa a Ignacio.

Everyone hugs. Laura kisses Ignacio.

—¿Quieres bailar, mi amor? —dice Sergio a Inés.

"Do you want to dance, my love?" says Sergio to Inés.

—Sí.

"Yes."

—Bueno... mi resolución de correr es aburrida ahora —dice Sergio.

"Well... my resolution to run is boring now," says Sergio.

—Y yo no quiero dinero. Yo quiero un anillo —dice Inés.

"And I don't want money. I want a ring," says Inés.

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 Sergio and Inés. Reply in Spanish: Sergio wants to run more. Inés wants to change jobs. She wants to earn more money.

Example: Sergio quiere correr más. Inés quiere cambiar de trabajo. Quiere ganar más dinero.

Notes:

QUERER + infinitive: the first verb (quiere) conjugates, the second (correr, cambiar, ganar) stays in infinitive. Always.
"Cambiar de trabajo" needs that "de." You don't say "cambiar trabajo." Think of it as "change FROM one job to another."

Question 2

You sit next to Sergio at the table. Ask him in Spanish: Do you want to run more? Do you want more ham? What do you want to drink?

Example: ¿Quieres correr más? ¿Quieres más jamón? ¿Qué quieres beber?

Notes:

QUERER works two ways here: quieres + infinitive (correr, beber) and quieres + noun (más jamón). Same verb, flexible.
"¿Qué quieres beber?" → the question word goes first, then quieres, then the infinitive. Clean order: question word + conjugated verb + infinitive.

Question 3

Maite asks you: "What do you want to do in the new year?" Answer in Spanish: I want to learn Spanish. I want to travel more. I want to travel to Spain.

Example: Quiero aprender español. Quiero viajar más. Quiero viajar a España.

Notes:

"Viajar a España" → travel TO a place uses "a." Viajar a España, viajar a México, viajar a Italia. Always "a" for destinations.
Three sentences, same structure, see how easy it is to build confidence? Once you have "quiero + infinitive," swap the infinitive and you can say almost anything.

Question 4

Translate to Spanish: I want to dance. You want to eat more. She wants to travel. We want to be happy. They want to cook.

Example: Quiero bailar. Quieres comer más. Ella quiere viajar. Queremos ser felices. Quieren cocinar.

Notes:

QUERER is irregular in four forms: quiero, quieres, quiere, quieren. The "e" becomes "ie." But nosotros keeps the normal stem: queremos, no "ie."
"Ser felices" → plural because "we" are happy. Feliz becomes felices for more than one person. It's one of the few adjectives that changes for plural.

Question 5

Translate to Spanish: Ignacio wants many things. He wants to work less. He wants to be happy. He wants to marry Laura.

Example: Ignacio quiere muchas cosas. Quiere trabajar menos. Quiere ser feliz. Quiere casarse con Laura.

Notes:

"Casarse con" → marry someone uses "con" (with). Quiere casarse con Laura, not "casarse a Laura."
"Trabajar menos" is the opposite of "trabajar más." Más and menos work with any verb: correr más, ganar menos, viajar más.

Question 6

Translate to Spanish: There is music and food at the party. Inés does not want to eat more. She is full. Sergio wants to dance with Inés.

Example: Hay música y comida en la fiesta. Inés no quiere comer más. Está llena. Sergio quiere bailar con Inés.

Notes:

"Está llena" → ESTAR because being full is temporary. After eating, you're full. Tomorrow morning, not full. Temporary state = ESTAR.
"Bailar con Inés" → same "con" pattern as "casarse con." Dancing WITH someone, marrying WITH someone. Spanish uses "con" for both.
Four sentences mixing HAY, QUERER + infinitive, ESTAR, and QUERER + infinitive again. If you got this right… stop and appreciate it. You're combining vocabulary, verbs and structures from 13 different stories into one natural paragraph. You should feel good about that.

Reply in Spanish and join the discussion!

Everyone at the New Year's Eve party wants something new! What about you?

Do you want to learn something new this year? What?
Do you celebrate New Year's Eve with friends or with family?
Are you like Sergio (he wants to run more) or like Rubén (he does not want to run)?

Part 7

Speaking Challenge

From grabbing a drink at Ignacio's party to planning your own Nochevieja to retelling the proposal that caught everyone off guard, you've got five ways to practice talking about what you want (and what you definitely don't).

Welcome to the Party

You walk into Ignacio's apartment on New Year's Eve. Music is playing, the table is covered with food and everyone has a glass in their hand. Ignacio opens the door with a big smile and pulls you inside.

Your task - chat with Ignacio at the party:

Greet Ignacio and thank him for the invitation
Ignacio asks: "¿Quieres beber algo?" Say what you want to drink (wine, champagne, beer)
Ignacio asks: "¿Quieres comer algo?" Say what you want to eat (ham, cheese, toasts)
Ignacio asks: "¿Quieres bailar?" Say no, and say what you want to do instead (sit down, talk, eat more)
Later, Ignacio brings cake: "¿Quieres más pastel?" Say you don't want more cake, you're full, and thank him
Ignacio asks: "¿Quieres más vino?" Say you don't want more wine either, you want water

Speak for 30-45 seconds

Reveal sample answer

¡Hola, Ignacio! Gracias por la invitación.
1. Hi, Ignacio! Thanks for the invitation.
Sí, quiero vino, por favor. / Sí, quiero champán.
1. Yes, I want wine, please. / Yes, I want champagne.
Quiero jamón y queso, por favor. / Quiero unas tostadas.
1. I want ham and cheese, please. / I want some toasts.
No, no quiero bailar. Quiero sentarme y hablar. / No, no quiero bailar. Quiero comer más.
1. No, I don't want to dance. I want to sit down and talk. / No, I don't want to dance. I want to eat more.
No quiero más pastel, gracias. Estoy lleno/a.
1. I don't want more cake, thanks. I'm full.
No, no quiero más vino. Quiero agua, por favor.
1. No, I don't want more wine. I want water, please.

Your Party, Your Plan

You're hosting your own Nochevieja party this year. Four friends are coming. You open WhatsApp and write to the group to organize everything.

Your task - organize your party in the group chat:

Announce the party: say where and when (your house, Saturday, 9 PM)
Say what drinks you have at the house (wine, beer, champagne)
Say what food you need for the party (ham, cheese, bread, grapes)
Ask your friend Pablo what he wants to bring (cake? empanadas?)
Ask your friend Ana what she wants to bring (grapes? dessert?)
Say what you want to buy for dessert (chocolate cake)
Confirm the day and time and say goodbye (Saturday, 9 PM)

Speak for 45 seconds - 1 minute

Reveal sample answer

¡Hola, chicos! La fiesta de Nochevieja es en mi casa el sábado a las nueve de la noche.
1. Hi, guys! The New Year's Eve party is at my house on Saturday at nine PM.
Tengo vino, cerveza y champán.
1. I have wine, beer and champagne.
Necesito jamón, queso, pan y uvas.
1. I need ham, cheese, bread and grapes.
Pablo, ¿qué quieres traer? ¿Pastel? ¿Empanadillas?
1. Pablo, what do you want to bring? Cake? Empanadas?
Ana, ¿qué quieres traer? ¿Uvas? ¿Postre?
1. Ana, what do you want to bring? Grapes? Dessert?
Yo quiero comprar un pastel de chocolate para el postre.
1. I want to buy a chocolate cake for dessert.
Entonces, el sábado a las nueve de la noche. ¡Nos vemos!
1. So, Saturday at nine PM. See you!

Diego's Resolutions

You're Diego, Ignacio's brother. You're 28 and you live in the USA. Ignacio calls you after midnight: "¡Feliz Año Nuevo, hermano! ¿Qué quieres hacer este año?"

Your task - share Diego's resolutions for the new year:

Say you want to learn a new language this year (Italian)
Say you want to go to Spain to visit him (his house)
Say you also want to travel to two other countries (Italy and Portugal)
Say you want to read more books this year (one book a month)
Say you want to exercise more (run three days a week)
Say you don't want to work on Saturdays (you work too much)
Say you want to find another job
Say you want to spend more time with your friends and be happier

Speak for 1 - 1.5 minutes

Reveal sample answer

Quiero aprender italiano este año.
1. I want to learn Italian this year.
Quiero ir a España. Quiero ir a tu casa.
1. I want to go to Spain. I want to go to your house.
También quiero viajar a Italia y a Portugal.
1. I also want to travel to Italy and to Portugal.
Quiero leer más libros. Un libro al mes.
1. I want to read more books. One book a month.
Quiero correr más. Tres días a la semana.
1. I want to run more. Three days a week.
No quiero trabajar los sábados. Trabajo mucho.
1. I don't want to work on Saturdays. I work too much.
Quiero buscar otro trabajo.
1. I want to look for another job.
Quiero pasar más tiempo con mis amigos. Y quiero ser más feliz.
1. I want to spend more time with my friends. And I want to be happier.

The Group Photo

You're showing a friend a photo from Ignacio's Nochevieja party. Six people are standing in a line, smiling at the camera. From left to right: Sergio, Inés, Ignacio, Laura, Maite and Rubén. Your friend points at your screen: "Who are all these people?"

Your task - describe the people in the photo:

Say how many people are in the photo (six friends, Nochevieja party)
Start on the left: say who Sergio is and what he's like (tall, funny) and say who is next to him
Describe Inés (nice, pretty, Sergio's girlfriend) and say she is between Sergio and Ignacio
Describe the couple in the middle: say who Ignacio and Laura are (boyfriend and girlfriend, he's nervous, she's happy)
Describe Maite (smart, nice) and say she is between Laura and Rubén
Describe Rubén on the far right (funny, tall) and say who is next to him

Speak for 1.5 - 2 minutes

Reveal sample answer

Hay seis personas en la foto. Son amigos y están en una fiesta de Nochevieja.
1. There are six people in the photo. They are friends and are at a New Year's Eve party.
A la izquierda está Sergio. Es alto y divertido. Inés está al lado de Sergio.
1. On the left is Sergio. He is tall and funny. Inés is next to Sergio.
Inés es simpática y guapa. Es la novia de Sergio. Está entre Sergio e Ignacio.
1. Inés is nice and pretty. She is Sergio's girlfriend. She is between Sergio and Ignacio.
En el centro están Ignacio y Laura. Son novios. Ignacio está nervioso y Laura está contenta.
1. In the center are Ignacio and Laura. They are boyfriend and girlfriend. Ignacio is nervous and Laura is happy.
Maite es inteligente y simpática. Está entre Laura y Rubén.
1. Maite is smart and nice. She is between Laura and Rubén.
A la derecha está Rubén. Es alto y divertido. Está al lado de Maite.
1. On the right is Rubén. He is tall and funny. He is next to Maite.

The Proposal Expert

You're at a café with a friend who's been planning to propose to their partner for months but can't figure out how. You mention you just read the perfect proposal story. Your friend puts down their coffee and leans in: "Tell me everything. I need ideas."

Your task - tell the story in your own words:

What day is it, who is Ignacio and what is he planning (and where)? How is he talking to them?
How does the group organize on the conversation? Describe what at least three friends want to bring
What does Ignacio already have for drinks? What does he still want?
What time is the party? Describe the scene when the friends arrive (music, food)
At dinner, what do they say about Laura's empanadas? And later, does Inés want more food? Why?
After dinner, what does Maite ask everyone?
Describe what at least four friends want to do this year (Sergio: run more; Rubén: NOT run, learn Italian; Inés: change jobs, more money; Laura: read more, travel with Ignacio; Maite: meet new people)
Now you're Ignacio. Everyone is looking at you. How do you feel right now, before you speak? Why?
Describe everything Ignacio says he wants (work less, be happy, more time with Laura, and...)
Describe the proposal moment: what does Ignacio do and what does he say? How does Laura respond? (the box, the ring, kneeling, the question, her answer)
What happens at midnight? (the grapes, the countdown, Happy New Year)
What does Inés say at the very end? Why does she say that? Is that funny?
What do you think about this story? Why? (Esta historia es... porque...)
What do YOU want to do this year?

Speak for 3 - 4 minutes

Reveal sample answer

Es treinta de diciembre. Ignacio tiene una fiesta de Nochevieja en su piso. Habla con sus amigos por WhatsApp.
1. It's December 30th. Ignacio has a New Year's Eve party at his apartment. He talks to his friends on WhatsApp.
Sergio quiere traer jamón y queso. Inés quiere traer las uvas y los globos. Laura quiere traer empanadillas. Maite quiere traer un pastel.
1. Sergio wants to bring ham and cheese. Inés wants to bring the grapes and the balloons. Laura wants to bring empanadas. Maite wants to bring a cake.
Ignacio tiene vino y champán. Pero quiere postre.
1. Ignacio has wine and champagne. But he wants dessert.
La fiesta es a las siete de la tarde. Los amigos llegan al piso de Ignacio. Hay música y comida.
1. The party is at seven in the evening. The friends arrive at Ignacio's apartment. There is music and food.
Las empanadillas de Laura están deliciosas. Inés no quiere más comida. Está llena.
1. Laura's empanadas are delicious. Inés doesn't want more food. She's full.
Maite pregunta: "¿Qué quieren hacer en el año nuevo?"
1. Maite asks: "What do you want to do in the new year?"
Sergio quiere correr más. Quiere estar más sano. Rubén no quiere correr. Odia correr. Quiere aprender italiano. Inés quiere cambiar de trabajo. Quiere ganar más dinero. Laura quiere leer más libros y viajar más con Ignacio. Maite quiere conocer gente nueva.
1. Sergio wants to run more. He wants to be healthier. Rubén doesn't want to run. He hates running. He wants to learn Italian. Inés wants to change jobs. She wants to earn more money. Laura wants to read more books and travel more with Ignacio. Maite wants to meet new people.
Estoy muy nervioso porque tengo un anillo en mi bolsillo. Quiero casarme con Laura.
1. I'm very nervous because I have a ring in my pocket. I want to marry Laura.
Ignacio quiere trabajar menos. Quiere ser feliz. Quiere pasar más tiempo con Laura. Y quiere... casarse con Laura.
1. Ignacio wants to work less. He wants to be happy. He wants to spend more time with Laura. And he wants... to marry Laura.
Ignacio se levanta. Saca una caja pequeña de su bolsillo. Abre la caja. Hay un anillo dentro. Se arrodilla y dice: "Laura, te quiero mucho. ¿Quieres casarte conmigo?" Laura llora y sonríe. Dice: "¡Sí, sí quiero!"
1. Ignacio stands up. He takes a small box out of his pocket. He opens the box. There is a ring inside. He kneels and says: "Laura, I love you a lot. Do you want to marry me?" Laura cries and smiles. She says: "Yes, yes I do!"
Todos miran el televisor. Toman las uvas. Comen una uva con cada campanada. ¡Feliz Año Nuevo! Todos se abrazan. Laura besa a Ignacio.
1. Everyone looks at the TV. They take the grapes. They eat one grape with each bell chime. Happy New Year! Everyone hugs. Laura kisses Ignacio.
Inés dice: "Yo no quiero dinero. Yo quiero un anillo." Sí, es muy divertido porque ahora Inés también quiere casarse con Sergio.
1. Inés says: "I don't want money. I want a ring." Yes, it's very funny because now Inés also wants to marry Sergio.
Esta historia es muy bonita porque es romántica y divertida. / Esta historia es muy buena porque tiene una sorpresa al final.
1. This story is very nice because it's romantic and funny. / This story is very good because it has a surprise at the end.
Yo quiero [viajar más / aprender español / leer más libros / estar más sano] este año.
1. I want to [travel more / learn Spanish / read more books / be healthier] this year.

Part 8

Culture

1. The Night Ignacio Chose to Propose

Ignacio planned the most important moment of his life for Nochevieja.

He bought the ring. He hid it in his pocket. He waited for the right moment.

And then someone yelled "¡Las uvas! ¡Rápido!" and the whole room started shoving grapes in their mouths.

Welcome to New Year's Eve in Spain.

12 grapes, 12 seconds, 12 months of luck

Here's how Nochevieja (literally "Old Night"… Spain's name for New Year's Eve) works.

At midnight, everyone in the country eats 12 grapes. One grape for each chime of the clock.

Each grape represents one month of the coming year. If you eat all 12 in time… you get a year of good luck and prosperity.

Sounds easy, right?

It's not.

The chimes are about three seconds apart. That's 12 grapes in roughly 36 seconds. And these aren't tiny grapes.

Most people are laughing, choking and talking with their mouths full by grape number six or seven.

The whole country does this at the same time. At home in front of the TV. In restaurants. In the main square of every city and town.

The most famous spot is Puerta del Sol in Madrid… basically Spain's version of Times Square.

The Real Casa de Correos building in Puerta del Sol, Madrid, at dusk with its clock tower illuminated.

The clock that every Spaniard watches at midnight. Puerta del Sol, Madrid.

The clock - sits on top of the Real Casa de Correos building. It was crafted in London by a Spanish clockmaker and donated to Madrid in 1866
The broadcast - every major TV network has been showing the countdown live since 1962. Millions of Spaniards watch it together, even from home
The cuartos - four warning chimes that ring before the 12 big ones. This is when you grab your grapes and get ready. Do NOT eat during the cuartos. That's a rookie mistake
The capacity - only about 15,000 people can fit in Puerta del Sol on the night. People start arriving hours early

And why grapes? Why not... literally anything else?

Well… in 1909, grape growers in Alicante had a massive surplus harvest and needed to get rid of it.

Their solution?

Package the grapes as "lucky" and convince everyone to eat 12 at midnight on New Year's Eve. It worked.

A marketing trick from over a century ago… and the entire country still does it.

Lucky for Ignacio, he proposed at dinner. A man on one knee trying to say 'cásate conmigo' with a mouth full of grapes is not the love story Laura deserved.

The toast that comes right after

The second the last grape goes down… out comes the cava.

Cava is Spain's sparkling wine.

It's made the same way as French Champagne (same method, same bubbles) but with different grapes and in a completely different part of the world.

Where it's from - about 95% comes from the Penedès region in Catalonia, just south of Barcelona
The grapes - come from three local varieties called Macabeo, Xarel.Lo and Parellada
The name - cava means "cave" or "cellar" in Spanish. That's where the bottles age
The price - a good bottle costs a fraction of what you'd pay for Champagne. Same production method… way less marketing budget

Two glasses of cava with tapas, bread and small plates on a restaurant table.

Cava isn't just for midnight on December 31st. Any celebration in Spain comes with a bottle. And in Spain… there's always something to celebrate."

Ignacio told his friends he had wine and champán.

In Spain people still casually say champán even though EU law says only French Champagne can officially use that name.

The Spanish wine industry adopted the word "cava" in the 1970s to settle the dispute.

So… after the grapes, after the hugs, after the ¡Feliz Año Nuevo!... everyone raises a glass and toasts.

Some families even drop a gold ring or piece of jewellery into the glass for extra luck.

And what you're wearing underneath

One more thing about Nochevieja.

Red underwear.

Yes… really.

Spaniards wear ropa interior roja on New Year's Eve. It's supposed to bring love, passion and good fortune for the year ahead.

And there's a catch. You can't buy it for yourself. Someone has to give it to you. A friend, a family member, a partner. And it has to be brand new.

If you've ever walked into a Spanish shop in late December and wondered why there's a wall of red underwear by the entrance… now you know.

Whether Ignacio was wearing red underneath… we'll never know.

But a yes, a ring and a room full of friends? That's a pretty good start to a new year with or without the underwear.

2. Your Nochevieja Cheat Sheet

OK so if you ever spend New Year's Eve in Spain (and honestly after reading all this… how could you not want to), here's what the night actually looks like.

Before midnight

You start at home with family. Seafood, jamón, cheese, empanadillas (just like Laura's)... a full spread.

Around 11:30 PM everyone gathers around the TV. Or if you're feeling bold… you head to the main square of whatever city you're in.

Have your grapes ready. Pro tip: peeled and deseeded. You'll thank me at grape number four.

And if you ever host your own Nochevieja… here are five ways to present them.

Midnight

The cuartos ring first. Four warning chimes... don't eat yet.

Then the 12 big chimes. One grape per chime.

Hugs. Kisses. ¡Feliz Año Nuevo! Pop the cava. Toast everyone in the room.

After midnight

In Spain, midnight is not the end of the night. It's the beginning.

People dress up. They go out. Bars and clubs open. Some cities have fireworks. The party doesn't stop until sunrise.

And when the sun starts coming up on January 1st? One final tradition.

Churros con chocolate.

You find a churrería and order a plate of hot fried dough with a thick cup of melted chocolate for dipping.

That's how Spain starts a new year.

Confetti, churros and a new year. For Ignacio, also a fiancée.

For Sergio… a girlfriend who walked in wanting a raise and walked out wanting a ring.

Did You Know?

🎵 After the grapes and the toast, most Spanish households play the same song: "Un Año Más" by Mecano. It's basically Spain's unofficial New Year's anthem
🏥 Spanish doctors have warned for years that the 12 grapes are a genuine choking risk. There's been a push to extend the time between chimes from three seconds to five. It hasn't happened
🔴 According to some versions of the red underwear rule you're supposed to throw the underwear away on January 1st. Others say you wear it inside out on December 30th and flip it the right way on the 31st. Nobody fully agrees on the rules
🇲🇽 The 12 grapes tradition isn't just Spanish. Countries like Mexico, Peru and Venezuela do it too, brought over by Spanish migrants and adapted with local twists

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