/A1%20Collection/es-a1-story-15.webp)
Spanish version
Es lunes.
Emilio está en la oficina.
—Emilio, ¿vas a <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="to finish" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">terminar</span> el trabajo?
—Sí, jefe. <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="I'm going to" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Voy a</span> terminarlo mañana.
<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="In the afternoon" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Por la tarde</span>, Emilio llega a casa.
—Papá, ¿<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="We're going to" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">vamos a</span> jugar?
—Hoy no, hijo. Voy a jugar contigo mañana.
—¿Mañana?
—Sí. Mañana vamos a jugar.
Su <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="wife" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">esposa</span> Mía llega.
—Emilio, la puerta del baño está <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="broken" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">rota</span>.
—Voy a <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="to fix it" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">arreglarla</span> mañana.
Es martes.
—¿Y el trabajo, Emilio?
—<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="he/she is going to" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Voy a</span> <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="to do it" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">hacerlo</span> mañana.
En casa, Manolito pregunta otra vez.
—Papá, hoy vamos a jugar, ¿no?
—Estoy cansado, hijo. Vamos a jugar mañana.
—¿Y la puerta?
—Mañana. Voy a arreglarla mañana.
Es miércoles.
—Emilio, el viernes es el último día.
—Tranquilo, jefe. Voy a hacerlo mañana.
—¿Otra vez mañana?
—<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="this time" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Esta vez</span> sí. Voy a hacerlo.
En casa, Mía habla con Emilio.
—Emilio, Manolito está muy triste. Y la puerta <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="still" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">todavía</span> está rota.
—Voy a arreglar la puerta mañana. Y voy a jugar <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="with him" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">con él</span> mañana también.
Es jueves.
—Emilio, mañana es viernes. ¿<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="Are you going to" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Vas a</span> terminar el trabajo?
—Sí, jefe. Voy a terminar <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="everything" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">todo</span> hoy.
Pero Emilio no <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="he does it" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">lo hace</span>. Piensa: "Voy a terminar mañana".
Es viernes.
El jefe está muy enfadado.
—Emilio, ¿dónde está el trabajo?
—Voy a... voy a terminarlo mañana...
—Siempre dices "voy a hacerlo mañana". Pero nunca lo haces.
<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="At noon" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Al mediodía</span>, Emilio va al <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="office" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">despacho</span> del jefe. Hoy es <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="payday" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">día de pago</span>.
—<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="Mr." fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Señor</span> Ruiz, hoy es día de pago.
—Ah, sí. Tu dinero...
—Sí, necesito mi dinero hoy.
—<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="I understand" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Entiendo</span>. Pero... voy a pagarte mañana.
—<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="What?" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">¿Qué?</span> ¿Mañana? Pero hoy es día de pago.
—Sí. Pero voy a pagarte mañana.
—Jefe, necesito el dinero hoy.
—Y yo necesito el trabajo. Tú siempre dices "voy a hacerlo mañana". Ahora yo digo "voy a pagarte mañana".
—Entiendo. Voy a terminar el trabajo hoy.
—¿Hoy o mañana?
—Hoy, jefe.
—<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="Good" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Bien</span>. Entonces yo voy a pagarte hoy también.
<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="After work" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Después del trabajo</span>, Emilio va a casa.
—Voy a arreglar la puerta.
—¿De verdad? Gracias, mi amor.
Emilio arregla la puerta.
Después va a la habitación de Manolito.
—Manolito, vamos a <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="to play football" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">jugar al fútbol</span>. Ahora.
—¿Ahora? ¿No mañana?
—No. Ahora.
Emilio y Manolito juegan juntos.
Después, Mía <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="prepares" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">prepara</span> <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="cold tomato soup" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">gazpacho</span> para cenar. <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="The three of them" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Los tres</span> comen juntos.
Emilio tiene su dinero y su familia está feliz.
Ahora Emilio <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="he understands" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">entiende</span>: mañana es muy <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="late" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">tarde</span>.
Spanish story with English translation
Es lunes.
It is Monday.
Emilio está en la oficina.
Emilio is at the office.
—Emilio, ¿vas a terminar el trabajo?
"Emilio, are you going to finish the work?"
—Sí, jefe. Voy a terminarlo mañana.
"Yes, boss. I'm going to finish it tomorrow."
Por la tarde, Emilio llega a casa.
In the afternoon, Emilio arrives home.
—Papá, ¿vamos a jugar?
"Dad, are we going to play?"
—Hoy no, hijo. Voy a jugar contigo mañana.
"Not today, son. I'm going to play with you tomorrow."
—¿Mañana?
"Tomorrow?"
—Sí. Mañana vamos a jugar.
"Yes. Tomorrow we're going to play."
Su esposa Mía llega.
His wife Mía arrives.
—Emilio, la puerta del baño está rota.
"Emilio, the bathroom door is broken."
—Voy a arreglarla mañana.
"I'm going to fix it tomorrow."
Es martes.
It is Tuesday.
—¿Y el trabajo, Emilio?
"And the work, Emilio?"
—Voy a hacerlo mañana.
"I'm going to do it tomorrow."
En casa, Manolito pregunta otra vez.
At home, Manolito asks again.
—Papá, hoy vamos a jugar, ¿no?
"Dad, today we're going to play, right?"
—Estoy cansado, hijo. Vamos a jugar mañana.
"I'm tired, son. We're going to play tomorrow."
—¿Y la puerta?
"And the door?"
—Mañana. Voy a arreglarla mañana.
"Tomorrow. I'm going to fix it tomorrow."
Es miércoles.
It is Wednesday.
—Emilio, el viernes es el último día.
"Emilio, Friday is the last day."
—Tranquilo, jefe. Voy a hacerlo mañana.
"Relax, boss. I'm going to do it tomorrow."
—¿Otra vez mañana?
"Tomorrow again?"
—Esta vez sí. Voy a hacerlo.
"This time yes. I'm going to do it."
En casa, Mía habla con Emilio.
At home, Mía talks with Emilio.
—Emilio, Manolito está muy triste. Y la puerta todavía está rota.
"Emilio, Manolito is very sad. And the door is still broken."
—Voy a arreglar la puerta mañana. Y voy a jugar con él mañana también.
"I'm going to fix the door tomorrow. And I'm going to play with him tomorrow too."
Es jueves.
It is Thursday.
—Emilio, mañana es viernes. ¿Vas a terminar el trabajo?
"Emilio, tomorrow is Friday. Are you going to finish the work?"
—Sí, jefe. Voy a terminar todo hoy.
"Yes, boss. I'm going to finish everything today."
Pero Emilio no lo hace. Piensa: "Voy a terminar mañana".
But Emilio doesn't do it. He thinks: "I'm going to finish tomorrow."
Es viernes.
It is Friday.
El jefe está muy enfadado.
The boss is very angry.
—Emilio, ¿dónde está el trabajo?
"Emilio, where is the work?"
—Voy a... voy a terminarlo mañana...
"I'm going to... I'm going to finish it tomorrow..."
—Siempre dices "voy a hacerlo mañana". Pero nunca lo haces.
"You always say 'I'm going to do it tomorrow.' But you never do it."
Al mediodía, Emilio va al despacho del jefe. Hoy es día de pago.
At noon, Emilio goes to the boss's office. Today is payday.
—Señor Ruiz, hoy es día de pago.
"Mr. Ruiz, today is payday."
—Ah, sí. Tu dinero...
"Ah, yes. Your money..."
—Sí, necesito mi dinero hoy.
"Yes, I need my money today."
—Entiendo. Pero... voy a pagarte mañana.
"I understand. But... I'm going to pay you tomorrow."
—¿Qué? ¿Mañana? Pero hoy es día de pago.
"What? Tomorrow? But today is payday."
—Sí. Pero voy a pagarte mañana.
"Yes. But I'm going to pay you tomorrow."
—Jefe, necesito el dinero hoy.
"Boss, I need the money today."
—Y yo necesito el trabajo. Tú siempre dices "voy a hacerlo mañana". Ahora yo digo "voy a pagarte mañana".
"And I need the work. You always say 'I'm going to do it tomorrow.' Now I say 'I'm going to pay you tomorrow.'"
—Entiendo. Voy a terminar el trabajo hoy.
"I understand. I'm going to finish the work today."
—¿Hoy o mañana?
"Today or tomorrow?"
—Hoy, jefe.
"Today, boss."
—Bien. Entonces yo voy a pagarte hoy también.
"Good. Then I'm going to pay you today too."
Después del trabajo, Emilio va a casa.
After work, Emilio goes home.
—Voy a arreglar la puerta.
"I'm going to fix the door."
—¿De verdad? Gracias, mi amor.
"Really? Thank you, my love."
Emilio arregla la puerta.
Emilio fixes the door.
Después va a la habitación de Manolito.
Then he goes to Manolito's room.
—Manolito, vamos a jugar al fútbol. Ahora.
"Manolito, let's play soccer. Now."
—¿Ahora? ¿No mañana?
"Now? Not tomorrow?"
—No. Ahora.
"No. Now."
Emilio y Manolito juegan juntos.
Emilio and Manolito play together.
Después, Mía prepara gazpacho para cenar. Los tres comen juntos.
Afterwards, Mía prepares gazpacho for dinner. The three of them eat together.
Emilio tiene su dinero y su familia está feliz.
Emilio has his money and his family is happy.
Ahora Emilio entiende: mañana es muy tarde.
Now Emilio understands: tomorrow is too late.
Vocabulary Flashcards
Story Challenge
Patterns Challenge
Listening Challenge
Writing Challenge
Question 1
A friend asks what Emilio's problem is. Reply in Spanish: Emilio is going to finish the work tomorrow. He is going to play with his son tomorrow.
Example: Emilio va a terminar el trabajo mañana. Va a jugar con su hijo mañana.
Notes:
- IR A + infinitive: conjugate IR (va), add "a," then the infinitive stays the same. Va a terminar, va a jugar. That's the whole structure.
- "Su hijo" = his son. Su works for his, her and your (formal), so context tells you which one.
Question 2
You are Manolito. Ask your dad in Spanish: Are we going to play today? Are we going to play football?
Example: ¿Vamos a jugar hoy? ¿Vamos a jugar al fútbol?
Notes:
- "Vamos a jugar" → nosotros form of IR. Same "vamos" you already know from "vamos al parque." Now it refers to the future instead of movement.
- "Jugar al fútbol" needs that "al." You play AT football in Spanish: jugar al fútbol, jugar al tenis. Not "jugar fútbol."
Question 3
Emilio asks about your evening plans. Answer in Spanish: I am going to study Spanish tonight. I am going to eat with my family. I am not going to work tomorrow.
Example: (Yo) voy a estudiar español esta noche. Voy a comer con mi familia. No voy a trabajar mañana.
Notes:
- "Esta noche" = tonight. "Esta tarde" = this afternoon/evening. Both work for evening plans depending on the time.
- "No voy a trabajar" → negation goes before the whole structure. No + voy a + infinitive.
Question 4
Translate to Spanish: I am going to study. You are going to play. Emilio is going to work. We are going to eat. They are going to rest.
Example: (Yo) voy a estudiar. (Tú) vas a jugar. Emilio va a trabajar. (Nosotros) vamos a comer. (Ellos) van a descansar.
Notes:
- You already know IR: voy, vas, va, vamos, van. Now just add "a" + infinitive after each one.
- "Van" covers both ellos and ellas. And notice: va is for one person, van is for more than one. Same jump as es → son.
Question 5
Translate to Spanish: It is Friday. Emilio is going to finish the work today. The boss is going to pay Emilio today. Emilio needs his money.
Example: Es viernes. Emilio va a terminar el trabajo hoy. El jefe va a pagar a Emilio hoy. Emilio necesita su dinero.
Notes:
- "Pagar a Emilio" → paying a person needs that personal "a." Same one you've seen with ver a alguien, preguntar a alguien.
Question 6
Translate to Spanish: Manolito is sad. He wants to play with his dad. Emilio is going to play with him now. They are going to play football. The family is happy.
Example: Manolito está triste. (Él) quiere jugar con su papá. Emilio va a jugar con él ahora. Van a jugar al fútbol. La familia está feliz.
Notes:
- QUERER + infinitive (quiere jugar) and IR A + infinitive (va a jugar) side by side. He WANTS to play and now dad IS GOING TO play
- "Con él" = with him. Don't confuse "él" (he/him) with "el" (the). The accent makes all the difference.
Speaking Challenge
Welcome to Emilio's week of 'mañana.' Practice avoiding your boss's questions, showing the new guy around, planning a family Saturday and telling your flatmate why this story is basically about him.
The Boss Checks In
It's Monday morning. You're Emilio, sitting at your desk. Your boss walks over with a coffee in his hand and starts asking about everything you need to do this week.
Your task - answer your boss's questions about your plans:
- Greet your boss
- Your boss asks about the project. Say when you're going to finish it (tomorrow)
- Your boss asks about Rosa's report. Say when you're going to help her (Friday)
- Your boss asks about Jesús, the new employee. Say when you're going to talk to him (Thursday)
- Your boss asks if you can stay late today. Say you can't, you have to go home (be with family)
Speak for 30-45 seconds
Reveal sample answer
- Buenos días, jefe.
- Good morning, boss.
- Voy a terminar el proyecto mañana.
- I'm going to finish the project tomorrow.
- Voy a ayudar a Rosa el viernes.
- I'm going to help Rosa on Friday.
- Voy a hablar con Jesús el jueves.
- I'm going to talk to Jesús on Thursday.
- No puedo. Tengo que ir a casa. Tengo que estar con mi familia.
- I can't. I have to go home. I have to be with my family.
The New Guy Has Questions
Jesús is the new employee at the office. It's his first week. He sits down next to you (you're Rosa, Emilio's colleague) during the lunch break and starts asking about the people in the office.
Your task - describe the office situation to Jesús:
- Describe who Emilio is (your colleague, works on a big project)
- Explain what Emilio is like with his work (always says "mañana", never does anything)
- Describe the boss, Señor Ruiz (his name, very serious, not happy with Emilio)
- Describe the project situation (big project, Emilio never works, the boss needs it by Friday)
- Tell Jesús your plans for tomorrow (eat lunch, see the office)
- Say that tomorrow you're also going to talk about the documents
Speak for 45 seconds - 1 minute
Reveal sample answer
- Emilio es mi compañero. Trabaja en un proyecto grande.
- Emilio is my colleague. He works on a big project.
- Siempre dice "voy a hacerlo mañana". Pero nunca hace nada.
- He always says "I'm going to do it tomorrow." But he never does anything.
- El jefe se llama Señor Ruiz. Es muy serio. No está contento con Emilio.
- The boss is called Señor Ruiz. He's very serious. He's not happy with Emilio.
- El proyecto es muy grande. Emilio nunca trabaja. Y el jefe necesita el proyecto el viernes.
- The project is very big. Emilio never works. And the boss needs the project on Friday.
- Mañana vamos a comer. Y vamos a ver la oficina.
- Tomorrow we're going to eat. And we're going to see the office.
- Y mañana también vamos a hablar de los documentos.
- And tomorrow we're also going to talk about the documents.
Saturday Morning Plans
It's Saturday morning. You're Emilio… a changed man. Mía and Manolito are at the breakfast table, still in pyjamas. You stand up and announce the plan for the whole day.
Your task - describe the family's plans for Saturday:
- Say what you're going to do first (make breakfast for everyone, fix the bathroom door)
- Tell Manolito what he's going to do while you fix the door (clean his room and then help in the kitchen)
- Describe your midday plans (go to the park, play football, eat at an Italian restaurant)
- Describe your afternoon plans with Mía (walk on the plaza, have a coffee)
- Say what you're going to do in the evening (go to the cinema with the family)
- Describe what the family is going to do after the cinema (cook dinner together, then play a game and then rest)
Speak for 1 - 1.5 minutes
Reveal sample answer
- Primero voy a preparar el desayuno para todos. Y después voy a arreglar la puerta del baño.
- First I'm going to prepare breakfast for everyone. And then I'm going to fix the bathroom door.
- Manolito, tú vas a limpiar tu habitación. Y después vas a ayudar en la cocina.
- Manolito, you're going to clean your room. And then you're going to help in the kitchen.
- Al mediodía vamos al parque. Vamos a jugar al fútbol. Y después vamos a comer en un restaurante italiano.
- At midday we're going to go to the park. We're going to play football. And then we're going to eat at an Italian restaurant.
- Por la tarde, Mía, vamos a pasear por la plaza. Y vamos a tomar un café.
- In the afternoon, Mía, we're going to walk around the plaza. And we're going to have a coffee.
- Por la noche vamos todos al cine.
- In the evening we're all going to the cinema.
- Después del cine vamos a cocinar la cena juntos. Después de la cena vamos a jugar a un juego y después vamos a descansar.
- After the cinema we're going to cook dinner together. After the dinner we're going to play a game and then we're going to rest.
Your Week Ahead
A Spanish-speaking friend asks you: "So, what's your week looking like?"
Your task - describe your plans for the week:
- Describe your Monday and Tuesday plans (e.g. work, study Spanish, go to the gym)
- Describe your Wednesday plans (e.g. see a friend, go to a restaurant, eat together)
- Describe your Friday evening plans (e.g. go out, go to a bar, have dinner with friends)
- Describe your Saturday from morning to evening (at least 3 activities, e.g. go to the market, buy food, walk in the centre of the city, eat at a restaurant)
- Describe your Sunday (e.g. rest at home, cook for family, watch a film)
Speak for 1 - 1.5 minutes
Reveal sample answer
- El lunes y el martes voy a trabajar. Y por la noche voy a estudiar español.
- On Monday and Tuesday I'm going to work. And in the evening I'm going to study Spanish.
- El miércoles voy a ver a un amigo. Vamos a un restaurante. Vamos a comer juntos.
- On Wednesday I'm going to see a friend. We're going to go to a restaurant. We're going to eat together.
- El viernes por la noche voy a salir. Voy a un bar con amigos. Vamos a cenar juntos.
- On Friday evening I'm going to go out. I'm going to go to a bar with friends. We're going to have dinner together.
- El sábado por la mañana voy al mercado. Voy a comprar comida. Por la tarde voy a caminar por el centro de la ciudad. Y por la noche vamos a comer en un restaurante.
- On Saturday morning I'm going to go to the market. I'm going to buy food. In the afternoon I'm going to walk around the centre of the city. And in the evening we're going to eat at a restaurant.
- El domingo voy a descansar en casa. Voy a cocinar para mi familia. Y por la noche vamos a ver una película.
- On Sunday I'm going to rest at home. I'm going to cook for my family. And in the evening we're going to watch a film.
The Flatmate Intervention
Your flatmate is lying on the sofa, as always. There are dirty dishes in the kitchen, clothes on the floor and an open pizza box on the table. You look at him and say: "You know what? I just read a story about someone exactly like you."
Your task - tell the story in your own words:
- Who is Emilio? (what does he do? does he have a family?)
- What does the boss ask Emilio on Monday? What does Emilio say?
- What happens at home with Manolito? (what does he want? what does Emilio say?)
- What is the problem with the bathroom door? What does Emilio say to Mía?
- Describe what happens on Tuesday and Wednesday (same pattern? what does the boss say about Friday?)
- How does Mía feel by Wednesday? How does Manolito feel?
- What happens on Friday morning? (is the work finished? how does the boss feel?)
- Describe payday: what does Emilio want? What does the boss say?
- Why does the boss say "mañana" to Emilio?
- What does Emilio do after work on Friday? (the door, Manolito)
- How does the story end? How does the family feel?
- What do you think about the story? Why? (Esta historia es... porque...)
- Are you like Emilio? Do you leave important things for tomorrow?
- Imagine you're Emilio. What lesson do you understand now?
Speak for 2.5-3.5 minutes
Reveal sample answer
- Emilio trabaja en una oficina. Tiene una esposa y un hijo.
- Emilio works in an office. He has a wife and a son.
- El lunes, el jefe pregunta: "¿Vas a terminar el trabajo?" Emilio dice: "Voy a terminarlo mañana."
- On Monday, the boss asks: "Are you going to finish the work?" Emilio says: "I'm going to finish it tomorrow."
- En casa, Manolito quiere jugar con Emilio. Emilio dice: "Voy a jugar contigo mañana."
- At home, Manolito wants to play with Emilio. Emilio says: "I'm going to play with you tomorrow."
- La puerta del baño está rota. Emilio dice a Mía: "Voy a arreglarla mañana."
- The bathroom door is broken. Emilio says to Mía: "I'm going to fix it tomorrow."
- El martes y el miércoles es la misma situación. Emilio siempre dice "mañana". El jefe dice: "El viernes es el último día."
- On Tuesday and Wednesday it's the same situation. Emilio always says "tomorrow." The boss says: "Friday is the last day."
- Mía no está contenta. Manolito está muy triste.
- Mía is not happy. Manolito is very sad.
- El viernes, Emilio no termina el trabajo. El jefe está muy enfadado.
- On Friday, Emilio doesn't finish the work. The boss is very angry.
- Es día de pago. Emilio necesita su dinero. Pero el jefe dice: "Voy a pagarte mañana."
- It's payday. Emilio needs his money. But the boss says: "I'm going to pay you tomorrow."
- Porque Emilio siempre dice "mañana". Ahora el jefe dice "mañana" también.
- Because Emilio always says "tomorrow." Now the boss says "tomorrow" too.
- Después del trabajo, Emilio arregla la puerta. Juega al fútbol con Manolito.
- After work, Emilio fixes the door. He plays football with Manolito.
- Emilio tiene su dinero y su familia está feliz.
- Emilio has his money and his family is happy.
- Esta historia es muy divertida porque Emilio siempre dice "mañana". / Esta historia es muy buena porque tiene una lección importante.
- This story is very funny because Emilio always says "tomorrow." / This story is very good because it has an important lesson.
- Sí, yo soy un poco como Emilio. Siempre digo "voy a hacerlo mañana". / No, yo no soy como Emilio. Yo hago las cosas hoy.
- Yes, I'm a bit like Emilio. I always say "I'm going to do it tomorrow." / No, I'm not like Emilio. I do things today.
- Ahora entiendo que mañana es muy tarde. Tengo que hacer las cosas hoy. Mi familia es importante y mi trabajo también.
- Now I understand that tomorrow is too late. I have to do things today. My family is important and my work as well.
Culture
1. What Mía Made for Dinner
Emilio spent five days saying mañana to everything. His boss. His son. A broken bathroom door.
But when he finally got his act together… Mía made gazpacho.
Cold soup. Yes, cold
Gazpacho is a soup made from raw vegetables. Blended. Served cold. Straight from the fridge.
Here's what goes into it:
- Tomatoes - the base, and lots of them
- Cucumber and green pepper - for freshness
- Garlic - always
- Stale bread - soaked and blended in
- Olive oil, vinegar and salt - that's it
Everything into a blender. Chill it. Done. No cooking. No oven.
No standing over a stove on a hot evening while your husband finally fixes the bathroom door.
If you want to see how easy it really is… this video by chef Eric Lahuerta is exactly how I make mine. I make gazpacho a lot, especially during summer.
In Andalusia (where gazpacho comes from) families keep a full jug of it in the fridge the way you might keep orange juice.
You pour yourself a glass when you get home. Sometimes it IS dinner.
A field worker's lunch that took over the country
The red gazpacho we know today is actually pretty recent. Tomatoes didn't arrive in Spain until the 1500s from the Americas.
Before that, the original was just bread, garlic, olive oil, vinegar and water.
Crushed together in a stone bowl by shepherds and farm workers in southern Spain who needed something cheap and filling that didn't require a fire.
Once tomatoes showed up… the red version spread across the whole country and eventually the world.
But it never lost the simplicity. You can make it with ingredients that cost almost nothing in about ten minutes.
Gazpacho also has family worth knowing:
- Salmorejo - thicker, creamier, from Córdoba. More bread, no cucumber. Topped with chopped hard-boiled egg and jamón
- Ajoblanco - the older cousin. Almonds and garlic instead of tomatoes. Sometimes served with grapes
If you ever visit in summer and someone hands you a cold glass of something red… don't question it. Just drink.
2. The Sport That Runs an Entire Country
Manolito heard mañana four times before he finally heard al fútbol. In a country where soccer is everything… Emilio could not have picked a better way to make it up to his son.
What it actually feels like
If you've never been in Spain during a big match… it's hard to explain how completely everything stops.
Bars fill up early. Every TV is on the same channel. Strangers sit shoulder to shoulder and react to the same play at the same time. When a goal goes in... you hear it. Not just from the bar. From open windows three blocks away.
Soccer isn't a hobby in Spain. It's background noise to daily life:
- Bars - every single one has a TV. During a big match, good luck getting a seat
- Monday mornings - the first conversation at every office is about the weekend's match
- Newspapers - Spain has entire daily papers devoted almost entirely to soccer. Not a sports section. The whole paper
How it got this deep
Soccer arrived in Spain in the 1870s. British workers at a mining company in Huelva started playing and the locals picked it up fast. The first official club was founded in 1889.
But the reason it means this much goes beyond the sport.
During Franco's dictatorship (1936 to 1975), regional languages and identities were suppressed. Soccer stadiums became one of the few places where people could gather and express where they were from.
Supporting your local club wasn't just fun. It was an act of identity.
That weight never left. Even today.. who you support says something about where you're from.
It's why a match between Real Madrid and Barcelona carries decades of history that most fans feel even if they can't fully explain it.
It starts in a park
In Spain, you don't choose your soccer team. Your family chooses it for you. Your dad, usually. Sometimes your grandfather. Once it's yours… it's yours for life.
It starts exactly the way it does with Emilio and Manolito. A game in the park. Then you watch a match together on the couch. Then one Sunday he takes you to a bar to watch a bigger game. You learn the chants. You learn the players.
By the time you're ten… it's done.
Walk through any Spanish neighbourhood on a weekend afternoon. You'll see kids on every patch of open ground with a ball. Proper goals or plastic bottles. Full teams or just two friends passing back and forth.
Decades of history. Millions of fans.
And it all starts the same way: a kid asks his dad to play. Manolito just had to ask five times.
Did You Know?
- 🍅 In Spanish supermarkets you can buy gazpacho in a carton the same way you'd buy orange juice. Spain produces around 67 million litres of it industrially every year
- ⚽ Spain has more registered soccer clubs (over 29,000) than pharmacies (roughly 22,000). You're statistically more likely to find a pitch than paracetamol
- 📖 Gazpacho shows up in Don Quixote (1605). Sancho Panza says he'd rather have his fill of gazpacho than deal with the problems of being a governor. Over four hundred years later… fair point
- 📺 El Clásico (Real Madrid vs Barcelona) drew an estimated 650 million viewers globally in October 2025. Broadcast in over 180 countries. For a single club match on a Sunday
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Emilio says "mañana" to everyone but at the end he does everything today. What about you?
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