A1 Spanish

Stories completed

30. Una nueva vida en Madrid

(A New Life in Madrid)

After four years in Madrid, Sofía finally continues her medical studies. Between classes and Rosa's restaurant, happiness finds its way.

Illustration of a couple standing close together, the woman carrying a small purse

Spanish version

Sofía vive en Madrid <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="since four years ago" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">desde hace cuatro años.

<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="in the afternoons" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Por las tardes todavía trabaja en La Cocina de Rosa.

Hoy es su primer día en la universidad.

En la universidad, Sofía conoce a un chico. Se llama Alfonso.

—Hola. ¿Tú también estudias medicina? —pregunta Alfonso.

—Hola. Sí. Soy Sofía. ¿Y tú?

—Encantado, Sofía. Yo soy Alfonso. Soy de Madrid.

—Yo soy de Venezuela.

Hablan mucho <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="that day" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">ese día. Alfonso es inteligente y divertido.

Sofía llega al restaurante después de su primer día.

—¡Sofía! <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="How was your first day?" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">¿Qué tal tu primer día? —pregunta Rosa.

—Muy bien, Rosa. <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="I like a lot" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Me gusta mucho la universidad.

—¿Y la gente? ¿Son amables?

—Sí... hay un chico. Se llama Alfonso.

Rosa sonríe.

—Ah... <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="Do you like...?" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">¿te gusta Alfonso?

—¡No! No, Rosa. Es <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="just a friend" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">solo un amigo.

Rosa se ríe.

—Claro, claro... Solo un amigo.

Un día, Alfonso entra en el restaurante. Se sienta en una mesa.

Sofía sale de la cocina.

—¿Alfonso? <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="What are you doing here?" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">¿Qué haces aquí?

—Tengo hambre. Y quiero conocer tu restaurante.

—Vale. <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="What do you want to eat?" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">¿Qué quieres comer? El <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="Madrid stew" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">cocido madrileño es <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="very good" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">muy bueno.

—Perfecto. Quiero cocido madrileño.

Sofía sonríe y va a la cocina.

Rosa ve a Alfonso y va a su mesa.

—Tú eres Alfonso, <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="right?" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">¿verdad?

—Sí. <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="How do you know my name?" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">¿Cómo sabe mi nombre?

—Sofía <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="talks a lot about you" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">habla mucho de ti.

Alfonso sonríe.

—¿De verdad?

—Sí. Y tú... ¿te gusta Sofía?

—Bueno... sí. Me gusta.

—Entonces, <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="why don't you...?" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">¿por qué no la invitas al museo o al parque?

Sofía vuelve con el cocido.

—¿Qué pasa?

—Nada, nada.

Alfonso <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="finishes eating" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">termina de comer. Sofía viene a su mesa.

—¿Quieres postre? Tenemos unos <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="cream pastries" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">bartolillos.

—No, gracias. Pero Sofía... <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="Can I ask you something?" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">¿puedo preguntarte algo?

—Sí, claro. ¿Qué pasa?

—¿Quieres ir al <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="the Prado Museum" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Museo del Prado conmigo mañana?

—Me gusta mucho ese museo. Sí, vamos.

Al día siguiente, Sofía y Alfonso van al Prado.

—Esta <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="painting" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">pintura es <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="more pretty than" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">más bonita que <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="the other one" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">la otra —dice Alfonso.

—No. Para mí, <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="that one is the best" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">esa es la mejor —responde Sofía.

Salen del museo. <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="It makes good weather" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Hace buen tiempo.

—¿Vamos al <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="Retiro Park" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Parque del Retiro? —pregunta Alfonso.

Caminan juntos al parque. Llegan al <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="pond" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">estanque grande. Se sientan en un banco cerca del agua.

Alfonso mira a Sofía.

—Sofía... <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="I have to tell you something" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">tengo que decirte algo importante.

—<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="Tell me" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Dime. ¿Qué pasa?

—Estoy <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="in love with you" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">enamorado de ti. <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="since the first day" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Desde el primer día en la universidad.

Sofía mira a Alfonso.

—También estoy enamorada de ti, Alfonso.

Sofía se acerca a Alfonso y <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="gives him a kiss" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">le da un beso.

<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="that night" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Esa noche, Sofía llega al restaurante. Ve a Rosa. <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="runs towards her" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Corre hacia ella y la abraza.

—¿Qué pasa, cariño? ¿Estás bien? —pregunta Rosa.

—Rosa... eres mi mejor amiga. <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="I love you a lot" 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.

—Yo también te quiero, Sofía. Pero ¿por qué lloras? ¿Qué pasa?

—Estoy muy feliz, Rosa.

Sofía mira a Rosa.

—Estoy en Madrid desde hace cuatro años. Y mira mi vida ahora. Tengo trabajo. Mi familia en Venezuela está bien. Estudio medicina en la universidad... Y ahora tengo novio.

—¡Alfonso! <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="I knew it!" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">¡Lo sabía!

—Gracias, Rosa. Gracias por ser mi amiga. Gracias por <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="to help me" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">ayudarme. Eres muy importante para mí. Eres mi madre aquí en Madrid.

—Y tú eres mi hija, Sofía. Siempre.

Spanish story with English translation

Sofía vive en Madrid desde hace cuatro años.

Sofía lives in Madrid since four years ago.

Por las tardes todavía trabaja en La Cocina de Rosa.

In the afternoons she still works at La Cocina de Rosa.

Hoy es su primer día en la universidad.

Today is her first day at the university.

En la universidad, Sofía conoce a un chico. Se llama Alfonso.

At the university, Sofía meets a boy. His name is Alfonso.

—Hola. ¿Tú también estudias medicina? —pregunta Alfonso.

"Hello. Do you also study medicine?" asks Alfonso.

—Hola. Sí. Soy Sofía. ¿Y tú?

"Hello. Yes. I'm Sofía. And you?"

—Encantado, Sofía. Yo soy Alfonso. Soy de Madrid.

"Nice to meet you, Sofía. I'm Alfonso. I'm from Madrid."

—Yo soy de Venezuela.

"I'm from Venezuela."

Hablan mucho ese día. Alfonso es inteligente y divertido.

They talk a lot that day. Alfonso is intelligent and fun.

Sofía llega al restaurante después de su primer día.

Sofía arrives at the restaurant after her first day.

—¡Sofía! ¿Qué tal tu primer día? —pregunta Rosa.

"Sofía! How was your first day?" asks Rosa.

—Muy bien, Rosa. Me gusta mucho la universidad.

"Very well, Rosa. I really like the university."

—¿Y la gente? ¿Son amables?

"And the people? Are they kind?"

—Sí... hay un chico. Se llama Alfonso.

"Yes... there's a boy. His name is Alfonso."

Rosa sonríe.

Rosa smiles.

—Ah... ¿te gusta Alfonso?

"Ah... do you like Alfonso?"

—¡No! No, Rosa. Es solo un amigo.

"No! No, Rosa. He's just a friend."

Rosa se ríe.

Rosa laughs.

—Claro, claro... Solo un amigo.

"Of course, of course... Just a friend."

Un día, Alfonso entra en el restaurante. Se sienta en una mesa.

One day, Alfonso enters the restaurant. He sits at a table.

Sofía sale de la cocina.

Sofía comes out of the kitchen.

—¿Alfonso? ¿Qué haces aquí?

"Alfonso? What are you doing here?"

—Tengo hambre. Y quiero conocer tu restaurante.

"I'm hungry. And I want to see your restaurant."

—Vale. ¿Qué quieres comer? El cocido madrileño es muy bueno.

"Okay. What do you want to eat? The Madrid stew is very good."

—Perfecto. Quiero cocido madrileño.

"Perfect. I want Madrid stew."

Sofía sonríe y va a la cocina.

Sofía smiles and goes to the kitchen.

Rosa ve a Alfonso y va a su mesa.

Rosa sees Alfonso and goes to his table.

—Tú eres Alfonso, ¿verdad?

"You're Alfonso, right?"

—Sí. ¿Cómo sabe mi nombre?

"Yes. How do you know my name?"

—Sofía habla mucho de ti.

"Sofía talks a lot about you."

Alfonso sonríe.

Alfonso smiles.

—¿De verdad?

"Really?"

—Sí. Y tú... ¿te gusta Sofía?

"Yes. And you... do you like Sofía?"

—Bueno... sí. Me gusta.

"Well... yes. I like her."

—Entonces, ¿por qué no la invitas al museo o al parque?

"Then, why don't you invite her to the museum or the park?"

Sofía vuelve con el cocido.

Sofía comes back with the stew.

—¿Qué pasa?

"What's going on?"

—Nada, nada.

"Nothing, nothing."

Alfonso termina de comer. Sofía viene a su mesa.

Alfonso finishes eating. Sofía comes to his table.

—¿Quieres postre? Tenemos unos bartolillos.

"Do you want dessert? We have some bartolillos."

—No, gracias. Pero Sofía... ¿puedo preguntarte algo?

"No, thank you. But Sofía... can I ask you something?"

—Sí, claro. ¿Qué pasa?

"Yes, of course. What is it?"

—¿Quieres ir al Museo del Prado conmigo mañana?

"Do you want to go to the Prado Museum with me tomorrow?"

—Me gusta mucho ese museo. Sí, vamos.

"I really like that museum. Yes, let's go."

Al día siguiente, Sofía y Alfonso van al Prado.

The next day, Sofía and Alfonso go to the Prado.

—Esta pintura es más bonita que la otra —dice Alfonso.

"This painting is prettier than that one," says Alfonso.

—No. Para mí, esa es la mejor —responde Sofía.

"No. For me, that one is the best," responds Sofía.

Salen del museo. Hace buen tiempo.

They leave the museum. The weather is nice.

—¿Vamos al Parque del Retiro? —pregunta Alfonso.

"Shall we go to Retiro Park?" asks Alfonso.

Caminan juntos al parque. Llegan al estanque grande. Se sientan en un banco cerca del agua.

They walk together to the park. They arrive at the big pond. They sit on a bench near the water.

Alfonso mira a Sofía.

Alfonso looks at Sofía.

—Sofía... tengo que decirte algo importante.

"Sofía... I have to tell you something important."

—Dime. ¿Qué pasa?

"Tell me. What is it?"

—Estoy enamorado de ti. Desde el primer día en la universidad.

"I'm in love with you. Since the first day at the university."

Sofía mira a Alfonso.

Sofía looks at Alfonso.

—También estoy enamorada de ti, Alfonso.

"I'm in love with you too, Alfonso."

Sofía se acerca a Alfonso y le da un beso.

Sofía moves closer to Alfonso and gives him a kiss.

Esa noche, Sofía llega al restaurante. Ve a Rosa. Corre hacia ella y la abraza.

That night, Sofía arrives at the restaurant. She sees Rosa. She runs toward her and hugs her.

—¿Qué pasa, cariño? ¿Estás bien? —pregunta Rosa.

"What's wrong, sweetheart? Are you okay?" asks Rosa.

—Rosa... eres mi mejor amiga. Te quiero mucho.

"Rosa... you're my best friend. I love you very much."

—Yo también te quiero, Sofía. Pero ¿por qué lloras? ¿Qué pasa?

"I love you too, Sofía. But why are you crying? What's wrong?"

—Estoy muy feliz, Rosa.

"I'm very happy, Rosa."

Sofía mira a Rosa.

Sofía looks at Rosa.

—Estoy en Madrid desde hace cuatro años. Y mira mi vida ahora. Tengo trabajo. Mi familia en Venezuela está bien. Estudio medicina en la universidad... Y ahora tengo novio.

"I've been in Madrid for four years. And look at my life now. I have work. My family in Venezuela is fine. I'm studying medicine at the university... And now I have a boyfriend."

—¡Alfonso! ¡Lo sabía!

"Alfonso! I knew it!"

—Gracias, Rosa. Gracias por ser mi amiga. Gracias por ayudarme. Eres muy importante para mí. Eres mi madre aquí en Madrid.

"Thank you, Rosa. Thank you for being my friend. Thank you for helping me. You are very important to me. You are my mother here in Madrid."

—Y tú eres mi hija, Sofía. Siempre.

"And you are my daughter, Sofía. Always."

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 Sofía's life in Madrid. Reply in Spanish: She is from Venezuela but she lives in Madrid. She works at Rosa's restaurant because she needs money.

Example: Es de Venezuela pero vive en Madrid. Trabaja en el restaurante de Rosa porque necesita dinero.

Notes:

Notice you didn't need a single subject pronoun here because the context does all the work. That's how natural Spanish sounds.

Question 2

You sit next to Alfonso in class. Ask him in Spanish: Do you know this university well? What do you think of the professors? Do you like this university?

Example: ¿Conoces bien esta universidad? ¿Qué piensas de los profesores? ¿Te gusta esta universidad?

Notes:

"¿Qué piensas de...?" vs "¿Qué piensas que...?" are different. "De" asks for an opinion about something. "Que" introduces what you think. "¿Qué piensas de Madrid?" (opinion about) vs "Pienso que Madrid es bonita" (I think that...).
Three completely different structures: CONOCER, PENSAR, GUSTAR.

Question 3

Alfonso asks about your life. Answer in Spanish: I am from [your country]. I study Spanish because I like the language. In my opinion, Spanish is more difficult than English. But I want to learn more.

Example: Soy de [your country]. Estudio español porque me gusta el idioma. En mi opinión, el español es más difícil que el inglés. Pero quiero aprender más.

Notes:

Feel free to disagree with the sentence: "En mi opinión, el español es más fácil que el inglés."

Question 4

Translate to Spanish: Sofía is from Venezuela but she lives in Madrid. She is happy because she likes her life now. Besides, she has a boyfriend. In her opinion, Madrid is a very good city.

Example: Sofía es de Venezuela pero vive en Madrid. Está contenta porque le gusta su vida ahora. Además, tiene novio. En su opinión, Madrid es una ciudad muy buena.

Notes:

"Está contenta" vs "está feliz": both work here. "Feliz" is stronger (like true happiness). "Contento/a" is closer to pleased or satisfied. Also "feliz" stays the same for all genders while "contento" changes (contento/contenta).
"En su opinión" can mean his, her or your (usted). Context will always tell you which one it is.

Question 5

Translate to Spanish: Alfonso and Sofía go to the museum. Alfonso thinks this painting is more beautiful than the other one. But for Sofía, that one over there is the best. They walk to the park. Alfonso is in love with Sofía.

Example: Alfonso y Sofía van al museo. Alfonso piensa que esta pintura es más bonita que la otra. Pero para Sofía, aquella es la mejor. Caminan al parque. Alfonso está enamorado de Sofía.

Notes:

"Esta pintura" vs "aquella": this one here vs that one way over there. "Aquella de allá" also works but "aquella" alone already carries the distance.
"Para Sofía" is how you attribute an opinion to someone else. Your own opinion? "Para mí." Your friend's? "Para él/ella" or use their name.
"Enamorado de" always needs that "de." It's like English "in love with." It doesn't work without the preposition.

Question 6

Translate to Spanish: Sofía is in Madrid. She works at Rosa's restaurant and studies medicine. She is happy because she has a good life. Alfonso is her boyfriend. Rosa is very important to her. That's why Sofía is very happy.

Example: Sofía está en Madrid. Trabaja en el restaurante de Rosa y estudia medicina. Está feliz porque tiene una buena vida. Alfonso es su novio. Rosa es muy importante para ella. Por eso Sofía está muy feliz.

Notes:

"Está en Madrid" (location), "está feliz" (state), "es su novio" (identity), "es muy importante" (permanent quality).
You started Story 1 with "soy" and "me llamo." And now you just wrote a whole paragraph about Sofía's journey without checking a single note. That's you speaking Spanish. Congratulations!

Reply in Spanish and join the discussion!

Sofía arrives in Madrid with nothing. Thirty stories later... look at her life now!

Do you think Sofía's story is a happy story, a sad story or both? Why?
Do you have a Rosa in your life, a person that really helps you?
In your opinion, what is Sofía's life going to be like in five years?

Part 7

Speaking Challenge

Sofía is back. This time you're meeting her at university, giving her love advice over coffee, planning a date as Alfonso and telling the whole story to a stranger. Introductions, opinions, advice, comparisons, feelings - everything, in one go.

Your First Day

It's your first day at the university. You sit down in your class and the girl next to you turns and smiles. "Hola. ¿Tú también estudias medicina?" Her name is Sofía.

Your task - talk to Sofía:

Say yes, you study medicine too; introduce yourself (name, where you're from)
Sofía asks how you feel on your first day - say you're a little nervous but happy to be here
Sofía asks where you live - say where you live and describe it (big or small, quiet or noisy)
Ask Sofía where she's from
Ask Sofía if she likes the university
Sofía says she works at a restaurant in the afternoons - say that's interesting and ask which restaurant
Say you want to visit her restaurant one day because you like Spanish food a lot
Ask Sofía what you should eat there; ask what's the best dish

Speak for 1 minute - 1 minute 15 seconds

Reveal sample answer

Sí, yo también estudio medicina. Me llamo [name]. Soy de [country/city].
1. Yes, I also study medicine. My name is [name]. I'm from [country/city].
Estoy un poco nervioso/a, pero estoy contento/a de estar aquí.
1. I'm a little nervous, but I'm happy to be here.
Vivo en [city/neighbourhood]. Es [grande/pequeño] y [tranquilo/ruidoso].
1. I live in [city/neighbourhood]. It's [big/small] and [quiet/noisy].
¿De dónde eres, Sofía?
1. Where are you from, Sofía?
¿Te gusta la universidad?
1. Do you like the university?
¡Qué interesante! ¿En qué restaurante trabajas?
1. How interesting! Which restaurant do you work at?
Quiero visitar tu restaurante un día porque me gusta mucho la comida española.
1. I want to visit your restaurant one day because I like Spanish food a lot.
¿Qué debo comer? ¿Cuál es el mejor plato?
1. What should I eat? Which is the best dish?

Coffee with Sofía

A few weeks later, you and Sofía are good friends. You're having coffee near the campus. She's smiling more than usual and checking her phone… something is going on.

Your task - ask Sofía about Alfonso and give your opinion:

Say Sofía is very happy today and ask why
Sofía says she is talking with Alfonso every day - ask if she likes him
Sofía says he's just a friend - give your opinion: say you think Alfonso is not just a friend
Say Alfonso is intelligent and funnier than the other students in class
Give Sofía advice: say she should invite Alfonso for a coffee this weekend
Say you think that Sofía and Alfonso are going to be very happy

Speak for 45 seconds - 1 minute

Reveal sample answer

Sofía, estás muy contenta hoy. ¿Por qué?
1. Sofía, you're very happy today. Why?
¿Te gusta Alfonso?
1. Do you like Alfonso?
Creo que Alfonso no es solo un amigo.
1. I think that Alfonso is not just a friend.
Alfonso es inteligente y más divertido que los otros estudiantes de la clase.
1. Alfonso is intelligent and funnier than the other students in class.
Debes invitar a Alfonso a un café este fin de semana.
1. You should invite Alfonso for a coffee this weekend.
Pienso que Sofía y Alfonso van a ser muy felices.
1. I think that Sofía and Alfonso are going to be very happy.

Planning the Second Date

You're Alfonso and you're sitting in a café with a friend. You want to plan a second date with Sofía.

Your task - talk to your friend:

Say you like Sofía a lot and you want to go somewhere with her this weekend
Describe what Sofía likes (museums, parks, good food)
Your friend suggests a restaurant - say Sofía works at a restaurant, so you think you should go somewhere different
Compare two options: the cinema is more fun but a museum is more interesting
Decide: say you're going to go to the cinema on Saturday at six and then to a bar nearby
Say you're very happy and a little nervous

Speak for 45 seconds - 1 minute

Reveal sample answer

Me gusta mucho Sofía. Quiero ir con ella a algún sitio este fin de semana.
1. I like Sofía a lot. I want to go somewhere with her this weekend.
A Sofía le gustan los museos, los parques y la buena comida.
1. Sofía likes museums, parks, and good food.
Sofía trabaja en un restaurante, entonces creo que debemos ir a un sitio diferente.
1. Sofía works at a restaurant, so I think that we should go to a different place.
El cine es más divertido, pero un museo es más interesante.
1. The cinema is more fun, but a museum is more interesting.
Vamos al cine el sábado a las seis y después a un bar cerca del cine.
1. We're going to go to the cinema on Saturday at six and then to a bar near the cinema.
Estoy muy contento y un poco nervioso.
1. I'm very happy and a little nervous.

The Woman Behind the Restaurant

A friend asks about your favourite restaurant. You start talking about the food but then you stop - this restaurant is special because of the woman who runs it. Your friend asks: "Who is she?"

Your task - describe Rosa to your friend:

Say Rosa is the owner of La Cocina de Rosa; she's from Venezuela
Describe Rosa's personality (kind, funny, strong)
Say Rosa is more than a restaurant owner - she also helps the people who work for her
Say you think Rosa is like a mother for the people in her restaurant
Give your opinion: say she's the best person you know and explain why (use porque, además)
Say La Cocina de Rosa is your favourite restaurant because you like Rosa and the food

Speak for 45 seconds - 1 minute

Reveal sample answer

Rosa es la dueña de La Cocina de Rosa. Es de Venezuela.
1. Rosa is the owner of La Cocina de Rosa. She's from Venezuela.
Rosa es muy amable, divertida y fuerte.
1. Rosa is very kind, funny, and strong.
Rosa es más que una dueña de restaurante. También ayuda a las personas que trabajan con ella.
1. Rosa is more than a restaurant owner. She also helps the people who work with her.
Pienso que Rosa es como una madre para las personas de su restaurante.
1. I think that Rosa is like a mother for the people in her restaurant.
Para mí, es la mejor persona que conozco, porque es muy amable. Además siempre ayuda a las otras personas.
1. For me, she's the best person that I know, because she's very kind. Also she always helps other people.
La Cocina de Rosa es mi restaurante favorito porque me gusta mucho Rosa y la comida.
1. La Cocina de Rosa is my favourite restaurant because I like Rosa and the food a lot.

The Long Ride Home

You're in a taxi heading home. The driver asks what you've been up to. You mention you're learning Spanish with a collection of stories and you're almost at the end. The driver says "I'm learning Spanish too! Why don't you tell me a story?" You settle into the seat. You have the whole ride.

Your task - tell the story in your own words:

Where does Sofía live and for how long?
Where does she work and what's her schedule?
What happens on her first day at university?
Who is Alfonso?
What does Sofía tell Rosa about Alfonso?
What does Rosa ask Sofía, and what does Sofía say?
One day Alfonso comes to the restaurant - why?
What does Rosa ask Alfonso and what does she suggest?
Where do Sofía and Alfonso go the next day? (two places)
What does Alfonso tell Sofía at the park? And what does she say?
How does Sofía feel that night when she sees Rosa? And what does she say about her life now?
Now as yourself - what do you think about this last story and why?
Sofía is also in Story 1 - do you like seeing her life now?
Who is your favourite character: Sofía, Alfonso or Rosa? Why?
Do you think Rosa is a good friend? What makes a good friend?
Do you think Sofía is going to have a good life? Why?
Do you like learning Spanish with stories? Why or why not?
Do you think the taxi driver should study Spanish with this collection too? Why or why not?
He asks: what is your favourite story from the collection? Why do you like it more than the others?

Speak for 3-4 minutes

Reveal sample answer

Sofía vive en Madrid desde hace cuatro años.
1. Sofía lives in Madrid since four years ago.
Trabaja en La Cocina de Rosa. Trabaja por las tardes.
1. She works at La Cocina de Rosa. She works in the afternoons.
En su primer día en la universidad, Sofía conoce a un chico. Se llama Alfonso.
1. On her first day at university, Sofía meets a boy. His name is Alfonso.
Alfonso es de Madrid y también estudia medicina. Es inteligente y divertido.
1. Alfonso is from Madrid and also studies medicine. He's intelligent and funny.
Sofía habla con Rosa. Dice que hay un chico en la universidad que se llama Alfonso.
1. Sofía talks with Rosa. She says that there is a boy at university called Alfonso.
Rosa pregunta: "¿Te gusta Alfonso?" Sofía dice que no, que es solo un amigo.
1. Rosa asks: "Do you like Alfonso?" Sofía says that no, that he's just a friend.
Un día, Alfonso va al restaurante porque tiene hambre y quiere conocer el restaurante de Sofía.
1. One day, Alfonso goes to the restaurant because he's hungry and he wants to see Sofía's restaurant.
Rosa habla con Alfonso y le pregunta si le gusta Sofía. Alfonso dice que sí. Rosa dice que debe invitar a Sofía al museo o al parque.
1. Rosa talks with Alfonso and asks him if he likes Sofía. Alfonso says yes. Rosa says that he should invite Sofía to the museum or to the park.
Sofía y Alfonso van al Museo del Prado y después al Parque del Retiro.
1. Sofía and Alfonso go to the Prado Museum and then to Retiro Park.
En el parque, Alfonso dice que está enamorado de Sofía desde el primer día en la universidad. Sofía dice que también está enamorada de él.
1. At the park, Alfonso says that he's in love with Sofía since the first day at university. Sofía says that she's also in love with him.
Esa noche, Sofía está muy feliz. Dice que tiene trabajo, su familia está bien, estudia medicina y ahora tiene novio. Dice que Rosa es su mejor amiga y es como una madre para ella en Madrid.
1. That night, Sofía is very happy. She says that she has work, her family is well, she studies medicine, and now she has a boyfriend. She says that Rosa is her best friend and is like a mother for her in Madrid.
Para mí, esta historia es muy bonita porque tiene amor, amistad y es muy emocionante. Me gusta mucho.
1. For me, this story is very beautiful because it has love, friendship, and it's very exciting. I like it a lot.
Sí, me gusta mucho ver la vida de Sofía ahora. Su vida es muy diferente y estoy contento/a por ella.
1. Yes, I like seeing Sofía's life now a lot. Her life is very different and I'm happy for her.
Mi personaje favorito es [Rosa/Sofía/Alfonso] porque es [amable/inteligente/divertido-a]... / Me gusta más [Rosa] porque...
1. My favourite character is [Rosa/Sofía/Alfonso] because she/he is [kind/intelligent/funny]... / I like [Rosa] more because...
Sí, creo que Rosa es una buena amiga porque siempre ayuda a Sofía. Para mí, un buen amigo debe ser amable y además debe ayudar a sus amigos.
1. Yes, I think that Rosa is a good friend because she always helps Sofía. For me, a good friend should be kind and also should help their friends.
Sí, pienso que Sofía va a tener una buena vida porque tiene trabajo, estudia medicina, tiene novio y tiene a Rosa.
1. Yes, I think that Sofía is going to have a good life because she has work, she studies medicine, she has a boyfriend, and she has Rosa.
Sí, me gusta mucho aprender español con historias porque es más divertido e interesante que estudiar solo gramática.
1. Yes, I like learning Spanish with stories a lot because it's more fun and interesting than studying just grammar.
Sí, creo que debe estudiar con esta colección porque las historias son muy buenas y además aprendes mucho vocabulario.
1. Yes, I think that you should study with this collection because the stories are very good and also you learn a lot of vocabulary.
Mi historia favorita es la número [X] porque... Me gusta más que las otras porque...
1. My favourite story is number [X] because... I like it more than the others because...

Part 8

Culture

1. Madrid Food Is a Whole Thing We Haven't Talked About

We covered Madrid back in Story 1. The late nights, the bars, the rhythm of the city.

But we never talked about the food. And the food… honestly deserves its own conversation.

Alfonso walks into Rosa's restaurant and orders the cocido madrileño. That's not a random pick. That's THE dish of Madrid.

And ordering it at a small, family-run place like La Cocina de Rosa? That's exactly where it's best.

A stew that comes in three courses

Cocido madrileño is a slow-cooked chickpea stew loaded with meat… beef, chicken, chorizo, morcilla (blood sausage) and pork belly.

In traditional restaurants it's served in three stages called vuelcos:

First - the broth with thin noodles
Second - chickpeas and vegetables
Third - the meats

Cocido madrileño served in separate dishes showing the broth, chickpeas with vegetables and meats

Cocido madrileño. Madrid's most famous dish and the most Madrid thing Alfonso could have ordered.

At home? Most people skip the ceremony and eat it all together.

Either way it takes hours to cook and nobody eats it for dinner. This is a lunch dish.

And when it's cold outside (remember… Madrid is one of the highest capitals in Europe) it's the kind of meal that makes you cancel your afternoon plans.

The dish evolved from adafina, a Sephardic Jewish stew that was slow-cooked on Fridays so families could eat a hot meal on Shabbat.

After the Reconquista, pork was added. Chorizo and morcilla went in. A dish that started as one religious tradition became something completely new.

Chickpeas were cheap. The stew fed a whole family.

By the time Madrid became the capital, cocido was everywhere. Many traditional taverns still serve it on a specific day each week… usually Wednesday or Thursday. Some places have been doing this for over a century.

And about those bartolillos

Sofía offers Alfonso bartolillos for dessert. If you've never heard of them… most people outside Madrid haven't.

They're fried pastries. Thin, crispy on the outside, filled with crema pastelera (pastry cream) and dusted with powdered sugar."

Bartolillos on a ceramic plate, dusted with powdered sugar

Bartolillos. Madrid's best-kept pastry secret. Alfonso said no to these. His loss.

You bite through the crunch and the warm cream spills out. Simple. So perfect.

The name probably comes from a Madrid pastry maker nicknamed "Bartolo" sometime around the 18th or 19th century.

They're traditionally a Semana Santa (Easter week) sweet but you'll find them year-round at Madrid's old pastry shops.

Antigua Pastelería del Pozo has been selling them since 1830. It's the oldest pastry shop in Spain… and it's still there, a few minutes from Puerta del Sol.

Alfonso turned down the bartolillos. Not a decision I would have made. But he was about to ask Sofía to the Prado… so fine. You get a pass, Alfonso.

2. Where Alfonso Took Sofía on Their Date

Rosa told Alfonso to invite Sofía to the museum or the park. He did both.

And whether he knew it or not… he picked two places that share the same story.

The Museo del Prado

The Prado is one of the greatest art museums in the world. But it wasn't always for everyone.

The Museo del Prado. That's Velázquez statue at the entrance… the painter whose work the kings couldn't stop collecting

Spanish kings spent centuries collecting paintings for their own palaces. And they didn't collect casually… they got obsessed.

When they found a painter they loved, they bought everything.

That's why the Prado now holds the world's largest collections of Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, Bosch and Rubens. Sometimes over a hundred works by a single artist.

Then in 1819 the royal collection opened to the public for the first time. That's the Prado.

Over 8,600 paintings in the collection (only about 1,300 on display at any time)
Velázquez's Las Meninas is considered one of the most studied paintings in Western art
Free entry in the last two hours before closing (Mon-Sat 6-8 PM, Sun 5-7 PM)

Sofía picks a favourite painting. Alfonso picks a different one. I can't blame them… that argument has been happening inside those walls since 1819.

Parque del Retiro

From the Prado they walk to Retiro. The park is right next to the museum.

And it has the same story.

King Philip IV had it built in the 1630s as a private garden for the royal family. Not a public park. Not even close.

This was a place where the king threw parties, watched plays on a little island in the middle of the lake and even put on fake naval battles with real boats.

For over two hundred years… regular people weren't allowed in.

In 1868, Queen Isabella was overthrown in a revolution. The new government took the royal properties and gave them to the city. The park finally became everyone's.

125 hectares of gardens, fountains and monuments. Free entry
The estanque grande (the big pond where Sofía and Alfonso sit) was originally built in 1634. Now you can rent a rowboat for a few euros
The Crystal Palace was built in 1887 for a flower exhibition and now hosts art shows inside
UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2021

The estanque grande in Retiro Park with rowboats on the water and the Alfonso XII monument in the background

The estanque grande in Retiro Park, with the Alfonso XII monument behind it. Probably not far from where Sofía and Alfonso were sitting.

Thirty Stories Later

This is the last story.

Thirty stories. Thirty culture sections. A lot of Spanish and a lot of Spain.

You've eaten Granada's free tapas, stood in front of the Guggenheim, napped through a Córdoba afternoon and stared at 66 million olive trees in Jaén.

You've seen flamenco, soccer, fiestas that started centuries ago and never stopped, cathedrals built on top of mosques and parks that used to belong to kings.

And now you're here. On a bench in Retiro with Sofía.

And through all of it… the same thing kept showing up.

Festivals where strangers become friends by midnight. Plazas full of noise and laughter at 11 PM on a Tuesday. Nobody checking the time. Nobody asking for the bill. Nobody in a rush to be anywhere else.

That's the Spain I wanted you to experience. Because that's the thing you can't learn from a textbook.

The food is unreal. The history is everywhere. The cities are all beautiful and none of them look the same.

But I think the part that makes you fall in love is simpler than all of that.

It's the two-hour lunch that nobody apologises for. The stranger who sits down next to you and just starts talking. The way a whole country decided that being together matters more than being busy.

Spain doesn't ask you to earn your place. It just makes room.

When you get to Spain… order a caña at a packed bar.

Eat the free tapa.

Take the siesta.

Take a two-hour lunch and don't apologise for it.

Watch a soccer match in a bar full of strangers who feel like friends by the final whistle.

Try the dish you can't pronounce.

Find yourself in the middle of a fiesta that's older than most countries.

Argue about a painting at the Prado.

Sit on Sofía's bench in Retiro and just watch the rowboats.

Thirty stories ago you came here to learn Spanish.

But now you have thirty reasons to pack and go.

Did You Know?

😈 Retiro Park has the only known public statue in the world dedicated to the Devil. It's called El Ángel Caído (The Fallen Angel)… and it sits exactly 666 metres above sea level
🌳 The oldest tree in Madrid is inside Retiro. It's a Mexican cypress planted around 1632. It survived the French occupation in 1808 because soldiers used the fork in its trunk to mount a cannon
🎨 The Prado building was originally designed in 1785 as a natural science museum. It was only later repurposed to house the royal art collection
👗 When Retiro first opened to the public in 1868 visitors had to follow a strict dress code: women had to cover their shoulders and men had to wear a cape and a hat

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