Skip to content
fluentbyear
🇪🇸 Spanish · Fluency Level 3

PART 2 · LESSON 14 OF 30 · 30 MINUTES

For When It's Needed

It's Wednesday, March 20th, in Julian's village. In his parents' courtyard, among the looms, Encarna sees Julian's grandmother again, and Elena reminds her of a promise. The grandmother is weaving a small rug, and won't say who it's for. Say you've come early - I've come early, just in case - talk about a future that isn't here yet - for when it's needed, when are the grandchildren coming, work first - hear Mexico's simple past beside Spain's perfect, and find out that carrying a float runs in Julian's family.

Audio instruction: English

Report a problem with this lesson

This lesson needs a subscription.

The first 2 lessons of each level are free. One subscription unlocks every other lesson, in the app and on the website.

See the plans

Already subscribed? Sign in. Or listen to lesson 1 for free.

THE STORY

It's Wednesday, March 20th, 2030, eleven in the morning, in Julian's village, half an hour from Oaxaca. Don Roberto has driven them out, with Elena. In the courtyard of Julian's parents' house, the wool is drying in the sun beside the looms, and at the oldest loom sits Julian's grandmother, past ninety-two, who still weaves every day. She hasn't seen Encarna since the wedding. On her loom is a small rug, and she won't say who it's for. After lunch, Julian's father talks about Holy Week in Seville, and about Julian's grandfather. This is the conversation you'll be able to say by the end of the lesson.

Flashcards

The words and phrases of this lesson, one card each. Best after you’ve listened.

Create your account.

Create a free account and confirm your email to keep the cards you like and the decks you make.

Already have an account? Sign in

Words and phrases

The lesson is for your ears. Open this afterwards, to see what you learned.
vinistebee-NEES-tehyou came, in Mexico
¡Pásenle, pásenle! Están en su casa.PAH-sehn-leh PAH-sehn-leh ehs-TAHN ehn soo KAH-sahCome in, come in! Make yourselves at home.
que volveríaskeh bohl-beh-REE-ahsyou'd come back
¿No dijiste que volverías cuando naciera el primer nieto?noh dee-HEES-teh keh bohl-beh-REE-ahs KWAHN-doh nah-see-EH-rah ehl pree-MEHR nee-EH-tohDidn't you say you'd come back when the first grandchild was born?
Me he adelantado.meh eh ah-deh-lahn-TAH-dohI've come early.
Hiciste bien.ee-SEES-teh bee-EHNYou did the right thing. In Mexico.
A nuestra edad, mejor no esperar.ah NWEHS-trah eh-DAHD meh-HOHR noh ehs-peh-RAHRAt our age, better not to wait.
¿Qué está tejiendo?keh ehs-TAH teh-hee-EHN-dohWhat are you weaving? Politely.
un tapeteoon tah-PEH-teha rug, in Mexico
¿Y para quién es?ee PAH-rah kee-EHN ehsAnd who's it for?

10 more cards in this lesson. Subscribe to see and study them all. See the plans. Already subscribed? Sign in.