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Vocab test

1. Una cuchara – A spoon
2. Un cuchillo – A knife
3. Un tenedor – A fork
4. La cuenta – The check
5. Quisiera – I would like
6. El camarero/ la camarera – The waiter/ the waitress
7. Una mesa – A table
8. Un poco más – A little bit more
9. El pan – The bread
10. Él quiere pagar – He wants to pay*

* The most important sentence to learn in Spanish!

Verb of the day

Conjugate the verb PODER (to be able to) in the present tense.

Yo	Nosotros
Tú	Vosotros
Él/ Ella/ Usted	Ellos/ Ellas/ Ustedes

Questions to answer

Translation tool

1. ¿Quieres usar este cuchillo?

2. ¿Puede traer el menú, por favor?

3. ¿Qué bebidas quieren ustedes?

4. ¿Quieren comer pollo?

5. ¿Te gusta la cerveza?

6. ¿Necesitas un tenedor para tu ensalada?

7. ¿Quiere pagar la cuenta?

8. ¿Los camareros aquí hablan inglés?

A simple dialogue

Use the Spanish phrases to translate the English dialogue.  Write it out and perform it.

• I have a reservation, Mr. Perez.
• A table for four.  This way.
• Can you bring a bottle of water?
• Of course.  What do you want to eat?
• Does the soup have meat?
• No sir.  The soup has vegetables and beans.  Do you prefer oil or butter with the bread?
• Oil.  And salad, please. 
• And for the main course?
• For me, pasta carbonara with peas.
• Who is the lasagna with mushroom bolognese for?
• For my daughter.  Can you bring another fork, please?
• Here’s another bottle of sparkling water.
• Thank you.  I would like to pay the bill.

Use these phrases to translate the dialogue.

¿La sopa tiene carne?

¿Para quién es la lasaña con boloñesa de champiñones?

¿Puede traer una botella de agua?

¿Y de plato principal?

Aceite.  Y ensalada, por favor. 

Aquí tienen otra botella de agua con gas.

Claro.  ¿Qué quieren comer?

Gracias.  Quisiera pagar la cuenta.

No señor.  La sopa tiene vegetales y frijoles.  ¿Prefieren aceite o mantequilla con el pan?

Para mi hija.  ¿Puede traer otro tenedor, por favor?

Para mí, pasta carbonara con guisantes.

Tengo una reserva, señor Pérez.

Una mesa para cuatro.  Por aquí.

Choose from a range of voices to read your dialogue here.

Grammar notes

* Read this information, then use it to quiz a friend.

WAYS TO EXPRESS WHAT YOU WANT

Yo quiero = I want.

This is the most straightforward way to express that you want something.  It’s direct and to the point, but it can sound a bit strong or demanding depending on the tone.  It’s common, but it may come across as less polite than other options.

• Yo quiero un café. = I want a coffee.
• Yo quiero pedir el menú del día. = I want to order the daily menu.

Quisiera = I would like

This is the conditional form of querer (to want), making it softer and more polite than yo quiero.  It’s like saying I would like in English.

• Quisiera un vaso de agua, por favor. = I would like a glass of water, please.
• Quisiera probar el plato especial. = I would like to try the special dish.

Me gustaría = I would like

This construction uses gustar (to like) and literally translates as it would please me.  It’s also polite and soft, like quisiera, and implies a desire or preference.

• Me gustaría una ensalada, por favor. = I would like a salad, please.
• Me gustaría pedir una sopa de pollo. = I would like to order a chicken soup.

COMPARISON OF POLITENESS

Yo quiero → Direct, neutral.  It can sound a bit strong but is acceptable in most casual settings.  Yo quiero una hamburguesa y papas fritas. = I want a hamburger and fries.

Quisiera → Polite, respectful.  Great for formal situations or to show respect.  Quisiera una copa de vino tinto, por favor. = I would like a glass of red wine, please.

Me gustaría → Polite, expressing a wish or preference.  It’s also a respectful and soft way to ask.  Me gustaría pedir el postre del día. = I would like to order the dessert of the day.

Suggested grammar lesson.

Journal prompts

Write short sentences.  Keep them as simple as you can.

Use a translation tool to put them into Spanish.

Write them out, then check them with your teacher.  Present them to a friend, teaching your friend any new Spanish, and making sure they learn it!

Do you or your family have any food allergies or dietary requirements? What is your favorite restaurant? What is your perfect meal? Do you ever eat in restaurants on your own, or do you always eat with company?

¿Tú o tu familia tienen alguna alergia alimentaria o alguna restricción dietética? ¿Cuál es tu restaurante favorito? ¿Cuál es tu comida ideal? ¿Comes alguna vez solo en restaurantes o siempre en compañía?

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