La Cena
Tonight, the Rodríguez family prepares a special dinner. The grandmother makes her famous paella. The grandfather sets the table with white plates and crystal glasses.
Today's learning
- 1-minute story
- Native narration
- 9 useful words
- 5 comprehension questions
- A1 Spanish
Pre-Reading Vocabulary
Review these key words and phrasing examples before you begin reading.
Your Spanish story — tap highlighted words when you need help
Esta noche, la familia Rodríguez prepara una especial. La cocina su famosa paella, llena de mariscos frescos. El abuelo arregla la con platos blancos y vasos de cristal. Los niños ayudan a lavar las verduras, riendo y salpicando agua. " La paella necesita más azafrán," comenta la abuela con una sonrisa. El a azafrán y mariscos llena la cocina. Toda la familia se sienta a la mesa, ansiosa por comer. " Gracias por esta deliciosa comida, abuela," dice el padre con gratitud. Todos disfrutan y hablan sobre su día lleno de aventuras. Los niños historias emocionantes del colegio. La abuela sonríe, escuchando con atención. Esta es su parte favorita del día: la familia , feliz.
Show full English translation
Tonight, the Rodríguez family is preparing a special dinner. Grandmother cooks her famous paella, brimming with fresh seafood. Grandfather arranges the table with white plates and crystal glasses. The children help wash the vegetables, laughing and splashing water. " The paella needs more saffron," grandmother remarks with a smile. The scent of saffron and seafood fills the kitchen. The whole family sits at the table, eager to eat. " Thank you for this delicious meal, grandmother," the father says gratefully. Everyone enjoys and talks about their day full of adventures. The children share exciting stories from school. Grandmother smiles, listening attentively. This is her favorite part of the day: the family together, happy.
Vocabulary recap
Reading Comprehension Exercise
A1 Spanish Reading Comprehension Exercises
1. ¿Qué prepara la abuela para la cena?
Correct: Paella
La abuela prepara su famosa paella, un plato tradicional español lleno de mariscos y azafrán.
2. ¿Qué hacen los niños mientras ayudan en la cocina?
Correct: Lavan las verduras
Los niños ayudan a lavar las verduras, riendo y salpicando agua, lo que añade alegría a la preparación.
3. ¿Qué dice el padre a la abuela durante la cena?
Correct: Gracias por esta deliciosa comida
El padre agradece a la abuela por la deliciosa comida, mostrando gratitud por su esfuerzo.
4. ¿Cuál es el ingrediente que la abuela dice que necesita más la paella?
Correct: Azafrán
El azafrán es un ingrediente clave en la paella, dándole su color y sabor característicos.
5. ¿Cómo se siente la abuela al final del día?
Correct: Feliz
La abuela se siente feliz al ver a su familia junta y disfrutando de la cena, su parte favorita del día.
Nailed the quiz? Start your own story in MeloLingua →
Patterns to reuse
Saying what's happening tonight
Esta noche, la familia Rodríguez prepara una cena especial.
Tonight, the Rodríguez family is preparing a special dinner.
In Spanish, 'esta noche' (tonight) can start a sentence to talk about plans.
Esta noche, [person] [verb] [activity].
- Esta noche, cenamos juntos.
- Esta noche, Marta cocina.
- Esta noche, veo una película.
Use 'esta noche' at the beginning of a sentence to say what will happen tonight.
Expressing what someone is doing (present tense)
El abuelo arregla la mesa con platos blancos y vasos de cristal.
Grandfather arranges the table with white plates and crystal glasses.
The present tense is used to describe actions happening now.
[Person] [verb in present tense] [object or activity].
- La abuela cocina paella.
- Los niños ayudan a lavar las verduras.
- Todos disfrutan y hablan.
Just use the correct present tense form of the verb for each person to say what they are doing.
Giving thanks for something
Gracias por esta deliciosa comida, abuela.
Thank you for this delicious meal, grandmother.
'Gracias por' is used to thank someone for something specific.
Gracias por [thing or action], [person].
- Gracias por tu ayuda, mamá.
- Gracias por la cena, papá.
- Gracias por escucharme, amigo.
Say 'gracias por' plus the thing or action, then the person’s name or title, to show gratitude.
Describing who sits together
Toda la familia se sienta a la mesa, ansiosa por comer.
The whole family sits at the table, eager to eat.
Use 'se sienta(n) a la mesa' to talk about sitting down to eat as a group.
[Group/person] se sienta(n) a la mesa.
- Mi familia se sienta a la mesa.
- Los amigos se sientan a la mesa.
- Ella se sienta a la mesa.
You can use 'se sienta(n) a la mesa' to describe who is sitting at the table.
Translator's Note
"This story captures the warmth of a family dinner, focusing on simple yet vivid descriptions to engage beginner learners."
Story complete
You just understood 120 Spanish words.
- 9 new expressions
- 2 grammar patterns
- A1 level unlocked
Ready for tomorrow's story? Hear it, shadow the narrator, and lock these words into memory in MeloLingua.
Start your own storyOne story. The whole practice loop.
Reading this story for free is just the first rep. The MeloLingua app turns the same story into a full practice loop — understand every word, speak it back, build sentences, and keep stories coming that match what you actually care about.
Understand every sentence instantly
Know exactly why each word works
Train your ear with native audio
Speak like a native while reading
Turn what you read into what you can say
Never forget today's vocabulary
Read stories about your real life
Feel yourself improve every day
Result
Make stories about your life
Most language apps hand everyone the same content. MeloLingua lets you create stories around the things you actually enjoy — so staying consistent stops feeling like homework.
- “I love space and cooking”Your story
A chef opens the first restaurant on Mars.
- “I like football and history”Your story
A young striker time-travels to play the legendary teams.
- “I enjoy surfing and travel”Your story
A surfer hunts secret waves across the world.
- “I like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and sci-fi”Your story
An astronaut enters the first intergalactic grappling tournament.
Read it. Listen to it. Speak it back. The more it sounds like your world, the easier it is to keep going.
Generate your first storyMake it yours
Your next Spanish story is one tap away
Turn today's read into a daily habit — personalized scenes, native audio, tap-to-translate vocabulary, and speaking drills matched to what you just understood.
Keep reading on-site
El Café de la Mañana
Cada mañana, María despierta a las siete con el aroma del café. Ella sonríe al sol que entra por la ventana.
Open story →
El Mercado
Pedro visits a bustling market on a vibrant Saturday morning, seeking fresh ingredients for a delicious homemade soup.
Open story →
El Parque
Sofía and Max enjoy a vibrant Sunday at the park, filled with playful encounters and serene moments.
Open story →