Una llamada a mamá
After work, Marcos calls home for two minutes—and still learns three useful everyday phrases.
- Length
- 104 words
- Reading time
- ~1 min
- Vocabulary
- 8 terms
- Comprehension
- 3 questions
Pre-Reading Vocabulary
Review these key words and phrasing examples before you begin reading.
Your Spanish story — tap highlighted words when you need help
Marcos sale del metro, agotado, y el aire fresco le da un poco de energía. Antes de cenar, marca el número de su mamá. Ella contesta rápido porque la olla en la cocina tiene agua . " ¿Ya cenaste, hijo?" pregunta con cariño. Marcos responde que no, que necesita dormir una hora antes de cocinar algo. Su madre le recuerda cerca del balcón y cerrar bien la puerta del . "Ábreme la ventana antes de llamar", dice ella, al final de la llamada. Marcos sonríe porque la conversación es corta, clara y llena del vocabulario que realmente necesita usar.
Show full English translation
Marcos steps out of the subway, exhausted, and the fresh air gives him a bit of energy. Before dinner, he dials his mom’s number. She answers quickly because the pot in the kitchen has water boiling. “Have you already had dinner, son?” she asks warmly. “Have you already had dinner, son?” she asks warmly. Marcos replies no, that he needs to sleep for an hour before cooking something. Marcos replies no, that he needs to sleep for an hour before cooking something. Marcos replies no, that he needs to sleep for an hour before cooking something. His mother reminds him to hang his coat near the balcony and to close the refrigerator door tightly. “Open the window for me before you call,” she says, joking at the end of the call. Marcos smiles because the conversation is short, clear, and full of everyday vocabulary he really needs.
Vocabulary recap
Comprehension check
Check what you understood
1. ¿Qué hace Marcos cuando sale del metro?
Correct: Marca el número de su mamá
Marcos llama a su mamá justo después de salir del metro, mostrando la importancia de la familia en su rutina diaria.
2. ¿Qué le recuerda su madre sobre el hogar?
Correct: Que colgar el abrigo y cerrar bien el frigorífico
La madre de Marcos le da consejos prácticos para mantener el orden en casa, como colgar el abrigo y cerrar el frigorífico.
3. ¿Por qué Marcos sonríe al final?
Correct: Porque la llamada es divertida pero útil
Marcos aprecia la llamada breve y útil con su madre, llena de vocabulario cotidiano que le ayuda en su vida diaria.
Patterns to reuse
Saying you need to do something
necesita dormir una hora
he needs to sleep for an hour
In Spanish, the verb often comes right before what you need.
necesitar + [infinitive]
- necesito comer
- necesitas descansar
- necesitamos hablar
Use 'necesitar' plus an infinitive verb to say you or someone needs to do something.
Giving gentle reminders
le recuerda colgar el abrigo... y cerrar bien la puerta
reminds him to hang his coat... and to close the door tightly
Spanish uses the verb right before what should be done.
recordar + [infinitive/thing to do]
- te recuerdo comprar pan
- le recuerdo lavar los platos
- nos recuerda apagar la luz
'Recordar' plus an infinitive is a common way to remind someone of an action in Spanish.
Asking if someone has already done something
¿Ya cenaste, hijo?
Have you already had dinner, son?
'Ya' means 'already' or 'yet' when asking questions.
¿Ya + [verb in past]...?
- ¿Ya saliste?
- ¿Ya llamaste a papá?
- ¿Ya terminaste?
'Ya' is used to check if an action has already happened.
Making casual requests with friendly verbs
Ábreme la ventana
Open the window for me
The 'me' on the verb is for 'for me'.
[command verb]+me
- Tráeme agua
- Pásame la sal
- Llámame luego
Adding 'me' to a verb asks someone to do it for you in a casual way.
Translator's Note
"After work, Marcos calls home for two minutes—and still learns three useful everyday phrases. The English renders idiomatic meaning line by line so you can shadow the A1 family call scene without word-for-word stiffness."
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| What you get | This page | MeloLingua app |
|---|---|---|
| Reading focus | Bilingual reader, side by side | Adaptive reading levels |
| Listening & pronunciation | — | Slow & natural-speed audio, Shadow & Speak feedback |
| Vocabulary acquisition | Click-to-check keywords | Contextual review flashcards |
| Check for understanding | Comprehension quiz | Interactive review quizzes |
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