Talking on the phone
Hablando por teléfono
- Learn to have professional phone conversations.
- Making polite requests and express urgency over the phone.
- Formal affirmative imperative: "usted" y "ustedes"
- The futuro simple: expressing probability
Learn to handle phone conversations in Spanish using the formal affirmative imperative for usted and ustedes, plus the future simple tense to express probability, with key terms like "teléfono" and "probabilidad."
Listening & reading materials
Practice vocabulary in context with real materials.
Vocabulary (13) Share Copied!
Exercises Share Copied!
These exercises can be done together during conversation lessons or as homework.
Exercise 1: Imperativo afirmativo formal: "usted" y "ustedes"
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
Grammar: Formal affirmative imperative: "usted" y "ustedes"
Show translation Show answersSiga, Escuchen, Abróchense, Sigan, Escuche, Facture, Póngase, Muestre
Exercise 2: El futuro simple: expresar probabilidad
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
Grammar: The futuro simple: expressing probability
Show translation Show answersdudará, adivinaremos, dudaréis, adivinarás, supondré, estará, será
Grammar Share Copied!
It's not the most exciting thing, we admit, but it’s absolutely essential (and we promise it'll pay off)!
B1.1.2 Gramática
Imperativo afirmativo formal: "usted" y "ustedes"
Formal affirmative imperative: "usted" y "ustedes"
Verb conjugation tables for this lesson Share Copied!
Tener to have Share Copied!
Subjuntivo presente
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| (yo) tenga | I have |
| (tú) tengas | you have |
| (él/ella) tenga | he/she has |
| (nosotros/nosotras) tengamos | we have |
| (vosotros/vosotras) tengáis | you have |
| (ellos/ellas) tengan | they have |
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Talking on the Phone in Spanish
This lesson focuses on practical communication skills needed for talking on the phone in Spanish, tailored for B1 level learners. You'll explore the historic impact of Telefónica, a key company in the phone revolution, understanding cultural and technological context. The grammar points covered include the formal affirmative imperative forms using usted and ustedes, essential for polite phone requests or instructions. Additionally, the lesson introduces the simple future tense to express probability or assumptions during conversations.
Telefónica: The Phone Revolution
Understanding Telefónica's role helps you appreciate key vocabulary related to telecommunications and formal communication in Spain and Latin America.
Formal Affirmative Imperative: usted and ustedes
The formal imperative is used to give polite commands or requests over the phone, such as asking someone to wait or confirm information. Examples include:
- Espere un momento, por favor. (Please wait a moment.)
- Marque el número otra vez. (Dial the number again.)
The Simple Future Tense: Expressing Probability
In phone conversations, you often need to express assumptions or guesses about situations. The simple future tense is perfect for this purpose. For example:
- Será complicado comunicar con ellos ahora. (It will probably be difficult to reach them now.)
- Estará ocupado en este momento. (He/She is probably busy right now.)
Differences Between English and Spanish in Phone Conversations
Spanish uses formal usted and plural ustedes imperative forms to show respect, especially in business or unfamiliar contexts, which is more explicitly marked than in English. While English uses modal verbs or polite wording, Spanish changes the verb form directly. Also, expressing probability with the simple future tense (será, estará) is common in Spanish and corresponds to phrases like "probably is" or "must be" in English.
Useful phrases to practice:
- ¿Me puede pasar con la señora Pérez? (Could you put me through to Mrs. Pérez?)
- Espere un momento, por favor. (Wait a moment, please.)
- Será que están ocupados ahora. (They are probably busy now.)
- Marque el número correctamente. (Dial the number correctly.)
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