In lesson 8 of One Minute Greek you will learn to count from one to ten.
Spanish Fact File: Using quedar
Quedar is one of those words which can mean a number of things in Spanish, depending on the context and how it is used. In this fact file we’ll be taking a look at the verb, and outlining the main ways in which it is used.
QUEDAR – to remain, to be left
The first use we’ll consider is when quedar means “to remain” or “to be left”. Consider the following examples:
- Quedan dos huevos – There are two eggs left / Two eggs remain.
- ¿No te queda dinero? – Don’t you have any money left?
When quedar is used in this way, it’s important to remember what the subject is. In the first example, quedan dos huevos, the verb quedar is used in the 3rd person plural, the ellos form, because the subject is dos huevos. Perhaps this is easier to understand if we concentrate on the English translation “two eggs remain”. Likewise, in ¿no te queda dinero? the subject is dinero. A more literal translation which may help you understand this further is “to you no money remains?” It obviously sounds a little, but it should help you understand quedar used in this way a little more.
QUEDAR – to suit
The verb quedar can also mean “to suit” when referring to clothes. Let’s have a look at two further examples:
- ¿Me queda bien esta falda? – Does this skirt suit me?
- No te queda mal esa camiseta – That t-shirt doesn’t look bad on you.
In this use of quedar, the subject of quedar is quite clear: in our example sentences the subject was “this skirt” and ‘that t-shirt”.
QUEDAR – to meet
A very common use of quedar is “to meet”, eg. when making arrangements.
- Quedamos a las ocho – We’re meeting at eight o’clock.
- He quedado con Ángel en la plaza mayor – I’m meeting Ángel in the Plaza Mayor.
In this case the use of the verb is very straightforward.
QUEDAR EN – to arrange to do something, to agree to do something
This is a slightly more complex use of quedar and in this situation, quedar must be followed by en:
- No quedaron en nada – They didn’t agree on anything
- Quedemos en vernos el jueves – Let’s arrange to see each other on Thursday.
- Hemos quedado en ir al cine – We’ve agreed/decided to go to the cinema
Note that when quedar en is followed by a verb, the verb will be in the infinitive, eg. hemos quedado en ir al cine.
QUEDARSE – to stay, to remain
When quedar is used as a reflexive verb it means “to stay” or “to remain”. Consider the following examples:
- Me quedé en casa – I stayed at home.
- Se quedan con sus amigos – They are staying with their friends
This is a very common use of the verb.
So, hopefully you have now mastered quedar in its various uses.
Audio episode – please note that you currently have to be a member of Show Time Spanish Season 2 to access the audio below:
[audio:https://coffeebreaklanguages.com/thevault/sts2/sts-26-bonus-quedar.mp3]Lesson 08 – One Minute Italian
In lesson 8 of One Minute Italian you will learn to count from one to ten.
Lesson 26 – Show Time Spanish
This week’s topic is low-cost airlines and the advantages and disadvantages of low-cost travel. Mark and Alba discuss their experiences of flying with low-cost airlines (and indeed with other airlines!) and José introduces two phrases which you can use when you manage to find a real bargain! Language points covered include the use of quedarse, fijarse and no sólo … sino también. Premium members will find a bonus item in this week’s feed – a special bonus episode concentrating on quedar and its various uses. Let us know what you think!
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3 ways to express ‘I would like’ in Spanish
When learning the language, one of the first phrases you’ll want to master is I would like in Spanish. This phrase is essential in everyday conversations, especially when you’re in a Spanish-speaking country and need to order food, ask for directions, or make polite requests.
In this blog post, we’ll explore how to express I would like in Spanish, specifically focusing on the word quiero, and we’ll also cover related phrases that’ll be handy in various situations.
In the episode, you’ll learn how to say I would like in a real-life context, so don’t forget to listen to it and continue learning more phrases and useful vocabulary for your daily conversations.
What does ‘quiero’ mean in Spanish?
The word quiero is the first-person singular form of the verb querer, which means to want or to love in Spanish. In most contexts, quiero is used to express a desire or wish, which is why it is often translated as I want in English.
However, quiero is also frequently used to express I would like in Spanish.
Conjugating ‘querer’
To understand how to use quiero, it’s helpful to know the full conjugation of the verb querer. Here’s how it looks:
- yo quiero I want
- tú quieres you want
- él/ella/usted quiere he/she/you want
- nosotros/nosotras queremos we want
- vosotros/vosotras queréis you all want
- ellos/ellas/ustedes quieren they/you all want
Examples of ‘quiero’ in everyday situations
Here are some examples of quiero in the context of buying things at the market.
- Quiero una loncha de jamón. I would like a slice of ham.
- Quiero dos lonchas de jamón. I would like two slices of ham.
- Quiero medio kilo de queso. I would like half a kilo of cheese.
- Quiero probarlo. I would like to try it.
Polite alternatives to say ‘I would like’ in Spanish
While quiero is very useful, there are more polite ways to express I would like in Spanish, especially in formal situations. Two commonly used phrases are quisiera and me gustaría.
Using these alternatives to quiero can help you sound more courteous, which is particularly important in formal settings or when speaking to strangers.
Quisiera
This is often used to make requests. It is the most polite way to express I would like in Spanish. For example:
- Quisiera un vaso de agua. I would like a glass of water.
Me gustaría
This phrase is also used to politely express a desire for something. It is more polite than quiero but a bit less polite than quisiera. For example:
- Me gustaría probarlo. I would like to try it.
Essential phrases for shopping and ordering in Spanish
When you’re out shopping or dining, knowing a few key phrases can make your experience smoother. Here are some practical examples:
- Deme medio kilo de queso, por favor. Give me half a kilo of cheese, please.
- Póngame dos lonchas de jamón. Give me two slices of ham, please.
- ¿Puedo probarlo? Can I try it?
Understanding how to use quiero is crucial for expressing your needs and wants in Spanish. It can be directly translated to I want, but is often used to mean I would like in Spanish.
For more polite expressions, quisiera and me gustaría are excellent alternatives. Whether you’re ordering food, shopping, or simply asking for something, these phrases will help you communicate effectively and courteously in Spanish.
In the next episode, we’ll learn some essential vocabulary and phrases to use in your next trip to a Spanish-speaking country. ¡No te lo pierdas!
Nos vemos and happy Coffee Breaking!
Season 2 – Lesson 16 – Coffee Break French
In this week’s lesson we look at two verbs which take être as their auxiliary verb in the perfect tense, instead of avoir. Please note that lesson 16 of Season 2 was originally known as lesson 56 of Coffee Break French. We have renumbered the lessons of each season as lessons 1-40 to make things more simple for our listeners.
Lesson 07 – One Minute Portuguese
In lesson 7 of One Minute Portuguese you will learn to say that it’s nice to meet someone in Portuguese.
One Minute Greek Premium version now available
We’re delighted to announce that the premium materials for One Minute Greek are now available. The premium materials include a lesson guide in pdf format which lists all the words and phrases covered in the lessons. Each episode is also provided as an enhanced podcast which allows you to view the words and phrases covered on the screen of your iPod or computer using synchronised flashcards. The third element of the premium version is the Quick Quiz podcast which tests you on your understanding of the material covered in the course. The final element is our special Take-Off Time podcast. This has been produced in response to listeners’ requests – a single show with a running time of around 24 minutes which reviews all the language covered in the series, ready to load onto your iPod as you board your flight.
The premium pack is available for a one-off fee of £10. However as a special introductory offer you can use discount code GREEK to get 20% off the cost of the premium pack until 22 June 2009. Click here to purchase the product and redeem your voucher. If you have a membership for another Radio Lingua show, log into your Control Panel and you can add the OML Greek membership there.
You should be aware that One Minute Greek provides immediate access to all ten lessons of the series, including the episode not yet published in the public feed.
Lesson 07 – One Minute Turkish
In lesson 7 of One Minute Turkish you will learn to say that it’s nice to meet someone in Turkish.
Lesson 07 – One Minute Gaelic
In lesson 7 of One Minute Gaelic you will learn to say that it’s nice to meet someone in Gaelic.
Lesson 07 – One Minute Greek
In lesson 7 of One Minute Greek you will learn to say that it’s nice to meet someone in Greek.
Learn how to buy clothes in Spanish
Learning a new language can be an exciting journey, and one of the most practical and fun ways to immerse yourself in Spanish is by going shopping. This blog post will guide you through essential phrases and vocabulary related to buying clothes in Spanish.
Whether you are a beginner or looking to polish your skills, these phrases will help you navigate a Spanish-speaking shopping environment confidently. We recommend that you also listen to the episode to improve your pronunciation or learn how these phrases are pronounced in Spanish. There are more useful sentences, too!
Essential Spanish shopping vocabulary
From asking for a piece of clothes to paying with a card, the following phrases will help you navigate the most common situations at a clothes shop. ¡Vamos allá!
Ir de compras
Ir de compras is a fundamental phrase that means ‘to go shopping’. Do not confuse it with ir a comprar, which means ‘to go to buy’ or ‘to go grocery shopping’.
If you are going to buy clothes, makeup, or just for a leisurely shopping trip, then we use ir de compras.
Por ejemplo:
- Hoy voy de compras con mis amigos. Today, I’m going shopping with my friends.
¿En qué puedo ayudarle?
This is a common phrase you will hear from shop assistants. It means ‘how can I help you?’, and it is in the formal form in Spanish.
You can respond with what you are looking for or use some of the phrases below.
Estoy mirando
If you are just browsing, you can politely say this phrase, which uses the verb mirar, ‘to see’. You can add solo and say solo estoy mirando to say you are just looking around.
- A: ¿En qué puedo ayudarle? How can I help you?
- B: Solo estoy mirando. I’m just browsing.
No estoy seguro/a
If you need more time or you are unsure about what you want or need, you can say no estoy seguro/a, where seguro/a agrees with yourself. For instance:
- Mark: ¿En qué puedo ayudarle? How can I help you?
- Cara: No estoy segura. I’m not sure.
¿Cuánto cuesta? / ¿Cuánto cuestan?
To ask the price of an item of clothes in Spanish, we have two phrases. One used for a single item ¿Cuánto cuesta? and another one for multiple items. Check some examples:
- ¿Cuánto cuesta este vestido? How much is this dress?
- ¿Cuánto cuestan estos zapatos? How much are these shoes?
¿Puedo pagar con…?
To inquire about payment methods, these phrases are useful:
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta de crédito? Can I pay with a credit card?
- ¿Puedo pagar con efectivo? Can I pay with cash?
¿Me puede dar…?
This means ‘can you give me…?’ and again it is the polite form in Spanish. Use this when you need them to give you something, like another item, a bag, the receipt and more. Por ejemplo:
- ¿Me puede dar una talla más grande? Can you give me a bigger size?
¿Puedo probarme esto?
If you want to try something on, use this phrase: ‘ Can I try this on?’ and it is an essential part of Spanish shopping vocabulary.
- ¿Puedo probarme estos pantalones? Can I try on these trousers?
Me llevo esto
When you have decided to purchase something, confidently say me llevo esto, meaning ‘I will take this’. You can follow this with some other questions we saw before, like in the following example:
- Hola, me llevo esto. ¿Puedo pagar con effective? Hello, I will take this. Can I pay with cash?
You can also change esto for other clothes in Spanish, like in:
Me llevo esta camisa. I will take this shirt.
Quiero comprar esto
Another way to indicate your choice is by saying I want to buy this, which is quiero comprar esto in Spanish.
- Quiero comprar esto, pero ¿puede darme una talla más pequeña? I want this, but can you give me a smaller size?
Like before, you can change esto for other clothes in Spanish.
Learning Spanish shopping vocabulary can significantly improve your shopping experiences in Spanish-speaking countries. By learning how to buy clothes in Spanish and using these essential phrases, you will be able to easily navigate stores, ask for assistance, and make purchases.
Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep using these phrases until they become second nature. In our next episode, we’ll learn more Spanish shopping vocabulary, but this time, we’ll also learn some vocabulary for going to the market.
Lesson 25 – Show Time Spanish (Telenovela)
Episode 25 of Show Time Spanish features the fifth instalment of our ‘telenovela’, Verano Español. At the end of the previous episode, Laura discovered that the boy who has been chatting her up on a daily basis in the panadería is none other than Ángel, her next-door neighbour. In episode 5 of the soap, Estela – Ángel’s sister – warns her about Ángel and his aventuras de verano, and Antonio plans his surprise arrival in Spain for Iona’s birthday, only to discover things are not quite what he expected!
Members | Purchase | RSS | iTunes link
Lesson 07 – One Minute Italian
In lesson 7 of One Minute Italian you will learn to say that it’s nice to meet someone in Italian.
Lesson 06 – One Minute Portuguese
In lesson 6 of One Minute Portuguese you will learn to introduce yourself.
Lesson 06 – One Minute Turkish
In lesson 6 of One Minute Turkish you will learn to introduce yourself.
Season 2 – Lesson 15 – Coffee Break French
In this week’s lesson, we take a look at some verbs which have irregular past participles and are therefore irregular in the perfect tense. Please note that lesson 15 of Season 2 was originally known as lesson 55 of Coffee Break French. We have renumbered the lessons of each season as lessons 1-40 to make things more simple for our listeners.
Lesson 06 – One Minute Gaelic
In lesson 6 of One Minute Gaelic you will learn to introduce yourself.
Lesson 06 – One Minute Greek
In lesson 6 of One Minute Greek you will learn to introduce yourself.
Lesson 06 – One Minute Italian
In lesson 6 of One Minute Italian you will learn to introduce yourself.
