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B1  ·  31 words

On the telephone and in the diary in Spanish

The set phrases the telephone insists on.

Two of the phrases here sit either side of a line English cannot see. Ser puntual takes ser, because it says what somebody is like. Estar liado, estar localizable and estar comunicando all take estar, because each is a state that will be over by Friday. English has one verb for both and therefore no way to go wrong and no way to feel the difference: « he is punctual » and « he is tied up » look identical. The test that survives contact with real sentences is not permanent-against-temporary: seranswers what a thing isestaranswers how it is doing A line that está comunicando is not a busy line by nature — it is a line busy right now.

The words

Verb (2)

teclearto key inVerbB1
Hay que teclear el código y esperar.You have to key the code in and wait.
retrasarto put backVerbB1
Tuvimos que retrasar la reunión.We had to put the meeting back.

Conjugation of retrasar →

Phrase (28)

dar un toqueto give somebody a buzzPhraseB1
Dame un toque cuando salgas.Give me a buzz when you set off.
al hablaspeakingPhraseB1
Buenos días, al habla el encargado de la tienda.Good morning, the shop manager speaking.
pasar conto put through toPhraseB1
Ahora mismo le paso con la oficina.I will put you through to the office right away.
estar comunicandoto be engagedPhraseB1
Lleva media hora comunicando.It has been engaged for half an hour.
no colgarnot to hang upPhraseB1
No cuelgue, ahora le atienden.Do not hang up, they will be with you in a moment.
dejar un recadoto leave a messagePhraseB1
¿Quiere dejar un recado?Would you like to leave a message?
devolver la llamadato ring backPhraseB1
Le devuelvo la llamada esta tarde.I will ring you back this afternoon.
estar localizableto be reachablePhraseB1
Estoy localizable hasta las seis.I am reachable until six.
el número directothe direct linePhraseB1
Le doy el número directo del departamento.I will give you the department's direct line.
el número equivocadothe wrong numberPhraseB1
Perdone, tengo el número equivocado.Sorry, I have the wrong number.
cortarse la llamadato get cut offPhraseB1
Se cortó la llamada en el túnel.We got cut off in the tunnel.
la señal del móvilthe phone signalPhraseB1
Aquí abajo no hay señal del móvil.There is no phone signal down here.
hablar más altoto speak upPhraseB1
¿Puede hablar más alto, por favor?Could you speak up, please?
concertar una citato arrange to meetPhraseB1
Vamos a concertar una cita para el jueves.Let us arrange to meet on Thursday.
hacer un huecoto fit somebody inPhraseB1
Le puedo hacer un hueco por la tarde.I can fit you in during the afternoon.
adelantar la horato move it earlierPhraseB1
¿Podemos adelantar la hora una semana?Can we move it a week earlier?
cancelar la citato cancelPhraseB1
Llamó para cancelar la cita.She rang to cancel.
con poca antelaciónat short noticePhraseB1
Avisaron con muy poca antelación.They let us know at very short notice.
estar liadoto be tied upPhraseB1
Esta semana estoy muy liado.I am very tied up this week.
irle bien a alguiento suit somebodyPhraseB1
Si te va bien, quedamos el lunes.If it suits you, we will meet on Monday.
volver a mirarto look againPhraseB1
Voy a volver a mirar la fecha.I am going to look at the date again.
el recordatorio de la citathe appointment reminderPhraseB1
Llegó el recordatorio de la cita por mensaje.The appointment reminder came by message.
ir con retrasoto be running latePhraseB1
Voy con retraso, empezad sin mí.I am running late, start without me.
llegar a tiempoto get there in timePhraseB1
Si salgo ahora, llego a tiempo.If I set off now, I will get there in time.
ser puntualto be punctualPhraseB1
En una entrevista conviene ser puntual.At an interview it is as well to be punctual.
un rato librea free momentPhraseB1
En cuanto tenga un rato libre, te llamo.As soon as I have a free moment I will call you.
fijar una fechato settle on a datePhraseB1
Todavía no hemos fijado una fecha.We have not settled on a date yet.
el calendario de citasthe diaryPhraseB1
El calendario de citas está lleno hasta mayo.The diary is full until May.

Noun (m) (1)

el contestadorthe answering machineNoun (m)B1
Saltó el contestador dos veces.The answering machine came on twice.

This list belongs to Work and jobs — 24 lists and 1155 words that can also be practised as a whole.

Practise this list

From these 31 words, as many per round as you like — up to all of them: first what is due today, then new ones. First you choose, then you fill the gap, then you write it yourself. Mistakes come back again shortly.

Hear and recognise these words in the listening trainer