Let's take a closer look at these conversations. |
First, do you remember how Ben Lee says, |
"Excuse me." |
Disculpe. |
In this context, disculpe is used to get someone’s attention, and translates as "Excuse me." Disculpe (enunciated). |
Disculpe. |
This is a formal expression. Ben uses it because he’s speaking with someone he doesn’t know. |
Note: This expression can also be used as a mild apology, but here Ben uses it to get the attention of the person he's chasing after. |
Remember this expression. You’ll use it later in the lesson. |
Do you remember how the passenger acknowledges Ben by saying, |
“Yes? Tell me.” |
¿Sí?, dígame. |
First is ¿Sí? “Yes.” ¿Sí? (enunciated). ¿Sí? |
Next is Dígame which translates as “May I help you,” in this context, but literally means, "tell me." Dígame (enunciated). Dígame. |
Díga is from the verb decir, meaning “to tell.” Decir. |
It is attached to the pronoun me, “me” in this context. Me. |
Together, it’s Dígame, literally "tell me." Dígame. |
This is also a formal expression, and the speaker prompts Ben to speak by saying Dígame. |
All together, ¿Sí?, dígame. “Yes? May I help you?” ¿Sí?, dígame (enunciated). |
¿Sí?, dígame. |
The second part of the conversation takes place after Ben returns the passenger's wallet. |
Do you remember how the passenger says, |
"Thank you very much." |
Muchas gracias. |
Muchas gracias, literally “many thanks,” but it translates as "Thank you very much." Muchas gracias (enunciated). |
Muchas gracias. |
Do you remember how Ben says |
"You're welcome." |
No hay de qué. |
No hay de qué, literally “there is not of what,” but it translates as "You're welcome." No hay de qué (enunciated). |
No hay de qué. |
After the train doors shut and Ben misses his train, do you remember how the passenger apologies to Ben by saying, |
"Sorry." |
Perdón. |
Perdón, literally “sorry.” Perdón (enunciated). |
Perdón. |
The passenger feels responsible for Ben missing his train and is apologizing. |
Do you remember how Ben replies, |
"No problem?" |
No hay problema. |
This starts with No, which means "no" or "not." No (enunciated). No. |
Next is hay, "there is" in this context. Hay (enunciated). Hay. |
Hay is from the verb haber, literally meaning "to have." Haber. |
Note, it translates as something like “there is” in this context. |
Last is problema, "problem." Problema (enunciated). Problema. |
All together, No hay problema literally means "Not there is problem," but translates as, "No problem." |
No hay problema. |
This is a common phrase used to express that things are alright. |
Disculpa is the informal form of disculpe. |
Disculpa. "Excuse me." Disculpa (enunciated). Disculpa. |
Disculpa is used in informal situations, such as when speaking with people of similar age and social status. |
They are both imperative forms of the verb disculpar, which means “to excuse,” or “to forgive.” |
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