Spanish · BeginnerElegir un regaloBuying a Gift

Follow along

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00:00Intro
Hello Camila! Look at me. I bring three colorful bags.
Hello Diego! Great to see you. You come very loaded today.
I come from downtown, with lots of interesting shopping.
Do not tell me that, did you buy socks with weird drawings?
Hahaha! No, today I did not buy weird socks.
I have an important mission, for Lucas's birthday.
What great news! Celebrating with friends is always beautiful.
That is why today, we are going to learn how to choose a gift.
I love the topic! Choosing a nice present, gladdens the heart.
Do you remember last year? I bought a giant mug for Mateo.
Hahaha! Yes, it looked like a flowerpot for large plants.
Today I promise to look for useful, and very pretty options.
Very well. Today we have six excellent phrases, to practice.
They are very natural phrases, to use at parties.
Our main phrase for today is: elegir un regalo.
It is an essential phrase, to plan visits and parties.
The second useful phrase of the day is: buscar una tienda.
The third important phrase is: comprar flores.
The fourth fun phrase is: dar una sorpresa.
The fifth phrase for today is: abrir el paquete.
And the sixth beautiful phrase is: dar las gracias.
What a complete list, for our party shopping!
In addition, today we share a very lovely cultural custom.
In Hispanic countries, giving gifts has a lot of warmth.
When you visit a home, you never arrive empty-handed.
You bring sweet bread, wine, or a bakery cake.
And when you receive a present, you open it instantly with joy.
I will tell you my funny story, from last Saturday.
Hahaha! Tell us everything with lots of details, Diego.
Get ready to laugh, with my adventure at the bakery.
Perfect! I listen to your story with great attention.
It is going to be a fun lesson, with useful phrases.
Learning Spanish in context, is always easier.
Let us begin immediately, with this nice story!
Last Saturday I went downtown, to look for Lucas's present.
Did you go to big stores, or market stalls?
I went to a traditional bakery, very famous for its sweets.
What a delicious choice! Cakes always cheer up a party.
I wanted to choose a delicious gift, for my great friend.
And what did you buy at that famous bakery?
I bought a beautiful box, with six chocolate cakes.
Sounds delicious, Diego. Chocolate sweets please everyone.
The clerk wrapped the box, with a shiny red ribbon.
A perfect presentation, for an afternoon party.
I walked out very happy, to take the bus toward his house.
And what happened during the bus trip?
It was very hot that afternoon, and the bus closed the windows.
Oh no! Strong heat and chocolate do not mix.
I put the box on my legs, near the hot engine.
Poor chocolate under such a high temperature!
I arrived at the house, and greeted Lucas with a hug.
I imagine his excitement, upon seeing the box with red ribbon.
I told him with a smile: friend, it is time to abrir el paquete!
And what did Lucas see, upon lifting the lid of the box?
Lucas opened the box, and saw a dark soup of chocolate.
Hahaha! Your six cakes turned into liquid chocolate!
All the guests looked at the box, and let out a burst of laughter.
What a fun and comical moment at the party!
Lucas looked for two big spoons, and tasted the sweet cream.
What a great positive attitude from your friend Lucas!
He said it was a very creative and original dessert.
What a lovely gesture of friendship and good humor!
Lucas looked at everyone, to dar las gracias with joy.
That anecdote shows, that affection is worth more than the form.
We ate all the cream, with sweet bread and fresh fruits.
In the end it was a delicious snack for everyone!
We put cheerful music in the living room, and sang together.
Birthday parties in our countries, have a lot of life.
And I also learned a lot, about the customs of our parties.
In Spain and Latin America, hospitality is essential.
If someone invites you to dinner, you bring a nice present.
You bring fresh flowers, good coffee or a sweet dessert.
It is a gesture of affection, toward the family that welcomes you.
And the person who receives the gift, opens it in that moment.
They do not keep it in a corner, to look at it later.
They open it in front of everyone, to share the common joy.
That action creates a lovely conversation in the living room.
What a beautiful tradition, full of affection and family closeness!
It teaches us that sharing with friends, is the best gift.
Completely agree. Good company is priceless.
A simple present unites hearts, and creates nice memories.
That is the true value, of giving and receiving with love.
Camila, let us talk about how we use our phrases every day.
Very well! Let us take our second phrase: buscar una tienda.
We use this phrase when walking along the street, to find a place.
For example: I walk downtown, to look for a book shop.
It is a very useful phrase, when we visit a new city.
Or when you need to buy something fast, before a party.
Now let us look at the third phrase of the day: comprar flores.
Comprar flores means acquiring roses, for a beloved one.
For example: I go to the market early, to buy yellow flowers.
Flowers fill any house, with color and joy.
Let us move on to our fourth phrase: dar una sorpresa.
Dar una sorpresa means preparing something nice, that nobody expects.
Like organizing a secret party, or hiding a small present.
Seeing a friend's happy face, is something wonderful.
Our fifth phrase on the list is: abrir el paquete.
It means removing the gift paper, and looking at the content.
We all feel a lot of excitement, upon opening the package with our hands.
And our sixth phrase is: dar las gracias.
It means saying thank you from the heart, for a nice present.
Saying thank you with a smile, brightens everyone's day.
Now let us talk about our styles, when choosing a gift.
Hahaha! I know very well that you belong to Equipo Diego.
Of course! I am from Equipo Diego, with lots of pride.
Equipo Diego buys presents, at the last minute.
In Equipo Diego we buy with excitement, and lots of fun.
But sometimes you buy chocolates, that end up melted.
Hahaha! It is part of the adventure, of living with joy.
I, on the other hand, belong completely to Equipo Camila.
How does the mind of Equipo Camila work, when shopping?
In Equipo Camila I write down ideas, months in advance.
I buy calmly, compare prices and choose useful things.
I admire your great order, Camila. Your packages always look flawless.
Thank you, Diego. But your presents always make us laugh.
Both styles have their value, very special and unique.
Diego, I read a curious fact about shopping.
Tell me! I love curious facts about people.
Guess how many people buy the gift at the last minute.
I think maybe, twenty or thirty percent.
I heard that four out of ten people, buy on that very day.
Four out of ten! Many people belong to Equipo Diego.
Hahaha! I see you have many teammates on your team.
And I have another interesting question for you, about gifts.
Tell me your question! I really like guessing.
Guess how many people prefer experiences, rather than material things.
I think maybe, five out of ten people.
I read that seven out of ten people, prefer a delicious dinner or a trip.
Seven out of ten! Sharing lovely moments, is worth more than objects.
Good memories with friends, last a whole lifetime.
What a lovely conclusion, for this part of our chat.
Choosing gifts with affection, strengthens the bonds of friendship.
That is right. Every detail counts, when it comes from the heart.
And now comes the most exciting moment, of our class.
Our practical test, to review all the vocabulary!
The time has come for our practical conversation test.
I am ready! I will answer your questions with energy.
Situation one. It is your brother's birthday, and you look at shops downtown. What do you do?
Very calmly I look at shop windows, to elegir un regalo perfect for my brother.
Excellent answer! You have your first point successfully earned.
Situation two. You arrive in a new city, and need crafts. What is your plan?
I walk along the main streets, to buscar una tienda traditional and pretty.
Very well Diego! Two correct answers consecutively.
Situation three. Your grandmother invites you to lunch, and you pass in front of a green stall. What do you decide?
I stop joyfully at the stall, to comprar flores fresh and colorful.
Perfect! You answered with great precision and clarity.
Situation four. You prepare balloons and a cake, for Sofia's party. What is your goal?
I turn off the lights in the living room, because I want to dar una sorpresa unforgettable to Sofia.
Fantastic Diego! The fourth answer is completely accurate.
Situation five. You arrive at your friend's house, and he gives you a box with shiny ribbon. What do you do?
I take the box with joy, and begin to abrir el paquete in front of my friend.
Wonderful! That attitude shows excitement, and shared joy.
Situation six. All your friends applaud you, and congratulate you with affection on your day. What do you do?
I look everyone in the eyes with affection, to dar las gracias from the heart.
Very well! Six correct answers in a row.
Situation seven. You want a present for your cousin, but have little money. How do you act?
I patiently look for a nice book, to elegir un regalo meaningful and affordable.
Incredible Diego! Seven consecutive correct answers.
Situation eight. You are going to visit some kind neighbors, in their new house. What do you bring with you?
I drop by a neighborhood bakery, to buy flowers and freshly baked sweet bread.
Magnificent Diego! You achieved eight correct answers, out of eight questions.
What happiness! We mastered all the useful phrases of today.
You demonstrated great mastery of vocabulary, for parties and celebrations.
Now we have a special mission, for our listeners at home.
It is a practical exercise, to speak Spanish out loud every day.
Step one. Tomorrow morning, you are going to stand in front of the mirror.
Step two. You look at your face with confidence, and a relaxed posture.
Step three. You are going to say out loud three times: elegir un regalo.
Repeating the phrase with strength, gives you a lot of confidence when speaking.
Remember not to leave chocolates under the sun, like Diego did.
Hahaha! Now I always carry cakes, in a cool bag.
A nice present unites families, and brightens up any party.
And it demonstrates our sincere appreciation, toward the people we love.
Sharing with others, is the secret to a happy life.
That is right. Friendship and joy, make every day special.
Practicing a few minutes every day, helps you improve your Spanish.
Step by step, speaking Spanish turns out easy and fun.
See you very soon, in our next episode of easy conversation.
Good day to everyone, and a big hug for all at home!
See you later to all friends of Español Lento!
Bye! Much success with your learning of Spanish!

Key phrases

6 to keep
elegir un regaloelegir un regalo
choose a gift
Esta tarde tengo que elegir un regalo para mi hermana.This afternoon I have to choose a gift for my sister.
buscar una tiendabuscar una tienda
look for a store
Vamos a buscar una tienda cerca del metro.Let's look for a store near the metro.
comprar florescomprar flores
buy flowers
Pasamos a comprar flores antes de la cena.We're stopping to buy flowers before dinner.
dar una sorpresadar una sorpresa
give a surprise
Hoy quiero dar una sorpresa a mi pareja.Today I want to give my partner a surprise.
abrir el paqueteabrir el paquete
open the package
Espera, déjame abrir el paquete con cuidado.Wait, let me open the package carefully.
dar las graciasdar las gracias
say thank you
No olvides dar las gracias cuando te lo entreguen.Don't forget to say thank you when they hand it to you.

Te toca

Your turn
decirlo en voz alta
Today's small task

Step one. Tomorrow morning, you are going to stand in front of the mirror.Step one. Tomorrow morning, you are going to stand in front of the mirror.

cocoaElegir un regalo
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