El Primer Día de Clases
El niño sonrió y respondió:
—¿Qué más?
“How are you?“
Carlos se sentó. Buscó en su mochila, pero no encontró su bolígrafo.
Carlos sat down. He searched in his backpack, but he couldn’t find his pen.
—Oh, no… olvidé mi bolígrafo —dijo.
“Oh no… I forgot my pen,” he said.
El niño sacó un bolígrafo extra.
The boy took out an extra pen.
—Aquí tienes.
“Here you go.”
—Muchas gracias —dijo Carlos.
“Thank you very much,” said Carlos.
En ese momento, la profesora entró.
At that moment, the teacher walked in.
—¡Buenos días, estudiantes! Bienvenidos a la escuela.
“Good morning, students! Welcome to school.”
La clase respondió:
The class responded,
—¡Buenos días, profesora!
“Good morning, teacher!”
Carlos sacó su cuaderno y su libro. La profesora comenzó a hablar. Carlos levantó la mano.
Carlos took out his notebook and book. The teacher began to speak. Carlos raised his hand.
—Perdona, tengo una pregunta. ¿Dónde está la lista de materiales?
“Excuse me, I have a question. Where is the supply list?”
La profesora sonrió.
The teacher smiled.
—Aquí está.
“Here it is.”
Carlos escribió la lista. Cuando la campana sonó, su nuevo amigo dijo:
Carlos wrote down the list. When the bell rang, his new friend said,
—Hasta pronto, Carlos.
“See you soon, Carlos.”
—Nos vemos. —dijo Carlos con una sonrisa.
“See you,” Carlos said with a smile.
Vocabulario
|
Spanish Word/Phrase |
English Translation |
Notes |
|
¡Hola! |
Hello! |
Universal Spanish greeting. |
|
¿Qué más? |
How are you? |
Common in Colombia and Venezuela; similar to “¿Cómo estás?” |
|
Mochila |
Backpack |
Standard word for “backpack” in most Spanish-speaking countries. |
|
Bolígrafo |
Pen |
Used in Spain and many Latin American countries; in Mexico, people often say pluma. |
|
Muchas gracias |
Thank you very much |
Polite expression of gratitude, used everywhere. |
|
Buenos días |
Good morning |
Standard greeting before noon. |
|
Bienvenidos |
Welcome |
Plural form used to welcome multiple people. “Bienvenido” (singular) for one person. |
|
Cuaderno |
Notebook |
Used in most Spanish-speaking countries. |
|
Libro |
Book |
Standard term for book. |
|
Perdona, tengo una pregunta. |
Excuse me, I have a question. |
“Perdona” is informal. In formal settings, use “Perdone.” |
|
Hasta pronto |
See you soon |
A friendly way to say goodbye. |
|
Nos vemos |
See you |
Common phrase for casual goodbyes. |
Consejos Gramaticales
Grammar Tips from the Story
1. Greetings and Politeness
- ¡Hola! → Used at any time of the day.
- Buenos días → Used in the morning.
- Bienvenidos → If you’re welcoming multiple people, use “Bienvenidos.” If welcoming one person, say “Bienvenido” (for a man) or “Bienvenida” (for a woman).
2. Asking a Question Politely
- Perdona, tengo una pregunta.
- Perdona (informal) → Used when speaking to a friend.
- Perdone (formal) → Used when speaking to a teacher, boss, or stranger.
- “Tengo una pregunta” literally means “I have a question,” which is a common way to ask before requesting information.
3. Saying Goodbye
- Hasta pronto → Used when you expect to see someone soon.
- Nos vemos → A general “See you,” even if you’re not sure when.
