Spanish · A2 · Speaking · about 5 min
Describe the problem, ask for a visit, give a time, and confirm the plan. Learn six useful lines, then practise the exchange.
The kitchen tap in Anya's rented flat is dripping. She needs to tell the contact person what is wrong and arrange a visit. Start with the object and the problem: ‘El grifo de la cocina gotea.’ Grifo is the tap; gotea says it drips. This sentence is more useful than ‘there is a problem’ because the listener knows what to inspect. Do not guess what caused the leak if you do not know. A language task is to report what you can observe clearly.
MomentThe kitchen tap is dripping. What do you report first?
Say thisEl grifo de la cocina gotea.
WhyName the kitchen tap and the visible problem.
MomentYou want someone to inspect the tap. What do you ask?
Say this¿Podría enviar a alguien a revisarlo?
WhyPodría is polite; revisarlo means to inspect it.
MomentYou need to know when the technician can come. What do you ask?
Say this¿Cuándo puede venir el técnico?
WhyCuándo asks when; el técnico identifies the visitor.
MomentYou can be home Thursday morning. What do you say?
Say thisEstaré en casa el jueves por la mañana.
WhyEstaré gives future availability; the day narrows the window.
MomentYou want notice before the visit. What do you ask?
Say thisPor favor, avíseme antes de venir.
WhyAvíseme asks them to let you know before arriving.
MomentYou want the agreed time in writing. What do you ask?
Say this¿Puede confirmarme la hora por mensaje?
WhyAsk for the time by message so you can check it later.
| Moment | Say this | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The kitchen tap is dripping. What do you report first? | El grifo de la cocina gotea. | Name the kitchen tap and the visible problem. |
| You want someone to inspect the tap. What do you ask? | ¿Podría enviar a alguien a revisarlo? | Podría is polite; revisarlo means to inspect it. |
| You need to know when the technician can come. What do you ask? | ¿Cuándo puede venir el técnico? | Cuándo asks when; el técnico identifies the visitor. |
| You can be home Thursday morning. What do you say? | Estaré en casa el jueves por la mañana. | Estaré gives future availability; the day narrows the window. |
| You want notice before the visit. What do you ask? | Por favor, avíseme antes de venir. | Avíseme asks them to let you know before arriving. |
| You want the agreed time in writing. What do you ask? | ¿Puede confirmarme la hora por mensaje? | Ask for the time by message so you can check it later. |
With someone you do not know, use a polite request: ‘¿Podría enviar a alguien a revisarlo?’ This asks for someone to look at the tap; it does not promise a particular repair. Next ask ‘¿Cuándo puede venir el técnico?’ When a visit is suggested, give a real window: ‘Estaré en casa el jueves por la mañana.’ This is clearer than saying you are often at home. The day and part of the day help both people find a workable appointment.
If the proposed time is not possible, do not answer with only ‘no’. State the window you can make: ‘El jueves por la mañana me viene bien.’ If you did not catch the hour, ask ‘¿Puede repetirme la hora, por favor?’ Before ending, request ‘¿Puede confirmarme la hora por mensaje?’ A short written confirmation avoids a later mix-up. Before ending, repeat the agreed day and time aloud. Both people should leave the call with the same appointment in mind.
Describe the problem, ask for a visit, give a time, and confirm the plan. Learn six useful lines, then practise the exchange.
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The kitchen tap is dripping. What do you report first?
El grifo de la cocina gotea.
Name the kitchen tap and the visible problem.
The first line of Anya's message.
¿Podría enviar a alguien a revisarlo?
Podría is polite; revisarlo means to inspect it.
Anya asks the building contact for help.
¿Cuándo puede venir el técnico?
Cuándo asks when; el técnico identifies the visitor.
A technician may be available this week.
Estaré en casa el jueves por la mañana.
Estaré gives future availability; the day narrows the window.
Anya can open the door before lunch.
Por favor, avíseme antes de venir.
Avíseme asks them to let you know before arriving.
Anya does not want to miss the visitor.
¿Puede confirmarme la hora por mensaje?
Ask for the time by message so you can check it later.
The final line before the call ends.