Un favor pequeño
A small favor
1 · Spanish Story
La historia
Mariana llegó a la oficina con su computador y su celular. Saludó a todos con una sonrisa. Luego miró su mesa y suspiró. Su cargador no estaba allí. Ella necesitaba el cargador para terminar un informe.
Julián la vio preocupada y le preguntó: "¿Todo bien?" Mariana respondió: "No encuentro mi cargador. ¿Usted me puede hacer un favor?" Él dijo: "Claro, de una." Mariana sonrió, porque le dio confianza su respuesta.
Ella explicó: "¿Me presta el cargador un momento?" Julián entendió otra cosa. Pensó que ella quería ayuda con el informe. "Yo le ayudo ahora", dijo él. Mariana negó con la cabeza y se rió un poco.
Entonces ella señaló el enchufe vacío en su mesa. Julián miró y entendió el error. "Qué pena", dijo él. "Yo tengo uno extra en mi maleta." Fue rápido a su puesto y volvió con el cargador.
Mariana conectó el computador y siguió trabajando. "Muchas gracias", le dijo. "Con mucho gusto", respondió Julián. Después, ella terminó el informe y se lo envió al jefe antes de salir.
Al final del día, Mariana le llevó a Julián un café. "Hoy me salvó", dijo ella. Él sonrió y contestó: "Para eso estamos." Los dos siguieron su camino, tranquilos y agradecidos.
2 · Key Phrases
Language to keep
Premium lets you save phrases and track what you know. Your earlier saves stay readable when Premium ends. View saved vocabulary →
hacer un favor
to do a favorUse it when you want someone to help you with something small or practical.
¿Me puedes hacer un favor y abrir la ventana?
Can you do me a favor and open the window?
de una
right away, sureThis is a very common friendly reply in Colombia. It sounds relaxed and natural.
Usage: Conversational; common in relaxed speech. This phrase is common in Colombia and sounds friendly and informal.
¿Puedes imprimir esto? —Sí, de una.
Can you print this? —Yes, right away.
le dio confianza
it gave her confidenceUse this when someone’s words or actions make another person feel calm or sure.
Su explicación le dio confianza para seguir.
His explanation gave her confidence to continue.
me presta el cargador
will you lend me the chargerThis is a polite, practical request. In Colombia, usted can sound natural and respectful in friendly situations.
Usage: Formal; suitable for polite or professional situations. This phrase uses usted, which can sound friendly and respectful in Colombia.
¿Me presta el cargador unos minutos, por favor?
Will you lend me the charger for a few minutes, please?
Qué pena
Sorry / What a shameHere it works as a polite apology after a small misunderstanding or inconvenience.
Usage: This phrase often sounds like a polite apology in Colombia, not only sadness.
Qué pena, llegué tarde por el tráfico.
Sorry, I arrived late because of traffic.
Con mucho gusto
With pleasureUse it as a warm answer when you are happy to help someone.
Usage: Formal; suitable for polite or professional situations.
—Gracias por la ayuda. —Con mucho gusto.
—Thanks for the help. —With pleasure.
3 · English Translation
The full story in English
Mariana arrived at the office with her computer and her cellphone. She greeted everyone with a smile. Then she looked at her desk and sighed. Her charger was not there. She needed the charger to finish a report.
Julián saw her worried and asked her, "Is everything okay?" Mariana answered, "I cannot find my charger. Can you do me a favor?" He said, "Of course, no problem." Mariana smiled, because his answer made her feel confident.
She explained, "Will you lend me the charger for a moment?" Julián understood something else. He thought that she wanted help with the report. "I'll help you now," he said. Mariana shook her head and laughed a little.
Then she pointed to the empty outlet on her desk. Julián looked and understood the mistake. "Sorry," he said. "I have an extra one in my bag." He went quickly to his place and returned with the charger.
Mariana plugged in the computer and kept working. "Thank you very much," she told him. "With pleasure," replied Julián. After that, she finished the report and sent it to her boss before leaving.
At the end of the day, Mariana brought Julián a coffee. "You saved me today," she said. He smiled and answered, "That is what we are here for." The two went on with their day, calm and grateful.