Los vecinos de al lado
The neighbors next door
1 · Spanish Story
La historia
Ana vive en un edificio pequeño en Lima. Hoy llega temprano de su trabajo. En la puerta, ve a una vecina nueva con una caja. "Hola", dice Ana. "Soy Ana, vivo al lado".
La vecina sonríe y responde: "Soy Lucía. Acabo de mudarme con mi hijo". Ana la ayuda a subir la caja. El pasillo está limpio, pero muy angosto. Lucía mira la puerta de al lado y pregunta: "¿Esa es tu casa?"
Ana asiente. Luego escucha un ruido fuerte en el departamento vecino. Se detiene y mira a Lucía. "¿Todo está bien?" pregunta. Lucía ríe un poco. "Sí, es la licuadora. Mi hijo prepara jugo".
Ana se siente tranquila. "Pensé que era una pelea", dice. Lucía niega con la cabeza. "No, para nada. A veces hacemos mucho ruido". Ana sonríe y saca su celular. "Si quieres, te paso mi número".
Más tarde, Lucía toca la puerta de Ana. "¿Tienes un poco de sal?" pregunta. Ana le da un vaso pequeño con sal y también le presta una taza. Lucía agradece y dice: "Qué buena vecina eres". Ana responde: "Ya pues, estamos cerca".
Esa noche, Ana escucha menos ruido. Antes de dormir, mira el pasillo y piensa en Lucía. Ahora sabe que la vecina nueva es amable. Mañana, quizá tomen café en la cocina del edificio.
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 →
vivo al lado
I live next doorThis phrase says that someone lives in the neighboring place.
María vive al lado de mi casa.
María lives next door to my house.
acabo de mudarme
I just moved inThis phrase uses the present perfect to say the move happened very recently.
Acabo de mudarme a un departamento nuevo.
I just moved into a new apartment.
¿Todo está bien?
Is everything okay?This is a very common question for checking on someone.
Te llamo para ver si todo está bien.
I am calling to see if everything is okay.
para nada
not at allThis phrase adds a strong negative meaning in everyday speech.
Usage: Conversational; common in relaxed speech.
No estoy cansado para nada.
I am not tired at all.
Ya pues
Sure, okayThis phrase is a casual way to agree or to move along in conversation.
Usage: Conversational; common in relaxed speech. This phrase is very informal. Use it with friends, family, or neighbors you know well.
Ya pues, vamos a la tienda.
Sure, let’s go to the store.
3 · English Translation
The full story in English
Ana lives in a small building in Lima. Today she arrives early from work. At the door, she sees a new neighbor with a box. "Hello," says Ana. "I am Ana, I live next door."
The neighbor smiles and answers: "I am Lucía. I just moved in with my son." Ana helps her carry the box up. The hallway is clean, but very narrow. Lucía looks at the next door and asks: "Is that your home?"
Ana nods. Then she hears a loud noise in the neighboring apartment. She stops and looks at Lucía. "Is everything okay?" she asks. Lucía laughs a little. "Yes, it is the blender. My son is making juice."
Ana feels calm. "I thought it was a fight," she says. Lucía shakes her head. "No, not at all. Sometimes we make a lot of noise." Ana smiles and takes out her cellphone. "If you want, I will give you my number."
Later, Lucía knocks on Ana's door. "Do you have a little salt?" she asks. Ana gives her a small glass with salt and also lends her a cup. Lucía thanks her and says: "What a good neighbor you are." Ana answers: "Sure, we are close by."
That night, Ana hears less noise. Before sleeping, she looks at the hallway and thinks about Lucía. Now she knows the new neighbor is kind. Tomorrow, maybe they will have coffee in the building kitchen.