Una cena y una cartera
A Dinner and a Wallet
1 · Spanish Story
La historia
El viernes, Ana pidió una mesa para dos por teléfono. Quería cenar con su hermano después del trabajo. Salió de la oficina a las siete y media. El lugar estaba cerca de una parada de autobús. Caminó hasta el restaurante con calma. Llevaba su celular y una lista pequeña.
A las ocho, Ana llegó en autobús. Su hermano la esperaba afuera. Entraron juntos y miraron el menú. Ana tenía hambre, pero estaba tranquila. La mujer les explicó los platos del día. Había música suave y pocas mesas libres.
Después, Ana quiso pagar. No vio su cartera en el bolso. Pensó que la dejó en el autobús. Su hermano llamó al conductor con su celular. Ana se puso nerviosa.
Un minuto después, el conductor volvió a llamar. La cartera estaba en el asiento de atrás. Ana sonrió y respiró hondo. Entonces pidió sopa caliente y jugo. Luego comieron pan y hablaron de su semana.
Al final, la cuenta estaba equivocada. La mujer la corrigió de una vez. Ana dijo que todo salió bien. Su hermano bromeó un poco. Salieron contentos y caminaron a casa. Prometieron volver el próximo viernes.
2 · Key Phrases
Language to keep
Pidió una mesa para dos
She asked for a table for two.Use this when you want a table for two people.
Pidió una mesa para cuatro junto a la ventana.
She asked for a table for four near the window.
La mujer les explicó los platos del día
The woman explained the dishes of the day to them.Use this when someone at a restaurant explains today's food options.
La mesera explicó el menú con calma.
The waitress explained the menu calmly.
Pensó que la dejó en el autobús
She thought she left it on the bus.Use this when you think you left something on public transport.
Pensé que dejé las llaves en el taxi.
I thought I left the keys in the taxi.
La cartera estaba en el asiento de atrás
The wallet was on the back seat.Use this to say where an object was found.
Mi bolso estaba en el asiento de atrás.
My bag was on the back seat.
de una vez
right awayUse this in everyday conversation to mean something happens immediately.
Usage: Conversational; common in relaxed speech. In Venezuela, this phrase is common and informal. Here it means right away.
Arreglaron el problema de una vez.
They fixed the problem right away.
3 · English Translation
The full story in English
On Friday, Ana asked for a table for two by phone. She wanted to have dinner with her brother after work. She left the office at seven thirty. The place was near a bus stop. She walked to the restaurant calmly. She carried her cell phone and a small list.
At eight, Ana arrived by bus. Her brother was waiting outside. They went in together and looked at the menu. Ana was hungry, but she was calm. The woman explained the dishes of the day to them. There was soft music and few free tables.
After that, Ana wanted to pay. She did not see her wallet in the bag. She thought she left it on the bus. Her brother called the driver with his cell phone. Ana got nervous.
A minute later, the driver called again. The wallet was on the back seat. Ana smiled and took a deep breath. Then she ordered hot soup and juice. Later they ate bread and talked about their week.
In the end, the bill was wrong. The woman corrected it right away. Ana said that everything turned out well. Her brother joked a little. They left happy and walked home. They promised to come back next Friday.