A2🇨🇴 Colombia3 min read

Un apartamento cerca del trabajo

An Apartment Near Work

Laura buscaba un apartamento cerca del trabajo. Su viaje en bus duraba una hora cada mañana. El martes vio un anuncio en su celular. El apartamento tenía una habitación y estaba cerca de su oficina. Laura llamó para pedir una cita.

El miércoles llegó al edificio a las cinco. La dueña se llamaba Marta y esperaba en la entrada. Subieron al segundo piso. Primero vieron la habitación. Tenía una ventana grande y espacio para la cama y el escritorio de Laura.

Después entraron en la cocina. Había una mesa grande junto a la puerta. Laura intentó abrir la nevera. La puerta de la nevera golpeó la mesa. Laura dijo: "Me gusta el apartamento. Pero necesito más espacio para cocinar".

Marta miró la mesa y sonrió. "Esta mesa es mía. La voy a llevar a mi casa mañana". Marta movió la mesa. Laura estaba más tranquila. Sin la mesa había espacio suficiente. Abrió la nevera otra vez y pudo ver todo el interior.

Luego hablaron del precio del arriendo. Laura podía pagarlo con su sueldo. También preguntó por el agua y la luz. Marta explicó los gastos y le mostró el contrato. Laura lo leyó antes de firmar.

El sábado Laura recibió las llaves. La cocina ya estaba vacía. Puso dos platos en un armario. Después caminó hasta su oficina. El recorrido duró diez minutos. Ahora tenía más tiempo para desayunar en casa.

Laura was looking for an apartment near work. Her bus trip took an hour every morning. On Tuesday she saw an advertisement on her phone. The apartment had one bedroom and was near her office. Laura called to request an appointment.

On Wednesday she arrived at the building at five. The owner was named Marta and was waiting at the entrance. They went up to the second floor. First they saw the bedroom. It had a large window and space for Laura's bed and desk.

Then they entered the kitchen. There was a large table next to the door. Laura tried to open the refrigerator. The refrigerator door hit the table. Laura said: "I like the apartment. But I need more space to cook."

Marta looked at the table and smiled. "This table is mine. I'm going to take it to my house tomorrow." Marta moved the table. Laura felt calmer. Without the table there was enough space. She opened the refrigerator again and could see the whole interior.

Then they talked about the rent. Laura could afford it with her salary. She also asked about water and electricity. Marta explained the expenses and showed her the contract. Laura read it before signing.

On Saturday Laura received the keys. The kitchen was already empty. She put two plates in a cupboard. Then she walked to her office. The trip took ten minutes. Now she had more time to eat breakfast at home.

Key Phrases

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pedir una cita

to request an appointment

Used to arrange a time to meet someone or visit a place.

Voy a pedir una cita para visitar el apartamento.

I'm going to request an appointment to visit the apartment.

junto a la puerta

next to the door

Describes a location very close to a door.

Dejé mis zapatos junto a la puerta.

I left my shoes next to the door.

espacio suficiente

enough space

Describes having the amount of room needed.

Hay espacio suficiente para dos sillas.

There is enough space for two chairs.

precio del arriendo

rent

The amount paid to live in a rented home.

Usage: In Colombia, arriendo commonly means rent. The phrase precio del arriendo refers to the rental amount.

El precio del arriendo incluye el agua.

The rent includes water.

antes de firmar

before signing

Places an action earlier than signing a document.

Revisamos la fecha antes de firmar.

We checked the date before signing.

Sentence by sentence

This guide has English translations and explanations.