Day by day method

Using Spanishoriginal text by

Francisco Javier Antn Martnez

adapted for the useof English speakers bygnes Martnez Madrigal

CHICAGO PUBIJC LIBRARYLITERATURE AND LANGUAGE DfVSSfONFOREiGN LAfJGUAGE JNFORMATiON CEMTER

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VINTRODUCTION

A household ame in Europe, ASSIMIL has beensuccessfiilly used by thousands of international businesspeople, students and world travelers wanting or needing

greater language abilities.

Using Spanish is designed for anyone who has studiedbasic Spanish or completed Spanish with ease.

In only one half-hour a day, you will succeed inperfecting your Spanish easily and effectively.

Using Spanish was conceived with the idea of helpingyou move from simple conversational skills to greater

ease and mastery ofthe subtleties of Spanish. This highly-effective method is guaranteed to help you put Spanish

into daily use.

Using Spanish guides you on an exciting journey throughthe principal regions of Spain, while incorporating theviews of the Spanish people. With Using Spanish, you

learn about current events and meet ordinary - andextraordinary - folks from everyday Spanish life.

VI

The author offers keen insights into his homeland, with aspecial knack for irony and temperament that the Spanish

are known for.

Count on adding considerably to your vocabulary andexploring the fner points ofthe Spanish language. Manyfamous Spaniards - from the classical writer Cervantes tothe filmmaker Buuel, not to mention the painter Goya

and the composer de Falla - will become known to you.

As an added bonus, the original language and cultures ofLatin Amrica are amply introduced.

All the dialogues in the 432-page coursebook areconducted in both Spanish and English.

The four 60-minute cassettes, which contain all theSpanish lessons and exercises in the book, have beenrecorded in Spain by native speakers to provide listenerswith authentic Spanish intonation.

As is true for ASSIMIL's other advanced methods, UsingFrench and Using Germn, Using Spanish helps userscommunicate with efficiency and confdence, leadingthem in a short period of time to total proficiency and

comfort in the Spanish language!

1LECCIN PRIMERAAndar (1)1 En el momento en que comienza su andadura

a travs de estas pginas -camino de lamejora del conocimiento de la lenguacastellana- (2)2 y para que no pierda tiempo andndose por

las ramas, le invitamos a (3)3 andar con ojo -pero... sin andar con miedo!

(4)4 Es verdad que andar no es fcil -cmo

explicar si no que haya tanta gente que andasiempre con rodeos? (5)5 En efecto, la dificultad se enraiza ya en los

orgenes cuando, queriendo echar a andar-para andar por el mundo-, (6)

&

2LESSON ONETo march1 When (at the moment) you begin your march

through these pages - on the way to a betterknowledge of the Castilian language -2 and n order not to waste time on waffling we

invite you3 to pay attention - but... without any fear!4 It is true that "marching" s not easy - how to

explain t n other ways (than saying that) thereare so many people who always waffles?5 In fact, (the) difficulty has its roots already in

the origins (is already rooted in the origins)when wanting to begin walking - in order to

move around the world -,

NOTES(1) Andar, to go, to march, to walk, to tramp, to haul, to move.

This lesson shows you how many different meanings a verb cantake depending on both the context and the nouns with which itforms idiomatic expressions. This may tead you towards the wrong

direction as for the meaning. Pay attention to the different meaningsof andarshown durng this lesson. Note that andar is irregular in the

past simple and - as a consequence - in the mperfect of thesubjunctive. Refer to the grammatical appendix on page 385.(2) La andadura: the action of marching.

El camino: road, way.Camino de: on the way to, towards. Iba camino del colegio cuando vioa su amigo: He was on the way to the school when he saw his friend.(3) Andarse por las ramas: to beat about the bush, to waffle.

(4) Andar con ojo: to pay attention.Andar con miedo: to be afrakJ.(5) Andar(se) con rodeos: (lit. "to go in a roundabout way") to waffle(6) Echar(se) a andar to begin walking, to get started. Mi hijo ech a

andar a los 15 meses: My son began walking when he was 15months od.Andar por el mundo: to move around the world.

Lesson 1

6 uno decide lanzarse a la aventura y, a labsqueda de los primeros pasos, comienza

por ponerse a andar a gatas. (7)7 En ese momento se percibe ya todo lo

abrupto del andar derecho, lo complejo delequilibrio entre andar por los suelos y andar

por las nubes. (8)8 No hace mucho, un nio que ya se tena en

pie deca que andaba de cabeza para andarcon cien ojos para no volver a las andadas (9)9 porque -aada- ya se sabe..., quien mal

anda mal acaba! (10)10 El problema es pues tan viejo como andar a

Pe. (11)11 Cmo resolverlo?12 Cada uno a su manera y a su ritmo, con

confianza, porque... todo se andar!13 As que...14 Andando!

NOTES(7) Ponerse a: followed by an nfinith/e means to start, to begin. Se

puso a trabajar a las ocho.: He started to work at 8.A gatas: on all fours, on hands and knees.(8) Todo lo abrupto (que es): lo ... que with an adjective between

them s a form of expressing "quantity". It s used to express thesame as: qu or cuan. No puedes imaginar lo hermosa que esella, or No puedes imaginar qu hermosa es ella: You can'timagine how beautiful she s.Abrupto: abrupt, steep, craggy.Andar por los suelos: to walk on the ground, to walk on the floor.Andar derecho: to go straight, to behave in accordance with the

moral standards.Andar por las nubes: to have one's head in the clouds,

absentminded, daydreaming.

6 one decides to dart out at adventure, andlooking for the first steps, he begins movingon all fours.7 At this moment one already perceives how

difficult t s to go straight, the complexity of thebalance between hauling on the ground and

having your head in the clouds.8 It was not long ago that a child that could

already stand said that had a lot to do in orderto be careful not to resume his od vices9 because - he added - uit s well known..., that

he that lives wickedly can hardly die hohestly!"10 So the problem s as od as the hills.

11 How to solve t?12 Everyone n ts own way and in his own

rhythm, with confidence because everythingwill work well.13 Sothen...

14 Go ahead!

NOTES(9) Tenerse en pie: to stand.

Andar de cabeza: to be busy, to nave a lot to do.Andar con cien ojos: (lit. "to walk with a hundred eyes") to be

careful, to take care.Volver a las andadas: (lit. "to go back to the traces") to resumeone's od vices or bad habits, to go back to one's od tricks.(10) Quien mal anda, mal acaba: He that lives wickedly can hardly

die honestly. This is a Spanish proverb that could be literallytranslated by "He that walks badly, finishes badly".(11) Andar a pie: to walk, to go on foot.

Ms viejo que andar pie: (lit. "olderthan walking") as od as thehills.

Lesson 1

EJERCICIO (repase las expresiones; el primer nmero remite a lafrase, el segundo a la nota):

Andarse por las ramas 2,3Andar con ojo 3,4

Andar con miedo 3,4Andar(se) con rodeos 4,5

Echar(se) a andar 5,6Andar a gatas 6,7

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LECCIN SEGUNDADe qu se trata?1 Para que su estudio sea algo ms que un

memorizar palabras y aprender reglas degramtica, le propondremos, tambin, hacer

un poco de turismo. (1)2 As pues, ciertas lecciones le invitarn a

viajar a diferentes puntos de la geografaespaola y le presentarn someramente una

regin determinada, le hablarn de sushabitantes, de su cocina, de sus riquezas, desus fiestas o de sus costumbres, etctera.3 Su aprendizaje ser ms ameno y ms

consistente.4 Al final, usted habr hecho un poco realidad el

dicho: Hablar Espaa es, tambin, conocery comprender. (2)

NOTES(1) The infinitive may become an abstract noun f it s preceded

by an adele (definite or indefinite) or any other determinenNecesito un buen dormir I need a good sleep. B vestirse a ta modacuesta mucho: Dressing according to the fashbn coste a lot.

6Andar derecho 7,-Andar por los suelos 7,8

Andar por las nubes 7,8Andar de cabeza 8,9Andar con cien ojos 8,9Volver a las andadas 8,9

Quien mal anda mal acaba 9,10Ms viejo que andar a pie 10,11Todo se andar 12,-

Andando! 14,-

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LESSON TWOWhat is it about?1 In order not to let your studies be limited to

memorizing words and learning grammarrules, we also propose you to make a bit oftourism.2 This way, certain lessons will invite you uto

travel" to different points of Spanishgeography and will show you superficially one

particular regin; they will speak to you aboutits inhabitants, its cuisine, its wealth, its feastsand its customs, etc.3 Your learning will be more delightful and more

consistent.4 In the end you will have made the following

saying a bit of reality: "Speaking Spain" is alsoknowing and understanding.

NOTESTodo lo difcil est en el comenzar Difficulty lies in the beginning. Elmentir pide memoria: Lying needs good memory.(2) Al final (de): in the end, at the end of.

Lesson 2

5 Comencemos, pues, con una brevepresentacin, limitndonos, por el momento, a

la orientacin.

6 Integran Espaa diecisiete comunidadesautnomas; stas comprenden un total decincuenta provincias (Ceuta y Melilla tienen

estatuto aparte). (3)7 Por orden alfabtico, las comunidades son las

siguientes:8 Andaluca, Aragn, Asturias, Baleares,

Canarias, Cantabria, Castilla-La Mancha,Castilla-Len, Catalua, ComunidadValenciana, Extremadura, Galicia, Madrid,

Murcia, Navarra, Pas Vasco y Rioja.9 Para ms detalles, vea el mapa.10 Brevemente, y slo para que usted se haga

una ligera idea, se puede decir que, de algunamanera, Espaa se esboza como un entefederativo.11 Por supuesto, al final del viaje las deas

estarn ms claras.12 Slo a base de pequeas pinceladas, el pintor

pinta el cuadro. (4)13 A que es bueno saber adonde se va? (5)

14 y ello no quita que el camino sea una continuaaventura. (6)15 Buen viaje!

NOTES(3) Integrar to comprehend, comprise, form.

(4) A base de: on the basis of.(5) A que...?: (lit. "I bet...") Introduces a question to which

confirmation s expected. A que Miguel ama a Marbel? (lit."I bet Miguel loves Maribel.) Doesn't Miguel love Maribel? or

Don't you think Miguel loves Maribel?

5 Let's begin then with a brief ntroductionconfining ourselves, for the time being, toorientation.

6 Spain s formed by seventeen autonomouscommunities that comprehend a total of fifty

provinces (Ceuta and Melilla have theirseprate statutes).7 In alphabetical order the communities are the

following:8 Andalusia, Aragn, Asturias, Baleario Islands,

Canary Islands, Cantabria, Castile-LaMancha, Castile-Len, Catalonia, Communityof Valencia, Extremadura, Galicia, Madrid,

Murcia, Navarre, Basque Provinces and Rioja.9 For more details see the map.10 Briefly and only to help you get a little idea, we

can say that, n some ways, Spain can besketched as a federal entity.11 Of course, at the end of the "journey" the

deas will be clearer.12 Only by small strokes can the painter paint the

picture.13 Isn't it good to know where you are going?

14 and this does not prevent the journey frombeing a continuous adventure.15 Have a good journey!

NOTES(6) Ello: t. The neuter pronoun s used when t refere to a thought,

a concept, a notion not expressed n a word and thus t has nogender that could agree with the pronouns l or ella.

El camino: journey, travel.Quitar: to deprive of, to prevent.

Lesson 2

EJERCICIO 1.1. Se puede decir que conoce bien laciudad. 2. Es una persona que tiene las ideas claras.

3. Por ahora no tengo proyecto de ir. 4. En Espaahay cincuenta y dos provincias. 5. S, hemos sabidoorientarnos.

EJERCICIO II1. With the map I have made myself an idea.

me he

2. Ofcourse, I have understood it.

lo he

3. Let's say it briefy.

4. At the end of the road there s a fountain.

fuente.

5. / bet you want to go.

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LECCIN TERCERATaxi..., por favor!1 Hola, buenas! Vaya chaparrn! (1) (2)2 Un poco ms y no le veo. Adonde vamos?

NOTES(1) Hola! s a familiar greeting while Buenas! is the short form of

Buenas tardes!, a more formal salutation. In the peninsula nowadaysthey are used together - in this order - when meeting anyone orentering any shop or office. It is because the informal way of treatingeach other in everyday life is spreading.

10

Correccin del ejercicio I. 1. One can say that he knows the townwell. 2. It s a person who has clear deas. 3. At the moment I have no

plans to go. 4. In Spain there are fifty-two provinces. 5. Yes, we havebeen able to orintate ourselves.

SL7 OCtCorreccin del ejercicio II. 1. Con el mapa hecho una idea.2. Por supuesto comprendido. 3. Digmoslo brevemente. 4. Alfinal del camino hay una - . 5. A que quieres ir?

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LESSON THREETaxi..., please!1 Helio, good afternoon. What a shower!2 A bit more and I can't see you. Where are you

going?

NOTES(2) Vaya chaparrn! or Qu chaparrn! are two ways of exclamation. Vaya!

is an interjection used to express surprise, anger, jeer, ridicule or reproof.Lesson 2

11

3 A la caite de la Quiebra, nmero veintinueve. (3)4 No hay all una sucursal bancada?

5 S, eso es. Espero que no haya mucho trafico. (4)6 Pues... tmeselo con tranquilidad! No s lo

que pasa hoy, pero... vaya da! Entre la lluvia,los atascos y las prisas de los clientes... (5)7 Eso, es ms bien buena seal; para usted...

los negocios van bien! (6)8 Eso es lo que mucha gente cree, pero... qu

hace se? Ha visto como ha adelantado?9 El taxista pita repetidamente y, sacando la

cabeza por la ventanilla, grita: (7)10 Loco! El da en que se haga bailar a los

idiotas, t no formars parte de la orquesta!!!Qu da! (8)11 Me deca usted que...12 S, que los negocios van slo a medias. Cada

vez hay ms circulacin y... durante el da, por elcentro de la ciudad, no se circula, confrecuencia, ni siquiera a 15 por hora. (9) (10) (11)

NOTES(3) In Spanish addresses the ame of the street comes first and it is followed

by the number of the house. In writing, an address can be:Calle Infanta No 27-2-Cc/Infanta #27 - 2o - C

Infanta, 27 - 2o - Cwhere "c/" s an abbreviation for "calle", "No" stands for "nmero" and"2o - C" means "segundo piso, puerta C"(4) Espero que no haya...: Remember that verbs expressing sentiment are

followed by the subjunctive. Haber is irregular in the presentsubjunctive. It's fonms are: haya, hayas, haya, hayamos, hayis, hayan.(5) Entre: between, among(st).

Sometimes it refers to the accumulating, gathering of various facts orpersons.Entre amigos resolvimos el problema: We solved the problemtogether with some friends.(6) Ir bien (mal): to do well (badly), to get along nicely (pooriy).(7) Ventanilla: small window, e.g. of a car, a bookingoffice, etc.

12

3 To twenty-nine Bankruptcy Street.4 Isn't there a branch of a bank?

5 Yes, that's t. I hope there s not much traffic.6Well..., take it easy! I don't know what s

happening today, but... What a day! Amongthe rain, the traffic jams and the humes of the

clients...7 This s rather a good sign for you... Business

is getting along nicely.8This is what a lot of people believe, but...

What is it? Have you seen how he hasovertaken?9 The taxi-driver hoots several times and

sticking his head out of the window, he shouts:10 Crazy! The day when idiots are forced to

dance you will not be a member of theorchestra. What a day!11 You were telling me that...12Yes, that business is going half-way. Every

day there is more traffic and ... during the day,in the centre of the town, one cannot driveeven at 15 per hour.

NOTES(8) El da que se haga bailar... or Cuando se haga bailar...: Remember

that the subjunctive s used after conjunctions (or other structures)ntroducing future or hypothetical action.Hacerfollowed by the nfinitive forms the causative. Su patrn le hizo

trabajar 18 horas al da: His master made him work 18 hours a day.Hemos hecho pintar la casa: We have had the house painted.Formar parte: to be a part or a number of.(9) A medias: half, halfway, fifty-fifty, partially, poorly.(10) Cada vez ms: more and more.

Cada vez menos: less and less.Tiene cada vez menos fuerza: He has less and less strength.(11) Ni siquiera: not even, even though. It's a negative expression

when it comes before the verb, but - like other negative words -it needs the no before the verb when it s preceded by thepredcate. Ni siquiera me salud or No me salud ni siquiera: Hedidn't even greet me.

Lesson 3

13

13 jMejor para usted!14 Es lo que piensa mucha gente que no conoce

la profesin. Pero el beneficio ms importantelo sacamos con la bajada de bandera. Aspues, lo interesante son las carreras cortas yrpidas. (12) (13)15 Tambin estn las propinas...16 No crea, con la dichosa crisis... ya no es

como antes! Y no hablemos del precio de lagasolina! (14)17 Pero... adonde va ese otro?, no ha visto el

intermitente?18 Y el taxista grita: -Dominguerooo!

Y repite: -Vaya dta!Luego aade: -Ya estamos!19 Cunto le debo?20 Ciento setenta.21 Tome doscientas; qudese con la vuelta y ...

que se le arregle el da! (15)

NOTES(12) La bajada de bandera: "the dropping of the flag" refers to the

mnimum charge to be paid when a taxi is occupied. Originally aflag standing upward showed that the taxi was for hire.When a passenger got into the taxi the flag was dropped, theminimum charge appeared n the taxi-meter which then began tocharge the fare.(13) Lo interesante: "the nteresting thing". Remember that the neuter

article lo put before an adjective makes it a noun. Examples: lodifcil en miprofesin es...: the drfficult thing in my profession is..., loms hernioso en la vida es...: the most beautiful thing in Irfe is...

14

13 It's better for you!14 This s what a lot of people who don't know the

profession think. But we obtain the mostmportant profit from the mnimum charge. Sothen short and fast journeys are the

nteresting ones.15There are also the tips...16 Don't think so, with the blessed crisis... it is not

like earlier. And let's not speak about the priceof petrol.17 But... where s this other [guy] going! Hasn't he

seen the trafficator?18 And the taxi-driver shouts: "Sunday-driver!"

And he repeats: "What a day!" Then he adds:"Here we are."19 How much do I owe you?20 One hundred and seventy.21 Take two hundred; keep the change and...

[I wish] that your day got better.

NOTES(14) Dichoso: happy, lucky; blessed. Here t s used ronically.

No crea! Yno hablemos del precio...!: Remember that the presentsubjunctive s used to form negative mperatives.(15) Arreglarse: to settle, arrange, be put n order.

Que se le arregle el da! or Deseo que se le arregle el da:Remember that the subjunctive is used after verbs of requesting.The verb desear s very often dropped leaving a kind of

exclamation. Other examptes: Que lo pases bien!: Have a nicetime! Que tengas suerte!: I wish you luck. Que seis felices!: I wishyou happiness.

Lesson 3

15

EJERCICIO 1.1. Espero que yo pueda r. 2. Hoy hahabido muchos atascos. 3. Tengo mucha prisa.4. so, es una buena seal. 5. Los negocios van

bastante bien.

EJERCICIO II.1. Now you cannot overtake, it s forbidden.

, .... prohibido.

2. Have you given a tip to the taxi-driver?

L ?3. Petrol s getting more and more expensive.

4. Pedro has not even phoned.

Pedro ni

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LECCIN CUARTALevante1 Valencia, capital de la Comunidad Valenciana

-de la que tambin forman parte Castelln yAlicante-, con sus dos millones largos de

habitantes, es la tercera ciudad ms grande deEspaa. (1)

NOTES(1) Largo: long.

Una larga vida: a long life.Hace una semana larga que he llegado: It was a good weekago that I arrived.

16

Correccin del ejercicio I. I. I expect that I can go. 2. Today therehave been many trafc jams. 3.1 am n a [great] hurry. 4. This s a goodsign. 5. Business is getting along quite nicely.

5. // is not as it was befare, it is better.

17

Viniendo de Catalua, se entra en Levante porCastelln y ya se empiezan a ver las huertas

con sus naranjales y olivares. (2) (3)Bordeando la costa se llega a Sagunto dondese pueden visitar las ruinas romanas.Y veinticuatro kilmetros ms al sur se

encuentra la ciudad que fundaron los griegos yque conquist el Cid en 1094: Valencia. (4)

Una vez all, hay que visitar la ciudad y... paradescansar, comer una buena paella-especialidad de la regin.

La paella es un plato de arroz guisado condiferentes legumbres y trozos de carne o

pescado, mariscos, etc., aromatizado conazafrn. (5)

La otra especialidad valenciana son lasFallas -hogueras, en castellano.

Las Fallas son monumentos de arte popular decarcter satrico, ya que caricaturizan a

personalidades relevantes del barrio, de laciudad o del pas, ridiculizan costumbres o

representan de manera jocosa acontecimientospolticos o sociales destacados.

NOTES(2) Entrar en: to enter. After the verb "entrar" the preposition "en"

must be used. Porqu has entrado en mi cuarto?: Why haveyou entered my room?(3) El huerto: orchard, fruit garden, kitchen garden.

La huerta: large vegetable garden or orchard, an rrgated regin.Valencia s called: "La Huerta" because t s an mportant

agricultural regin that gives the country most of the fruit andvegetables^

18

Coming from Catalonia, one enters Levantethrough Castelln and already begns to see the

"huertas" with their orange and olive graves.Skirting the coast one arrives at Sagunto whereyou can visit the Romn ruines.And 24 kilometres more to the South you can

fmd the town founded by the Greek andconquered by The Cid in 1094: Valencia.

Once there, you must visit the town and ... as arest, you must eat a good paella - speciality ofthe regin.

Paella is a dish of rice cooked [together] withdifferent vegetables and pieces of meat or fish,

sea-food, etc., scented bysaffron.The other "Valencian speciality" are the "Fallas"- bonfires n Castilian.

The Fallas are monuments of popular arts ofsatirical character as they caricature eminentpersonalities of the quarter, the town or thecountry, since they ridicule customs or in ajocose way represent outstanding political or

social events.

NOTES(4) 1094 s read: mil noventa y cuatro. Years n dates are read as

any other number. Zero s not read. The conjunction "y" 'sused between tens and units: Treinta y tres (33). When thereare no tens, no "y" s used: trescientos tres (303). For moredetails see Lesson Seven.(5) Un plato: a pate, a dish or a course.

Un plato sopero/hondo: a soup-plate, un plato llano: a meat-plate.

Un plato de carne: a meat-dish.Una cena de tres platos: a dinner of three courses.

Lesson 4

19

10

11

12

Son construcciones de madera y cartnpiedra, de hasta ms de treinta metros de

altura, que se instalan en las plazas de laciudad -ms de doscientas- y que, el ltimo

da de las fiestas, se queman por la nochepara divertimiento y contento de todos. (6)

Saliendo de Valencia y siguiendo hacia el surse llega a la Albufera y luego a Alicante, tierra

de calzado y de la horchata: deliciosa bebidarefrescante hecha a base de chufas.

Ms abajo se encuentra Elche -puerta delOriente- con sus palmerales. (7)

Levante es el oasis de Espaa, y el agua esla sangre de esa tierra.

NOTES(6) Construcciones de madera: When referring to the material an

object s made of the preposition "de" should be used. Unacasa de madera: a house made of wood, a wooden house;

una cadena de oro: a chain made of gold, a golden chain; unjersey de lana: a pullover made of wool, a woolen pullover.

20

9 They are constructions made of wood, papier-mach, with a height that can reach 30

metres, which are nstalled n the squares ofthe town - more than two hundred [of them] -

and that are burnt.the last night of the festivalfor everybody's amusement and joy.10 Coming out of Valencia and continuing

towards the South one arrives at Albufera andthen at Alicante, land of footwear and of

"horchata": a delicious refreshment on thebasis of earth almonds.11 Lower you can find Elche - gate to the East -

with its palm-tree groves.12 Levante is the oasis of Spain, and water is the

blood of this land.

NOTES(7) Naranja: orange, naranjo: orange-tree, naranjal: orange

grave.Oliva, olivo: olive, olive-tree, olivar olive grove.Palma, palmera: palm-tree, palmeral: palm-tree grove.

EJERCICIO I. 1. Qu podemos ir a visitar hoy?2. Hace media hora larga que se ha do. 3. Esta

paella est muy buena. 4. No voy por la autopista,prefiero bordear la costa. 5. Una vez all, le escribir.

Correccin del ejercicio I. 1. What can we (go to) visit today? 2. Itwas a good half an hour ago that he went away. 3. This paella is very

good. 4. I am not going on the motorway, I prefer skirting the coast.5. Once there, I will write.

Lesson 4

21

EJERCICIO II.1. / feel like trying a speciality of the regin.

probar

2. Aer having visiteo (a little of ) the town, we went to arestaurant.

3. The spectacle takes place this evening.

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LECCIN QUINTAEscalada1 Desde hace una semana Trini y Armando,

simples vecinos que se ignoraron duranteaos, viven un intenso romance. (1)2 Una avera fortuita del ascensor, que la

casualidad haba hecho que cogieran juntos,haba propiciado las primeras miradas directasy la decisin conjunta y firme de ir, al da

siguiente, a tomar algo juntos. (2)3 Para celebrarlo -haba dicho Trini cuando

Armando, rojo como un tomate, sala delascensor, una vez reparada la avera.4 Si t quieres -haba solamente respondido l.

5 Al da siguiente, por la noche, sus manos seencontraron sobre el picaporte de la puerta de

entrada de la cafetera.NOTES(1) Desde hace: for, desde: since; hace: ago.

Nos conocemos desde hace quince das: We have knowneach other for fifteen days.

Vivimos en esta casa desde agosto: We have been living inthis house since August.

Vino a vivir en este pueblo hace cinco meses: He carne to livein this village five months ago.

22

4. You wll fnd a flling station on the way out of the town.

5. / would Hke to drink something fresh.

Correccin del ejercicio II. 1. Tengo ganas de - una especialidad dela regin. 2. Despus de haber visitado un poco la ciudad, hemos idoal restaurante. 3. El espectculo tiene lugar esta noche. 4. Encontrar

una gasolinera a la salida de la ciudad. 5. Quisiera beber algo fresco.

*************************************************

LESSON FIVE

Scaling1 For a week Trini and Armando, simple

neighbours who ignored each other duringyears, have had an ntensive romance.2 A fortuitous breakdown of the lift, that the

chance had them caught together, hadfavoured the first direct looks and the united

and firm decisin about going, the followingday, to have something together.3 To celbrate t" - Trini had said when

Armando, as red as a tomato, was getting outof the lift, once the breakdown was repaired.4 "If you want" - he had only answered.

5 The following day, n the evening, their handsmet on the knocker of the caf.

NOTES(2) Coger to take, seize, grasp, caten, take hold of. Coge esta

naranja!: Take this orange!Coger un resfriado: to catch a cold.

Coger manzanas: to pick apples.Coger de la mano: to take one's hand.

Coger el autobs: to take the bus.Lesson 5

23

6Pasa! -dijo Armando despus demeditrselo. (3)7 Gracias! Qu detalle! As me gustan a m

los hombres: con carcter!" -respondi ellasin levantar la mano y mirndolo de frente. (4)8 A la tarde siguiente, Trini lo agarr del brazo

diciendo: (5)9 Qu miedo tengo cuando hay coches y hay

que cruzar!10 Quinientos metros ms lejos, desbocndose,

Armando solt: (6)11 Te propongo...12Qu me propones? -cort Trini

volvindole a mirar-13 ... que maana vayamos a dar un paseo al

parque. Te parece? (7) (8)14 Sentados en un banco, en la obscuridad del

parque, el cuarto da, ella lo bes como sinada, en la mejilla, diciendo:

NOTES(3) Pasar to pass, go n, go over, go by, go to, walk past, go

through; to spend; to happen.Pasen todos y sintense en su casa!: Get n, everybody andfeel at home!Ayer pas por tu casa: Yesterday I walked past your house.

Mi abuelo pas por dos guerras: My grandfather went throughtwo wars.

Pasaron dos horas esperando los resultados: They spent twohours waiting for the results.

Qu pas ayer en su casa?: What happened yesterday nhis house?

Qu pasa?: What's the matter?Pasaro bien: to have a good time.

Que lo pases bien!: Have a nice time!

24

6 "Enter!" said Armando after thinking t over.7 "Thank you. What an attention! This is how I

like men: with character!" - she answeredwithout lifting her hand and looking at him nthe face.8 The following afternoon Trini caught him at the

arm and told him:9 "I am so much afraid when there are cars and

I have to cross!"10 Five hundred metres from there, opening his

mouth, Armando uttered:11 "I propose you..."12 "What do you propose me?" - Trini cut him

looking at him again.13 "... that we should go for a walk in the park. Do

you agree?"14 Sitting on a bench in the darkness of the park,

the fourth day, she kissed him, as if t werenothing, on the cheek telling him:

NOTES(4) Detalle: detail; kindness, a pleasant gesture.

Qu detalle!: What kindness! What courtesy! What attention!(5) Agarrar to seize, take, catch, grab.

Agarrarse: to take hold of.Agarr un palo para defenderse: He grabbed a stick to defend

himself.(6) Soltar: to drop, utter, let out, relase.

Soltar a un preso: to set a prisoner free,Soltar un caballo: to untie a horse.

Soltar una carcajada: to burst into laughter.Con soltura: with ease.(7) Te propongo que vayamos...: I propose you to go...

Remember to use the subjunctive after expressions ofsuggestion, wanting, requesting.(8) Te parece?: Do you agree? Do you like t?

Qu te parece?: What is your opinin? What do you think?Si te parece bien ...: If you like it..., If you agree...

Lesson 5

25

'15 Qu buena dea, la de traerme al parque!16 Un da despus se entrelazaron bailando en un

club de las afueras de la ciudad y, cuando alritmo de la msica sus labios iban a encontrarse,Armando, en contra de su ms ardiente deseo,

no pudo reprimir un doloroso: (9)17 Ay..., me han pisado! (10)18 Menos de veinticuatro horas despus, se

encontraban en un cine, en la ltima fila;Armando en los brazos de Trini, con los ojos

cerrados, oa susurrar:19 Te quiero... Armando; t y yo para siempre...;

te quiero...20 Trini...! Oh... Trini! Trini! Soy el hombre

ms feliz de la tierra!

EJERCICIO I. 1. Desde hace una semana no hetenido tiempo de ir. 2. Saldremos de viaje cuando la

avera del coche est reparada. 3. Que le parece?4. Tere ha comprado una casa en las afueras.

5. Ahora est verde y podemos cruzar.

***

EJERCICIO II.1. We have walked around and then we have sat down on a

bench.

luego ... hemos

2. / Uve out ofthe town and I have to take the suburban trat'n.

.... fuera que

26

15 "What a good dea, to bring me to the park."16 A day later they interlaced dancing in a club in

the suburbs of the town and when to therhythm of the music their lips were going tomeet, Armando, against his very burningdesire could not repress a painful:17 "Oh... somebody has trampled on my foot!"

18 Less than twenty-four hours later they were(found) n a cinema, in the last row; Armandon Trini's arms, with his eyes closed, heard

[her] whisper:19 "I love you... Armando; you and me forever...;

I love you ..."20 "Trini! Oh... Trini! Trini! I am the happiest man

on earth!"

NOTES(9) Las afueras: suburbs, outskirts.

Vivir en las afueras: to live in the suburbs.Tren de cercanas: suburban train.(10) Pisarle (el pie) a alguien: to step on, trample on one's foot.

No pisar el csped!: Don't step on the grass!Pisada: footstep, footprint.

Pisapapeles: paper-weight.

Correccin del ejercicio I. 1. I haven't had time to go for a week.2. We will go on a journey when the breakdown of the car s repaired.

3. Do you agree? 4. Tere has bought a house in the suburbs. 5. Nowit is green and we can cross.

3. The following day we went to dance.

Al

4. / think I have caught a good cold.

Lesson 5

27

5. / propose you to go to the cinema.

*************************************************

LECCIN SEXTASaber vender: tener respuesta para todo1 En una tienda (en una pajarera, por ejemplo): (1)2 Un cliente, o una dienta, despus de haber

escuchado el canto de un canario, dice:3 Me quedo con ste. (2)4 Son cuatro mil dlares los dos -dice el

dependiente.5 No, slo quiero ste; el que est cantando.6 Lo siento, pero no es posible.7 Es porque son macho y hembra?

8No, lo que pasa es que el otro es elcompositor. (3)9 Ah ...! No haba cado en ello! (4)

NOTES(1) ames of shops are formed with the ame of the most

characteristic article sold in the shop and the suffix -era.Examples:carne - carnicera (butcher's)leche - lechera (dairy)libro - librera (bookshop)

verduras - verdulera (greengrocer's)pan - panadera (baker's)pjaro - pajarera (bird-shop)pescado - pescadera (fishmonger's)

hierro - ferretera (hardware store)joyas -joyera (jeweller's)

papel - papelera (stationer's)There are some exceptions like:la tienda de antigedades (antique shop)la farmacia (chemist's)

el estanco (tobacconist's)

28

Correccin del ejercicio II. 1. Hemos dado una vuelta, - nos -sentado en un banco. 2. Vivo - de la ciudad y tengo - coger un trende cercanas. 3. - dia siguiente fuimos a bailar. 4. Creo que he

agarrado un buen resfriado. 5. Te propongo que vayamos al cine.*************************************************

LESSON SIXBeing able to sell: having an answer for everything

1 In a shop (a bird-shop, for example):2 A customer, a man or a woman, after having

heard the singing of a canary, says:3 I will take this one.4 It's four thousand dollars for the two - says the

assistant.5 No, I only want this one; the one which is

singing.6 I am sorry, but it is not possible.7 Is it because they are a male and a female?

8 No, it happens that the other one s thecomposer.9 Ah...! I hadn't realized it!

NOTES(2) Quedar(se): to remain, stay; to be left; to suit.

Me quedan doscientas pesetas: I nave two hundred pesetas left.Los nios se quedarn en el coche: The children will stay in the car.

Te queda bien este vestido rojo: This red dress suits you.Quedarse con: to take, keep, stay with.Me quedo con el paraguas rojo: l'll take the red umbrella.

Qudese con la vuelta!: Keep the change.Los nios se quedarn con sus abuelos durante el fin desemana: The children will stay with their grandparents duringthe weekend.(3) Lo que pasa es que...: What is happening is that..., It happens

that..., The situation is that... .(4) Caer to fall, drop, fall down/off/out.

Ayerme cal bajando las escaleras: Yesterday I fell while I wascoming down the stairs.

Caer en la cuenta: to realize.No haba cado en ello: I hadn't realized it. I hadn't thought of it.

Lesson 6

29

10 Un buen estudio de mercado ha de analizar,entre otros factores, las posibilidades existentesde que el consumidor se trague la'pldora. (5) (6)11 Medir el grado de cretenismo del futuro

comprador es, pues, esencial con vistas alaumento de la cifra de negocios. (7)12 Pero... veamos otro ejemplo: (8)

13 En el restaurante de unos grandes almacenes,en la ltima planta, junto a la seccin Artculos

de broma: (9) (10)14 Llevo cuarenta minutos intentando cortar este

filete-dice, protestando, un cliente. (11)15 No se preocupe, tiene tiempo -responde el

camarero-; con motivo de las fiestas, hoycerramos tres horas ms tarde que decostumbre.16 Menos mal!NOTES(5) Ha de analizar - tiene que analizar - debe analizar. (For the

expression of obligaton see Lesson 49.)(6) Tragar to swallow.

Tragarse) la pildora: to accept unwillingly, to give n.No quiso pagarle, pero por fin trag la pildora: He didn't wantto pay him, but n the end he gave in.

No tragara: Not to be able to stand, to tolrate.A este tipo no puedo tragara: I can't stand this guy.

Un trago: a sip, drop, draught; a drink.Echar un trago: to have a drink.Vamos a echar un trago antes de ir a casa!: Let's go andhave a drink before going home.(7) Vista: sight, visin, view, eyesight.

A prmera vista: at first sight.Se enamoraron a prmera vista: They fell in love at first sight.A vista de pjaro: from a bird's eye-view.

Del avin vieron la ciudad a vista de pjaro: From the plaethey saw the town from a bird's eye-view.

Conocer de vista: to know by sight.Le conozco de vista, pero no s cmo se llama: I know him

by sight but I don't know his ame.

30

10 A good market research must analyze, amongother elements, the real possibilities for thecustomer to swallow the pill.11 To measure the grade of stupidity of the future

buyer is essential n view of the ncrease of thebusiness figures.12 But... let's see another example:

13 In the restaurant of a department store, on the lastfloor, next to the department of "Funny articles":14 I have been trying to cut this fillet for forty

minutes - says, protesting, a customer.15 Don't worry, you have time - answers the waiter

-; on occasion of the holiday, today we are goingto cise three hours later than usually.16 At least!

NOTESCon vistas a: n view of.Invirtieron mucho dinero en ese sector con vistas a unbeneficio considerable: They nverted a lot of money in thatsector in view of a considerable benefit.Hasta la vista: so long, see you later.

Volver maana. Hasta la vista: l'll come back tomorrow. Seeyou then.(8) Otro, -a means "another", so you don't need to put the

ndefinite article un, una before it. On the other hand, to say"the other one" or "the other ones", you have to say el otro,la otra, los otros, las otras.(9) Almacn: store, warehouse.

Grandes almacenes (or nowadays n singular as well: granalmacn): a department store.(10) Planta: floor. En la planta baja/alta: downstairs/upstairs.

Piso: floor, pavement; floor, storey. Piso bajo: ground floor.Piso: fat. Mi piso est en el segundo piso: My fat is on thesecond floor.(11) Llevar + period of time + gerund. This structure can be used to

express that the action has been going on for a certain time.Llevo diez minutos escuchndote: I have been listening toyou for ten minutes.

Lesson 6

31

EJERCICIO I (repaso del vocabulario):Aumentofoaja ncrease/fall

Beneficio benefit, profitLa cifra de negocios business figures

Cliente client customerComprador buyerConsumidor consumerDependiente assistant

Dlar dollarEstudio de mercado market research

Grandes almacenes department store(s)Libra esterlina pound sterling

Negocios businessPrecio price

Quiebra bankruptcySeccin departmentSucursal branch

Tienda shopVendedor sellerVenta sale

*************************************************

LECCIN SPTIMARepaso y especificaciones1. Numeris

A. Cardinal numbers

0 cero1 uno2 dos3 tres4 cuatro

5 cinco6 seis7 siete

8 ocho9 nueve

10 diez11 once

12 doce13 trece

14 catorce15 quince

16 diecisis17 diecisiete18 dieciocho19 diecinueve

20 ve/nte21 veintiuno22 veintids

23 veintitrs24 veinticuatro

25 veinticinco26 veintisis27 veintisiete

28 veintiocho29 veintinueve

32

EJERCICIO II1. / prepare it in view of tomorrow's meeting.

Lo preparo

2. /'// take the one you have advised me.

me ha aconsejado.

3. / am sorry, the shop closes at half past seven.

media.

4. Don't worry, I am going to help you.

, ... . ayudarle.

5. He has been talking for half an hour.

Correccin del ejercicio II. 1. -- con vistas a la reunin de maana.2. Me quedo con el que . 3. Lo siento, la tienda cierra a las sietey - . 4. No se preocupe, voy a - . 5. Lleva media hora hablando.

30 treinta 100 ciento 1000 (un) mu31 treinta y uno 101 ciento uno 2 000 dos mil32 treinta y dos 200 doscientos, -as 10 000 diez mil

33 treinta y tres 300 trescientos, -as 100 000 cien mil40 cuarenta 400 cuatrocientos, -as

50 cincuenta 500 quinientos, -as un milln60 sesenta 600 seiscientos, -as (one million)70 setenta 700 setecientos, -as mil millones80 ochenta 800 ochocientos, -as (milliard: GB,90 noventa 900 novecientos, -as billion: US)

B. Apcope of uno and ciento

Uno and consequently veintiuno, treinta y uno, cuarentay uno, etc. drop the final -o when they are followed by a

masculine noun: un chico, veintin nios, treinta y unprofesores, cincuenta y un kilmetros, etc. When it is notfollowed by a masculine noun it does not change. Quiero

uno de aqullos: I want one of them.Lesson 7

33

Ciento is shortened to cien when t s followed by a noun(masculine or feminine): cien aos, cien casas. It is notshortened n numbers: 138 ciento treinta y ocho, 150

ciento cincuenta. Notice the following:Cien mil habitantes: 100 000 nhabitants

Cien millones de personas: 100 000 000 people

C. Agreement

Before a feminine noun una and the feminine forms ofhundreds must be used: una hora (one hour), veintiunamesas (twenty-one tables), ochenta y una chicas (eighty-

one giris), ciento y una madres (one hundred and onemothers), doscientas libras (two hundred pounds),quinientas millas (five hundred miles), ochocientaspginas (eight hundred pages), mil trescientas vacas (one

thousand and three hundred cows).

D. The conjunction y

The conjunction "y" joins tens to units:45 cuarenta y cinco

72 setenta y dos391 trescientos noventa y uno

From 16 to 29 they are written n one word:17 diecisis19 diecinueve21 veintiuno23 veintitrs

25 veinticinco26 veintisisWhen there are no tens, the conjunction "y" is not used:

105 ciento cinco1601 mil seiscientos uno

Other examples:67 sesenta y siete76 setenta y seis

155 ciento cincuenta y cinco511 quinientos once1 995 mil novecientos noventa y cinco

34

207 doscientos siete901 novecientos uno

1 807 mil ochocientos siete13 628 trece mil seiscientos veintiocho295 403 doscientos noventa y cinco mil cuatrocientos tres

2. Tenses (revisin)

PresenteIt expresses both actions in the time of speech and actionshappening in a more general present.

Voy a la lechera: l'm going to the dairy.Todos los das se levanta a las 7 y media: He gets up athalf past 7 every day.

Perfecto compuestoIt is used when the action s recent, but there is not anecessary continuity nto the present time. It often refers toan action that has been completed but the time referred to is

not completed. Often the results of the action can be seen.Ya hemos cenado: We have already had dinner.Esta semana he trabajado mucho: This week I haveworked a lot.

Qu te ha ocurrido?: What has happened to you? Imperfecto

It concentrates on the duration of the action, withoutspecifying ts beginning or end. It often refers to habitualactions in the past. It is the tense of descriptions.Dorman cuando son el telfono: They were sleepingwhen the telephone rang.Antes siempre me traas flores: You used to bring me flowers.

El mar estaba en calma: The sea was calm.

Indefinido o perfecto simpleIt expresses an action completed in a given time of thepast. It is the tense of actions.Recib tu carta la semana pasada: I received your letter

last week.

PluscuamperfectoIt expresses that the action preceded another action thathappened in the past.

Lesson 7

35

Cuando el taxi lleg a la estacin el tren ya habla salido:When the taxi arrived atthe station the train had already left.

FuturoIt expresses actions n the future.Maana jugar al tenis: Tomorrow I will play tennis.

Futuro perfectoIt is used to speak about an action that will be finished bya given time in future.A las tres ya habrn salido de casa: They will have left home

bythree.

3. Uses of the pronoun "se"

Reciprocal and reflexivo senseMara y Jos se aman: Mara and Jos love each other.Mi esposo se afeita todas las maanas: My husbandshaves (himself) every morning.

Passive senseLa ciudad se encuentra al sur The town s found n the

South.Las ruinas se pueden visitar todos los das: The ruines canbe seen every day.

Impersonal sense:Por esta calle se llega a la plaza: This way one arrives at thesquare.

EJERCICIO I. Write the following n letters in Spanish:1. 2 001 pages

2. 1 9973. 3 0384.506

5. 51 years6. 18 trees7. 800 meters

8. 2 200 pages9. 20 000 miles10. 300 000 kilometers

36

EJERCICIO II.1. What have you done to the cat?

2. At what time will the guests arrive?3. The film started at 9.4. Two years after I had been operated on my problems

returned.5. Every year they booked the same room in the same

hotel.6. They divorced two years ago.7. He couldn't get up early because he had gone to bed

very late.8. When my son was small he was afraid of dogs.9. Last year there wasn't enough rain.10. They have forgotten about the meeting, that's why they

are not here.

Correccin del ejercicio I.1. dos mil una pginas

2. mil novecientos noventa y siete3. tres mil treinta y ocho4. quinientos seis

5. cincuenta y un aos6. dieciocho arboles7. ochocientos metros8. dos mil doscientas pginas9. veinte mil millas10. trescientos mil kilmetros

Correccin del ejercicio II.1. Qu has hecho con el gato?2. A qu hora llegarn los invitados?3. La pelcula empez a las 9.4. Dos aos despus de que me haban operado mis

problemas volvieron.5. Todos los aos alquilaban la misma habitacin en el

mismo hotel.6. Se divorciaron hace dos aos.7. No pudo despertarse temprano porque se haba

acostado muy tarde.8. Cuando mi hijo era pequeo tena miedo a los perros.9. El ao pasado no hubo bastante lluvia.10. Se han olvidado de la reunin, por eso no estn aqu.

Lesson 7

37

LECCIN OCTAVADon Arturo1 Don Arturo trabaja de ejecutivo en una

pequea empresa de alquiler de cochesubicada cerca del centro de la ciudad. l seocupa de la publicidad. (1)2 Su despacho est a un cuarto de hora de su

domicilio, y suele hacer el trayecto a pie. (2)3 Don Arturo es un hombre de costumbres casi

rituales. (3)4 As por ejemplo, al Buenos das cotidiano de

doa Leocadia -la portera -respondeinvariablemente:5 Buenos das! Hay hoy correo para m?6 Los festivos acostumbra responder: -Buenos

das! Salude a su marido y... que tengan buenda! (4) (5)7 En ocasiones excepcionales hace un

comentario sobre el buen o mal tiempo.NOTES(1) Don, doa are titles expressing respect and used before the

Christian ame of a man or a lady, respectively: Don Jos,Doa Teresa. Don't confuse it with seor, seora and

seorita, which are used before family-names: seorSnchez, seora Domnguez, seorita Aguilar.(2) Soler + nfinitive expresses habitual action n the present or n

the past (always mperfect). Suelen llegar a casa a estashoras: They usually arrive home at this time. Solan visitar a

sus padres los fines de semana: They used to visit/Theyusually visited their parents at weekends.(3) Costumbre: habit, custom.

77ene la costumbre de fumarse un puro despus de la cena:He has the habit of smoking a cigar after dinner. Peter estudialas costumbres espaolas: Peter studies Spanish customs.(4) Acostumbrar: to accustom.

Acostumbrarse: to be accustomed.

38

LESSON EIGHTDon Arturo1 Don Arturo works as an executive in a small

company of car-renting situated nearthe centreof the town. He deals with publicity.2 His office s at a quarter of an hour's distance

from his home and he usually covers thedistance on foot.3 Don Arturo is a man with almost ritual habits.4 Thus, for example, to the everyday "Good

morning!" of doa Leocadia - the caretaker -answers invariably:5 Good morning. Is there mail for me today?6 On holidays he usually answers: - "Good

morning! Greet your husband for me and [bothof you] have a good day!"7 On exceptional occasions makes a comment

about the good or the bad weather.NOTES

Acostumbra responder/Suele responder...: He usually answers...Los soldados se acostumbran a hacer muchos ejercicios:Soldiers are accustomed to doing a lot of exercises.... que tengan buen da!: I wish you should have a good day.(5)Remember that the subjunctive is used after verbs expressing

request, desire, wish.

Lesson 8

39

8 A unos pasos de su casa se para ante el quioscoque desde siempre lleva don Ramiro, un

simptico mutilado de guerra. (6) (7)9 Despus de intercambiar el Buenos das de

rigor, don Arturo dice:10 Qu hay de nuevo hoy?

11 Lo de siempre, lo de siempre, don Arturo-contesta don Ramiro alcanzndole el

peridico. (8)12 Est bien -contesta l y, al pagar, aade:13 Hale, hasta maana!

14 Don Arturo sigue andando y, a medio caminoentre su casa y el trabajo, entra en el bar enque tiene costumbre de desayunar. (9)15 Se sienta a la mesa del fondo: la suya;

extiende el^ peridico sobre la mesa y, en elinstante en que se dispone a ponerse alcorriente de los ltimos acontecimientos

mundiales, llega ya Anselmo, el camarero,con el bollito y el caf con leche habitual-chocolate con churros si es da festivo. (10)16 La lectura de los titulares de la primera pgina

coincide, desde hace aos, invariablemente,con el mojar el bollito en el caf con leche.17 Cuando termina de leer, cada da, se dibuja

en su rostro una sonrisa impenetrable quesume, durante unos minutos, a Anselmo en lams extrema perplejidad.NOTES(6) Simptico: nice, kind, pleasant, charming. Don't get confused;

"sympathetic" is translated by "compasivo" nto Spanish.(7) Llevar: to carry, take, lead; to be n charge of, manage.

Llevar un negocio: to run a business.(8) Lo de siempre. "Lo" is a neuter pronoun. It refere to a noun with

an unknown gender: tos problemas de siempre or las noticiasde siempre: the problems or the news we afways hear about.

40

8 A few steps from his house he stops n front ofthe kiosk that has been run "for ever" by don

Ramiro, a nice man crippled n the war.9 After interchanging the indispensable "Good

morning!", don Arturo says:10 What is the news today?

11 Nothing new, nothing new, don Arturo -answers don Ramiro passing him thenewspaper.12 That's ail right - he answers and while paying

he adds:13 Well, see you tomorrow!14 Don Arturo goes on and halfway between his

house and his work-place enters the bar inwhich he habitually has breakfast.15 He sits down at the table n the backgrouhd: at

"his one"; spreads the newspaper on the tableand at the moment when he gets ready to get

informed about the latest events of the world,Anselmo, the waiter already arrives with the

small bun and the customary coffee with milk -chocolate with doughnuts when it is a holiday.16 Reading of the headlines of the first page

coincides - for years invariably - with soakingthe small bun n the coffee with milk.17 Every day when he finishes reading an

impenetrable smile is outlined on his facewhich sinks Anselmo in the most extreme

perplexity for some minutes.NOTES

(9) Remember that seguir + gerund expresses continuity, thus"sigue andando" means "he goes on".(10) Ponerse al comente: to be, get informed about, to keep up-

to-dateUno tiene que ponerse al corriente continuamente parapoder conversar con sus amigos: One has to be informed

continuously n order to be able to converse with his friends.Lesson 8

41

18 Don Arturo acaba luego el desayuno, dobla elperidico, deja unas monedas sobre la mesa,se levanta -son ya menos cinco-, se dirige

hacia la puerta y lanza un Adis al quecontestan unnimes Anselmo y los dems

parroquianos con un: (11)19Hasta maana, don Arturo! Que usted lo

pase bien!20 A unos pasos de all, penetra en su despacho.

Cierra la puerta tras de s, se sienta, enciendeun puro y se pone a trabajar. (12)21 Para hoy, el director le ha encargado la

creacin de un eslogan publicitario.22 Don Arturo coge un lpiz, tranquilamente, con

seguridad, y sin dudar escribe, conmaysculas, bajo el boceto que el ingenierodeposit ayer tarde sobre su mesa.23 ALQUILE UN COCHE: LNCESE A TUMBA

ABIERTA A LA AVENTURA. (13)

NOTES(11) Parroquiano: parishioner, that s who belongs to a certain

parish. Consequently it means "regular customer whobelongs to an establishment".(12) Ponerse a + infinitive expresses the beginning of an action.

A las cinco se puso a aprender las nuevas palabras: At fivehe began to learn the new words.(13) A tumba abierta: n haste, in a hurry.

EJERCICIO 1.1. Voy a alquilar un coche para el finde semana. 2. Despus de telefonear, le recibir ensu despacho. 3. Suelo comprar el peridico por la

maana. 4. Hale, hasta maana! 5. Sigatrabajando, son menos diez.

42

18 Then don Arturo finishes his breakfast, foldsthe newspaper, leaves some coins on thetable, gets up - t s 5 minutes to - makes hisway to the door and throws a "Good-bye" towhich Anselmo and the other regular

customers answer unanimously with a:19 See you tomorrow, don Arturo! Have a nice

day!20 A few steps from there he penetrates into his

office. Closes the door behind himself, sitsdown, lights a cigar and begins to work.21 For today the director has entrusted him with

. the creation of a slogan for publicity.22 Don Arturo takes a penal, calmly, with

certainty and without hesitation he writes withcapital letters under the sketch that theengineer placed on his table yesterday

afternoon:23 RENT A CAR: LAUNCH YOURSELF INTO

ADVENTURES IN HASTE.

Correccin del ejercicio 1.1. l'm going to rent a car for the weekend.2. After phoning, he will receive you n his office. 3.1 habitually buy the

newspaper n the morning. 4. Well, see you tomorrow! 5. Go onworking, it is 10 to.

EJERCICIO II.1. What's the news today?

2. What are you going to have? - What [I] always [have]:chocolate with doughnuts.

... va ? - Lo : con churros.

3. He has his keys in the pocket of the trousers.

llaves .. .. bolso ... pantaln.Lesson 8

43

4. Post-offces are closed today.

5. Before leaving I have to answer a letter.

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LECCIN NOVENAQuin da ms?1 A los autoservicios, super, hiper y otros

mercados, sobre todo en las pequeasciudades, les cuesta abrir brecha. (1) (2)2 Gran parte de las amas de casa parece

preferir, con mucho, la plaza o las tiendas debarrio. (3) (4)

NOTES(1) Abrir brecha: to convince, to mpress or affect one's mind.(2) Costar to cost.

Estos zapatos me costaron 3000 pesetas: These shoescosted me 3000 pesetas.

Costar un ojo de la cara: to cost a lot, to be worth a fortune.La reparacin del coche le cost un ojo de la cara: Repairng

his car cost him a lot.(3) El/un ama de casa, las amas de casa: housewife, housewives

There are a seres of feminine nouns n Spanish that beginwith a stressed 'a' sound. To make their pronunciation easier

in singular the masculino definite and indefinite articles areused. Some other examples:el alma solitaria (lonely soul)el habla cotidiana (everyday speech)

el agua fra (cold water)el hambre insaciable (insatiable hunger)el aula pequea (small classroom)

el arma moderna (modern weapon)e/ arte aplicada (applied art)

el hada rubia (blonde fairy)

44

Correccin del ejercicio II. 1. Qu hay de nuevo, hoy? 2. Qu - atomar? 3. - de siempre: chocolate .3. Tiene las - en el - del - .4. Las oficinas de correos estn cerradas hoy. 5. Antes de salir tengoque contestar una carta.

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LESSON NINE

Who gives more?Opening a breach costs the self-service -super, hiper and other - markets a lot.A great part of the housewives seems to prefer,far more, the "square" or the shops n thequarter.

NOTES(4) La plaza: public square; market-place.

La Plaza de Cibeles en Madrid The Cibeles place in MadridLa Plaza Mayor de Madrid: The Large Place n MadridHacer las compras en la plaza: To make shoppingLa plaza de toros: bullring

In Spain the centre of every village or town is a square. Themost important public buildings (town-hall, plice

headquarters, market, etc.) can be found there. People oftengo there for a talk or for a rest as well.

Lesson 9

45

3 Durante buena parte de la maana, el tiempodeja de ser oro. (5) (6)4 Da lo mismo si el viacrucis de las compras

consta de tres, seis u ocho estaciones. (7)5 Y... es comprensible!6 Poder contestar a la pregunta de la Doro, la

de la tienda de comestibles, sobre cmo va lavida, con un: (8)7 Ni me hables, chica, ni me hables! Los nios

me vuelven loca! No doy abasto! (9)8 es tambin un acto de desahogo.9 Poder decir a Charito, la pescadera:10 Oye, oye, no me pongas esa pescadilla, que

no la veo con muy buena pinta! (10) (11)11 es tambin prueba de libertad y ejercicio de

autoridad.12 Poder contar a Teodoro, el charcutero, entre

raja de mortadela y sarta de chorizo, que:13 La Pepi, la del 27, la del quinto, la hija de

doa Avelina, la peluquera, hijo, la peluquera!,parece que se casa con un buen partido. (12)

NOTES(5) Dejar de + infinitive: to stop, cease, quit.

Si deja de fumar ser ms sano: If you stop smoking you willbe healthier.(6) "...el tiempo deja de ser oro": It comes from the proverb "El

tiempo es oro.": "Time s money."(7) Dar lo mismo: to make no difference.

Me da lo mismo: It's the same to me.(8) Doro s a familiar variety of Dorotea. Some other examples:

Pepe (Jos), Pancho (Francisco), Chus (Mara Jess), Pepi(Josefina).(9) No dar abasto: not to be able to satisfy all the necessities and

requirements, to have more than one can handle, not tomanage.Abastecer to supply.

Abasto: supply.

46

3 During a good part of the morning time stopsbeing money.4 It s the same if the Cross of the shopping

consists of three, six or eight stations.5 And ... t s comprehensible.6 To be able to answer the question of "Doro",

the one from the grocer's shop, about how lifes going on with a:7 "Don't tell me anything, girl, don't tell me! The

children drive me crazy! I have more than Ican handle!"8 it is also an act of relief.

9 To be able to tell Charito, the fishmonger:10 "Listen, listen, don't put that whiting for me, t

doesn't look good to me!"11 and it is also a test of liberty and an exercise

of authority.12 To be able to tell Teodoro, the shopkeeper in

the sausage shop, between a slice of Bolognasausage and a pair of ..chorizo" that:13 "Pepi, the girl who lives at number 27, the one

from the frfth floor, the daughter of doa Avelina,the hairdresser..., man, the hairdresser... it seems

that she is going to marry with a good match."

NOTES(10) Oye! or Oiga!: Listen! They are used to ask for attention.

They are imperative forms of the verb or, the first one is insecond person singular for familiar relations whereas the

second one s more formal.(11) Pinta: appearance.

Tener buena/mala pinta: to look good/bad.(12) The exclamations chico!, chica! (phrase number 7), hijo!

(phrase number 13), hombre!, mujer!, seores! are veryfrequently used in conversaron to express surprise,

amazement, reproach.Lesson 9

47

14 es tambin muestra de capacidad deprecisin y de participacin de la informacin.15 Poder gritarle a Amelia, al cruzarse con ella,

desde la otra acera, entre mentidero ymentidero: (13) (14)16 Ahora enseguida voy a la carnicera! Mira a

ver si me puedes guardar la vez! 17 es tambin prctica de la confianza y de la

expansibilidad.18 Poder cascar con las otras parroquianas de

las propias penas y salpicar con comentariosel recuento de las de ellas es, tambin,testimonio de sociabilidad y manifiesta

contribucin al equilibrio ecolgico de laciudad. (15)19 sas son cosas, con sus pros y sus contras,

que el pequeo comercio tambin ofrece.20 Y frente al asalto de lo impersonal, sas son

cosas que no tienen precio. (16)

NOTES(13) Cruzan to cross

Cruzar los brazos: to fold one's armsCruzar la calle: to cross the streetCruzarse con: to meet someone by chanceEn el mercado me he cruzado con tu suegra: I've met yourmother-n-law at the market.

EJERCICIO I. 1. Voy a ir al supermercado a hacerlas compras. 2. He pasado una buena parte de lamaana escribiendo un informe. 3. Me he cruzadocon Roberto en la calle. 4. Oiga! Ah est prohibidoaparcar. 5. Es un punto de vista que tiene sus prosy sus contras.

48

14 t s also an occasion to show the capacity ofprecisin and participation in the information.15 To be able to shout to Amelia, when crossing

her, from the other sidewalk, between twogossiping places:16 "Soon l'm going to the butcher's. Try to

reserve a place for me!"17 is also a practice of confidence and of

expansiveness.18 To be able to chat with other women of the

quarter about our own sorrows and to sprinklewith commentaries the enumeration of theirs

is also a testimony of sociability andmanifested contribution to the "ecological"balance of the town.19 These are things with their pros and cons, that

small shops offer.20 Facing the assault of the impersonal, these

are things that have no pnce.

NOTES(14) Mentir: to lie. tell lies

Mentira: lieMentiroso: a liar

Mentidero: a place where people meet for gossipingLa mentira tiene las piernas cortas. It is a proverb whichexpresses that it is easy to catch a liar in his lies.(15) "... el recuento de las de ellas": Here "las" refere back to

"penas".(16) No tiene precio: "It has no price" means that it has such a

great valu that it can't be estimated.

Correccin del ejercicio 1.1. l'm going to the supermarket to do theshopping. 2.1 have passed a good part of the morning writing a report.

3. Tve met Roberto in the street. 4. Listen! It is prohibited to park here.5. This is a point of view that has its pros and cons.

Lesson 9

49

EJERCICIO II.1. Is there place?

?2. Don't worry, t has no importance.

No se preocupe, no

3. He has a lot of work. It doesn't surprse me that he can'tmanage.

No en absoluto

que

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LECCIN DCIMA(Adis, muy buenas!1 Auxilio! Socorro! Ladrones! Socorro!2 Gritaba un hombre subiendo de cuatro en

cuatro, casi desnudo, las escaleras del Palaciode Justicia. (1)3 Y, en dos zancadas, se plant delante del juez

del pueblo.4 ste, molesto ante una irrupcin que tan poco

caso haca de los buenos modales y de lostrmites necesarios, levantse y dijo: (2) (3)

NOTES(1) ...subiendo: gerund n Spanish can be used as an expression

of mode.Entr llorando: He entered crying.(2) Hacer caso: to pay attention.

No hacer caso or Hacer cas omiso: to ignore.No le hagas caso!: Don't pay attention to him!

50

4. // doesn't stop raining for three days.

5. Talking to her friend she could find relief.

Correccin del ejercicio II. 1. Hay sitio? 2. , - tiene ningunaimportancia. 3. Tiene mucho trabajo. - me extraa no d abasto.

4. Desde hace tres das no deja de llover. 5. Hablando con su amigapudo desahogarse.

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LESSON TEN

Good-bye!1 Help! Help! Thieves! Help!2 Shouted a man going up the stairs - four by

four - of the Palace of Justice, almost naked.3 With two strides he planted himself n front of

the judge of the village.4 This one, annoyed by the irruption that didn't

pay much attention to the good manners andthe necessary formalities, stood up and said:

NOTES(3) Levantse: In current Spanish it s not corred. Pronouns

should precede conjugated forms of verbs: Se levant. Thisform is permitted for literary purposes like to assure the

rhythm of a poem or to present an olden style.Lesson 10

51

5 Silencio! Qu significa esto? Qu ocurre?6 Su seora! Yo soy tejedor de oficio y pasaba

por su pueblo camino de Villa Toro, adondeme diriga para comprar telas y tejidos...7 Vaya al grano! (4)

8 A la salida del pueblo, en el cruce, treshombre, amenazndome con navajas y palos,me han obligado a darles todo cuanto llevabaencima: las ropas, los zapatos y el dinero.9 Luego han huido en direccin del pueblo.10 Pido juisticia! Quiero justicia!

11 El juez, rascndose el bigote, se quedpensativo unos instantes. Luego, con tonosevero, dijo:12Por lo que veo, no le han robado ni la

camiseta ni el calzn. (5)13 No! Es lo nico que no se han llevado!

14 El juez guard silencio mientras se agitaba ensu silln y volva a rascarse el bigote.

Despus, se levant y dijo:15 En este pueblo, cuando alguien hace algo lo

hace a fondo, de cabo a rabo. As pues, losculpables no son de aqu. (6)

NOTES(4) Ir al grano: to get down to the cases, come to the point.(5) In Spanish the possessive pronouns are not used n some

cases when they are used n English. These are mostly thecases when we speak about parts of the body or pieces ofclothes belonging to somebody.

Le duelen tos ojos: He feels pains n his eyes.Tiene el pelo negro: He has black hair.Se quit la camisa: He took off his shirt.

52

5 Silence! What does this mean? What ishappening?6 Your Lordship! I am a weaver by trade and I

was going through your village on the way toVilla Toro, where I was going to buy fabric andtextile...7 Go to the point!

8 Going out of the village, at the crossroads,three men, threatening me with pocket-knives

and sticks, torced me to give them everythingI had with me. Clothes, shoes and money.9 Then they fled towards the village.10 I ask forjustice! I want justice!

11 The judge, scratching his moustache, stayedthoughtful for some minutes. Then, in a

severe tone, he said:12 As I see, they robbed neither your vest or

your trousers.13 No! These are the only things that they didn't

take from me!14 The judge kept silence while he was rocking

himself with his arm-chair and he scratchedhis moustache again. Then, he stood up andsaid:15 In this village, when someone does something1

he does t thoroughly, from head to tail. Thusthe ones to blame are not from here.

NOTES(6) Fondo: bottom.

En el fondo: at the bottom.A fondo: thoroughly.

Han estudiado la cuestin a fondo: They have studied thequestion thoroughly.

Lesson 10

53

16 En consecuencia, este asunto no es de micompetencia.17 Y aadi:18 Se levanta la sesin.

EJERCICIO 1.1. Ha subido las escaleras demasiadodeprisa. 2. Estbamos molestos por lo ocurrido. 3. A

la salida de la ciudad, se est construyendo unnuevo puente. 4. Es una persona que hace lascosas a fondo. 5. Guard silencio durante toda la

reunin.

EJERCICIO II.1. When he s in a hurry, he goes up the stairs four by four.

, sube las escaleras

2. He has paid Httle attention to what they have told him.

le han dicho.

3. He has come down to the point.

4. He made him a sign with his hand.

Le una sea

5. 77j/s is the onty thing I can tell you.

Esto decirte.

54

16 Consequently, this matter s not within mycompetence.17 And he added:18 The session s adjourned.

Correccin del ejercicio I. 1. He went up the stairs too fast. 2. Wewere annoyed about what happened. 3. Going out of the town a new

brdge is being buitt. 4. He s a person who makes things thoroughiy.5. He kept silence during the whole meeting.

HA

Correccin del ejercicio II. 1. Cuando tiene prisa, de cuatro encuatro. 2. Ha hecho poco caso de lo que . 3. Ha ido al grano.4. - hizo con la mano. 5. - es lo nico que puedo - .

Lesson 10

55

LECCIN ONCEGalicia1 Culturalmente, debido a los elementos clticos

que en ella subsisten y, sobre todo, por elhecho de poseer una lengua propia -elgallego-, Galicia ocupa un lugar de privilegio

entre las Comunidades que componenEspaa.2 Tierra de campesinos y marineros, situada en

el extremo noroeste de la pennsula, Galiciaofrece al viajero el rico contraste de la montaay el mar. (1)3 En efecto, el interior est constituido por un

denso entretejido de montaas y valles por losque corren torrentes en los que abundantruchas y salmones.4 La carretera que, bordeando el Mio, va de

Orense a Lugo es itinerario de predileccinpara los aficionados a la pesca.5 El conocimiento completo de esta regin

supone, cmo no?, la degustacin delexcelente orujo y del ribeiro. (2) (3)

NOTES(1) The cardinal points n Spanish are as follows:

norte (North), este (East), sur (South), oeste (West).They can be combined: noreste (Northeast), noroeste

(Northwest), sudeste (Southeast), sudoeste (Southwest).(2) Cmo no?: of course, certainly.

It can be understood as a shortened form of Cmo puedepensar usted que no es as, no es posible? Of course, t s

possible.(3) Orujo s a kind of "aguardiente", that is a brandy made of marc

of grape, while ribeiro is a type of wine of this regin.

56

LESSON ELEVEN

GaliciaCulturally, due to the Celtic elements that exist

n it and, above all, due to the fact of having tsown language - the Galician - Galicia occupies

a privileged place among the Communities thatconstitute Spain.

Land of farmers and sailors, situated at theNorthwestem extreme of the pennsula, Galiciaoffers the traveller the rich contrast of highiands

and sea.In fact, the inland consists of dense, nterlacedmountains and valleys through which runtorrents teeming with trouts and salmons.The highway that, skirting the Mio, leads from

Orense to Lugo, is a favourite itinerary ofdevotees of fishing.The complete knowledge of this regin

supposes, of course, thetasting of the excellent"orujo" and "ribeiro".

Su CASA JBSTA S(KLHm4 PIAVA

Lesson 11

57

6 A menos de cien kilmetros de Lugo seencuentra La Corua, antiguo Fins terrae,

ciudad industrial y mercantil, con magnficasplayas y... el faro llamado Torre de Hrcules,obra romana que la caracteriza. (4) (5)7 La cara atlntica ofrece como particularidad el

regalo de la naturaleza que representan lasras: brazos del mar -de hasta veinticincokilmetros- que abrazan la tierra. (6)8 Bajando desde La Corua, hacia el sur, se

llega a Santiago de Compostela, ciudaduniversitaria, de historia y arte, a la que desde

la Edad Media acuden peregrinos de toda lacristiandad para visitar la tumba de Santiago.

(7)9 Continuando hacia el sur se encuentra la Ra

de Arosa en cuya desembocadura est LaToja: isla apreciada por los veraneantes por

su belleza y su playa, en la que se puedenpracticar todo tipo de deportes nuticos.10 Ms abajo, Pontevedra, ciudad histrica que

ya figuraba en los itinerarios romanos.

NOTES(4) There are certain proper ames n Spanish that nclude the

definite article as well. Some examples: La Habana, El Cairo,La Haya, La Plata, la Argentina, el Brasil.This definite article is never contracted with the prepositions

"a" or "de".Venimos de La Habana y vamos a El Cairo: We come fromHavana and go to Cairo.(5) Mercantil: mercantile, commercial.

Operaciones mercantiles: commercial operations, businesstransactions.

Mercader: merchant, dealer, trader.Mercanca: merchandise, goods.

58

6 Less than a hundred kilometres from Lugocan be found La Corua, ancient "Finsterrae", industrial and commercial town with

magnificent beaches and ... with thelighthouse called Torre de Hrcules, a Romnpiece of work that characterizes the town.7 The Atlantic face offers as a particularity the

gift of nature represented by the estuaries:arms of the sea - up to twenty kilometres

[long] - that embrace the land.8 Going down from La Corua to the south, one

arrives at Santiago de Compostela, a universitytown and a town of history and arts frequented

by pilgrims from the whole Christendom sincethe Middle Ages [who come] to visit the tomb of

St. James the Greater.9 Going on towards the south you can find Ra

de Arosa. La Toja is situated at its mouth. It isan island appreciated by holiday-makers

because of its beauty and its beach where allkinds of water sports can be practiced.10 Further down [you can find] Pontevedra, a

historical town that already figured in Romnitineraries.

NOTES(6) Brazo: arm, hands; branch of river.

Cruzarse de brazos: to fold one's arms, to do nothing, toremain dle.Asidos del brazo: arm-n-arm.4 Abrazan to embrace.

Ser el brazo derecho de uno: a person whom one can trustIn a formal letterthe expression "Un abrazo de...", "Un abrazocarioso de...", "Un fuerte abrazo de..."\s often put before the

signature.(7) Acudir, to go or come; to frequent.

Acudir a la ayuda/al socorro de alguien: to come or go to theaid/rescue of someone.

Lesson 11

59

11 A treinta y cuatro kilmetros, y antes de llegara Portugal, se encuentra Vigo cuya ra forma

un puerto natural que a menudo ha sidocomparado con la baha de Rio de Janeiro.12 Una gira por Galicia ha de incluir la visita de

alguno de los numerosos castras, pazos yhrreos que salpican la geografa de laregin. (8)13 Para terminar, sepa que puede poner punto

final a cada una de sus etapas deleitndosecon la excelente gastronoma que all se

cultiva. Los mariscos son la especialidadms conocida.

NOTES(8) Casino: fortress of Celtic and Romn origin.

Pazo: ancient manor house n Galicia.Hrreo: barn made of wood and supported by pillare.

EJERCICIO I. 1. Su casa est situada a diezkilmetros de la playa. 2. Todos mis amigos son

aficionados al deporte. 3. En las playas gallegas haymenos turistas que en las del Mediterrneo, sonms tranquilas. 4. Me gusta mucho ir a pescar. 5. A

menos de tres kilmetros encontrar la desviacinque conduce a la autopista.

EJERCICIO II.1. What sport do you practise ?

?2. Have you appetite for a pate of seafood? Why not?

Os apetece ? ?

60

11 At [a distance of] 34 kilometers and beforearriving at Portugal, you can fmd Vigo, wherethe estuary forms a natural port that has been

often compared to the bay of Rio de Janeiro.12 A tour round Galicia must include a visit to one

of the numerous "castros", "pazos" and"hrreos" that spatter the geography of this

regin.13 To finish, you should know that you can put the

final point to each stage of your journeydelighting n the excellent gastronomy that is

"cultivated" there. Sea-food is the most well-known speciality.

Ejercicio I. His house s sKuated at ten kilometres from the beach.2. All of my friends are sportsfans. 3. On Galician beaches there are

less tourists than on that of the Mediterranean, they are quieter.4. I like going fishing very much. 5. At less than three kilometres youwill find the swerving that leads to the motorway.

3. Best regaros (at the end of a letter)

4. / have to make a tour to the south of the country.

Tengo el proyecto

5. / have understood t as I read it in the newspaper

Me he enterado

Correccin de ejercicio II. 1. Qu deporte practica? 2. unabandeja de mariscos? - Cmo no? 3. Abrazos. 4. de hacer unagira por el sur del pais. 5. leyendo el peridico.

Lesson 11

61

LECCIN DOCEEs la lucha...!1 Empujones, tirones, pisotones y otras

sacudidas constituyen con frecuencia el pancotidiano de quienes, por una u otra razn, seven obligados a utilizar los transportes pblicos

a las horas punta. (1) (2) (3)2 Se trata de modos de expresin

internacionales; y estn ms difundidos de loque ninguna lengua en el mundo jams haya

estado. (4) (5)3 En Madrid, Pars, Buenos Aires, Mosc o

Nueva York, a esas horas, millones depersonas hablan el mismo idioma.4 Los puos en los rones, los codos en las

costillas, los maletines en las rodillas, laspuntas de los paraguas en los dedos de los

pies o el mango en un ojo

NOTES(1) Empujar to push, shove.

Empuje la puerta: Push the door!Tirar, to throw, draw, pul.Tire la puerta: Pul the door!Un empuje, un empujn, un tiro, un tirn: In both cases thereare two nouns formed from the same verb. The second ones,as they are formed with the augmentative "-on" expressbigness. The suffixes *-n" and M-ona", besde the dea ofexcess, often have a pejorative sense.

Un llorn: weeper;Un soltern: od bachelor,Una solterona: od maid, spinster (un soltero, una soltera:single, unmarried);

Un comiln: glutton;Un dormiln: sleepy-head;

Un borrachn: drunkard;Un ricachn: newly-rich, very rich.

62

LESSON TWELVE

This is a flght!Shoves, tugs, treads on the foot and other jerks

constitute frequently the everyday bread of thosewho, for one reason or another, are obliged to

use public transport during rush hours.We are talking about international "ways of

expression"; and they are more widespread thanany other language of the world [has ever been].

In Madrid, Pars, Buenos Aires, Moscow or NewYork, during those hours millions of people

speak the same language.The fists in the kidneys, the elbows in the ribs,

the valises on the knees, the points ofumbrellas on the toes or the handle n the eye

NOTES(2) Verse obligado a + infinitive: to see onself obliged to do

something, be obliged to do something, have to dosomething.(3) Hora: hour, time.

La hora de comer mealtime.Hacer horas extraordinarias: to do overtime.Las horas punta: rush hours.(4) Tratar, to treat, to deal with.

Qu mal la tratas!: How badly you treat her!Se trata de: it is a question of, the topic of... s being dealt withDe qu se trata?: What is it all about? What is the trouble?(5) The past subjuncth/e "haya estado" expresses a past action when

the verb of the main clause is n the present. Here the subjunctiveis used because we deny the existertce of something.No hay otro hombre que sea tan corts: There is no other

man who s so polrte.No hay nadie en mi familia que haya estado en frica: There

is nobody n my famity who has been to frica.Lesson 12

63

5 dejan de ser percibidos como puos, codos,maletines o paraguas para diluirse enmagma de objetos sin identificar.6 Exigencias del mundo civilizado! -me deca

una vez un agudo usuario.7 Los -Adonde va, no ve que no cabemos

ms? (6)8 Sin empujar, seora, sin empujar! -La

puerta! (7)9 Qu fastidio! y algn raro -Perdn!

-Disculpe! (8)10 Por favor! o -Lo siento!, que tambin se

escapan, no son sino exutorios insignificantesfrente a la contundencia de los hechos. (9)11 Pero, no hay que exagerar! No todo son

inconvenientes!12 Son tambin momentos de intensa

comunicacin en los que los gestos dicen msque las palabras.13 Son momentos que pueden aprovecharse

para sentir hasta el paroxismo lo que es elcalor humano.

NOTES(6) Caber to fit into, go n or into, have enough room for.

No caben ms personas: There s not enough room for morepeople.

Caben cinco personas en el coche: There s room for fivepeople n the car.

Cabe ms?: Is there more room? Is there room for more?No cabe duda: There s no doubt.

It s a verb with special irregularities. (Present: quepo, cabes,cabe Preterite: cupe, cupiste, cupo Future: cabr,cabrs Subjunctive present: quepa, quepas, ... .

Subjunctive mperfect: cupiera or cupiese).

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5 are no longer percieved as fists, elbows,valises or umbrellas just to be diluted nto a"magma of objects without identification".6 Requirements of the civilized world! - told me

once an acute user.7 The [sentences] - Where are you going?

Can't you see that there s no more room?8 Without pushing, madam, without pushing! -

The door!9 What a drag! and something rare - Sorry! -

Forgive me!10 Please! or - l'm sorry! that also escape, are

nothing else but insignificant ulcers comparedto the irrefutable facts.11 But we shouldn't exaggerate! Not everything

s inconvenient!12 They are also moments of intense

communication durng which gestures tellmore than words.13 They are moments that are useful for feeling

even the paroxysm of what human warmth s.

NOTES(7) Sin + nfinitive: without doing something.

Subi al autobs sin empujar He got on the bus without pushing.Se fue sin despedirse: He left withouth saying good-bye.(8) Notice that different verbs are used for apologizing.

Perdone/Disculpe, seor, podra decirme la hora?: Excuseme, sir, can you tell m the time? Perdname/Disclpame, nolo he odo: I beg your pardon, I have not heard it.Perdonadme/Disculpadme por ese error: Forgive me for thaterror. Lo siento: I am sorry.(9) No son sino: they are nothing but.

No he comido sino una manzana: Tve eaten nothing but anapple.

Lesson 12

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14 Momentos en los que el parisiense enLondres, el barcelons en Munich, el

londinense en Bruselas o el bostoniano enSydney, experimentan el dulce consuelo de

sentirse como en casa.

EJERCICIO I. 1. De qu se trata? 2. A las horaspunta hay mucho trfico. 3. Me duelen los rones.4. Aqu no venden nada que yo necesite. 5. No come

sino verduras.

EJERCICIO II.

1. He has treaded on my foot unwillingly.

sin querer.

2. There s room for nothing else in the boot of the car.

.. .. maletero del coche

3. l'm sorry, I don't know that street.

! esa calle.

4. / doubt that he has come.

5. At which station do I have to get off?

i ?

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14 Moments n which the man from Pars inLondon, the man from Barcelona n Munich,the man from London in Brussels or the manfrom Bostn in Sydney experience the sweet

consolation of feeling "like at home".

Correccin del ejercicio 1.1. What s it about? 2. During rush hoursthere s a lot of traffic. 3.1 feel pains n my kidney. 4. Here they don't

sell anything I need. 5. He eats nothing but vegetables.

Correccin del ejercicio II. 1. Me ha pisado - -. 2. En el ya nocabe nada ms. 3. Lo siento! no conozco .4. Dudo que haya

llegado. 5. En qu estacin tengo que bajarme?Lesson 12

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LECCIN TRECEA su salud! (1)1 Naranja: fruto del naranjo, de forma globosa, de

color entre amarillo y rojo, que estdividido en gajos, jugoso y de sabor

agridulce muy agradable.

2 Hubo un tiempo en el que exprimiendo unanaranja se obtena una bebida refrescante y

alimenticia.3 Ms tarde, chispeantes empresarios tuvieron la

dea, sin que para ello llegaran a estrujarse elcerebro, de envasar el zumo as obtenido. (2)4 Idea maravillosa puesto que, al mismo tiempo,

hasta los negocios podan hacerse jugosos. (3)5 As naci el zumo de naranja natural.

NOTES(1) A tu salud!: To your health.

Brindar: to drink to the health of someone.Brindemos a la salud de nuestro querido amigo, Carlos: Let'sdrink to the health of our beloved friend, Carlos.

Brindis: a toast to a person's health.(2) ... sin que para ello llegaran ... Here the subjunctive s

necessary again because we deny the existence of something(see lesson 12, note 5). Notice the use of the mperfect of the

subjunctive n a sentence where the verb of the main clauseis in the past.(3) Hasta or incluso los negocios...: even business.

Se ha comido hasta/incluso las migajas: He has eaten eventhe breadcrumbs.

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LESSON THIRTEEN

To your health!Orange: fruit of the orange-tree, globe-shaped,

its color ranges from yellow to red, t sdivided nto sections, juicy and with a

sweet and sour and very pleasanttaste.There was a time when squeezing an orange

one could get a refreshing and nutritious drink.Later on, bright enterpreneurs had the idea,without getting their brains squeezed for t, of

bottiing the juice obtained this way.Wonderful idea, since, at the same time, even

business could get profitable.This is how "natural" orange juice was born.

Lesson 13

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6 Los conservantes qumicos y las ligerasalteraciones del valor nutritivo y del sabor se

presentaban como la contrapartida que latcnica impona para que el consumidor

pudiera disponer de la bebida7 en cualquier momento, en cualquier lugar, en

cualquier estacin. (4)8 El siguiente paso fue lanzar al mercado, con

ms agua y menos naranja, y aadiendoburbujas para simular la vida que el productoya no tena, el refresco de naranja .9 Posteriormente, con sibilino arte, la materia

prima, la naranja, desaparece por completo yse comercializa el refresco con sabor a

naranja . (5)10 En ese estadio, slo el color del brebaje sigue

siendo naranja.11 La evaporacin del producto original se

compensa con alegres fotografas ycoloreados dibujos en los envases que

evocan, a los ojos del sediento consumidor, elprimitivo fruto.12 En ese momento, de la naranja misma, de su

dulzura, slo queda ya el recuerdo.

NOTES(4) Cualquiera: any. It always loses ts last M-a" when it s used

before nouns (feminine or masculine): cualquier peridico(any newspaper), cualquier bebida (any drink).(5) El sabor: favor, taste.

Sabor a algo: flavor of something.Este refresco tiene sabor a limn: This refreshment has

lemon flavor.Saber a algo: to have the taste/flavor of, to taste of somethingA qu sabe este queso?: What does this cheese taste of?

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6 The chemical preservatives and the lightchanges of the nutritive valu and of the taste

appeared as a compensation imposed by thetechnique that consumers could have the

drink7 at any time, at any place, at any season.

8 The next step was to launch nto the market -with more water and less orange, and adding

bubbles n order to simlate the life that theproduct already did not have - "the orange

refreshment".9 Later on, with sibylline art, the raw material,

the orange, disappears absolutely an