
Join Mark and Pablo for another Scenes episode!
Loading summary
Ben
Ben hadn't had a decent night's sleep in a month, so during one of his restless nights, he booked a package trip abroad on Expedia. When he arrived at his beachside hotel, he discovered a miraculous bed slung between two trees and fell into the best sleep of his life. You were made to be rechargeable. We were made to package flights and hotels and hammocks for less. Expedia made to travel.
Pablo
Scenes from the Coffee Break Spanish Cafe Lesson 3.
Elena
Hola. Todos Yemenidos a odro bisodio de sins. Yo soy Pablo y estoyaqui o y com.
Pablo
We're going to be looking at another scene from our cafe today. Some of our characters will return in future scenes, of course, but of course we'll also be meeting new characters, so I'm looking forward to see who comes into the cafe today.
Elena
Poirci, vamos.
Manuel
Como siempre, vamos. Hais cuchar texto primro, luego habla remos un poco de la gramatica del vocabulario.
Narrator
Scenes from the Coffee Break Spanish Cafe Capitulo tres y preparando todo paralos primeros cafes cuando entro una joven de unos treintanosento elabarra y me pedio un cafe colece y mediatorstada Conafete itomate le dado el telefono de Margarita, la muger de Antonio que se que alquilaba un piso en el BLE infrente justo de bajo de ancianos tan encantadores. Yayos les encantarate.
Pablo
Okay, another weather report to begin with. Let's take a look at it.
Elena
Que dia tan feo? No me gusta nada la yubia ni los dias grises.
Pablo
Okay, so que dia tan feo? Literally, what an ugly day. What a horrible day. We can use feo. Normally, we would use feo. Well, hopefully we wouldn't use feo too often when we're talking to people. But it means ugly.
Manuel
We could say que diata bonito.
Pablo
Okay, and then we've got an interesting thing, because I've got a question about this.
Manuel
Pablo, no me gustanada la juvia nilos dias grises.
Pablo
Okay, so I understand what it means. I don't like at all the rain or gray days. However, we've got two things here.
Elena
Se dos elementos.
Pablo
So why are we using a singular verb?
Elena
No me gusta nada yambas serian correctasare como en plural.
Pablo
Okay, so if we're writing this Albeit it's a written text in this sense, but both would work. So if we're writing it, theoretically, Gustan would be perhaps better. But if we're speaking it, then probably we would say gusta, because as you said, we don't know what's coming next. And if it were positive, let's say you were saying, I really like both the rain and Grade A's.
Elena
Merusta la yubia y los dias grises. Or me gustan la yubia y los dias grises. No me gusta la yuba.
Pablo
Okay, okay. But if, for example, we were saying.
Manuel
I don't know, me gustan lamento.
Elena
And plural.
Pablo
Okay, okay. So this is someone new. Manuel. Okay, well, it seems that Manuel has got something to do with the running.
Manuel
Of the establishment del local.
Elena
Si. El socio de Isabel y juntos Regentan el var.
Pablo
So they manage the bar together. He's the business partner.
Manuel
So esta manana e llegado antes que Manuel.
Pablo
I arrived before Manuel, who had to go and speak to some providers. Some. What's the word that we use?
Elena
Suppliers.
Pablo
Suppliers. That's the word we use. Thank you. Quick question.
Manuel
Esta manana e jegado antes que.
Pablo
Manuel, when do we use antes que and when do we use antes de?
Manuel
Could we have said.
Pablo
Okay, because I'm used to seeing, obviously.
Manuel
Antes de hacer algo.
Pablo
So there we've got antes de plus a verb in the infinitive in that situation. However, what you're suggesting is that in that situation, because we've got two different people arriving, we would actually need an imperfect subjunctive.
Manuel
Antes de que Manuel Tiagara.
Pablo
And that's when we need the de and the que.
Elena
Si parajem plo ellegado antes que mark.
Pablo
Okay, good. Right, so Manuel's off to speak to the suppliers. Wow.
Manuel
So estava yo yendo a cantaros.
Pablo
I used that expression last time. It was absolutely pouring. So it was raining seas. So it's like a jug. So it's raining jugs of water. So it was pouring when I arrived, about 6:45, quarter to 7 in the morning.
Elena
Perfecto. Estavaco lo cando las naranjas el amaquina de hacer sumo y preparando todo para los primeros cafes. Juando entro una joven de uno strenta.
Pablo
Okay, so first of all, what was our narrator doing?
Manuel
Estabaco lo cando las naranjas in la maquina dersumo.
Pablo
So this is one of these juice making Machines. I can see it with the curved sort of cage where the oranges go to make the orange. Okay, okay.
Manuel
Los primeros cafes and getting everything ready.
Pablo
For the first coffees that were going to be made.
Manuel
Cuando entro una joven de unustrainta.
Pablo
When a young woman of around 30 years old arrived or entered.
Manuel
Exacto.
Pablo
So we've got the imperfect tense interrupted.
Manuel
By the preterite here.
Pablo
I can't say that.
Elena
La pobre estava empapada.
Pablo
Okay.
Manuel
So she was carrying una mochila de.
Pablo
Piel marron, a brown leather bag, rucksack.
Manuel
Y una carpeta amarilla in la mano.
Pablo
And a yellow folder in her hand. Interesting. Okay.
Manuel
La pobre estaba empapada.
Pablo
She was absolutely drenched, soaked to the skin. Yeah, the poor thing. Where does it come from?
Elena
Del verbo en papar.
Pablo
That's like when you dunk bread in a sauce. So that's like when you swamp yourself in something. Nice. Excellent. That's a new one for me. Good, good.
Elena
Sesento elabarra y me pidio un cafe coleche y media tostada con hate y tomate querrico.
Manuel
So sesento en Navarra. She sat down at the bar con.
Pablo
Lezzi and she ordered a white coffee. It's not just a white coffee, but it's a delicious cafe con lezzi media.
Manuel
Tostada, conacete y tomate.
Pablo
And half a portion of a piece of toast with olive oil and tomato, and it's kind of like crushed toma. Absolutely delicious.
Elena
Perfecto. Que eligio.
Pablo
That is a. Do you know, it's almost a really good piece of advice for anyone thinking they want to practice. Sit at the bar and someone will talk to you.
Elena
Absolutely.
Pablo
And what we're talking about here is a bar, as in is like a higher seating area with stools. Not really a bar where necessarily you would be served a drink, but in this kind of cafe scenario, you would sit at the bar and you'll be served. Okay, so given that she sat down at the bar and then the.
Manuel
I understood que ria hablar conalgen that.
Pablo
She wanted to speak to someone, so I asked her how she was. Okay, we'll find out how she was in just a moment. We'll be back soon. In each episode of the scenes from the Coffee Break Cafe podcast, you'll enjoy listening to the story and our discussion of keywords and phrases from each chapter. But what if you could explore the language even further and take your learning to the next level? That's where The Scenes online course comes in. For every chapter. You'll get comprehensive lesson notes, a video version of the reading exercises, vocabulary, and even spotlight videos that help break down the key expressions and grammar points with additional examples. It's the perfect way to deepen your understanding and get even more from the story. To access this wealth of learning resources, visit coffeebreaklanguages.com scenes.
Advertiser 1
Listen up. You can get the new iPhone 16e with Apple Intelligence for just $49.99 when you switch to Boost Mobile. We pulled so many all nighters to give you this deal and hey, please stop messing with the mic.
Advertiser 2
I'm just helping us catch people's attention.
Pablo
This is a great deal.
Advertiser 1
Exactly, so it doesn't need all that.
Pablo
Fine.
Advertiser 1
Head to your nearest Boost Mobile store right now.
Pablo
Visit your nearest Boost Mobile store for full offer details. Apple Intelligence requires iOS 18.1 or later.
Advertiser 2
Restrictions apply.
Advertiser 3
Time for a sofa upgrade. Visit washablesofas.com and discover Annabe where designer style meets budget friendly prices with sofas starting at $699, Annabe brings you the ultimate in furniture innovation with a modular design that allows you to rearrange your space effortlessly. Perfect for both small and large spaces, Anibe is the only machine washable sofa inside and out. Say goodbye to stains and messes with liquid and stain resistant fabrics that make cleaning easy. Liquid simply slides right off. Designed for custom comfort, our high resilience foam lets you choose between a sink and feel or a supportive memory foam blend. Plus our pet friendly stain resistant fabrics ensure your sofa stays beautiful for years. Don't compromise quality. For price. Visit washablesofas.com to upgrade your living space today with no risk returns and a 30 day money back guarantee. Get up to 60% off plus free shipping and free returns. Shop now at washablesofas.com Offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.
Advertiser 2
Life is a workout and Smoothie King is here to help you power through. Whether you're crushing morning miles or sprinting through back to back meetings. Give your body the energy, protein and power it needs to help you conquer your goals. Only at Smoothie King.
Pablo
Okay, so we've got this new person visiting the bar today. A young woman who is. Well, she's carrying a yellow folder and she's got a brown leather rucksacko.
Elena
Mysterioso todo.
Pablo
Let's find out.
Elena
Por el acento savilla que nuera de aqui.
Manuel
Okay, so por el acento.
Pablo
We always think of por immediately as meaning for it's like one of those two words that mean for. But very often por doesn't mean for.
Elena
No. Y aguas una de casas exacto.
Pablo
So because of. Or maybe even from.
Elena
Or by indica causa en este caso.
Pablo
Exactly.
Manuel
Yeah.
Pablo
So because of her accent, savilla que.
Manuel
No era de aqui.
Pablo
I knew that she wasn't from here. And what's interesting here is that we've got two verbs, savilla and era, and they're both imperfects. They could potentially both be in the third person. But we know from the context, from the narrator, they're saying, I knew that she wasn't from here. If the narrator really wanted to reinforce this.
Manuel
Okay, so su nomore era Elena.
Pablo
Her name was Elena. So she has just arrived.
Manuel
Paracubrir una vaja de maternidad to cover.
Pablo
A maternity leave en el instituto de Allado at the school next door.
Manuel
So bacha on its own. We're talking about una bach ha de matenidad.
Pablo
But how would you translate bacha on its own?
Elena
A maternity leave leave.
Pablo
Yeah. Okay, so it's leave, and therefore it could be a sickness leave. A sickness leave.
Elena
Una baja por enfermedar.
Pablo
Okay, so. And then we've got another por. Good, let's continue.
Elena
Es professora delengua espanola y literatura Yen su sojos pudeber la mes cla de illusion. E in seguridad de las primeras veces.
Manuel
So es professora delengua espanola y literatura.
Pablo
So she is a teacher of Spanish language and literature. Interesting.
Manuel
The lengua espanola y literatura not de.
Elena
Lengua y literatura tamien sedice, seguen de sirambas.
Pablo
Both would work, I suppose, here perhaps it's not just Spanish literature. It's maybe literature from other places too.
Elena
Claro, Same yensu sojos.
Pablo
And in her eyes, I was able to see kind of at that moment, I was able to see la mescla de illusion, the mix of excitement and insecurity de las primeras bethes of the first times or the first experiences of. Or that kind of new job situation.
Elena
Okay, a empezado adar classes. Pero estabus cando piso por el barrio.
Manuel
Okay, so aun no a empezado adar classes.
Pablo
So she's not yet started to literally to give classes to teach.
Manuel
Pero estabuscan dopiso por el barrio.
Pablo
But she's looking for a flat in the area, the neighborhood.
Elena
Yaqui al por indica al rededor round or long? Organizarce. Bien.
Pablo
This is interesting. Okay. And she's come to, I guess, to meet the teacher that she is going to substitute replace parapedir le consejo to ask her for advice and to get organized and to get ourselves organized. Let's come back to a la que va a sustituir. Can we break that down and think more? How would you say I am going to substitute the teacher?
Elena
Voya sustituir a la profesora.
Manuel
So we need the a in there.
Pablo
Because the professora is a person.
Manuel
So boya sustituir a la profesora.
Pablo
So the teacher a quien or a.
Manuel
La que a la que va assistui. So we could say la professora a.
Pablo
Quien ba a sustir. Okay, that's good to know.
Elena
Muy bien.
Pablo
Okay.
Elena
Parece muy buena chica.
Pablo
She seems a really nice girl.
Manuel
Okay.
Pablo
Right.
Manuel
So le telefono de Margarita.
Pablo
I gave her Margarita's phone number.
Manuel
La mujer de Antonio. So Margarita is the wife of Antonio.
Pablo
And we've met Antonio before, playing cards.
Elena
Una de los chicos de oro.
Pablo
See?
Manuel
Que se que al quilava un piso en el BLE de infrente.
Pablo
So we're talking about Margarita, whom I know is renting a flat in el.
Manuel
Bloqui de infrente, in the block of flats opposite Justo de bajo de su.
Pablo
Casa, just underneath her house. The sece in there throws us a little because it doesn't seem to work in. But actually, in English, we do exactly the same. The same thing. Oh, I know that something is the case.
Elena
Yeah, exacto. Seguro que biene vientener cerca aesta pareja de ancianos, Stan Encantadores ya ellos les encantara tener auna professora Joven al quilandoles el piso.
Pablo
Okay. Quite a long sentence there. So Seguro came.
Ben
Like.
Pablo
It's funny because she's not saying. I'm sure that but surely is so common. Seguro que? And then following it with whatever the statement is. So surely it will do her good to have that pair of delightful older people nearby. And to them it will enchant having a young teacher renting the flat from them. So they'll be delighted to have a young teacher. I think it helps.
Elena
Mark.
Pablo
Yeah. Well, does it suit you? Would that be good for you? Yeah, it's not good for me. Okay. And Encantador, it's the same. It's linked to Menkanda. And so.
Manuel
And I just think.
Pablo
I think it's a lovely word because it does have this enchanting meaning, but obviously that's taking it a little further in English than than just encantar.
Manuel
See.
Pablo
Okay, let's listen again to the whole text and then hopefully now everything will make sense.
Narrator
Scenes from the Coffee Break Spanish Cafe Capitulo estabacando las naranjas el amakina de hacertumo y preparando todo para los primeros cafes cuandro una unos treintanos yebaba una mochila de piel maron una carpeta amarilla el amano la pobrestava empapada sesento elabarra in epidio un cafe colece es professora de lengua, espanola y literatura y en susojos pudeber la mescla de illusion e inseuridad de las primeras bethes ahun noa empezado adar classes. Pero estabus can no piso por el barrio y avenido a conocer a la profesora a la queba leedado el telefono de Margarita, la mujer de Antonio que se que al quilaba un piso en el BLE justo de al quilandoles el piso.
Manuel
Pues est hus todo poroy.
Pablo
That is it for chapter three of our story. We hope that you're enjoying this. Let us know if you are enjoying this. You can contact us by emailing teamoffeebreak Languages. Or of course you can leave a review on your favorite podcast site. This is just part of the Scenes from the Coffee Break Cafe experience because we also offer a course where you can access lesson notes, vocabulary exercises, a video version of the story, and lots more. You can find that@coffeebreaklanguages.com scenes and also.
Elena
Remember that you can also subscribe to our free newsletter so that you can boost your language skills. Just remember to Access this via cofibrexspanish.com and that's it. Super facil no super fatil.
Pablo
Yeah, you can sign up there. We will be back soon with the next chapter. For now you have been listening to a copy Break Languages Production for the Radiolingua Network. Copyright 2025 Radiolingua Limited Recording Copyright 2025 Radiolingua Limited all rights reserved.
Advertiser 4
Gas, Groceries, Eating out. It all adds up fast with the Verizon Visa card you get every time you spend. Get 4% in rewards on gas, dining and at grocery stores and you can put those rewards toward your Verizon bill or on new tech like a smartwatch and earbuds. Apply today at Verizon. Application required. Subject to credit approval. Must be a Verizon Mobile account owner or manager or FIOS account owner. See verizon.com Verizon Visa card for terms and restrictions. The Verizon Visa Signature Card is issued by Synchrony bank pursuant to a license from Visa usa.
Pablo
Incident.
Podcast Summary: Coffee Break Spanish - CBS Scenes 1.03 | Sustituta Busca Piso
Episode Information
In episode 1.03 of Coffee Break Spanish, titled Sustituta Busca Piso, listeners are immersed in the vibrant setting of a local café where new interactions and language lessons unfold. The episode seamlessly blends storytelling with practical Spanish language instruction, making it an engaging learning experience for beginners.
The episode continues the narrative of employees managing the café, introducing new characters and scenarios that provide context for language learning.
Narrative Overview:
The café is bustling as the narrator prepares the first coffees of the day. Suddenly, a young woman in her thirties enters, drenched from the rain, carrying a brown leather rucksack and a yellow folder. She seeks assistance in finding a flat in the neighborhood, leading to interactions that illustrate practical Spanish conversations.
Notable Quote:
[09:25] Manuel: "Estabaco lo cando las naranjas en la maquina de hacer sumo y preparando todo para los primeros cafes cuandro una joven de uno strenta..."
(Translation: "I was juicing the oranges in the juice-making machine and preparing everything for the first coffees when a young woman in her thirties entered...")
Throughout the episode, the hosts delve into various aspects of Spanish grammar and vocabulary, using the story as a practical example.
Weather Expressions:
The hosts discuss expressions related to weather, emphasizing the use of adjectives and verb agreement.
Notable Quote:
[04:24] Elena: "Que dia tan feo? No me gusta nada la yubia ni los dias grises."
(Translation: "What an ugly day? I don't like the rain or gray days.")
Discussion: Pablo explains the use of "feo" (ugly) and contrasts it with "bonito" (beautiful), highlighting proper verb agreement when expressing likes and dislikes with multiple elements.
Verb Usage – "Antes de" vs. "Antes que":
The conversation moves to the correct usage of "antes de" and "antes que" in different contexts, especially when dealing with multiple subjects.
Notable Quote:
[07:43] Manuel: "Esta manana e jegado antes que..."
(Translation: "This morning I arrived before...")
Discussion: Pablo clarifies when to use "antes de" followed by an infinitive and "antes que" requiring a subjunctive mood, enhancing understanding of temporal expressions.
Descriptive Vocabulary:
The episode introduces descriptive words to convey emotions and states, such as "empapada" (drenched) and "misteriosa" (mysterious), enriching the listener's vocabulary.
Notable Quote:
[11:13] Manuel: "La pobre estaba empapada."
(Translation: "The poor thing was drenched.")
The episode deepens the storyline by introducing new characters and their motivations, providing context for language practice.
Introduction of Elena:
A young woman named Elena arrives at the café seeking a temporary substitute teaching position while looking for a flat in the area. Her interactions with the café staff serve as practical scenarios for conversational Spanish.
Notable Quote:
[18:56] Elena: "Es professora del inglés español y literatura..."
(Translation: "She is a teacher of Spanish language and literature...")
Discussion: The hosts dissect her introduction, focusing on job-related vocabulary and sentence structure, aiding learners in understanding professional contexts.
Social Dynamics:
The dynamic between the younger Elena and the older, delightful elderly couple who own the flat emphasizes cultural nuances and respectful address in Spanish.
Notable Quote:
[22:31] Elena: "Seguro que bienen cerca a esta pareja de ancianos encantadores, ya ellos les encantara tener a una profesora joven al que alquilarles el piso."
(Translation: "Surely it will be good for this delightful elderly couple to have a young teacher renting their flat.")
Discussion: Pablo highlights the use of "seguro que" (surely) in making confident statements and the cultural aspect of intergenerational relationships in Spanish-speaking societies.
As the episode wraps up, the hosts encourage listeners to engage further with the content through additional resources.
Additional Learning Tools:
Listeners are invited to explore The Scenes online course, which offers comprehensive lesson notes, video exercises, vocabulary lists, and spotlight videos that delve deeper into key expressions and grammar points.
Notable Quote:
[27:24] Pablo: "That is it for chapter three of our story. We hope that you're enjoying this. Let us know if you are enjoying this."
Engagement and Feedback:
The hosts prompt listeners to provide feedback via email or podcast reviews, fostering a community of learners and encouraging continuous improvement.
Notable Quote:
[27:26] Pablo: "You can contact us by emailing team@coffeebreaklanguages.com or of course you can leave a review on your favorite podcast site."
Practical Language Use: The episode effectively integrates storytelling with language instruction, providing real-life contexts for vocabulary and grammar lessons.
Interactive Learning: Through character interactions and host discussions, listeners gain insights into proper sentence structures, verb conjugations, and descriptive language.
Cultural Insights: The narrative offers glimpses into social dynamics and cultural practices within Spanish-speaking communities, enhancing cultural competence alongside language skills.
Episode 1.03 of Coffee Break Spanish offers a rich blend of engaging storytelling and practical language lessons, making it an invaluable resource for beginners aiming to build their Spanish proficiency. By following the adventures of the café staff and their guests, learners are exposed to authentic conversational scenarios, enhancing both their linguistic abilities and cultural understanding.
For those looking to deepen their Spanish skills, exploring The Scenes online course is highly recommended, providing structured lessons and comprehensive resources to complement the podcast experience.
Enjoyed this summary? Subscribe to Coffee Break Spanish and continue your language journey with engaging stories and expert guidance!