In this Spanish lesson we will practice asking permission in Spanish. As usual, first we will review some relevant grammar and vocabulary and then see if you can follow a short listening.

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Here are some example structures of how to ask permission in Spanish:

¿Puedo ….?: Can I …?
¿Puedo abrir la ventana?: Can I open the window?

¿Podría ….?: Could I…?
¿Podría abrir la ventana?: Could I open the window?

¿Me permite/s…?: Do you allow me to….?
¿Me permite/s abrir la ventana?: Do you allow me to open the window?

¿Te/le importa…? Do you mind ….?
¿Te/le importa abrir la ventana?: Do you mind opening the window?

¿Te/le importaría…? Would you mind…?
¿Te/le importaría abrir la ventana?: Would you mind opening the window?

Let’s test your listening comprehension and see if you can understand a short audio in Spanish. The transcript to the audio will be given at the end of the post but please try not to look at it until you have tried playing and understanding the audio a few times.

Please familiarise yourself with the following words and phrases before listening to the audio below:

Sed: Thirst
Profe: Teacher (Profesor/Profesora)
Baño: Toilet/Bathroom

Now play the audio to listen a conversation between a teacher and a student. Can you understand what they are saying? Play the audio a few times before you look at the transcript. Don’t worry if you don’t understand every single thing the two people are saying. Try to catch whichever words you can and then try to piece things together to work out what is being said.

(Play the audio a few times before you scroll down and look at the transcript)

Transcript:

Robert: ¡Profe!
Profesora: Dime Robert
Robert:¿Puedo ir al baño?
Profesora: No, ahora no. Espera a que terminemos la clase.
Robert:¿Le importaría repetir profe? No he entendido bien.
Profesora: Digo que tienes que esperar. Luego vas al baño, después de la clase. ¿Me permites que continúe con la clase?
Robert: Sí claro profe.
Profesora: Gracias Robert.
Robert: Otra cosa profe.
Profesora: A ver.
Robert: ¿Puedo ir a comprar una botella de agua?
Profesora: ¿Qué?
Robert: Tengo mucha sed.
Profesora: No, Robert. No te permito ir a comprar agua. Tienes que quedarte aquí hasta que terminemos.
Robert:¿Le importa repetir profe? No he entendido bien.
Profesora: Ay Robert. Tienes que estudiar más. No entiendes nada.

So, how did you get on? How much did you understand of the listening? Please let me know in the comments section below…

Don’t worry if you didn’t understand that much, keep reviewing the vocabulary and phrases and you will soon be up to speed and ready for the next lesson in this course. See you next time!