Answering the phone is an everyday occurrence. But the rules of phone etiquette in English don’t exactly work in another language.
When you make a phone call in Spanish, the language you tend to use is more direct. If you translate literally to English it may feel rude. But, it isn’t for a Spanish person.
In today’s Spanish podcast we look at the typical phrases that are used to answer a phone call, to pass the phone to someone else, the kinds of questions you should ask and how to end a conversation.
My good friend Laura joins the podcast again for another week to assist with the Spanish phone call role-play. Laura, actually plays the role of her mum and herself to demonstrate passing the phone from one person to another.
The phone call role-play is about a plan to organise an evening at the movies and it occurs between friends.
At the start of theory podcast we also cover some of the other phrases that get used in more formal contexts such as answering the phone in a business setting.
If you are having trouble understanding the Spanish section of the podcast or if you would like to get more out of the podcasts and take your Spanish to next level you can get access to the Spanish podcast transcripts and English translations here.
Examples from the episode:
Tell me – Dime. (use only if you know who is calling)
Yes – ¿Sí? (most common)
Tell me – ¿Diga? o ¿Dígame? (most formal)
I will pass you to her – Te la paso.
It is passed – Se pone.
Bowling – Bolera.
Shall we go the day after tomorrow? (Past tomorrow) – ¿Vamos pasado mañana?
They say – Dicen.
Okay a kiss – Vale un beso. (Used with friends)
Until later – Hasta luego. (Used with friends)
Goodbye – Adiós. (Formal)
Right, okay – Venga, vale.
Let’s go – Vamos.
Okay, come on, let’s go – Venga, vale, vamos.
What else do you know about phone etiquette in Spanish?
Podcast: Play in new window
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