Spanish - Explaining a Problem

Lesson 135 of 159

Person on a laptop explaining a technical problem in Spanish; English learners practicing support phrases.

Goal: Describe a technical issue and ask for a fix

Free Spanish lessons with guided practice, audio, and speaking support.

Hi — ready to explain a problem clearly? This short lesson helps you describe what's going wrong and ask for help so someone can fix it fast. Keep it calm and clear — you'll sound like a confident problem-solver in Spanish.

Level B1: In this lesson you'll practice helpful phrases for explaining a problem (especially tech or account issues): saying what a system won't let you do, reporting an error, suggesting a possible cause, and asking if there's a way to fix it. These practical frames let you describe the situation, show it, and set a deadline — all useful for support chats or calls. CEFR-aligned phrasing but focused on everyday use.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Level B1: describe when and how a problem happens.
  • Give a possible reason and ask if there is a solution.
  • Offer to show the problem and explain urgency.
Two colleagues discussing a login error in Spanish; lesson focused on explaining a problem clearly.

Ready? Let's go!

When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

No me deja ___.

It won't let me ___.

Meaning: It won't let me ___.

When to use: Use this when an app, website, or device blocks an action (e.g., uploading, logging in).

Tip: Don't confuse with 'no puedo' (I can't) — 'no me deja' highlights that the system is preventing the action.

No me deja subir la foto.
It won't let me upload the photo.
No me deja iniciar sesión en mi cuenta.
It won't let me sign in to my account.

Me aparece un error cuando ___.

I'm getting an error when I ___.

Meaning: I'm getting an error when I ___.

When to use: Report a specific action that triggers an error message (payment, upload, save).

Me aparece un error cuando intento pagar.
I'm getting an error when I try to pay.
Me aparece un error cuando actualizo la app.
An error appears when I update the app.

El problema solo pasa cuando ___.

The problem only happens when ___.

Meaning: The problem only happens when ___.

When to use: Explain the condition that consistently triggers the issue (network, device, specific step).

Tip: Beginners sometimes say 'ocurre' or 'sucede' — those work, but 'pasa' sounds natural and simple.

El problema solo pasa cuando uso datos móviles.
The problem only happens when I use mobile data.
El problema solo pasa cuando intento adjuntar el archivo.
The problem only happens when I try to attach the file.

Creo que puede ser porque ___.

I think it might be because ___.

Meaning: I think it might be because ___.

When to use: Offer a possible reason when you suspect a cause (old version, wrong format, expired card).

Creo que puede ser porque la versión está desactualizada.
I think it might be because the version is outdated.
Creo que puede ser porque la contraseña tiene un carácter raro.
I think it might be because the password has a strange character.

Tal vez ingresé ___ mal.

I may have entered ___ incorrectly.

Meaning: I may have entered ___ incorrectly.

When to use: Admit you may have typed a code, password, or name incorrectly when troubleshooting.

Tip: Avoid putting 'mal' before the object; 'ingresé la contraseña mal' or 'ingresé mal la contraseña' both work—focus on clarity.

Tal vez ingresé la contraseña mal.
I may have entered the password incorrectly.
Tal vez ingresé mi número de teléfono mal.
I may have entered my phone number incorrectly.

¿Hay alguna forma de solucionarlo?

Is there a way to fix this?

Meaning: Is there a way to fix this?

When to use: Ask if the issue can be repaired or corrected, in support chats or in-person help.

¿Hay alguna forma de solucionarlo antes de la reunión?
Is there a way to fix this before the meeting?
¿Hay alguna forma de solucionarlo desde mi cuenta?
Is there a way to fix this from my account?

Necesito que esto quede arreglado para ___.

I need this fixed by ___.

Meaning: I need this fixed by ___.

When to use: Explain a deadline when the problem must be resolved (time, date, event).

Necesito que esto quede arreglado para mañana.
I need this fixed by tomorrow.
Necesito que esto quede arreglado para el viernes.
I need this fixed by Friday.

Primero ___ y luego ___.

First I ___, and then ___.

Meaning: First I ___, and then ___.

When to use: Describe the sequence you followed before the problem occurred (helps narrow the cause).

Primero abrí la app y luego intenté subir el archivo.
First I opened the app and then I tried to upload the file.
Primero actualicé el sistema y luego reinicié el teléfono.
First I updated the system and then I restarted the phone.

Te puedo mostrar qué pasa.

I can show you what happens.

Meaning: I can show you what happens.

When to use: Offer to demonstrate the problem (screen share or live), which often speeds up support.

Si quieres, te puedo mostrar qué pasa en mi pantalla.
If you want, I can show you what happens on my screen.
Te puedo mostrar qué pasa ahora con el error.
I can show you what happens now with the error.

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Anna contacts support about a payment error and offers to show the issue.

Close-up of a phone screen showing an error message while someone offers to show the issue in Spanish.

What does Anna offer to do?

Portrait of Anna in a Spanish lesson dialogue

Anna

Me aparece un error cuando intento pagar.

An error appears when I try to pay.

Portrait of David in a Spanish lesson dialogue

David

¿El problema pasa en Wi‑Fi o con datos móviles?

Does the problem happen on Wi‑Fi or with mobile data?

Portrait of Anna in a Spanish lesson dialogue

Anna

El problema solo pasa cuando uso datos móviles.

The problem only happens when I use mobile data.

Portrait of David in a Spanish lesson dialogue

David

Creo que puede ser porque la red está limitada. ¿Hay alguna forma de solucionarlo?

I think it might be because the network is restricted. Is there a way to fix this?

Portrait of Anna in a Spanish lesson dialogue

Anna

Te puedo mostrar qué pasa si quieres ver la pantalla.

I can show you what happens if you want to see the screen.

Portrait of David in a Spanish lesson dialogue

David

Perfecto. Necesito que esto quede arreglado para mañana, por favor.

Perfect. I need this fixed by tomorrow, please.

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

Which Spanish sentence asks "Is there a way to fix this?"

Which sentence means 'It won't let me upload the photo.'?

Which sentence says 'The problem only happens when I use mobile data.'?

Which sentence means 'I may have entered it incorrectly'?

I have a meeting at nine; I need this fixed by then.

Tengo una reunión a las 9; ___.

An error appears when I try to pay from the app.

Intenté pagar desde la app y ___ en pantalla.

If you prefer, I can show you what happens so you can see it.

Si prefiere, ____ para que lo vea.

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice

Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).

Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.

Say this phrase out loud:

No me deja ___.

It won't let me ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

Me aparece un error cuando ___.

I'm getting an error when I ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

El problema solo pasa cuando ___.

The problem only happens when ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

Creo que puede ser porque ___.

I think it might be because ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

Tal vez ingresé ___ mal.

I may have entered ___ incorrectly.

Say this phrase out loud:

¿Hay alguna forma de solucionarlo?

Is there a way to fix this?

Say this phrase out loud:

Necesito que esto quede arreglado para ___.

I need this fixed by ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

Primero ___ y luego ___.

First I ___, and then ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

Te puedo mostrar qué pasa.

I can show you what happens.