New here? This is lesson 225 of a free 238-lesson Spanish course.
Free Spanish CourseLesson 225 of 238
In your shoes, I'd wait in Spanish
Megan has a job decision, but Justin knows better than to hand down a simple verdict.
You'll learn how to give advice that depends on the person's situation, urge patience, and admit when they know more than you do.
The card mystery stays in the background while Michael guards an empty tin.
By the end of this lesson
Give conditional advice while recognizing that the other person may know more.
- En tu caso, yo ___In your case, I'd ___
- No te precipitesDon't rush it
- Tú sabes más que yo de ___You know more than I do about ___
- Yo no me meteríaI wouldn't get involved
- Pero si te late, hazloBut if you're up for it, do it
Scene — advice over coffee
Late afternoon at Café Laurel, after the rush. Megan has an offer on the table, but she is unsure whether accepting it now would be wise.
A small locked tin sits near Michael's register, and Yako's chair is empty today.
Learn — careful advice
These five chunks let you sound helpful without pretending your opinion is universal.
You'll say what you'd do in their shoes, slow someone down, and leave room for their experience.
En tu caso, yo ___
In your case, I'd ___
When to use it: Use this to offer advice based on the other person's particular circumstances, not as a universal rule.
The blank takes an infinitive or another natural action phrase; learn the opening as one piece.
Say it: Keep yo light, and stress CA-so.
No te precipites
Don't rush it
When to use it: Say this when someone may make a poor decision by acting before checking the situation.
This is tú advice and sounds firm but generally concerned, not automatically rude.
Say it: Pre-ci-pi-tes has stress on pi: preh-see-PEE-tehs.
Tú sabes más que yo de ___
You know more than I do about ___
When to use it: Use this to defer to someone's greater knowledge in a specific area.
De is followed by the topic, and the phrase politely limits your authority.
Say it: Link más que yo smoothly: mahs-keh-yoh.
Yo no me metería
I wouldn't get involved
When to use it: Say this when you would avoid entering a risky, complicated, or unnecessary situation.
The conditional metería makes this personal advice rather than a direct command.
Say it: Stress the final í in metería: meh-teh-REE-ah.
Pero si te late, hazlo
But if you're up for it, do it
When to use it: Use this to support someone's choice after acknowledging that your advice is only one perspective.
Te late is casual Mexican Spanish for liking an idea or feeling up for it.
Say it: In hazlo, the z sounds like s in Mexico: AS-loh.
Story — Megan's job decision
Megan asks Justin what he thinks about taking a new job. Listen for advice that stays personal instead of pretending to be a final answer.
The highlighted lines are today's chunks; Show English can help if the details move quickly.
- Late afternoon settles over Café Laurel. Megan has a printed offer beside her coffee.
- MeganMe ofrecieron un puesto, pero no sé si aceptarlo ya.They offered me a position, but I don't know whether to accept it now.
JustinDepende. ¿Qué sabes del horario y del equipo?It depends. What do you know about the schedule and the team?- MeganEl horario me conviene, pero todavía no conozco bien al equipo.The schedule works for me, but I still don't know the team well.
- JustinEn tu caso, yo esperaría antes de responder.In your case, I'd wait before responding.
- Megan¿Tanto así? Me preocupa perder la oportunidad.Really? I'm worried about losing the opportunity.
- JustinNo te precipites; todavía puedes pedir más información.Don't rush it; you can still ask for more information.
- MeganTú trabajaste en algo parecido, ¿no?You worked in something similar, right?
- JustinSí, pero tú sabes más que yo de este sector.Yes, but you know more than I do about this field.
- MeganTambién estoy pensando en asociarme con mi primo.I'm also thinking about going into business with my cousin.
- JustinYo no me metería sin un acuerdo claro por escrito.I wouldn't get involved without a clear written agreement.
- Michael quietly locks the empty tin and checks the register twice.
- Megan¿Te late si acepto el puesto y sigo con lo de mi primo?Are you up for it if I accept the position and continue with my cousin?
- JustinYo que tú, esperaría; pero si te late, hazlo.If I were you, I'd wait; but if you're up for it, do it.
- MeganVa, primero voy a preguntar por el equipo.Okay, first I'll ask about the team.
Practice — weigh the options
Practice moves from recognition to judgment: identify the advice, match the nuance, and choose the response that fits Megan's situation.
Watch how small words change the force of each suggestion.
0 of 10 done
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
Match the pairs
Spanish
En tu caso, yo ___Drop the English hereTú sabes más que yo de ___Drop the English here¿Te late?Drop the English hereYo que tú, ___Drop the English hereEnglish
What do you say?
What do you say?
Megan has not learned enough about the new team, so advise her to wait before answering.
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
In your case, I'd ___
En tu ____, yo ___
Pick the reply
Megan says:
Pick the reply
Tú trabajaste en algo parecido, ¿no?
You worked in something similar, right?
And you reply with:
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
Pero si te late, hazlo
What do you say?
What do you say?
Megan is considering a partnership with her cousin, but there is no written agreement.
True or false?
True or false?
This line admits that the other person may know more about the topic.
Build the line
Build the line
I wouldn't get involved
Tap the words in order.
What do you say?
What do you say?
Megan says she is ready to decide, but you would wait in her situation.
Say it — give your take
Now take Justin's side in a short conversation with Megan. Give advice, then soften it by recognizing that she knows her own field better.
Tap ▶ to hear each model line, then tap the microphone to record. Your recording stays on your device.
- MeganMe ofrecieron un puesto nuevo, pero no conozco bien al equipo.They offered me a new position, but I don't know the team well.
- Justin (you)Say what you would do in her situation.
Say what you would do in her situation.
En tu caso, yo ___
In your case, I'd ___
0 of 5 said
Recap — what you can say now
| Spanish | English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| En tu caso, yo ___ | In your case, I'd ___ | |
| No te precipites | Don't rush it | |
| Tú sabes más que yo de ___ | You know more than I do about ___ | |
| Yo no me metería | I wouldn't get involved | |
| Pero si te late, hazlo | But if you're up for it, do it |
Save your progress — it’s free
Keep your place in the course and see which lines you’ve learned.
Want the next lesson in your inbox?
Get the next lesson by email, one a day.
Join the newsletterDaily lesson emails are coming soon. Newsletter subscribers get them first.
Keep practicing with Yak Cards
Keep practicing thoughtful advice with the Yak Cards for this lesson.
Review how to give an opinion without pretending you know everything.
Open Yak Cards