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Lesson 228 of 238

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If I can jump in in Spanish

The shop meeting is short, but everyone has a point to add. You’ll learn how to enter politely, return to an earlier issue, and hand the floor back.

These chunks help you sound organized without taking over. You’ll also practice interrupting carefully and closing a discussion.

Yako has something mysterious nearby, but today’s problem is ordinary: a supplier contact, a missed interruption, and an empty tin.

By the end of this lesson

Take one turn in a meeting, return to a point, and close the discussion politely.

  • Si me permitenIf I may
  • Retomo lo de ___Coming back to ___
  • Para cerrar, ___To close, ___
  • ¿Algún comentario?Any comments?
  • Te cedo la palabraGo ahead
  • Perdón, te interrumpíSorry, I cut you off

Scene — a short shop meeting

In the back room of a small shop near Café Laurel, Michael has called a quick meeting with Justin and Yako.

A supplier contact is still unresolved, and Michael has locked an empty tin while Yako keeps a mysterious object safe.

Michael leads a quick back-room shop meeting with Justin and an unnamed supplier representative while an empty tin is locked and a mysterious wrapped object rests safely in a small locked box.

Learn — take the floor

These expressions belong in meetings and group conversations, especially when several people need to speak.

Notice how each chunk manages the flow: entering, returning, inviting, yielding, apologizing, or closing.

  1. Michael raises one hand politely to request permission to begin the meeting.

    Si me permiten

    If I may

    When to use it: Use this polite opener when you want to enter a group discussion or add a point.

    It is plural and respectful, even when you are speaking informally with the people present.

    Say it: See meh pehr-MEE-tehn.

  2. Michael points back toward the unresolved supplier matter and the secured object on the table.

    Retomo lo de ___

    Coming back to ___

    When to use it: Use this to bring the group back to a topic that was mentioned earlier.

    Retomo means I return to; learn the whole chunk before adding the topic.

    Say it: Reh-TOH-moh loh deh.

  3. Michael makes a firm closing gesture over the table as he brings the meeting toward its conclusion.

    Para cerrar, ___

    To close, ___

    When to use it: Use this signpost when you are giving the final point or wrapping up a discussion.

    The comma marks a pause before your conclusion, summary, or final decision.

    Say it: PAH-rah seh-RRAR.

  4. Michael opens both hands toward the others to invite comments.

    ¿Algún comentario?

    Any comments?

    When to use it: Ask this after presenting a point when you want others to respond.

    Algún is masculine here because comentario is masculine; the accent keeps the stress clear.

    Say it: AHL-goon koh-mehn-TAH-ryoh.

  5. Michael turns toward Justin and gestures for him to take the floor.

    Te cedo la palabra

    Go ahead

    When to use it: Use this to formally give another person the floor after you finish your point.

    Literally, you yield the word; it sounds organized and slightly more formal than adelante.

    Say it: Teh SEH-doh lah pah-LAH-brah.

  6. Justin lifts an apologetic hand after interrupting Michael, while Michael pauses and listens.

    Perdón, te interrumpí

    Sorry, I cut you off

    When to use it: Say this when you realize that you spoke while someone else was still talking.

    Interrumpí is the preterite form for I interrupted, so it refers to one completed interruption.

    Say it: Pehr-DON, teh een-teh-room-PEE.

Story — one point at a time

Watch how a short meeting moves forward without anyone dominating it. The highlighted chunks show polite control of the floor.

Justin takes one turn, notices an interruption, and gives the conversation back. Turn on Show English if you need it.

  1. Late afternoon: Michael opens the back room, where an empty tin sits locked on a shelf.
  2. MichaelGracias por venir. La junta será breve.Thanks for coming. The meeting will be brief.
  3. MichaelPrimero, revisemos el contacto del proveedor.First, let’s review the supplier contact.
  4. MichaelAdelante, Yako. ¿Tú tienes el contacto del proveedor?Go ahead, Yako. Do you have the supplier’s contact?
  5. YakoSí, pero Justin quiere agregar algo.Yes, but Justin wants to add something.
  6. JustinSi me permiten, propongo confirmar el correo hoy.If I may, I suggest confirming the email today.
  7. MichaelClaro. ¿Algún comentario sobre el plazo?Sure. Any comments about the deadline?
  8. JustinRetomo lo del proveedor: falta confirmar la fecha.Coming back to the supplier matter: we still need to confirm the date.
  9. YakoPerdón, te interrumpí. La fecha está en mi libreta.Sorry, I cut you off. The date is in my notebook.
  10. JustinNo pasa nada. Te cedo la palabra.It’s fine. Go ahead.
  11. YakoLa fecha es el jueves, pero falta el correo.The date is Thursday, but the email is still missing.
  12. MichaelPara cerrar, confirmamos ambos datos hoy.To close, we’ll confirm both details today.
  13. Michael¿Quedó claro?Is that clear?
  14. JustinSí, eso es todo por mi parte.Yes, that’s all from my side.
  15. Michael checks the locked empty tin; Yako quietly keeps the mysterious object out of sight.

Practice — join and close

You’ll identify meanings, rebuild chunks, fill a gap, and choose the right meeting move.

Listen for the difference between inviting someone to speak and apologizing for interrupting them.

0 of 10 done

  1. What did you hear?

  2. Match the pairs

    Spanish

    Retomo lo de ___Drop the English here
    ¿Algún comentario?Drop the English here
    ¿Quedó claro?Drop the English here

    English

    Drag an English line onto its Spanish, or tap one and then the other.

  3. What do you say?

    You want to add a point politely while Michael is leading the meeting.

  4. What did you hear?

  5. What does it mean?

    ¿Algún comentario?

  6. What do you say?

    You have finished your point and want Yako to speak next.

  7. True or false?

    This line apologizes for interrupting someone a moment ago.

  8. What did you hear?

  9. What did you hear?

  10. True or false?

    This is a line from an earlier lesson.

Say it — take your turn

Now take Justin’s role in the same meeting. Enter once, return to the supplier point, yield the floor, and close your part.

Tap ▶ to hear each model line, then tap the microphone. Your recording stays on your device.

  1. MichaelEstamos revisando el contacto del proveedor.We’re reviewing the supplier contact.
  2. Justin (you)Ask to add your point politely.

    Si me permiten

    If I may

0 of 5 said

Recap — what you can say now

SpanishEnglish
Si me permitenIf I may
Retomo lo de ___Coming back to ___
Para cerrar, ___To close, ___
¿Algún comentario?Any comments?
Te cedo la palabraGo ahead
Perdón, te interrumpíSorry, I cut you off
Next: lesson 229Let me clear that up

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Keep practicing with Yak Cards

Keep these meeting chunks handy with Yak Cards.

Review one meeting move at a time, then practice handing the floor back naturally.

Open Yak Cards