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Lesson 36 of 238

New here? This is lesson 36 of a free 238-lesson Spanish course.

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I forgot, and I'm late. in Spanish

Justin reaches Café Laurel late for a tasting with Michael. Then he checks his pocket: his wallet isn't there.

You'll learn to explain forgotten things, small injuries, broken objects, and why you can't pay. These lines help when a day doesn't go as planned.

Michael has forgotten something too, and an empty recipe tin isn't helping.

By the end of this lesson

Explain that you forgot something, hurt yourself, are running late, or can't pay.

  • Se me olvidó ___I forgot ___
  • Me lastimé ___I hurt my ___
  • ___ está rotoThe ___ is broken
  • Voy tardeI'm running late
  • No puedo pagarI can't pay
  • Está demasiado ___It's too ___

Scene — Trouble at the café door

It's morning at the door of Café Laurel. Justin arrives late for a tasting and searches his pockets for his wallet.

Michael holds an empty recipe tin with a broken latch. Neither man's morning is going smoothly.

Justin searches his pockets at the café entrance while Michael holds an open, empty recipe tin with a broken latch.

Learn — Explain what went wrong

There are six lines to learn. Tap ▶ and say each one aloud.

For lines with a blank, use the example to explain a real problem.

  1. Justin turns out his empty pockets with a sudden expression of realization while Michael waits with the empty tin.

    Se me olvidó ___

    I forgot ___

    When to use it: Explain that you forgot something, such as your wallet.

    Learn it as one piece: Se me olvidó la cartera means I forgot my wallet.

  2. Michael winces and cradles a sore finger beside the recipe tin’s broken latch while Justin looks concerned.

    Me lastimé ___

    I hurt my ___

    When to use it: Tell someone which part of your body you hurt.

    Use el dedo for your finger: Me lastimé el dedo.

  3. Michael points out the visibly broken latch on his open, empty recipe tin to Justin.

    ___ está roto

    The ___ is broken

    When to use it: Point out a broken object, such as a latch.

    Use a masculine object here, like el cierre: El cierre está roto.

  4. Justin hurries through the café doorway while checking his wristwatch as Michael waits beside the prepared tasting table.

    Voy tarde

    I'm running late

    When to use it: Explain that you're behind schedule.

  5. Justin gestures apologetically toward his empty pockets and a waiting payment terminal while Michael watches.

    No puedo pagar

    I can't pay

    When to use it: Explain that you can't make a payment.

  6. Michael recoils from a steaming tasting cup and fans his mouth while Justin watches.

    Está demasiado ___

    It's too ___

    When to use it: Explain that something is too hot, cold, or otherwise unsuitable.

    Está demasiado caliente means it's too hot, not just very hot.

Story — Two people, two forgotten things

Watch how Justin explains his missing wallet and Michael reveals his own problem.

The highlights show your new lines. Use Show English to check their meanings.

  1. JustinVoy tarde.I'm running late.
  2. MichaelNo te preocupes.Don't worry.
  3. Justin checks his empty wallet pocket.
  4. JustinSe me olvidó la cartera. No puedo pagar.I forgot my wallet. I can't pay.
  5. MichaelTengo un problema.I've got a problem.
  6. Michael pats the empty tin where he usually keeps the house recipe card.
  7. MichaelSe me olvidó dónde está la receta.I forgot where the recipe is.
  8. Justin tries the tin's damaged latch and pinches his finger.
  9. JustinMe lastimé el dedo.I hurt my finger.
  10. MichaelEl cierre está roto.The latch is broken.
  11. Justin reaches for his tasting cup, then pulls his hand away.
  12. JustinEstá demasiado caliente.It's too hot.
  13. MichaelUn momento, por favor.Just a moment, please.

Practice — Find the right explanation

Try ten exercises about small mishaps. You'll listen, match, choose, and build.

Keep trying or use the skip button. Each explanation helps you understand the answer.

0 of 10 done

  1. What did you hear?

  2. Match the pairs

    Spanish

    Se me olvidó ___Drop the English here
    Me lastimé ___Drop the English here
    ___ está rotoDrop the English here

    English

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

  3. What do you say?

    You're behind schedule for the café tasting. Tell Michael you're running late.

  4. What does it mean?

    Está demasiado ___

  5. What do you say?

    Your wallet is safe at home, but you forgot to bring it. Choose the line for forgetting something.

  6. True or false?

    This line says you have a problem without explaining exactly what it is.

  7. What does it mean?

    No te preocupes

  8. What do you say?

    The tin's latch has snapped. Choose the line that describes a broken object.

  9. Fill the gap

    I can't pay

    No puedo ____

  10. Build the line

    I'm running late

    Tap the words in order.

Say it — Tell Michael the problem

Play Justin at the café door. You speak first, and Michael responds.

Tap the microphone to answer or ▶ for the model. Your recording stays on your device.

  1. Justin (you)Tell Michael you're running late.

    Voy tarde

    I'm running late

0 of 5 said

Recap — what you can say now

SpanishEnglish
Se me olvidó ___I forgot ___
Me lastimé ___I hurt my ___
___ está rotoThe ___ is broken
Voy tardeI'm running late
No puedo pagarI can't pay
Está demasiado ___It's too ___
Next: lesson 37Remind me

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Keep practicing with Yak Cards

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Try each blank with the example from today, then say the whole line aloud.

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