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Lesson 60 of 238

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I don't quite agree in Spanish

Justin is listening to a confident opinion about Café Laurel's new coffee, but he isn't convinced.

This lesson gives you several ways to disagree without sounding abrupt. You'll say maybe, but, show uncertainty, and explain that you see things differently.

You'll also soften a stronger disagreement with partly agree and a gentle I'm afraid.

By the end of this lesson

Disagree softly and say that you see an issue differently.

  • Tal vez, pero ___Maybe, but ___
  • No estoy tan seguro de esoI'm not so sure
  • Yo lo veo diferenteI see it differently
  • Estoy de acuerdo en parteI partly agree
  • Me temo que no estoy de acuerdoI'm afraid I don't agree
  • Eso no siempre es ciertoThat's not always true

Scene — a new coffee

At Café Laurel, Michael has brought out a sample of the new coffee. Yako thinks it's obviously better, while Justin studies the cup and looks unconvinced.

Amanda is heading out to work upstairs, so she pauses briefly at the table before leaving.

At Café Laurel, Michael presents a sample coffee while Yako looks delighted, Justin studies it unconvinced, and Amanda pauses at the table before going upstairs to work.

Learn — soft disagreement

These six chunks help you disagree politely while keeping the conversation friendly.

Notice how some lines soften your opinion, while others clearly show a different view.

  1. Justin is the clear speaker, cautiously raising one finger while looking at the sample coffee as Yako remains enthusiastic and Michael listens.

    Tal vez, pero ___

    Maybe, but ___

    When to use it: Use this to disagree gently before adding your own point.

    Learn tal vez, pero as one piece, then add a complete idea.

    Say it: tahl BES, PEH-roh

  2. Justin is the clear speaker, holding the cup slightly away and looking uncertain while Michael waits and Yako leans forward confidently.

    No estoy tan seguro de eso

    I'm not so sure

    When to use it: Say this when you doubt someone's claim but want to stay courteous.

    Seguro agrees with the speaker; Justin uses seguro here.

    Say it: seh-GOO-roh

  3. Justin is the clear speaker, making a contrasting gesture with both hands while Yako points proudly toward the coffee and Michael watches.

    Yo lo veo diferente

    I see it differently

    When to use it: Use this to state that your perspective is different.

    Lo refers to the idea or situation being discussed.

    Say it: diferente: dee-feh-REN-teh

  4. Justin is the clear speaker, nodding slightly while holding one hand up and one hand down to show partial agreement with Yako.

    Estoy de acuerdo en parte

    I partly agree

    When to use it: Say this when one part of an opinion seems right.

    En parte means only partly, so it leaves room for another view.

    Say it: ah-KWER-doh

  5. Justin is the clear speaker, touching his chest with one hand and extending the other in a polite refusal while Yako looks surprised.

    Me temo que no estoy de acuerdo

    I'm afraid I don't agree

    When to use it: Use this before a disagreement when you want a careful, respectful tone.

    Me temo que softens the disagreement; it does not mean you are frightened.

    Say it: meh TEH-moh keh

  6. Justin is the clear speaker, pointing thoughtfully toward the coffee while shaking his head slightly to challenge an absolute claim.

    Eso no siempre es cierto

    That's not always true

    When to use it: Say this when a statement may be true sometimes, but not every time.

    Siempre means always; no siempre changes it to not always.

    Say it: SYEM-preh, SYER-toh

Story — different opinions

Watch Justin respond as Yako praises the new coffee. He agrees with one small part, but the highlighted chunks show his different opinion.

Amanda is on her way to work, so the discussion stays brief. Turn on Show English if you need it.

  1. Michael sets three small cups on the table. Yako immediately claims the new coffee wins.
  2. Michael¿Qué te parece el café nuevo?What do you think of the new coffee?
  3. YakoEl café nuevo es mejor.The new coffee is better.
  4. JustinEstoy de acuerdo en parte.I partly agree.
  5. JustinTal vez, pero el precio es alto.Maybe, but the price is high.
  6. Michael¿Estás de acuerdo con Yako?Do you agree with Yako?
  7. JustinNo estoy tan seguro de eso.I'm not so sure about that.
  8. MichaelEs cierto, el aroma es muy bueno.That's true, the aroma is very good.
  9. YakoEl café nuevo siempre es mejor.The new coffee is always better.
  10. JustinEso no siempre es cierto.That's not always true.
  11. YakoMe temo que no estoy de acuerdo.I'm afraid I don't agree.
  12. JustinYo lo veo diferente.I see it differently.
  13. AmandaMe voy a trabajar. ¡Que les vaya bien!I'm going to work. Have a good one!

Practice — maybe, but

You'll listen for the difference between agreement, uncertainty, and disagreement.

Then you'll choose responses, fill gaps, and build a complete opinion from its pieces.

0 of 9 done

  1. What did you hear?

  2. Match the pairs

    Spanish

    Tal vez, pero ___Drop the English here
    Estoy de acuerdoDrop the English here
    Es ciertoDrop the English here

    English

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

  3. What does it mean?

    Estoy de acuerdo en parte

  4. Fill the gap

    Maybe, but ___

    Tal vez, ____ ___

  5. What do you say?

    Yako says the new coffee is always better. You are doubtful but want to sound polite.

  6. What do you say?

    Michael asks if you agree with Yako that the new coffee is better. You don't. Answer the question.

  7. True or false?

    This question asks whether you agree with another person's opinion.

  8. What does it mean?

    Me temo que no estoy de acuerdo

  9. Build the line

    That's not always true

    Tap the words in order.

Say it — share your view

Now take Justin's part in a short conversation about the new coffee. Respond gently, then make your own view clear.

Tap ▶ to hear each model line first if you want. Tap the microphone for your turn; your recording stays on your device.

  1. YakoEl café nuevo siempre es mejor.The new coffee is always better.
  2. Justin (you)Disagree gently, then add that the price is high.

    Tal vez, pero ___

    Maybe, but ___

0 of 4 said

Recap — what you can say now

SpanishEnglish
Tal vez, pero ___Maybe, but ___
No estoy tan seguro de esoI'm not so sure
Yo lo veo diferenteI see it differently
Estoy de acuerdo en parteI partly agree
Me temo que no estoy de acuerdoI'm afraid I don't agree
Eso no siempre es ciertoThat's not always true
Next: lesson 61Me too

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Keep practicing with Yak Cards

Want to keep these polite disagreement chunks handy? Grab the Yak Cards for this lesson and review them anywhere.

Practice one soft disagreement with the Yak Cards, then try a stronger one.

Open Yak Cards