New here? This is lesson 64 of a free 238-lesson Spanish course.
Free Spanish CourseLesson 64 of 238
I'm happy for you in Spanish
Justin hears two kinds of news at Café Laurel: a scare has passed, but something difficult happened.
You'll learn short reactions for relief, sympathy, interest, and happiness for someone else.
By the end, you'll respond naturally when a friend shares good news mixed with bad news.
By the end of this lesson
React to good, difficult, and surprising news.
- ¡Qué alivio!That's a relief
- Me da mucho gusto por tiI'm happy for you
- Eso debe ser difícilThat must be hard
- Qué horribleThat's awful
- Qué bueno saberloGood to know
- Qué interesanteThat's interesting
Scene — good news and bad news
Amanda returns to Café Laurel after her interview. She has good news about work, but her sister had a frightening accident.
The accident was not harmless, though her sister is home and recovering. Justin listens while Michael and Yako join the conversation.
Learn — relief and reactions
These six reactions help you show what you feel without giving a long explanation.
Notice how the situation decides whether you sound relieved, concerned, interested, or pleased.
¡Qué alivio!
That's a relief
When to use it: Say this when worrying news has a reassuring result.
Qué means what or how in this emotional pattern; learn the whole chunk.
Say it: keh ah-LEE-byoh
Me da mucho gusto por ti
I'm happy for you
When to use it: Say this when someone shares good news and you feel happy for them.
Por ti means for you; use ti after por in this expression.
Eso debe ser difícil
That must be hard
When to use it: Say this to show sympathy when someone describes a difficult experience.
Debe ser means must be; it makes a thoughtful guess about someone's situation.
Qué horrible
That's awful
When to use it: Say this when you hear about something terrible or upsetting.
Horrible works for many upsetting situations; the feeling comes from your tone.
Qué bueno saberlo
Good to know
When to use it: Say this when new information reassures you or is useful.
Saberlo means to know it; lo points back to the information.
Qué interesante
That's interesting
When to use it: Say this when information catches your attention or makes you curious.
Qué plus an adjective is a quick way to react strongly to information.
Story — Amanda's sister
Amanda brings good news and difficult news to Café Laurel. Watch how Justin changes his reaction as he learns more.
The highlighted lines are today's expressions. Turn on Show English if you need help.
- Amanda returns from her interview, looking relieved but worried.
AmandaYa pasó la entrevista.The interview is over.
Justin¡Qué alivio!That's a relief.- AmandaMe aceptaron, pero mi hermana tuvo un accidente.They accepted me, but my sister had an accident.
- JustinEso debe ser difícil.That must be hard.
- AmandaSí, pero está bien; solo se lastimó un poco.Yes, but she's okay; she was only hurt a little.
- JustinQué horrible.That's awful.
- AmandaNo te preocupes; ya está en casa.Don't worry; she's home now.
- JustinMe da mucho gusto por ti.I'm happy for you.
MichaelLa ambulancia llegó rápido.The ambulance arrived quickly.- JustinQué bueno saberlo.Good to know.
Yako¿Tu hermana quiere estudiar medicina?Does your sister want to study medicine?- AmandaSí, el próximo año.Yes, next year.
- YakoQué interesante.That's interesting.
- Michael¿Todo está bien ahora?Is everything okay now?
- AmandaSí. No pasa nada.Yes. It's fine.
Practice — react to news
You'll listen, match meanings, choose reactions, spot an accent, and build complete lines.
Read each situation carefully because similar reactions can have different jobs.
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What did you hear?
What did you hear?
Match the pairs
Spanish
Me da mucho gusto por tiDrop the English hereEso debe ser difícilDrop the English hereNo te preocupesDrop the English hereNo pasa nadaDrop the English hereEnglish
What do you say?
What do you say?
A friend tells you her sister was in a frightening accident. You haven't heard yet how she is.
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
That's a relief
¡Qué ____!
Pick the reply
Amanda says:
Pick the reply
Me aceptaron en el trabajo, pero mi hermana tuvo un accidente.
They accepted me for the job, but my sister had an accident.
And you reply with:
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
Qué interesante
Find the mistake
Find the mistake
True or false?
True or false?
You can say this when new information reassures you.
Build the line
Build the line
I'm happy for you
Tap the words in order.
Say it — respond with feeling
Now you're Justin, and Amanda tells you about her interview and her sister.
When it's your turn, tap the microphone and react to each update. Tap ▶ to hear the model; your recording stays on your device.
- AmandaMi entrevista salió bien.My interview went well.
- Justin (you)Show relief about the good result.
Show relief about the good result.
¡Qué alivio!
That's a relief
0 of 7 said
Recap — what you can say now
| Spanish | English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| ¡Qué alivio! | That's a relief | |
| Me da mucho gusto por ti | I'm happy for you | |
| Eso debe ser difícil | That must be hard | |
| Qué horrible | That's awful | |
| Qué bueno saberlo | Good to know | |
| Qué interesante | That's interesting |
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Keep practicing with Yak Cards
Want to keep these reactions handy? Grab the Yak Cards for this lesson and review them anywhere.
A quick card review helps you choose the right reaction when news changes quickly.
Open Yak Cards