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Lesson 62 of 238

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Free Spanish CourseLesson 62 of 238

I see what you mean in Spanish

Megan explains what she actually saw, and Justin listens instead of jumping in with me too.

You’ll learn several natural ways to show that the point landed, from I see to I see what you mean.

By the end, you can acknowledge an explanation, agree with an idea, and show that you’re fully following.

By the end of this lesson

Show that you understand someone’s explanation and agree with a good idea.

  • Entiendo lo que quieres decirI see what you mean
  • Sí, entiendoYeah, I get it
  • Ya veoI see
  • EntendidoGot it
  • Buena ideaGood idea
  • TotalmenteTotally

Scene — Megan’s explanation

Megan and Justin are outside Café Laurel after Megan returns from an errand.

She is explaining what she actually saw on the street, while Justin listens carefully and lets her finish.

A bus made the whole story more confusing than it needed to be.

Megan explains what she saw on the street while Justin listens carefully outside Café Laurel, with a bus making the situation confusing.

Learn — show you’re following

These chunks help you respond while someone explains an event or gives an idea.

Some are short acknowledgments, while others clearly show that you understood the speaker’s point.

  1. Justin responds to Megan with a calm open-handed gesture, showing that he understands her meaning.

    Entiendo lo que quieres decir

    I see what you mean

    When to use it: Say this when you understand the point someone is explaining.

    Learn lo que quieres decir as one useful chunk meaning “what you mean.”

    Say it: Say entiendo lo que quieres decir as en-tee-EN-doh loh keh KYEH-rehs deh-SEER.

  2. Justin nods and gives Megan a clear thumbs-up to show that he gets it.

    Sí, entiendo

    Yeah, I get it

    When to use it: Use this as a friendly response when the explanation makes sense.

    Sí confirms the point, and entiendo means “I understand.”

    Say it: Say Sí, entiendo as SEE, en-tee-EN-doh.

  3. Justin points toward the street as he shows that he now sees the point Megan was making.

    Ya veo

    I see

    When to use it: Say this when a new detail helps you see the situation clearly.

    Ya veo literally means “now I see,” but it naturally means “I see.”

    Say it: Say Ya veo as yah VEH-oh.

  4. Justin raises one hand in a confident acknowledgment that he has understood.

    Entendido

    Got it

    When to use it: Use this brief response when instructions or an explanation are clear.

    Entendido is a compact way to say that the message has been understood.

    Say it: Stress the final syllable: en-ten-DEE-doh.

  5. Justin enthusiastically approves Megan’s practical idea with an inviting gesture toward the street.

    Buena idea

    Good idea

    When to use it: Say this when you approve of a suggestion someone has made.

    Buena is feminine because idea is a feminine noun in Spanish.

    Say it: Say Buena idea as BWEH-nah ee-DEH-ah.

  6. Justin confidently agrees with Megan, standing with both hands open in emphatic agreement.

    Totalmente

    Totally

    When to use it: Use this to strongly agree with what someone has just said.

    Totalmente is an adverb, so it does not change for the speaker.

    Say it: Stress the middle: toh-tahl-MEN-teh.

Story — what Megan actually saw

Watch how Megan separates what she saw from what she guessed.

Justin lets her finish, then uses the new chunks to show exactly how much he understands.

  1. Megan and Justin stand outside the café after Megan’s errand.
  2. Justin¿A qué te refieres?What do you mean?
  3. MeganNo se detuvo; siguió derecho y regresó.It didn’t stop; it went straight and came back.
  4. JustinYa veo.I see.
  5. MeganEso pasó cuando salí de la tienda.That happened when I left the store.
  6. JustinEntiendo lo que quieres decir.I see what you mean.
  7. MeganAsí es; no dije que el camión se perdió.That’s right; I didn’t say the bus got lost.
  8. JustinSí, entiendo.Yeah, I get it.
  9. MeganPodemos tomar otra ruta mañana.We can take another route tomorrow.
  10. JustinBuena idea.Good idea.
  11. MeganFue totalmente inesperado.It was totally unexpected.
  12. JustinTotalmente.Totally.
  13. MeganEntonces, ¿ya quedó claro?So, is it clear now?
  14. JustinEntendido.Got it.

Practice — follow the point

You’ll hear, match, complete, and choose responses for several everyday explanations.

Pay attention to the difference between seeing a point, getting it, and strongly agreeing.

0 of 8 done

  1. What did you hear?

    What did you hear?

  2. Match the pairs

    Spanish

    Entiendo lo que quieres decirDrop the English here
    Ya veoDrop the English here
    ¿A qué te refieres?Drop the English here
    Así esDrop the English here

    English

  3. What do you say?

    What do you say?

    Tell Megan that you see what she means about the bus returning.

  4. Fill the gap

    Fill the gap

    Yeah, I get it

    Sí, ____

  5. Pick the reply

    Megan says:

    Pick the reply

    Vi lo que pasó, pero no dije que el camión se perdió.

    I saw what happened, but I didn’t say the bus got lost.

    And you reply with:

  6. True or false?

    True or false?

    You can use this line to approve of someone’s suggestion.

  7. Which one doesn’t belong?

    Which one doesn’t belong?

  8. Build the line

    Build the line

    Yeah, I get it

    ,

    Tap the words in order.

Say it — respond naturally

Now you’re Justin in the conversation. Let Megan finish, then respond with the chunk that fits.

Tap ▶ to hear the model line first if you want it. Your recording stays on your device.

  1. MeganVi que el camión no paró.I saw that the bus didn’t stop.
  2. Justin (you)Show that you understand her point.

    Show that you understand her point.

    Entiendo lo que quieres decir

    I see what you mean

0 of 5 said

Recap — what you can say now

Every line from this lesson
SpanishEnglishPlay
Entiendo lo que quieres decirI see what you mean
Sí, entiendoYeah, I get it
Ya veoI see
EntendidoGot it
Buena ideaGood idea
TotalmenteTotally
Next: lesson 63Oh no, that's great

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