Active Listening & Seeking Clarification
The other person actively listens to what is being said, seeking clarification by asking open-ended questions and paraphrasing to ensure understanding of the first person's perspective.
La otra persona escucha activamente lo que se está diciendo, buscando aclaraciones mediante preguntas abiertas y reformulaciones para asegurar la comprensión de la perspectiva de la primera persona.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
brushed off
To be ignored or dismissed rudely, like when someone doesn't pay attention to your words. Useful in conversations about feeling unimportant.
Ser ignorado o despedido groseramente, como cuando alguien no presta atención a tus palabras. Útil en conversaciones sobre sentirse insignificante.
intention
Your planned purpose or goal behind an action. Use it to explain what you meant to do, like 'That wasn't my intention.'
Tu propósito o meta planeada detrás de una acción. Úsalo para explicar qué querías hacer, como 'Esa no era mi intención.'
jumped to conclusions
To form an opinion too quickly without all the facts. Common in misunderstandings, e.g., 'Don't jump to conclusions.'
Formar una opinión demasiado rápido sin todos los hechos. Común en malentendidos, p. ej., 'No saques conclusiones precipitadas.'
feasibility
Whether something is possible or practical to do. Often used in work or project talks, like discussing if an idea can work.
Si algo es posible o práctico de hacer. A menudo usado en charlas de trabajo o proyectos, como discutir si una idea puede funcionar.
dismissed
To reject or ignore something without considering it seriously. Helpful for expressing when you feel your ideas are not valued.
Rechazar o ignorar algo sin considerarlo seriamente. Útil para expresar cuando sientes que tus ideas no son valoradas.
made up your mind
To decide firmly about something. Use in conflicts to describe someone who won't listen to new information.
Decidir firmemente sobre algo. Usar en conflictos para describir a alguien que no escucha nueva información.
come across
To seem or appear in a certain way to others. Like 'It came across as rude,' meaning it seemed rude even if not intended.
Parecer o darse a entender de cierta manera a los demás. Como 'It came across as rude', que significa que pareció grosero aunque no fuera la intención.
appreciate
To be grateful for something. Polite way to thank someone, e.g., 'I appreciate your help,' in resolving talks.
Estar agradecido por algo. Forma educada de agradecer a alguien, por ejemplo, 'Aprecio tu ayuda', en la resolución de conversaciones.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Hey Michael, can we talk for a minute? I felt a bit brushed off earlier when I was trying to explain my idea for the project.
This uses an 'I' statement ('I felt') to express feelings without blaming. Useful for starting a calm conversation about a misunderstanding; the question 'can we talk' shows politeness.
Esto usa una declaración en 'yo' ('me sentí') para expresar sentimientos sin culpar. Útil para iniciar una conversación calmada sobre un malentendido; la pregunta '¿podemos hablar?' muestra cortesía.
I'm sorry if it came across that way. That wasn't my intention at all.
A gentle apology that acknowledges how actions seemed, not admitting full fault. 'Came across' explains appearance; great for diffusing tension without over-apologizing.
Una disculpa suave que reconoce cómo parecieron las acciones, sin admitir toda la culpa. 'Came across' explica la apariencia; genial para disipar la tensión sin disculparse en exceso.
Can you tell me more about what happened?
An open-ended question to encourage sharing and show active listening. Use it to seek clarification and build understanding in conflicts.
Una pregunta abierta para fomentar el compartir y mostrar escucha activa. Úsala para buscar aclaraciones y construir comprensión en conflictos.
So, if I'm understanding you correctly, you felt I dismissed your thoughts too quickly and didn't give your idea a fair hearing? Is that right?
Paraphrasing to confirm understanding, using 'if I'm understanding you correctly' for accuracy. This active listening technique prevents further misunderstandings; ends with a yes/no question for confirmation.
Parafraseando para confirmar la comprensión, usando 'si te estoy entendiendo correctamente' para precisión. Esta técnica de escucha activa previene malentendidos adicionales; termina con una pregunta sí/no para confirmación.
Exactly. It felt like you'd already made up your mind, and I just wanted to be heard fully before any judgments were made.
Agrees and elaborates feelings with 'It felt like' for personal perspective. 'Be heard fully' emphasizes needing complete attention; useful in 'I' statements to clarify needs.
Está de acuerdo y elabora sentimientos con 'It felt like' para perspectiva personal. 'Be heard fully' enfatiza la necesidad de atención completa; útil en declaraciones 'I' para aclarar necesidades.
I see. I apologize, Sarah. I was probably trying to be efficient and didn't realize how that might have come across.
Starts with 'I see' to show empathy, then apologizes and explains own side. 'Come across' discusses perception; helps in balancing apology with self-explanation.
Comienza con 'I see' para mostrar empatía, luego se disculpa y explica su propio lado. 'Come across' discute la percepción; ayuda a equilibrar la disculpa con la autoexplicación.
I appreciate you explaining that. It helps to understand your perspective.
Expresses thanks and acknowledges the other's view. 'Appreciate' is polite gratitude; use after hearing explanations to show mutual respect and end positively.
Expresa gracias y reconoce la visión del otro. 'Appreciate' es una gratitud educada; úsalo después de escuchar explicaciones para mostrar respeto mutuo y terminar positivamente.
Absolutely, I can definitely work on that. Thanks for bringing this to my attention, Sarah.
Agrees strongly with 'Absolutely' and commits to change with 'I can work on that.' Shows willingness to improve; useful for closing resolutions on a positive note.
Está de acuerdo fuertemente con 'Absolutely' y se compromete al cambio con 'I can work on that.' Muestra disposición a mejorar; útil para cerrar resoluciones en una nota positiva.