Waiting in Line Politely
You approach the water fountain and see one person already using it and another person waiting. You position yourself in line behind them.
Te acercas a la fuente de agua y ves a una persona ya usándola y a otra esperando. Te colocas en la fila detrás de ellos.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
line
A line means a queue of people waiting for something, like at a water fountain. In American English, we say 'in line' to mean waiting politely in order.
Una cola significa una fila de personas esperando algo, como en una fuente de agua. En inglés americano, decimos 'in line' para significar esperar cortésmente en orden.
water fountain
A water fountain is a public device that provides drinking water, often found in parks or gyms. It's also called a drinking fountain.
Una fuente de agua es un dispositivo público que proporciona agua potable, a menudo encontrado en parques o gimnasios. También se llama fuente de bebida.
turn
Your turn means when it is your time to do something after others, like using the water fountain. It's a polite way to talk about order in a line.
Tu turno significa cuando es tu momento de hacer algo después de los demás, como usar la fuente de agua. Es una forma educada de hablar sobre el orden en una fila.
cutting ahead
Cutting ahead means going in front of others in a line without permission, which is rude. It's short for 'cutting in line.'
Cutting ahead significa colarse delante de los demás en una cola sin permiso, lo cual es grosero. Es una forma abreviada de 'cutting in line'.
no worries
No worries is a casual way to say 'don't worry' or 'it's okay.' It's used to reassure someone that something is not a problem.
'No worries' es una forma casual de decir 'no te preocupes' o 'está bien'. Se usa para tranquilizar a alguien de que algo no es un problema.
appreciate
Appreciate means to thank someone for their help or kindness. It's a polite way to show gratitude in everyday situations.
Appreciate significa agradecer a alguien por su ayuda o amabilidad. Es una forma educada de mostrar gratitud en situaciones cotidianas.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Excuse me, are you in line for the water fountain?
This is a polite way to start a conversation and confirm if someone is waiting. Use it when you want to join a queue without being rude. The question uses 'are you in line for' to ask about purpose in a line.
Esta es una forma educada de iniciar una conversación y confirmar si alguien está esperando. Úsala cuando quieras unirte a una cola sin ser grosero. La pregunta usa 'are you in line for' para preguntar por el propósito en la fila.
Yes, I am. Just waiting my turn.
This confirms you are waiting and explains simply. 'Just waiting my turn' shows patience in a queue. It's useful for short, clear responses in public. Note the contraction 'I am' for natural speech.
Esto confirma que estás esperando y lo explica de manera simple. 'Solo esperando mi turno' muestra paciencia en una cola. Es útil para respuestas cortas y claras en público. Nota la contracción 'I am' para un habla natural.
Okay, thanks. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't cutting ahead.
This thanks the person and explains your reason politely. 'Just wanted to make sure' softens the statement, showing consideration. Use it to avoid seeming rude when joining a line.
Esto agradece a la persona y explica tu razón de manera educada. 'Solo quería asegurarme' suaviza la afirmación, mostrando consideración. Úsalo para evitar parecer grosero al unirte a una fila.
No worries at all! There's one person ahead of me, then you're next.
This reassures and gives information about the line. 'No worries at all' is idiomatic for 'it's fine.' 'Ahead of me' means in front, and 'you're next' predicts order. Great for friendly queue talk.
Esto tranquiliza y proporciona información sobre la cola. 'No worries at all' es idiomático para 'está bien'. 'Ahead of me' significa delante de mí, y 'you're next' predice el orden. Genial para charlas amigables en la cola.
Great, appreciate it!
This is a quick way to thank and end positively. 'Appreciate it' is informal for 'I appreciate that.' Use short thanks like this in casual interactions to show politeness without overdoing it.
Esta es una forma rápida de agradecer y terminar de manera positiva. 'Appreciate it' es una versión informal de 'I appreciate that'. Usa agradecimientos cortos como este en interacciones casuales para mostrar cortesía sin exagerar.