Asking for Department-Specific Hours
In a large store (e.g., department store, supermarket with pharmacy), a customer asks for the operating hours of a specific department within the store.
En una gran tienda (por ejemplo, almacén de departamentos, supermercado con farmacia), un cliente pregunta por los horarios de apertura de un departamento específico dentro de la tienda.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
operating hours
The times when a business or store is open for customers, like from morning to evening.
Los horarios en los que un negocio o tienda está abierto para los clientes, como de la mañana a la tarde.
pharmacy
A section in a store where medicines and health products are sold, often like a small drugstore.
Una sección en una tienda donde se venden medicamentos y productos de salud, a menudo como una pequeña farmacia.
department
A specific section or area in a large store, such as clothing or electronics department.
Una sección o área específica en una gran tienda, como el departamento de ropa o electrónica.
during the week
Refers to the weekdays from Monday to Friday, not including weekends.
Se refiere a los días laborables de lunes a viernes, sin incluir los fines de semana.
weekends
Saturday and Sunday, when many people have free time from work or school.
Sábado y domingo, cuando muchas personas tienen tiempo libre del trabajo o la escuela.
closed
Not open for business; the store or department is shut and not serving customers.
No abierto para los negocios; la tienda o el departamento está cerrado y no atiende a los clientes.
clarifying
Making information clear or explaining something that was confusing.
Hacer que la información sea clara o explicar algo que era confuso.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Excuse me, I was wondering if you could help me. What are the operating hours for the pharmacy department?
This is a polite way to start asking for information. 'I was wondering if' softens the request, making it more courteous. Use this when approaching someone for help in a store.
Esta es una forma educada de empezar a pedir información. 'Me preguntaba si' suaviza la solicitud, haciendo que sea más cortés. Úsala cuando te acerques a alguien para pedir ayuda en una tienda.
Certainly. The pharmacy has slightly different hours than the main store.
A helpful response to agree to assist. 'Certainly' means 'of course,' and 'slightly different' compares times politely. Useful for customer service to explain variations.
Una respuesta útil para acordar ayudar. 'Certainly' significa 'por supuesto', y 'slightly different' compara los horarios de manera educada. Útil para el servicio al cliente para explicar variaciones.
During the week, Monday to Friday, they're open from 9 AM to 7 PM.
This describes a schedule clearly. 'During the week' specifies weekdays, and 'from...to...' shows the time range. Practice this pattern for stating business hours.
Esto describe un horario claramente. 'Durante la semana' especifica los días laborables, y 'de...a...' muestra el rango de tiempo. Practica este patrón para indicar horarios de negocio.
And what about weekends? Is it the same on Saturdays and Sundays?
Follow-up question to get more details. 'What about' introduces a new topic, and 'is it the same' checks for differences. Use this to ask about other days.
Pregunta de seguimiento para obtener más detalles. 'What about' introduce un nuevo tema, y 'is it the same' verifica diferencias. Úsalo para preguntar sobre otros días.
On Saturdays, they operate from 10 AM to 5 PM. And on Sundays, the pharmacy is closed.
Explains specific day hours. 'Operate from...to...' is formal for business times, and 'is closed' means not open. This sentence pattern is key for giving schedules.
Explica los horarios específicos de días. 'Operar de...a...' es formal para tiempos de negocio, y 'está cerrada' significa no abierta. Este patrón de oración es clave para dar horarios.
Ah, I see. So, no pharmacy service on Sundays. Thanks for clarifying that!
Shows understanding and thanks. 'Ah, I see' expresses realization, and 'thanks for clarifying' appreciates the explanation. Use to end a clarification positively.
Muestra comprensión y agradecimiento. 'Ah, I see' expresa realización, y 'thanks for clarifying' aprecia la explicación. Úsalo para terminar una aclaración positivamente.
You're welcome. Is there anything else I can assist you with today?
Standard polite close in service. 'You're welcome' responds to thanks, and 'is there anything else' offers more help. Essential for customer interactions.
Cierre educado estándar en el servicio. 'De nada' responde a los gracias, y 'hay algo más' ofrece más ayuda. Esencial para interacciones con clientes.