Reporting a Broken Appliance to Landlord
A tenant discovers that their refrigerator or washing machine is not working and needs to contact their landlord to report the issue and request a repair.
Un inquilino descubre que su refrigerador o lavadora no funciona y necesita contactar a su casero para reportar el problema y solicitar una reparación.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
issue
A problem or concern. In this dialogue, Emily uses it to politely describe the washing machine problem, which is a common way to report issues without sounding too negative.
Un problema o preocupación. En este diálogo, Emily lo usa para describir cortésmente el problema de la lavadora, lo cual es una forma común de reportar problemas sin sonar demasiado negativo.
stopped working
Means something that was functioning is no longer operating. This is a practical phrase for describing broken appliances in everyday conversations.
Significa que algo que estaba funcionando ya no opera. Es una frase práctica para describir electrodomésticos rotos en conversaciones cotidianas.
plugging it in and out
Connecting and disconnecting the power cord to try fixing a device. It's a basic troubleshooting step people often try before calling for help.
Conectar y desconectar el cable de alimentación para intentar arreglar un dispositivo. Es un paso básico de solución de problemas que la gente a menudo intenta antes de pedir ayuda.
power on
To turn on using electricity. Here, it means the machine won't start at all, useful for explaining electronic failures.
Para encender usando electricidad. Aquí, significa que la máquina no se inicia en absoluto, útil para explicar fallos electrónicos.
completely dead
Totally not working, with no signs of life like lights or sounds. This vivid expression helps emphasize the severity of a breakdown.
Totalmente no funciona, sin signos de vida como luces o sonidos. Esta expresión vívida ayuda a enfatizar la severidad de una avería.
take a look
To examine or inspect something quickly. It's informal and commonly used when asking someone to check a problem.
Examinar o inspeccionar algo rápidamente. Es informal y se usa comúnmente cuando se le pide a alguien que revise un problema.
flexible
Able to change plans easily. Emily uses it to show she's open to different times for the repair, which is polite in scheduling talks.
Capaz de cambiar planes fácilmente. Emily lo usa para mostrar que está abierta a diferentes horarios para la reparación, lo cual es educado en conversaciones de programación.
get back to you
To contact someone again later with more information. This is a standard phrase in professional or service conversations to promise a follow-up.
Contactar nuevamente a alguien más tarde con más información. Esta es una frase estándar en conversaciones profesionales o de servicio para prometer un seguimiento.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
I'm calling because I have an issue with the washing machine.
This is a polite way to start a call about a problem. It uses 'because' to give a reason, which is useful for reporting issues clearly. Practice this for customer service or landlord talks.
Esta es una forma educada de iniciar una llamada sobre un problema. Usa 'because' para dar una razón, lo cual es útil para reportar problemas claramente. Practica esto para conversaciones de servicio al cliente o con el arrendador.
It seems to have completely stopped working.
Describes a problem tentatively with 'seems to have,' making it less direct. The present perfect 'have stopped' shows a recent change. Great for explaining breakdowns without blame.
Describe un problema de forma tentativa con 'seems to have', haciéndolo menos directo. El presente perfecto 'have stopped' muestra un cambio reciente. Genial para explicar averías sin culpar.
I tried plugging it in and out, but it won't even power on.
Shows what you've already tried to fix it, using 'tried... but' for contrast. 'Won't even' adds emphasis on failure. This builds credibility when asking for help.
Muestra lo que ya has intentado para arreglarlo, usando 'tried... but' para el contraste. 'Won't even' añade énfasis al fracaso. Esto construye credibilidad al pedir ayuda.
Is it making any noise at all, or just completely dead?
A question to gather more details, using 'or' for alternatives. 'At all' emphasizes checking for any sign. Useful for service providers diagnosing problems over the phone.
Una pregunta para recopilar más detalles, usando «o» para alternativas. «En absoluto» enfatiza la verificación de cualquier signo. Útil para proveedores de servicios que diagnostican problemas por teléfono.
I'll need to send someone over to take a look at it.
Promises action with 'I'll need to,' which is polite and professional. 'Send someone over' means dispatching help. This is key for responding to repair requests.
Promete acción con « Tendré que », que es educado y profesional. « Enviar a alguien » significa despachar ayuda. Esto es clave para responder a solicitudes de reparación.
Are you available sometime this week for a repair person to come by?
Asks for availability using 'sometime' for flexibility and 'come by' for a casual visit. The infinitive 'to come by' explains the purpose. Essential for scheduling appointments.
Pide disponibilidad usando 'sometime' para flexibilidad y 'come by' para una visita casual. El infinitivo 'to come by' explica el propósito. Esencial para programar citas.
I'm pretty flexible. Any weekday afternoon works for me.
Offers options politely with 'pretty flexible' (meaning quite adaptable) and 'works for me' (suitable). This shows cooperation in planning, common in service dialogues.
Ofrece opciones cortésmente con 'pretty flexible' (que significa bastante adaptable) y 'works for me' (apropiado). Esto muestra cooperación en la planificación, común en diálogos de servicio.
Let me check with my repairman's schedule and I'll get back to you with a confirmed time later today.
Uses 'let me' for permission to act, future 'I'll get back' for follow-up, and 'with a confirmed time' for specifics. This reassures the caller and is standard in business calls.
Usa 'let me' para pedir permiso para actuar, futuro 'I'll get back' para el seguimiento, y 'with a confirmed time' para detalles específicos. Esto tranquiliza al llamante y es estándar en llamadas de negocios.