Neighbours in Spain
Introduce yourself, borrow things, apologise for noise and help each other out with the neighbours in a Spanish building.
Most Spaniards live in flats, so neighbours meet on the landing (el rellano), in the lift or at the 'junta de vecinos', the residents' meeting that runs the building. Floors are called by number — el tercero, el cuarto — and neighbours often swap favours like taking in parcels or watering plants over the holidays. The cards follow a newcomer's first weeks in a building in Granada.
- 1
Hola, me acabo de mudar al piso de al lado.
Hi, I've just moved into the flat next door.
- 2
Encantada, yo soy Carmen.
Nice to meet you, I'm Carmen.
- 3
¿Cuánto tiempo llevas viviendo en el edificio?
How long have you lived in the building?
- 4
Uy, llevo aquí veinte años.
Oh, I've been here twenty years.
- 5
Si necesitas algo, llama a la puerta.
If you need anything, just knock.
- 6
¿Quién es el del tercero?
Who's the guy on the third floor?
- 7
Es muy majo, pero nunca está en casa.
He's really nice, but he's never home.
- 8
Pásate un día a tomar un café.
Pop round for a coffee one day.
- 9
¿Me dejas un poco de sal?
Could you lend me a bit of salt?
- 10
Perdona por el ruido de anoche.
Sorry about the noise last night.
- 11
Vinieron unos amigos a cenar.
Some friends came over for dinner.
- 12
Tranquilo, no pasa nada.
Don't worry, it's no problem at all.
- 13
Te he recogido un paquete.
I picked up a parcel for you.
- 14
El ascensor se ha vuelto a estropear.
The lift has broken down again.
- 15
El jueves hay junta de vecinos.
There's a residents' meeting on Thursday.
- 16
¿Conoces a algún fontanero de confianza?
Do you know a plumber you trust?
- 17
Se te ha caído una camiseta al patio.
One of your T-shirts fell into the courtyard.
- 18
¿Me riegas las plantas mientras estoy fuera?
Could you water my plants while I'm away?
- 19
Aquí tienes las llaves, por si acaso.
Here are the keys, just in case.
- 20
Muchas gracias, eres un sol.
Thanks so much, you're an angel.