Building a Shelf in Spain
Simple phrases for buying wood, using tools and putting up a shelf at home.
Spaniards call DIY bricolaje. Big DIY stores will cut wood to size for you, and the local ferretería sells screws, wall plugs and advice. Most people live in flats, so drilling has unwritten rules: never during the siesta hours or late in the evening. The cards follow planning a simple shelf with a handy friend, buying the materials and building it.
- 1
Quiero hacer una balda sencilla.
I want to build a simple shelf.
- 2
¿Con qué madera empiezo?
What wood should I start with?
- 3
El pino es barato y fácil de trabajar.
Pine is cheap and easy to work.
- 4
Mide dos veces antes de cortar.
Measure twice before you cut.
- 5
¿Cuánto tiene que medir de largo?
How long does it have to be?
- 6
¿Me la podéis cortar a medida?
Can you cut it to size for me?
- 7
En tres trozos de ochenta centímetros.
Into three pieces of eighty centimetres.
- 8
Necesito tornillos y tacos.
I need screws and wall plugs.
- 9
¿Tienes taladro?
Have you got a drill?
- 10
Te dejo el mío.
I'll lend you mine.
- 11
Primero líjala bien.
Sand it well first.
- 12
Ponte las gafas de protección.
Put on your goggles.
- 13
Sujétala un segundo.
Hold it still for a second.
- 14
¿Está recta?
Is it straight?
- 15
Está un poco torcida.
It's a bit crooked.
- 16
No podemos taladrar ahora, que es la hora de la siesta.
We can't drill now, it's siesta time.
- 17
Los vecinos se van a quejar.
The neighbours will complain.
- 18
¿Aguantará el peso de los libros?
Will it hold the weight of the books?
- 19
Luego la barnizamos.
Then we varnish it.
- 20
¡La he hecho yo mismo!
I made it myself!