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Lexicalized imperatives: look, listen, say?

Brief forms like oye, mira, diga express politeness, contact, or attention.

Gramática: Imperativos lexicalizados: mira, oye, ¿diga?

A2 Spanish Lexicalised imperatives: mira, oye, ¿diga?

Level: A2

Module 6: En el trabajo (At work)

Lesson 42: Oficina y reuniones (Office and meetings)

Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes

Audio and video

  1. They are used to get attention: oye, mira.
  2. In formal contexts, diga or perdone is used.
  3. They go at the beginning of sentences to initiate contact or courtesy.

 

Forma (Form)Uso (Use)Ejemplo (Example)
Mira (Look)Llamar la atención/Introducir opinión (Draw attention/Introduce opinion)Mira, no estoy de acuerdo. (Look, I don't agree.)
Oye (Listen)Pedir atención rápida o iniciar conversación (Ask for quick attention or start a conversation)Oye, la reunión empieza ya. (Hey, the meeting is starting now.)
Diga (Say)Contestar el teléfono (Answer the phone)¿Diga? ¿Quién es? (Hello? Who is it?)
Perdona (Sorry)Interrumpir informalmente (Interrupt informally)Perdona, ¿tienes un minuto? (Excuse me, do you have a minute?)
Perdone (Excuse me)Interrumpir formalmente (Formally interrupt)Perdone, ¿podría repetir eso? (Excuse me, could you repeat that?)

 

Exceptions!

  1. Perdone is more formal than perdona.
  2. Mira and oye do not always imply looking or hearing literally.

Exercise 1: Imperativos lexicalizados: mira, oye, ¿diga?

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

Perdone, Mira, Diga, Oye, Perdona

1. Excusa informal:
..., el cliente está esperando fuera.
(Sorry, the customer is waiting outside.)
2. Introducir opinión:
..., el uniforme está listo ya.
(Look, the uniform is ready now.)
3. Iniciar conversación informal:
..., creo que olvidaste invitar al cliente
(Hey, I think you forgot to invite the client.)
4. Contestar al teléfono:
¿...? Estoy en el despacho ahora.
(Hello? I'm in the office now.)
5. Avisar informalmente:
..., la sala de reuniones está ocupada.
(Hey, the meeting room is occupied.)
6. Contestar al teléfono:
¿...? Llamo para confirmar la reunión.
(Hello? I'm calling to confirm the meeting.)
7. Pedir permiso formal:
..., la impresora no funciona bien.
(Excuse me, the printer is not working properly.)
8. Llamar la atención:
..., la cita es hoy, no mañana.
(Look, the appointment is today, not tomorrow.)

Exercise 2: Translate and use in a sentence

Instruction: Pick a word, translated and use the word in a sentence or dialogue.

1

Oye

Listen

2

Mira

Look

3

Perdona

Excuse me

4

Diga

Hello