Making plans and negotiating
Propose, accept, reject and reach agreements like a native
Context
Listen to the dialogue. Tap the speaker to hear each line.
Ana
Oye, ¿qué te parece si organizamos la celebración del proyecto la próxima semana? Ya terminamos todo antes de lo previsto.
Hey, what do you think about organizing the project celebration next week? We finished everything ahead of schedule.
Luis
Me parece una excelente idea. ¿Cuándo podríamos hacerla? Yo estoy libre el jueves por la tarde.
That sounds like an excellent idea. When could we do it? I'm free Thursday afternoon.
Ana
El jueves me acomoda, pero prefiero que empecemos después de las seis porque tengo una reunión larga.
Thursday works for me, but I'd prefer we start after six because I have a long meeting.
Luis
De acuerdo. Propongo que reservemos un restaurante cercano para que no tengamos que viajar mucho.
Agreed. I propose we book a nearby restaurant so we don't have to travel much.
Ana
Estoy de acuerdo con el lugar, pero con una condición: que sea un lugar tranquilo para poder conversar.
I agree with the place, but with one condition: it should be a quiet place so we can talk.
Luis
Claro, conozco un lugar perfecto con terraza y buena música de fondo. ¿Cuántas personas somos en total?
Of course, I know a perfect place with a terrace and good background music. How many people are we in total?
Ana
Somos doce. En mi opinión, deberíamos confirmar la reservación hoy mismo porque los viernes se llena.
We're twelve. In my opinion, we should confirm the reservation today because Fridays get full.
Luis
Perfecto, me encargo yo de llamar y confirmar. Después te aviso y cerramos el plan.
Perfect, I'll take care of calling and confirming. Then I'll let you know and we'll finalize the plan.
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Vocabulary
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el acuerdo
Llegamos a un acuerdo después de negociar.
'Llegar a un acuerdo' = to reach an agreement.
the agreement
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proponer
Propongo que reservemos temprano.
'Proponer' is irregular: propongo, propones, propone.
to propose
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la condición
Acepto, con una condición.
'Con una condición' = with one condition.
the condition
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el plazo
El plazo para responder es el viernes.
'El plazo' is the deadline or time limit.
the deadline
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negociar
Hay que negociar el precio.
'Negociar' is regular. The noun is 'la negociación'.
to negotiate
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cerrar
Vamos a cerrar el trato mañana.
'Cerrar un trato' = to close a deal.
to close / to finalize
SaveGrammar in 1 minute
Subjunctive after 'que' with opinions and proposals
After verbs of proposing and recommending with 'que', use the subjunctive: 'Propongo que reservemos' (I propose we book), 'Es importante que hablemos' (it's important we talk). This is a key B2 structure.
Propongo que reservemos un restaurante. Prefiero que empecemos a las seis. Es importante que confirmemos hoy.
Subjunctive after: proponer que, recomendar que, preferir que, es importante que.
Conditional 'podríamos' (we could)
The conditional is perfect for soft suggestions: 'podríamos' (we could), 'deberíamos' (we should). It makes proposals sound polite and collaborative.
Podríamos reservar el jueves. Deberíamos confirmar hoy. ¿Podrías llamar tú?
Conditional endings: -ía, -ías, -ía, -íamos, -ían added to the infinitive.
En mi opinión / desde mi punto de vista
To give opinions in negotiations use 'en mi opinión' (in my opinion) or 'desde mi punto de vista' (from my point of view). They soften your position and invite discussion.
En mi opinión, deberíamos confirmar hoy. Desde mi punto de vista, el precio es justo.
Follow with 'deberíamos' or 'creo que' to sound persuasive, not pushy.
Interactive practice
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What is the condition?
Listen and choose Ana's condition for the restaurant.
What is Ana's condition?
Subjunctive after propose
Write the correct subjunctive form.
Accents optional: write "como estas" and it works.
Negotiation words
Connect each Spanish word with its English meaning.
Propose a plan
Write a proposal using 'Propongo que' + subjunctive.
Propose booking a table for Thursday.
Suggested answer: Propongo que reservemos una mesa para el jueves.
Repeat the agreement
Listen, pause and repeat out loud.
Estoy de acuerdo con el lugar, pero con una condición.
I agree with the place, but with one condition.
Listen, pause and repeat out loud. Repeat 3 times until it sounds natural.
Pronunciation trainer
Final quiz
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