A phone call is easier when you know how it will go. Learn what the receptionist says, how to ask for a day and time, and how to check them at the end.
Your turn
In Mexico, people answer the phone with this word. What does it mean here?
¿Bueno?
CorrectNot quiteCheck the capital letters.Check the accents.
"Hello?" bueno usually means good, but in Mexico it's how you answer the phone. In other countries you'll hear ¿Aló? or ¿Diga?
Did you know it?
The main idea
Consultorio del doctor Ruiz, buenas tardes.
Dr. Ruiz's office, good afternoon.
Quisiera hacer una cita, por favor.
I'd like to make an appointment, please.
¿Tiene algo para el jueves?
Do you have anything on Thursday?
¿Le parece bien el viernes a las cinco?
Does Friday at five work for you?
Sí, perfecto.
Yes, perfect.
¿A nombre de quién?
Under what name?
A nombre de Ben Ross.
Under Ben Ross.
Entonces, el viernes a las cinco.
So, Friday at five.
la cita is an appointment, and also a date with someone. el consultorio is a doctor's office. ¿Le parece bien…? is the usted form of ¿Te parece bien…?, which you know from making plans with friends.
When the time offered doesn't work for you, say so and ask for another day:
El lunes no puedo. ¿Tiene algo para el martes?
I can't on Monday. Do you have anything on Tuesday?
Listen: calling the doctor's office
Ben has a sore throat and calls a doctor's office. Listen first, then read the text.
Calling the doctor's office
Recepcionista:Consultorio del doctor Ruiz, buenas tardes.
Dr. Ruiz's office, good afternoon.
Ben:Buenas tardes. Quisiera hacer una cita. ¿Tiene algo para el jueves?
Good afternoon. I'd like to make an appointment. Do you have anything on Thursday?
Recepcionista:El jueves no hay. ¿Le parece bien el viernes a las cinco?
There's nothing on Thursday. Does Friday at five work for you?
Ben:Sí, perfecto.
Yes, perfect.
Recepcionista:¿A nombre de quién?
Under what name?
Ben:A nombre de Ben Ross: R-O-S-S. Entonces, el viernes a las cinco. Gracias.
Under Ben Ross: R-O-S-S. So, Friday at five. Thank you.
Your turn
When is Ben's appointment?
CorrectNot quiteCheck the capital letters.Check the accents.
El jueves no hay: there's nothing on Thursday, so the appointment is on Friday at five.
Your turn
Write what you hear.
CorrectNot quiteCheck the capital letters.Check the accents.
Entonces, el viernes a las cinco.
Entonces, el viernes a las 5.
Entonces, el viernes a las 5:00.
el viernes: on Friday; a las cinco: at five.
Quick check
Your turn
The receptionist asks ¿A nombre de quién? Answer:
CorrectNot quiteCheck the capital letters.Check the accents.
¿A nombre de quién? asks for your name.
Your turn
Ask for an appointment politely:
hacer una cita.
CorrectNot quiteCheck the capital letters.Check the accents.
Quisiera hacer una cita.
Me gustaría hacer una cita.
Quiero hacer una cita.
Quisiera… (I'd like…) is the most polite; Me gustaría… and Quiero… work too.
Your turn
The receptionist asks ¿Le parece bien el lunes a las diez? You can't on Monday.
CorrectNot quiteCheck the capital letters.Check the accents.
El lunes no puedo, then ask for another day.
Your turn
Call a doctor's office and ask for an appointment on Wednesday.
CorrectNot quiteCheck the capital letters.Check the accents.
Buenas tardes. Quisiera hacer una cita. ¿Tiene algo para el miércoles?
Buenos días. Quisiera hacer una cita para el miércoles, por favor.
Quisiera hacer una cita and ¿Tiene algo para…?
Did you know it?
Take with you
Quisiera hacer una cita.
I'd like to make an appointment.
¿Tiene algo para el jueves?
Do you have anything on Thursday?
¿Le parece bien el viernes a las cinco?
Does Friday at five work for you?
Sí, perfecto.
Yes, perfect.
El lunes no puedo.
I can't on Monday.
A nombre de Ben Ross.
Under Ben Ross.
Entonces, el viernes a las cinco.
So, Friday at five.
At the end of a call, say the day and time once more: Entonces, el viernes a las cinco.
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