Leading a Meeting in Spanish: Set the Agenda and Manage Turns
Learn to lead a meeting in Latin American Spanish: open with an agenda, assign turns, and keep discussion on track using clear, polite phrases.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
Leading a meeting requires different language from participating. You need to open the meeting, present the agenda, give turns, and keep time. In Spanish, this means using set phrases that signal leadership while remaining polite. This lesson teaches you practical expressions for chairing a meeting in Latin American Spanish, with notes on regional variation. You will practice phrases like 'Empecemos con el primer punto' and '¿Alguien más quiere opinar?' to manage the flow smoothly.
By the end, you can…
- open a meeting and present the agenda in Spanish.
- assign turns and manage participation politely.
- keep the discussion on track and close the meeting.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Empecemos con el primer punto.
Let's start with the first item.
em-peh-SEH-mos kon el pree-MER POON-toh
Use at the beginning to signal the first agenda item. 'Empecemos' is the nosotros command form of 'empezar'.
Le toca el turno a Ana.
It's Ana's turn.
leh TOH-kah el TOOR-noh ah AH-nah
A clear way to give the floor to someone. In some regions, 'Le cede la palabra a Ana' is more formal.
¿Alguien más quiere opinar?
Does anyone else want to comment?
AL-gyen MAS KYEH-reh oh-pee-NAR
Invites broader participation. Use after a main speaker to include others.
Volvamos al tema.
Let's get back to the topic.
bol-BAH-mos al TEH-mah
Politely redirects when the discussion drifts. 'Volvamos' is the nosotros command of 'volver'.
Para cerrar, repasemos los acuerdos.
To close, let's review the agreements.
PAH-rah seh-RRAR reh-pah-SEH-mos los ah-KWER-dos
Use at the end to summarize decisions. 'Acuerdos' refers to agreements or action items.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To lead a meeting, use the nosotros command form (e.g., 'Empecemos', 'Volvamos', 'Repasemos') to propose actions for the group. For -ar verbs, take the yo form of the present indicative, drop the -o, and add -emos: 'empezar' → 'empiezo' → 'empecemos'; 'repasar' → 'repaso' → 'repasemos'. For -er and -ir verbs, drop the -o and add -amos: 'volver' → 'vuelvo' → 'volvamos'. Note that stem-changing verbs keep the stem change in the nosotros command (empecemos, volvamos), unlike in the present indicative nosotros form (empezamos, volvemos). Examples: 'Empecemos con la presentación.' (Let's start with the presentation.), 'Volvamos al punto anterior.' (Let's return to the previous point.), 'Repasemos las tareas.' (Let's review the tasks.). This pattern is polite and inclusive, positioning you as a facilitator rather than a boss.
When to use it
Use these leadership phrases at specific moments: at the start, to open and present the agenda ('Empecemos...', 'El primer punto es...'); during, to assign turns ('Le toca a...', '¿Alguien más...?') and to refocus ('Volvamos al tema.'); and at the end, to summarize ('Para cerrar...', 'Repasemos los acuerdos.'). For example, if a discussion drifts, say 'Volvamos al tema, por favor.' If you need to move on, say 'Pasemos al siguiente punto.' These phrases maintain a respectful tone while keeping the meeting efficient.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Buenos días a todos. Empecemos con el primer punto: el presupuesto.
Good morning everyone. Let's start with the first item: the budget.BWEH-nos DEE-as ah TOH-dos. em-peh-SEH-mos kon el pree-MER POON-toh: el preh-soo-PWES-tohGracias. Sobre el presupuesto, propongo aumentar la inversión en marketing.
Thank you. Regarding the budget, I propose increasing investment in marketing.GRAH-syas. SOH-breh el preh-soo-PWES-toh, pro-PON-goh ow-men-TAR lah in-ber-SYON en MAR-kee-tingBuena idea. ¿Alguien más quiere opinar sobre esto?
Good idea. Does anyone else want to comment on this?BWEH-nah ee-DEH-ah. AL-gyen MAS KYEH-reh oh-pee-NAR SOH-breh ES-tohSí, creo que deberíamos considerar también el presupuesto para capacitación.
Yes, I think we should also consider the budget for training.SEE, KREH-oh keh deh-beh-REE-ah-mos kon-see-deh-RAR tam-BYEN el preh-soo-PWES-toh PAH-rah kah-pah-see-tah-SYONA little context goes a long way
In Latin American business settings, meetings often begin with a greeting and sometimes a brief informal conversation. Using 'usted' is common in formal meetings, especially with older or higher-ranking participants, while 'tú' may be used among close colleagues. The nosotros commands are standard and polite. In some countries, like Mexico, '¿Alguien más quiere opinar?' might be softened to '¿Alguien más quiere agregar algo?' to sound less direct. Always observe the formality level of the group and adjust accordingly.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Empezamos con el primer punto' with a rising question intonation to mean 'Let's start'.
Try this instead: While 'Empezamos' can be a question ('Are we starting?'), to propose starting, use the nosotros command: 'Empecemos con el primer punto.' This form clearly indicates a suggestion or decision to begin. For example, say 'Empecemos' not 'Empezamos' when you are leading.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you say 'Let's review the agreements' in Spanish?
Show a sample answer
Repasemos los acuerdos.
This uses the nosotros command of 'repasar' (repasemos) to propose reviewing. 'Acuerdos' means agreements. Alternative: 'Revisemos los acuerdos' is also correct.
2What phrase would you use to give the floor to someone named Carlos?
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Le toca el turno a Carlos.
This means 'It's Carlos's turn.' It clearly assigns the turn. In more formal contexts, you could say 'Le cedo la palabra a Carlos.'
3How do you politely redirect the discussion back to the topic?
Show a sample answer
Volvamos al tema.
This means 'Let's get back to the topic.' It uses the nosotros command of 'volver' and is a polite way to refocus. You could also say 'Volvamos al punto anterior.'
Use nosotros commands like 'Empecemos' and 'Volvamos' to lead meetings inclusively. Assign turns with 'Le toca a...' and invite input with '¿Alguien más...?'. Adjust formality to your group.
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