In this workshop you will practice a short, realistic exchange in Spanish: asking where a public swimming pool is, understanding a simple location answer, and asking what time it opens and closes. You will work with the key recorded lines, learn what each one means in English, and then use them in guided speaking tasks. The goal is to help you handle this kind of everyday question with confidence, even if you are just starting out.
Asking Where the Pool Is
Start with a polite question. The line «Disculpe, ¿dónde está la piscina pública?» means “Excuse me, where is the public swimming pool?” The word for “excuse me” gets the other person’s attention, and the rest asks for the location of the pool. A shorter version is «¿Dónde está la piscina pública?», which means “Where is the public swimming pool?” You can also ask about a municipal pool with «¿Dónde queda la alberca municipal?», meaning “Where is the municipal swimming pool?” Use the version that matches the place you are looking for. When you speak, keep your voice calm and friendly, and say the question as one smooth phrase rather than word by word.
Understanding the Reply
After you ask, listen for a short location answer. The line «Está a dos cuadras, cerca del parque.» means “It’s two blocks away, near the park.” This tells you the distance and a nearby landmark. You do not need to repeat every word back; a simple “thank you” is enough before your next question. If you hear a different landmark or distance, focus on the general meaning: the person is telling you where the pool is and how far it is. In a real conversation, you can also ask the person to repeat if you did not catch the answer.
Asking About Opening and Closing Times
Once you know where the pool is, you can ask about its hours. The line «¿A qué hora abre?» means “What time does it open?” and «¿A qué hora cierra?» means “What time does it close?” A combined question appears in «Gracias. ¿A qué hora abre?», which means “Thank you. What time does it open?” The reply «Abre a las seis de la mañana y cierra a las ocho de la noche.» means “It opens at six in the morning and closes at eight at night.” Notice that the answer gives both an opening time and a closing time. When you practice, say the times clearly and keep the question word order as a single question.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
¿Dónde está la piscina pública?
Where is the public swimming pool?
DON-deh es-TAH la pee-SEE-nah POO-blee-kah
¿Dónde queda la alberca municipal?
Where is the municipal swimming pool?
DON-deh KEH-dah la al-BER-kah moo-nee-see-PAL
¿A qué hora abre?
What time does it open?
ah keh OH-rah AH-breh
¿A qué hora cierra?
What time does it close?
ah keh OH-rah SYEH-rrah
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Disculpe, ¿dónde está la piscina pública?
Excuse me, where is the public swimming pool?Está a dos cuadras, cerca del parque.
It's two blocks away, near the park.Gracias. ¿A qué hora abre?
Thank you. What time does it open?Abre a las seis de la mañana y cierra a las ocho de la noche.
It opens at six in the morning and closes at eight at night.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Exchange: Ask and Answer
You are standing near a park and want to find the public swimming pool. You will play both roles: first the person asking, then the person answering. Use the recorded lines as your model.
Your task: Read the question «Disculpe, ¿dónde está la piscina pública?» aloud. Then read the reply «Está a dos cuadras, cerca del parque.» aloud as if you are the person giving directions. After that, read «Gracias. ¿A qué hora abre?» aloud and then «Abre a las seis de la mañana y cierra a las ocho de la noche.» aloud. Do the whole exchange twice, keeping the same order each time.
Reply Comprehension: Choose the Right Response
You ask where the public swimming pool is. The other person gives you a location answer. You need to choose the reply that matches what you heard.
Your task: Listen to or read «Está a dos cuadras, cerca del parque.». Then choose the best response from these two options: A) «Gracias. ¿A qué hora abre?» B) «¿A qué hora abre?». Say your choice aloud and explain in English why it fits after a location answer.
Recall and Role Swap: Put the Exchange in Order
You will rebuild the conversation from memory using the recorded lines. The scene has two roles: a person asking for the pool and a person answering. You can play both roles.
Your task: Arrange these four lines in the correct order: «Disculpe, ¿dónde está la piscina pública?», «Está a dos cuadras, cerca del parque.», «Gracias. ¿A qué hora abre?», «Abre a las seis de la mañana y cierra a las ocho de la noche.». Say the whole exchange aloud in that order. Then swap roles: read the lines that belong to the other speaker, but keep the same chronological order of question, reply, follow-up question, and final answer.
Common questions
Do I need to memorize every word before I speak?
No. Start by saying the whole line slowly while looking at the recorded line reference. Repeat it a few times, then try it without looking. It is fine to pause between words at first; fluency comes with repetition.
What if I do not understand the answer about the pool’s location?
You can politely ask the person to repeat. In this workshop, focus on catching the general meaning of the reply, such as a distance and a nearby landmark. You do not need to understand every single word to continue the conversation.
Sources and further reading
- spanish: ask for a swimming poolChecked September 2026
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