In this workshop you will practice a narrow but useful skill: politely getting a stranger's attention in Spanish, asking where the metro is, and understanding a simple direction. The recordings give you the exact phrases you need. You will play both roles alone, using the recorded audio as your model. The goal is not to memorize a long script, but to become comfortable choosing the right opening phrase and responding to a clear answer. You will work with «Disculpe», «Perdón», «Disculpa», and «Una pregunta», then build them into a real exchange. The final direction uses «Está a dos cuadras, a la derecha», which means it is two blocks away, on the right. By the end, you should be able to start the conversation, ask your question, and show that you understood the answer.
Choosing your opening phrase
Spanish has several ways to get attention, and this workshop uses three attention-getters plus a short question opener. «Disculpe» is the formal option and a useful polite default when addressing someone formally. Relationship and regional usage also influence the choice. «Perdón» is short and soft, useful for squeezing past someone or breaking into a conversation already underway. «Disculpa» is informal, for people you already address as tú, such as friends or classmates. «Una pregunta» means a question or can I ask you something, and it often pairs with «Disculpe» to signal you only need a moment. In this workshop, you are asking a stranger, so «Disculpe» or «Perdón» fits best. You do not need to decide perfectly every time; the important thing is to open politely and then ask your question clearly.
Asking and understanding the answer
The recorded exchange gives you a complete model. Speaker A says «Disculpe, ¿me puede ayudar un momento?» which means excuse me, can you help me for a moment? Speaker B replies «Claro, dígame», meaning of course, tell me. Then A asks «Perdón, una pregunta: ¿dónde está la estación de metro?» meaning pardon me, a question: where is the metro station? B answers «Está a dos cuadras, a la derecha», which means it is two blocks away, on the right. Your job is to understand that answer, not to repeat it word for word. The station is two blocks away, on the right; this line does not explicitly tell you to turn right at an intersection. If you hear «dos cuadras» and «derecha», you have the key information.
Playing both roles alone
You can practice this exchange by yourself. First, play speaker A and use the recorded audio for speaker B. Then switch: play speaker B and use the recording for speaker A. This helps you hear the rhythm of the question and the answer. When you are speaker A, focus on a clear «Disculpe» and a calm question. When you are speaker B, focus on «Claro, dígame» and the direction «Está a dos cuadras, a la derecha». You are not trying to sound like a native speaker in one session. You are building a reliable routine for a real situation: stopping someone politely, asking for the metro, and understanding a short answer.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Disculpe
Excuse me (formal, to get attention)
dees-KOOL-peh
Perdón
Pardon me / Excuse me
pehr-DOHN
Disculpa
Excuse me (informal)
dees-KOOL-pah
Una pregunta
A question / Can I ask you something?
OO-nah preh-GOON-tah
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Disculpe, ¿me puede ayudar un momento?
Excuse me, can you help me for a moment?Claro, dígame.
Of course, tell me.Perdón, una pregunta: ¿dónde está la estación de metro?
Pardon me, a question: where is the metro station?Está a dos cuadras, a la derecha.
It's two blocks away, on the right.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 for the metro
You are on a street and need the metro. A stranger is walking past. Use the recorded audio for the stranger's lines and speak your own lines aloud.
Your task: Say «Disculpe» to get attention. Then ask «¿me puede ayudar un momento?» Wait for the recorded reply «Claro, dígame». Then say «Perdón, una pregunta: ¿dónde está la estación de metro?» Listen to the recorded answer «Está a dos cuadras, a la derecha» and repeat it once to check your understanding.
Choose the right opening or interpret the reply
You will hear or read three short situations. For each one, choose the best opening phrase from «Disculpe», «Perdón», or «Disculpa». Then interpret a direction reply.
Your task: Situation 1: You need to ask a stranger for help. Situation 2: You are squeezing past someone in a crowd. Situation 3: You are asking a friend in your class. After choosing, listen to «Está a dos cuadras, a la derecha» and say in English what it means and which way you would walk.
Recall the exchange with correct speaker roles
Cover the transcript. You will recall who says what in the recorded exchange. Use the audio only if you get stuck.
Your task: Say aloud who says «Disculpe, ¿me puede ayudar un momento?» and who says «Claro, dígame». Then say who asks «¿dónde está la estación de metro?» and who answers «Está a dos cuadras, a la derecha». Finally, perform the whole exchange from memory, playing both roles.
Common questions
Can I use «Disculpa» with a stranger?
«Disculpa» is informal, while «Disculpe» is formal. With a stranger, «Disculpe» or «Perdón» are useful polite defaults, but informal address is common in some regions and settings. Choose according to the relationship and local usage; age alone does not determine the choice.
What does «Está a dos cuadras, a la derecha» mean exactly?
It means it is two blocks away, on the right. «Dos cuadras» means two blocks, and «a la derecha» means to the right or on the right. The line locates the station; it does not explicitly say to turn at an intersection. Check your understanding by identifying the distance and side in English.
Sources and further reading
- spanish: excuse me getting attentionChecked September 2026
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Take today's Spanish into a conversation with a Yapr AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr