In this workshop you practise a very practical station conversation: asking which platform a train leaves from and understanding the answer. You will use short, natural questions and listen for the platform number. The recordings give you the exact phrases to repeat, so you can build confidence before you speak at a real station. You will play both the traveller and the station worker, first with support, then with choices, and finally from memory.
Asking the key question
Start with the most useful question for finding a train. The line «¿En qué andén sale el tren para Puebla?» means "Which platform does the train to Puebla leave from?" You can change the destination later, but first say this line exactly as you hear it. Repeat it slowly, then at a natural speed. If the listener already knows which train you mean, use the shorter question «¿De qué andén sale?», which means "Which platform does it leave from?" Notice that both questions use "andén", the word for platform. Practise the rhythm: the important word "andén" comes after "qué". Say the question to an imaginary station worker, then pause and wait for the answer.
Understanding the answer
When you ask about a platform, the answer often starts with "Sale del andén..." The line «El tren sale del andén cinco.» means "The train leaves from platform five." The word "del" is a combination of "de" and "el". Listen for the number at the end. In the dialogue, the worker answers «Sale del andén cuatro, señor.», which means "It leaves from platform four, sir." The traveller then says «Gracias. ¿A qué hora sale?», meaning "Thank you. What time does it leave?" The worker replies «A las diez y media. Llegue quince minutos antes.», meaning "At ten thirty. Arrive fifteen minutes early." Practise hearing the platform number clearly. You do not need to repeat the whole answer; just repeat the number and the word "andén".
Another way to ask
You can also ask with "¿Cuál es...?" The line «¿Cuál es el andén para Oaxaca?» means "Which is the platform for Oaxaca?" This is useful when you are choosing among options or reading a list. Compare it with «¿En qué andén sale el tren para Puebla?»: both ask for a platform, but the structure is different. Practise both questions so you can recognise them when you hear them. In a station, you might hear either one. Your goal is to ask clearly and to catch the platform number in the reply. Use the recordings to copy the melody of the questions. Speak a little louder than usual in a noisy station, and keep your question short.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
¿En qué andén sale el tren para Puebla?
Which platform does the train to Puebla leave from?
en keh AN-den SAH-leh el tren PAH-rah PWEH-blah
¿De qué andén sale?
Which platform does it leave from?
deh keh AN-den SAH-leh
El tren sale del andén cinco.
The train leaves from platform five.
el tren SAH-leh del AN-den SEEN-koh
¿Cuál es el andén para Oaxaca?
Which is the platform for Oaxaca?
kwahl es el AN-den PAH-rah wah-HAH-kah
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Buenos días, ¿en qué andén sale el tren para Puebla?
Good morning, which platform does the train to Puebla leave from?Sale del andén cuatro, señor.
It leaves from platform four, sir.Gracias. ¿A qué hora sale?
Thank you. What time does it leave?A las diez y media. Llegue quince minutos antes.
At ten thirty. Arrive fifteen minutes early.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 at a station information desk. You want to know the platform for the train to Puebla. A station worker is ready to help. Use the recordings to guide your speaking.
Your task: First, play the role of the traveller. Say the question from «¿En qué andén sale el tren para Puebla?» out loud. Then play the role of the worker and answer with «Sale del andén cuatro, señor.», changing nothing. Repeat the pair three times. Then switch roles: imagine someone asks you the short question «¿De qué andén sale?», and you answer with «El tren sale del andén cinco.». Say both lines out loud.
Reply comprehension: choose the correct platform
You hear a station worker answer your question. You need to identify the platform number. The worker says one of the recorded answer lines.
Your task: Play «El tren sale del andén cinco.» and «Sale del andén cuatro, señor.» one after the other. After each line, say the platform number in Spanish and then in English. Then play «A las diez y media. Llegue quince minutos antes.» and say the departure time and the advice in English. Finally, play «¿Cuál es el andén para Oaxaca?» and decide if it is a question or an answer.
Recall and role swap
Now practise without looking at the text. You will play both the traveller and the worker from memory, using only the recorded lines you have practised.
Your task: Say the long question from «¿En qué andén sale el tren para Puebla?» from memory. Then answer as the worker with «Sale del andén cuatro, señor.». Next, say the short question from «¿De qué andén sale?» and answer with «El tren sale del andén cinco.». Finally, say the alternative question from «¿Cuál es el andén para Oaxaca?» and decide whether it is a question or an answer. Do not invent new lines; use only the recorded phrases.
Common questions
Do I need to memorise every line before speaking?
No. Start by repeating the recordings line by line. Then try the guided exchange with the text in front of you. After a few repetitions, cover the text and recall the lines. Short, frequent practice is better than trying to learn everything at once.
What if I do not understand the platform number in the answer?
Ask again with the short question from «¿De qué andén sale?». Listen for the number at the end of the answer. If you still miss it, you can repeat the number you heard as a question, but keep your speaking to the phrases you have practised. The recordings give you clear models for both the question and the answer.
Sources and further reading
- spanish: find the platformChecked September 2026
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