Spanish · A2 · Family moment
Books To Take Home in Spanish
Learn how to make polite requests at the library using the Spanish conditional 'podría'. This guide helps you borrow books and interact with library staff and your children politely.
What you'll learn
- Ask for a library card and borrow books using polite forms.
- Use 'podría' (could) to make formal and informal requests.
- Learn vocabulary related to libraries and children's stories.
Spanish phrases for books to take home
¿Podría tomar prestado este libro para mi hijo?
Could I borrow this book for my child?
'Tomar prestado' is the standard way to say 'to borrow'.
¿Podría sacar un carné de biblioteca para mi hija?
Could I get a library card for my daughter?
'Sacar' is often used when obtaining documents like cards or IDs.
¿Podría quedarme con este libro hasta el viernes?
Could I keep this book until Friday?
'Quedarse con' means 'to keep' or 'to stay with'.
¿Podrías llevar tus libros, por favor?
Could you carry your books, please?
Using 'podrías' (informal) when speaking to your child.
¿Podrías elegir un cuento para esta noche?
Could you choose a story for tonight?
'Cuento' specifically refers to a story or tale, common for children's books.
¿Podría mostrarme su carné de biblioteca?
Could you show me your library card?
A common formal request you might hear from a librarian.
Disculpe, ¿podría ayudar a mi hijo a encontrar un libro de animales?
Excuse me, could you help my son find an animal book?
'Disculpe' is a polite way to get someone's attention.
Disculpe, ¿podría explicarnos las normas de préstamo?
Excuse me, could you explain the borrowing rules to us?
'Préstamo' is the noun for 'loan' or 'borrowing'.
Hear these phrases and practise them
Tildi plays every phrase out loud, tests you in five-minute lessons and builds them into bedtime stories from your own picture books.
Try it free for 7 daysKey words
Carné de biblioteca
Library card
In some countries, 'tarjeta' is also used.
Cuento
Story / Tale
Used specifically for fiction or children's stories.
Préstamo
Loan / Borrowing
Refers to the act of lending or the period of the loan.
Elegir
To choose
A common verb when picking out books.
Polite Requests with 'Poder'
In Spanish, the conditional form of 'poder' (to be able to) is used to say 'could'. It makes requests sound softer and more polite. Use the 'tú' form with children and the 'usted' form with staff.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Yo (I) | podría | ¿Podría entrar? |
| Tú (You - informal) | podrías | ¿Podrías leer? |
| Usted (You - formal) | podría | ¿Podría ayudarme? |
| Ustedes (You all) | podrían | ¿Podrían esperar? |
More examples
Cariño, ¿podrías poner el libro en la mesa?
Honey, could you put the book on the table?
Informal request to a child.
¿Podríamos renovar estos libros por una semana más?
Could we renew these books for one more week?
Using the 'nosotros' form for a family request.