Spanish · A2 · Family moment
Help at Checkups in Spanish
Visiting the doctor with a baby can be stressful. Using polite requests with the word 'podría' (could) helps you ask for help or information in a kind and effective way during these visits.
What you'll learn
- Learn to form polite requests using the conditional tense of 'poder'.
- Master vocabulary related to a baby's medical check-up.
- Distinguish between formal and informal ways to ask for help.
Spanish phrases for help at checkups
¿Podría sostener a mi bebé durante el chequeo?
Could I hold my baby during the check-up?
Uses 'podría' for a polite first-person request.
¿Podría alimentar a mi bebé aquí?
Could I feed my baby here?
Useful for finding a private space in the clinic.
¿Podría hacer una pregunta sobre la dentición?
Could I ask a question about teething?
'Hacer una pregunta' literally means 'to make a question'.
¿Podrías pasarme su mantita, papá?
Could you pass me her blanket, Dad?
Uses 'podrías' (informal 'tú') for family members.
¿Podrías tomar su mano, mamá?
Could you hold his hand, Mum?
A gentle request for comfort during the visit.
¿Podrías abrir la puerta para el cochecito, papá?
Could you open the door for the pram, Dad?
'Cochecito' is the common word for a baby stroller or pram.
¿Podría examinarle los oídos, doctor?
Could you examine her ears, Doctor?
Uses 'podría' (formal 'usted') for the medical professional.
¿Podría explicarme el próximo chequeo, doctor?
Could you explain the next check-up, Doctor?
'Explicarme' combines the verb with the object 'me'.
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
Chequeo
Check-up
Used commonly for medical examinations.
Dentición
Teething
The process of a baby's teeth coming through.
Cochecito
Pram / Stroller
A diminutive of 'coche' (car), very common in child-related contexts.
Mantita
Blanket
The diminutive '-ita' makes it sound more affectionate for a baby's item.
Polite Requests with Poder
To make a polite request in Spanish, we use the conditional form of 'poder' (to be able to). This is followed by an infinitive verb (the basic form of the verb). Use 'podrías' for family and friends (tú), and 'podría' for doctors or people you don't know well (usted).
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I (Yo) | ¿Podría + infinitive...? | ¿Podría entrar? |
| You (Tú - Informal) | ¿Podrías + infinitive...? | ¿Podrías ayudarme? |
| You (Usted - Formal) | ¿Podría + infinitive...? | ¿Podría revisar al bebé? |
More examples
¿Podría darme un folleto?
Could I have a brochure?
A formal request for information.
¿Podrías guardar el pañal?
Could you put away the diaper?
An informal request to a partner.