Spanish · A2 · Family moment
Our first library card in Spanish
Visiting the library is a great way to explore stories with your child. In Spanish, making polite requests is easy using the conditional form of the verb 'poder' (to be able to), which translates to 'could'.
What you'll learn
- Learn to ask for assistance politely using 'podría'.
- Acquire vocabulary related to borrowing books and library cards.
- Formulate questions for checking out and returning items.
- Understand how to use 'we could' versus 'I could' in a social setting.
Spanish phrases for our first library card
¿Podría tener un carné de biblioteca, por favor?
Could I have a library card, please?
'Podría' is the polite 'could' used when speaking to staff.
¿Podría mostrarnos los libros infantiles?
Could you show us the children's books?
'Infantil' is the common adjective for things meant for children.
¿Podríamos sacar este libro hoy?
Could we borrow this book today?
'Sacar' is a common verb used for checking out books from a library.
¿Podría ayudarme a alcanzar ese?
Could you help me reach that one?
'Alcanzar' is used for reaching something high or far away.
¿Podría quedarme con este libro un poco más?
Could I keep this book a little longer?
'Quedarme con' means 'to stay with' or 'to keep'.
¿Podría leerme el título?
Could you read the title to me?
The 'me' attached to the end of 'leer' means 'to me'.
¿Podríamos sentarnos aquí y mirar juntos?
Could we sit here and look together?
'Podríamos' is the first-person plural (we) form.
¿Podría decirnos la fecha de devolución?
Could you tell us the return date?
'Devolución' literally means 'the act of returning'.
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 many countries, 'tarjeta' is also used, but 'carné' is standard for official IDs.
Pedir prestado
To borrow
Literally 'to ask for a loan'.
Préstamo
Loan / Borrowing period
Refers to the act of borrowing the book.
Cuentos
Stories / Tales
Specifically refers to short stories or fairy tales often found in libraries.
Polite Requests with 'Poder'
To make a polite request in Spanish (like 'Could I...?'), use the conditional tense of the verb 'poder' followed by the action you want to do.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I / You (Formal) | Podría | ¿Podría ayudarme? (Could you help me?) |
| You (Informal) | Podrías | ¿Podrías leer esto? (Could you read this?) |
| We | Podríamos | ¿Podríamos entrar? (Could we enter?) |
More examples
¿Podrías elegir un cuento?
Could you choose a story?
Informal 'podrías' used when talking to your child.
¿Podría renovar estos libros?
Could I renew these books?
Useful for extending your borrowing time.
¿Podríamos usar el ordenador?
Could we use the computer?
A common request for digital resources.