Spanish · A2 · Family moment
Research With Support in Spanish
This guide helps parents and children navigate a library setting by using polite requests in Spanish to ask for help with research and school projects.
What you'll learn
- Learn to use the conditional form of 'poder' (could) for polite requests.
- Practice common library and school-related vocabulary.
- Understand the difference between formal and informal polite address.
Spanish phrases for research with support
¿Podría mirar tus notas del proyecto?
Could I look at your project notes?
'Mirar' is used for 'to look at'.
¿Podrías enseñarme tu lista de libros?
Could you show me your book list?
'Enseñar' is used here as 'to show'.
¿Podría pedirte prestado tu lápiz?
Could I borrow your pencil?
'Pedir prestado' is the standard way to say 'to borrow'.
¿Podrías anotar el título del libro?
Could you write down the book title?
'Anotar' means to note down or write down.
Disculpe, ¿podría ayudar a mi hijo a encontrar un libro sobre el espacio?
Excuse me, could you help my child find a book about space?
'Disculpe' is the formal way to get someone's attention.
¿Podría explicarnos las normas de préstamo, por favor?
Could you explain the borrowing rules to us, please?
'Préstamo' refers to the act of lending or borrowing books.
¿Podría usar este ordenador para nuestra búsqueda?
Could I use this computer for our search?
'Búsqueda' means search or research.
¿Podrías llevar estos libros?
Could you carry these books?
'Llevar' is used for carrying or taking something.
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
Pedir prestado
To borrow
Literally 'to ask for lent'.
Notas
Notes
Commonly used for school notes or grades.
Ordenador / Computadora
Computer
'Ordenador' is used in Spain, 'Computadora' in Latin America.
Normas
Rules/Regulations
Often used for official library or school rules.
Polite Requests with 'Podría'
To say 'could' in Spanish for polite requests, we use the Conditional tense of the verb 'poder'. Use 'podrías' for friends (informal) and 'podría' for adults or library staff (formal).
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Yo (I) | podría | ¿Podría entrar? |
| Tú (You - informal) | podrías | ¿Podrías ayudarme? |
| Usted (You - formal) | podría | ¿Podría hablar con usted? |
More examples
Hola, ¿podría usar la impresora?
Hello, could I use the printer?
A useful phrase for a library setting.
Mamá, ¿podrías ayudarme con la búsqueda?
Mom, could you help me with the search?
Child asking a parent for help using the informal 'tú'.