Spanish · C1 · Everyday language
Thinking Aloud Beside You in Spanish
At C1, you use complex verbal structures to nuance your speech. This guide focuses on 'locuciones verbales'—fixed expressions where a verb and noun combine to convey a single idea—specifically used to articulate decisions and reflections to your child.
What you'll learn
- Master the use of fixed verbal expressions like 'tomar en cuenta' and 'poner en tela de juicio'.
- Understand how to integrate these high-level structures into natural parenting scenarios.
- Refine the use of object placement and prepositional phrases within these verbal frames.
Spanish phrases for thinking aloud beside you
Dados esos pequeños bostezos, tomaré en cuenta una siesta más temprana.
Given those little yawns, I'll take an earlier nap into consideration.
'Tomar en cuenta' is the natural Spanish equivalent for 'to take into consideration'.
Hoy tomaremos en cuenta un paseo en cochecito más corto, cariño.
We'll take a shorter stroller walk into consideration today, sweetheart.
Note the placement of the direct object 'un paseo...' between the verb and the prepositional phrase.
Sacaré el tema de tus encías doloridas con la enfermera para que podamos ayudarte a sentirte mejor.
I'll bring up your sore gums with the nurse so we can help you feel better.
'Sacar el tema' effectively translates 'to bring up/mention'.
Sacaré el tema del pañal que gotea con papá; tal vez necesitemos una talla diferente.
I'll bring up the leaking nappy with Daddy; perhaps we need a different size.
'Sacar el tema de...' requires the preposition 'de' before the noun.
Una tarde inquieta no pone en tela de juicio toda nuestra rutina.
One unsettled afternoon doesn't call our whole routine into question.
'Poner en tela de juicio' is a sophisticated way to say 'to question' or 'to doubt'.
Tu desvío de mirada pone en tela de juicio mi suposición sobre otra cucharada; hagamos una pausa.
Your turning away calls my guess about another spoonful into question; let's pause.
This structure is perfect for high-level Spanish, showing mature reasoning.
He tomado una decisión: nos daremos un abrazo tranquilo antes de salir.
I've come to a decision: we'll have a quiet cuddle before we go out.
'Tomar una decisión' is the standard way to say 'to come to/reach a decision'.
Papá y yo hemos tomado una decisión: la hora del baño puede esperar hasta después de tu descanso.
Daddy and I have come to a decision: bath time can wait until after your rest.
Using the present perfect ('hemos tomado') indicates a decision that impacts the immediate present.
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
Tomar en cuenta
To take into consideration / To keep in mind
Often interchangeable with 'tener en cuenta'.
Sacar el tema
To bring up a topic
Used when introducing a specific point for discussion.
Poner en tela de juicio
To call into question
Literally 'to put on the judgment cloth' (referring to old legal contexts).
Tomar una decisión
To reach/make a decision
More natural than using the verb 'decidir' when emphasizing the process of settling on a choice.
Locuciones Verbales (Verbal Collocations)
At a C1 level, you move beyond simple verbs to 'Functional Verb Constructions'. These consist of a 'light' verb (like tomar, poner, sacar) and a noun. The noun carries the weight of the meaning.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Consideration | Tomar + en cuenta + [Objeto] | Tomo en cuenta tu cansancio. |
| Questioning | Poner + en tela de juicio + [Objeto] | No pongas en tela de juicio mi plan. |
| Decision | Tomar + una decisión | He tomado una decisión difícil. |
More examples
¿Debería tomar en cuenta el clima antes de vestirnos?
Should I take the weather into consideration before we get dressed?
Shows 'tomar en cuenta' in a question format.
No quiero poner en tela de juicio tu apetito, pero pareces lleno.
I don't want to call your appetite into question, but you seem full.
Demonstrates the use of the expression in a negative clause.