Spanish · B2 · Family moment
When a Phone Supports Health in Spanish
At CEFR B2, it is important to navigate sensitive social situations. This guide focuses on teaching children that while screen rules are firm, exceptions exist for medical and health-monitoring needs, while emphasizing the importance of privacy regarding others' medical data.
What you'll learn
- Use 'a menos que' and 'salvo que' to introduce exceptions.
- Discuss health monitoring and medical privacy in Spanish.
- Understand the social etiquette of respecting medical screen use.
Spanish phrases for when a phone supports health
Los teléfonos se quedan en los bolsos durante la actividad, a menos que alguien necesite el suyo para el monitoreo de salud.
Phones stay in bags during the activity unless someone needs theirs for health monitoring.
Uses 'a menos que' to set a clear exception.
Silenciamos las notificaciones durante la tarea, a menos que una alerta médica deba permanecer audible.
We silence notifications during homework unless a medical alert needs to remain audible.
'Permanecer' is a more formal B2 way to say 'stay' or 'remain'.
El equipo mantiene los teléfonos fuera del banquillo, a menos que un jugador necesite acceso por un motivo médico.
The team keeps phones off the bench unless a player needs access for a medical reason.
'Banquillo' refers specifically to the sports bench.
No hace falta que expliques la excepción de tu amigo a nadie, a menos que tu amigo te lo pida.
You don't need to explain your friend's exception to anyone unless your friend asks you to.
Focuses on privacy; 'hacer falta' is a common way to express necessity.
Podemos dejar tu teléfono cargando abajo, a menos que necesites tu aplicación de salud cerca esta noche.
We can leave your phone charging downstairs unless you need its health app nearby tonight.
Natural placement of 'cargando' as a gerund.
El límite de tiempo de pantalla habitual se aplica, a menos que el dispositivo se esté usando para apoyo médico esencial.
The usual screen limit applies unless the device is being used for essential health support.
'Se aplica' uses the passive 'se' to indicate a general rule.
Por favor, no interrumpas a alguien que está revisando un dispositivo médico, a menos que haya un problema de seguridad inmediato.
Please don't interrupt someone who is checking a medical device unless there is an immediate safety concern.
'Haya' is the subjunctive form of 'hay', required after 'a menos que'.
La información médica sigue siendo privada, a menos que la persona decida compartirla.
Medical information stays private unless the person chooses to share it.
'Sigue siendo' translates to 'remains' or 'continues to be'.
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
monitoreo de salud
health monitoring
Used for tracking biological data like blood sugar or heart rate.
audible
audible / can be heard
A cognate that fits well in medical and technical contexts.
banquillo
bench (sports)
Different from 'banco' (park bench or bank).
privacidad
privacy
Essential concept for discussing personal medical data.
Using 'A menos que' for Exceptions
To state a specific exception to a rule, Spanish uses 'a menos que' (or 'salvo que'). Unlike English where a simple present often follows 'unless', Spanish requires the Subjunctive mood after these connectors because the exception is a hypothetical condition.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Structure | [Main Clause] + a menos que + [Subjunctive Verb] | No entres, a menos que sea una emergencia. |
| Common Connector | Salvo que | Usa el móvil, salvo que el médico diga lo contrario. |
More examples
¿Puedo usar mi teléfono ahora?
Can I use my phone now?
Child asking for permission.
No, a menos que sea para revisar tu glucosa.
No, unless it's to check your glucose.
Parent setting a health-based exception.
Entiendo, la salud es lo primero.
I understand, health comes first.
Child acknowledging the importance of the exception.