Spanish · B1 · Family moment
While our school is being improved in Spanish
Helping your child understand school renovations requires clear language. This guide focuses on the Spanish passive voice to explain what is happening around the school building without needing to focus on who is doing the work.
What you'll learn
- Describe ongoing school improvements and building work.
- Use the passive voice with 'ser' and 'estar' to describe processes.
- Identify the 'pasiva refleja' (passive 'se') for common actions.
- Explain temporary changes to school routines to children.
Spanish phrases for while our school is being improved
El tejado está siendo reparado esta semana.
The roof is being repaired this week.
Uses 'estar siendo' + participle to show a temporary process in progress.
Se está construyendo una rampa nueva junto a la entrada.
A new ramp is being built beside the entrance.
The 'se está' + gerund structure is a common way to express a process passive.
Las aulas se están pintando durante las vacaciones.
The classrooms are being painted during the holidays.
Note how the verb 'están' agrees with the plural subject 'las aulas'.
¿También se está cambiando la valla vieja?
Is the old fence being replaced as well?
The verb 'cambiar' is used here for 'replace' in a general sense.
Las herramientas se guardan bajo llave todas las tardes.
The tools are locked away every afternoon.
This describes a regular habit using the 'pasiva refleja'.
El pasillo se limpia antes de que lleguen los niños.
The corridor is cleaned before the children arrive.
Uses 'se limpia' to indicate a routine action where the actor isn't mentioned.
Se están instalando luces nuevas en el salón de actos.
New lights are being fitted in the hall.
'Salón de actos' is often used for a school hall or assembly room.
Hoy se nos da clase en otra aula.
We are being taught in another room today.
Literally 'class is given to us'; a natural way to express being taught.
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
El tejado
The roof
Refers specifically to the external roof structure.
La valla
The fence
Crucial for safety discussions during building work.
Bajo llave
Locked away
Literally 'under key'; used for tools or dangerous items.
El aula
The classroom
Feminine noun that takes 'el' in the singular (el aula) but 'las' in the plural (las aulas).
The Passive Voice in Spanish
While English uses 'is being [done]', Spanish often uses the 'Pasiva Refleja' (se + verb) or the 'Passive Periphrasis' (ser/estar + participle). At the B1 level, focus on using 'se' for general actions and 'estar siendo' for actions currently in progress.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Passive Process | estar + siendo + participle | La escuela está siendo mejorada. |
| Passive 'Se' | se + 3rd person verb | Se construye un muro. |
| Agreement | Participle must match gender/number | Las ventanas fueron rotas. |
More examples
No te preocupes, la zona de obras está cerrada.
Don't worry, the construction zone is closed off.
Reassuring a child about safety.
Mañana se abre la entrada principal.
Tomorrow the main entrance will be opened.
Using the present tense 'se abre' to indicate a scheduled future event.