Lesson note
Maestra, not just teacher: Puerto Rican children usually address teachers as maestra/maestro rather than by title + last name — a warmer, more personal register than mainland U.S. classrooms typically use.
Tip: turn pronunciation off to test yourself.
Hover over or tap a linked verb for a brief explanation or to open the full verb tool.
📝 Key words · Palabras clave
- school
- escuelaehs-KWEH-lah
- teacher
- maestro / maestramah-EHS-troh / mah-EHS-trah
- classroom
- salón de clasessah-LOHN deh KLAH-sehs
- class
- claseKLAH-seh
- backpack
- mochilamoh-CHEE-lah
- book
- libroLEE-broh
- notebook
- cuadernokwah-DEHR-noh
- pencil
- lápizLAH-pees
- homework
- tareatah-REH-ah
- recess
- recreoreh-KREH-oh
- lunchbox
- la loncheralah lohn-CHEH-rah
- lunch
- el almuerzoehl ahl-MWEHR-soh
- school bus
- la guagua escolarlah GWAH-gwah ehs-koh-LAHR
- uniform
- el uniformeehl oo-nee-FOHR-meh
- exam
- exameneh-KSAH-mehn
- grade
- notaNOH-tah
- library
- la bibliotecalah bee-blee-oh-TEH-kah
- nurse's office
- la enfermeríalah ehn-fehr-meh-REE-ah
💬 Key phrases · Frases clave
- Raise your hand.
- Levanta la mano.leh-VAHN-tah lah MAH-noh.
- Can I go to the bathroom?
- ¿Puedo ir al baño?¿PWEH-doh eer ahl BAH-nyoh?
- I don't understand.
- No entiendo.noh ehn-TYEHN-doh.
- I need help.
- Necesito ayuda.neh-seh-SEE-toh ah-YOO-dah.
- Can you repeat, please?
- ¿Puede repetir, por favor?¿PWEH-deh reh-peh-TEER, pohr fah-VOHR?
- How do you say this in Spanish?
- ¿Cómo se dice esto en español?¿KOH-moh seh DEE-seh EHS-toh ehn ehs-pah-NYOHL?
- Can you lend me a pencil?
- ¿Me prestas un lápiz?¿meh PREHS-tahs oon LAH-pees?
- I have a question.
- Tengo una pregunta.TEHN-goh OO-nah preh-GOON-tah.
- Put your materials away, please.
- Guarda tus materiales, por favor.GWAHR-dah toos mah-teh-RYAH-lehs, pohr fah-VOHR.
- Do you have homework today?
- ¿Tienes tarea hoy?¿TYEH-nehs tah-REH-ah oy?
- Yes, I have a lot of homework.
- Sí, tengo mucha tarea.see, TEHN-goh MOO-chah tah-REH-ah.
- I forgot my book at home.
- Se me olvidó mi libro en casa.seh meh ohl-vee-DOH mee LEE-broh ehn KAH-sah.
👋 Arriving & greeting the teacher · Llegando y saludando a la maestra
- Good morning, teacher.
- Buenos días, maestra.BWEH-nohs DEE-ahs, mah-EHS-trah.
- Good morning. Come in and sit down, please.
- Buenos días. Entra y siéntate, por favor.BWEH-nohs DEE-ahs. EHN-trah ee SYEHN-tah-teh, pohr fah-VOHR.
- May I sit here?
- ¿Puedo sentarme aquí?¿PWEH-doh sehn-TAHR-meh ah-KEE?
- Yes, that chair is free.
- Sí, esa silla libre.see, EH-sah SEE-yah ehs-TAH LEE-breh.