DELE B1 phrases for writing and speaking
The CSV has the Spanish, the English, the function and the task of each phrase. Anki imports it as it is, with the Spanish and English as the first two fields and the task as tags. For Quizlet, open the file in a spreadsheet and paste the Spanish and English columns into Import.
Writing task 1 Letter or email
- Format
- Reply to a message, letter or forum post you have read, in 100 to 120 words.
- What it tests
- A simple, well-linked informative text in reply to a short text you have read: a letter, a forum post, an email or a blog entry, which can include description or narration.
Answering what the other person wrote
- Me alegra mucho saber que... I'm really glad to hear that...
- En tu mensaje me preguntas... In your message you ask me...
- Respecto a tu pregunta, ... As for your question, ...
- Siento mucho lo de... I'm very sorry about...
En tu mensaje me preguntas qué tal el trabajo nuevo. Pues la verdad es que estoy encantada.
In your message you ask me how the new job is going. Well, the truth is I'm delighted.
Telling what happened
- La semana pasada... Last week...
- Resulta que... It turns out that... / The thing is...
- De repente... Suddenly...
- Mientras esperaba..., ... While I was waiting..., ...
La semana pasada fui a la biblioteca nueva y, de repente, me encontré con nuestro antiguo profesor.
Last week I went to the new library and suddenly I ran into our old teacher.
Recommending and giving advice
- Te recomiendo que... I recommend that you... (subjunctive)
- Yo en tu lugar... If I were you, I would...
- ¿Por qué no...? Why don't you...?
- Lo mejor es que... The best thing is to... (subjunctive)
Te recomiendo que vengas en primavera, porque en verano hace demasiado calor.
I'd recommend coming in spring, because it's far too hot in summer.
Suggesting a plan
- ¿Qué te parece si...? How about if we...?
- Podríamos... We could...
- Si te parece bien, ... If that's all right with you, ...
¿Qué te parece si nos vemos el sábado por la mañana en el mercado?
How about meeting on Saturday morning at the market?
Giving feedback and suggesting improvements
- Lo que más me ha gustado ha sido... What I've liked most has been...
- Me ha parecido muy útil... I've found... very useful.
- Una cosa que se podría mejorar es... One thing that could be improved is...
- Estaría bien... It would be good to...
Una cosa que se podría mejorar es el horario, porque las actividades empiezan demasiado pronto.
One thing that could be improved is the timetable, because the activities start too early.
Writing task 2 Composition
- Format
- Choose one of two options and write 130 to 150 words about a personal experience or an opinion.
- What it tests
- A descriptive or narrative text that gives your opinion and information of personal interest, about experiences, feelings or anecdotes. It can be a composition, a diary entry or a biography.
Telling a personal experience
- Recuerdo muy bien el día en que... I remember the day when... very well.
- Cuando tenía... años, ... When I was... years old, ...
- Nunca olvidaré... I'll never forget...
- Fue la primera vez que... It was the first time that...
Nunca olvidaré la primera vez que viajé sola: tenía diecinueve años y estaba muy nerviosa.
I'll never forget the first time I travelled alone: I was nineteen and very nervous.
Saying how you felt
- Me sentí muy... I felt very...
- Me puse muy nervioso / nerviosa. I got very nervous.
- Me hizo mucha ilusión... I was really excited about...
- Me dio mucha pena / vergüenza. I felt very sad / embarrassed.
Me hizo mucha ilusión ver a toda la familia junta después de tantos años.
I was really excited to see the whole family together after so many years.
Giving your opinion
- En mi opinión, ... In my opinion, ...
- Creo que... / No creo que... I think that... / I don't think that... (subjunctive after the negative)
- Para mí, lo más importante es... For me, the most important thing is...
No creo que la ciudad sea mejor para todo el mundo, porque depende de lo que busques.
I don't think the city is better for everyone, because it depends on what you're looking for.
Comparing two options
- Mientras que..., ... Whereas..., ...
- ... es más / menos... que... ... is more / less... than...
- La ventaja de... es que... The advantage of... is that...
- El problema de... es que... The problem with... is that...
La ventaja del pueblo es que es más tranquilo; el problema es que hay pocos autobuses.
The advantage of the village is that it's quieter; the problem is that there are few buses.
Speaking task 1 Presentation
- Format
- Give a prepared presentation on a topic you chose, for 2 to 3 minutes.
- What it tests
- A short rehearsed presentation in which you give your opinion, describe your experiences or talk about your wishes on a topic or a headline.
Introducing your presentation
- He elegido el tema de... porque... I've chosen the topic of... because...
- El titular dice que... The headline says that...
- Primero voy a..., después... y por último... First I'm going to..., then... and finally...
He elegido el tema de la música porque es una parte muy importante de mi vida.
I've chosen the topic of music because it's a very important part of my life.
Talking about wishes and plans
- Me gustaría... I'd like to...
- Espero que... I hope that... (subjunctive)
- Ojalá... I hope... / If only... (subjunctive)
- Tengo pensado... I'm planning to...
- Mi sueño es... My dream is to...
Mi sueño es tocar en un grupo, y espero que algún día sea posible.
My dream is to play in a band, and I hope that one day it will be possible.
Talking about your experiences
- He estado en... varias veces. I've been to... several times.
- Nunca he... I've never...
- Una vez, ... Once, ...
- Me acuerdo de que... I remember that...
Nunca he estado en un festival de música, pero me encantaría ir.
I've never been to a music festival, but I'd love to go.
Giving your opinion
- En mi opinión, ... In my opinion, ...
- Creo que... / No creo que... I think that... / I don't think that... (subjunctive after the negative)
- Para mí, lo más importante es... For me, the most important thing is...
En mi opinión, la música en directo es mucho mejor que la grabada.
In my opinion, live music is much better than recorded music.
Speaking task 2 Conversation about your topic
- Format
- Answer the examiner's questions about your presentation for 3 to 4 minutes.
- What it tests
- A conversation on the topic of task 1 in which you give your opinion or talk about a personal experience.
Answering and buying time to think
- Pues, la verdad es que... Well, the truth is that...
- Es una buena pregunta. That's a good question.
- Déjeme pensar... Let me think... (usted)
- Depende. It depends.
Es una buena pregunta. Déjeme pensar. Creo que depende mucho de la edad.
That's a good question. Let me think. I think it depends a lot on your age.
Agreeing and disagreeing
- Estoy de acuerdo con usted. I agree with you.
- No estoy de acuerdo, porque... I don't agree, because...
- Tiene razón, pero... You're right, but...
- Yo no lo veo así. I don't see it that way.
Tiene razón en parte, pero en mi ciudad la situación es diferente.
You're partly right, but in my city the situation is different.
Giving examples from your own life
- En mi caso, ... In my case, ...
- A mí me pasó que... What happened to me was that...
- Conozco a alguien que... I know someone who...
En mi caso, uso el móvil sobre todo para hablar con mi familia.
In my case, I use my phone mainly to talk to my family.
Giving your opinion
- Creo que... / No creo que... I think that... / I don't think that... (subjunctive after the negative)
- Me parece que... It seems to me that...
Creo que sí, aunque no conozco muy bien la situación en otros países.
I think so, although I don't know the situation in other countries very well.
Speaking task 3 Photo description
- Format
- Describe a photo and answer questions about it for 2 to 3 minutes.
- What it tests
- Describing a photo and answering questions about it.
Describing the scene
- En la imagen se ve a... In the picture you can see...
- La escena tiene lugar en... The scene takes place in...
- En primer plano... In the foreground...
- Al fondo se ve... In the background you can see...
La escena tiene lugar en una cocina y, en primer plano, se ve a un hombre cortando verduras.
The scene takes place in a kitchen and, in the foreground, you can see a man chopping vegetables.
Making guesses about the photo
- Parece que... It looks as if...
- Puede que... Maybe... (subjunctive)
- A lo mejor... Perhaps...
- Seguramente... Most likely...
A lo mejor están preparando una fiesta, porque hay muchos platos en la mesa.
Perhaps they're getting a party ready, because there are a lot of plates on the table.
Saying how the people feel
- Parecen contentos / preocupados. They look happy / worried.
- Se nota que... You can tell that...
- Tiene cara de... He / She looks... (literally 'has the face of')
Se nota que la niña está nerviosa, porque no deja de mirar a su madre.
You can tell the girl is nervous, because she keeps looking at her mother.
Relating the photo to your own life
- Yo también suelo... I usually... too.
- A mí también me ha pasado. That's happened to me too.
- En mi país es diferente. In my country it's different.
En mi país es diferente, porque la gente cena mucho más temprano.
In my country it's different, because people have dinner much earlier.
Speaking task 4 Role play
- Format
- Act out a situation linked to the photo with the examiner for 2 to 3 minutes.
- What it tests
- A conversation to meet everyday needs or personal interests: changing or returning something, asking for a service, making a complaint or a query, confirming or arranging an appointment, asking for information or arranging to meet friends.
Making a complaint
- Quería poner una reclamación. I'd like to make a complaint.
- El problema es que... The problem is that...
- No es la primera vez que... It's not the first time that...
- No me parece normal que... I don't think it's acceptable that... (subjunctive)
Quería poner una reclamación: el pedido llegó tarde y además faltaba una pieza.
I'd like to make a complaint: the order arrived late and a part was missing as well.
Changing or returning something
- Quería cambiar... por... I'd like to exchange... for...
- ¿Me podrían devolver el dinero? Could you give me a refund?
- Aquí tiene el tique. Here's the receipt.
- Todavía tiene garantía. It's still under guarantee.
Compré esta lámpara el lunes y no funciona. ¿Me la podrían cambiar por otra?
I bought this lamp on Monday and it doesn't work. Could you exchange it for another one?
Making or changing an appointment
- Quería pedir cita para... I'd like to make an appointment for...
- ¿Tienen algo para el jueves? Do you have anything on Thursday?
- ¿Podría cambiar la cita a otro día? Could I move the appointment to another day?
- Entonces, quedamos el... a las... So that's... at... then.
Quería pedir cita con el dentista. ¿Tienen algo para el jueves por la tarde?
I'd like to make an appointment with the dentist. Do you have anything on Thursday afternoon?
Asking for a service or for information
- ¿Me podría decir...? Could you tell me...?
- Quería información sobre... I'd like some information about...
- ¿Sería posible...? Would it be possible to...?
- ¿Hace falta reservar? Do I need to book?
Quería información sobre las clases de cerámica del centro cultural. ¿Hace falta reservar plaza?
I'd like some information about the pottery classes at the arts centre. Do I need to book a place?
Arranging to meet a friend
- ¿Te apetece...? Do you fancy...?
- ¿A qué hora te viene bien? What time suits you?
- Mejor quedamos un poco más tarde. Let's meet a bit later instead.
¿Te apetece ir al cine el viernes? Mejor quedamos a las ocho, porque salgo tarde del trabajo.
Do you fancy going to the cinema on Friday? Let's meet at eight, because I finish work late.
Reacting to what you are offered
- Me parece bien. That sounds fine.
- Vale, de acuerdo. OK, agreed.
- Lo siento, pero eso no me sirve. I'm sorry, but that's no use to me.
- Preferiría... I'd rather...
Lo siento, pero eso no me sirve, porque necesito la lámpara esta semana.
I'm sorry, but that's no use to me, because I need the lamp this week.
Letters, emails and messages
Band 2 of the B1 writing scale for the text type (Adecuación al género discursivo) describes letters and messages that keep to the conventions of how a text opens and closes, with the usual courtesy formulas for greeting and signing off.
Opening a letter, email or post
- Querido Diego: Dear Diego, (Spanish puts a colon after the greeting) Writing task 1
- ¡Hola a todos! Hi everyone! (in a forum or a blog) Writing task 1
- Estimada señora López: Dear Ms López, (formal) Writing task 1
- Estimados señores: Dear Sir or Madam, (formal, to a company) Writing task 1
Estimada señora López: Le escribo en relación con el curso de verano de la escuela.
Dear Ms López, I'm writing about the school's summer course. Writing task 1
Saying why you are writing
- Te escribo para contarte que... I'm writing to tell you that... Writing task 1
- Le escribo en relación con... I'm writing about... (formal) Writing task 1
- Gracias por tu mensaje, me alegró mucho recibirlo. Thanks for your message, I was really happy to get it. Writing task 1
- Perdona que no te haya escrito antes. Sorry I haven't written sooner. Writing task 1
Te escribo para contarte que por fin he encontrado trabajo.
I'm writing to tell you that I've finally found a job. Writing task 1
Closing a letter, email or post
- Espero tu respuesta. I look forward to hearing from you. (tú) Writing task 1
- Un abrazo y hasta pronto, Best wishes and see you soon, Writing task 1
- Quedo a la espera de su respuesta. I look forward to your reply. (formal) Writing task 1
- Un cordial saludo, Kind regards, Writing task 1
- Atentamente, Yours sincerely, / Yours faithfully, Writing task 1
Espero sus noticias. Un cordial saludo, Paula Gil.
I look forward to hearing from you. Kind regards, Paula Gil. Writing task 1
Tú or usted
- ¿Podrías...? Could you...? (tú) Writing task 1, speaking task 4
- ¿Podría...? Could you...? (usted) Writing task 1, speaking task 4
- Te agradezco... Thank you for... (tú) Writing task 1
- Le agradezco... Thank you for... (usted) Writing task 1
- Os escribo para... I'm writing to you all to... (vosotros, used in Spain) Writing task 1
Le agradezco mucho su ayuda con la matrícula.
Thank you very much for your help with the enrolment. Writing task 1
Connectors
Conectores
Band 2 of the B1 coherence scale (Coherencia) names primero, luego and después for ordering information and y, también, por eso, entonces, pero and porque as frequent connectors.
Adding
- también also, too Writing tasks 1 and 2, speaking task 1
- además besides, what's more Writing tasks 1 and 2, speaking task 2
- incluso even Writing task 2, speaking task 2
El pueblo es muy tranquilo y además está cerca de la playa.
The village is very quiet and, what's more, it's close to the beach. Writing task 2
Contrasting
- pero but Writing tasks 1 and 2, speaking task 2
- sin embargo however Writing task 2, speaking task 1
- aunque although, even though Writing task 2, speaking task 2
- en cambio on the other hand, whereas Writing task 2, speaking task 3
El hombre parece tranquilo; en cambio, la mujer tiene cara de preocupada.
The man looks calm; the woman, on the other hand, looks worried. Speaking task 3
Giving a reason
- porque because Writing tasks 1 and 2, speaking task 2
- como as, since (at the start of the sentence) Writing task 1, speaking task 4
- ya que since, as Writing task 2
- es que the thing is (when speaking) Speaking tasks 2 and 4
Es que la compré para regalarla y la necesito antes del sábado.
The thing is, I bought it as a present and I need it before Saturday. Speaking task 4
Giving a result
- por eso that's why, so Writing tasks 1 and 2, speaking task 1
- así que so Writing task 1, speaking task 2
- entonces so, then Speaking tasks 2 and 4
El viernes tengo un examen, así que no puedo ir a la fiesta.
I have an exam on Friday, so I can't go to the party. Writing task 1
Ordering your points
- primero first Writing task 2, speaking task 1
- luego / después then, afterwards Writing tasks 1 and 2, speaking task 1
- por último finally, lastly Writing task 2, speaking task 1
- por un lado..., por otro... on the one hand..., on the other... Writing task 2, speaking task 2
Primero voy a hablar de mis gustos, luego de los conciertos y por último de mis planes.
First I'll talk about what I like, then about concerts and finally about my plans. Speaking task 1
Concluding
- en resumen in short Writing task 2, speaking task 1
- por todo esto for all these reasons Writing task 2
- para terminar to finish Writing task 2, speaking task 1
Por todo esto, creo que vivir en un pueblo no es para mí.
For all these reasons, I don't think living in a village is for me. Writing task 2
Sources
The tasks and what they test come from the Instituto Cervantes documents below. The Spanish phrases and sentences are Apto DELE's own.
- Guía del examen DELE B1, Instituto Cervantes
- Cuadro de especificaciones DELE B1 (2018), Instituto Cervantes
Latest version of this page: aptodele.com/dele-b1/phrases/