Reading Comprehension: Everyday Texts

Beyond news articles and literature, everyday life is full of texts that you need to read and understand: menus, signs, labels, emails, text messages, social media posts, and advertisements. Being able to navigate these practical texts is essential for functioning in a Spanish-speaking environment.

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Reading Menus

Spanish menus follow conventions that may differ from what you are used to:

Typical Menu Structure

Section	Spanish	Example Items
Starters	Entrantes / Primeros platos	Ensalada mixta, Sopa del día, Gazpacho
Main courses	Segundos platos / Platos principales	Pollo asado, Merluza a la plancha, Filete de ternera
Side dishes	Guarniciones / Acompañamientos	Patatas fritas, Arroz, Ensalada
Desserts	Postres	Flan, Tarta de queso, Fruta del tiempo
Drinks	Bebidas	Agua, Refrescos, Vino de la casa, Cerveza
Set menu	Menú del día	First course + second course + dessert + drink

Example Menu

RESTAURANTE LA ABUELA

MENÚ DEL DÍA — 14,50 € (Incluye pan, bebida y postre)

PRIMEROS

• Ensalada de la casa con vinagreta de miel
• Sopa castellana con huevo y jamón
• Macarrones a la boloñesa
• Croquetas caseras de jamón (6 uds.)

SEGUNDOS

• Pollo al horno con patatas panaderas
• Merluza en salsa verde
• Chuletas de cordero a la brasa
• Tortilla española con pimientos

POSTRES

• Flan casero
• Arroz con leche
• Helado (dos bolas)
• Fruta del tiempo

IVA incluido. Alérgenos: consultar con el personal.

Key Menu Vocabulary

Spanish	English
A la plancha	Grilled (on a flat grill)
A la brasa	Charcoal-grilled
Al horno	Oven-baked
Frito/a	Fried
Casero/a	Homemade
Del tiempo / De temporada	Seasonal
Uds. (unidades)	Units / Pieces
IVA incluido	VAT included
Alérgenos	Allergens
Suplemento	Supplement / Extra charge
Pan	Bread
Sin gluten	Gluten-free

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Reading Signs

Public signs in Spanish-speaking countries are essential to navigate:

Common Signs

Spanish	English	Where You See It
Salida	Exit	Buildings, metro
Entrada	Entrance	Buildings, metro
Salida de emergencia	Emergency exit	All public buildings
Empujar / Tirar	Push / Pull	Doors
Prohibido fumar	No smoking	Public spaces
No tocar	Do not touch	Museums, shops
Cuidado / Precaución	Caution	Various
Obras	Road works	Streets
Desvío	Detour	Roads
Se alquila	For rent	Buildings
Se vende	For sale	Buildings, objects
Cerrado por vacaciones	Closed for holidays	Shops
Horario de apertura	Opening hours	Shops, offices
Fuera de servicio	Out of service	Machines, lifts
No se admiten devoluciones	No returns accepted	Shops
Rebajas	Sales	Shops
Liquidación	Clearance sale	Shops
Piso mojado	Wet floor	Public spaces
Prohibido el paso	No entry	Restricted areas

Tip: The word se appears on many signs. It is the impersonal/passive marker: se alquila = (it) is rented / for rent; se vende = (it) is sold / for sale; se prohíbe = (it) is prohibited.

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Reading Labels and Packaging

Product labels in Spanish contain important information:

Food Labels

Spanish	English
Ingredientes	Ingredients
Información nutricional	Nutritional information
Valor energético	Energy value
Grasas	Fats
Hidratos de carbono / Carbohidratos	Carbohydrates
Azúcares	Sugars
Proteínas	Proteins
Sal	Salt
Fibra	Fibre
Consumir preferentemente antes de	Best before
Fecha de caducidad	Expiry date
Conservar en lugar fresco y seco	Store in a cool, dry place
Una vez abierto, consumir en 3 días	Once opened, consume within 3 days
Puede contener trazas de frutos secos	May contain traces of nuts
Apto para vegetarianos	Suitable for vegetarians
Sin conservantes artificiales	No artificial preservatives

Medicine Labels

Spanish	English
Posología / Dosis	Dosage
Tomar con alimentos	Take with food
Cada 8 horas	Every 8 hours
No superar la dosis recomendada	Do not exceed the recommended dose
Mantener fuera del alcance de los niños	Keep out of reach of children
Efectos secundarios	Side effects
Vía oral	Oral use
Uso externo	External use
Consulte a su médico	Consult your doctor

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Reading Emails and Messages

Formal Email Example