En la consulta: diminutivos que suavizan

Diminutives in Spain: which one softens the request naturally at the clinic/pharmacy?
DannisDannis
2 min reading time

Buenos días. ¿Me deja su tarjeta sanitaria, un momentito?

Claro, aquí la tiene. Me duele la garganta desde ayer.

Siéntese un momentito, la doctora le atiende ahora mismo.

Pase, por favor. Abra la boca un poquito... diga "aaah".

Aaah. Me pica y me arde.

Bien, tiene la garganta inflamada. Le voy a recetar una pastillita y un espray.

¿Me las tomo con agua o con un cafetillo?

Mejor con agua, y evite el cafetillo un par de días, ¿vale?

Y descanse. Si nota fiebre, pásese un momentito por Urgencias.

Perfecto, gracias. Paso por la farmacia ahora mismo.

Comprehension check:

Which phrase in the dialogue gently softens a request/instruction in the clinic?
Think of a polite “just a second.”
un momentito
ahora mismo
pastillita
cafetillo
In Spanish, the ending -ito/-ita often softens the tone. "Un momentito" = “just a second,” and sounds polite and gentle.
Look for a diminutive form with -ito.
Fill in the gap: "Abra la boca un ____" (“Open your mouth a ____”). Which word does the doctor use to soften the request?
poquito
pocho
poquísimo
"Poquito" = “a little bit,” which delicately softens the request to open the mouth.
It’s a form of "poco," but more affectionate/softer.
What was the patient advised NOT to consume for a couple of days?
un cafetillo
agua
el espray
la farmacia
The doctor says: "evite el cafetillo un par de días." This colloquial "cafetillo" means something like “a little coffee / coffee drink.”
Listen to the recommendation after the doctor sighs.

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