Some suggestions please.

Question

Hi everyone! I'm just wondering how this conversation went this morning.

Ok, I was waiting outside, and my Spanish friend Óscar asks me in Spanish "where are your parents?"

I respond "Volverán pronto, dijeron que vendrían a las doce (It was 11:45 when I said that)"

So he said, "¿Tu madre, o tu padre?", at least that's how I heard it.

I responded "Ambos"

We keep talking until about 11:55, and then we try to call my parents to see if they have come yet. They are on the road, and their cellphone is off.

I was thinking:

"I'm going to check to see if they are there." In Spanish I said "Voy a comprobar si están allá."

I'm having doubts about that translation. Óscar suggested "pasar a ver".

I think I could have used "Voy a asegurarme de que están allá", but I did not think of that until the conversation was over. Are there any other ways to say "check"?

Ok, when I "check", My parents drive in at 12:00 on the dot.

To me, they have just "appeared" so I say...

Justo se asoman allá. (They just appear there)

Um... I don't know why I said that. I just blurted that out. I should have at least said "Justo se han asomado allá" = "They have just appeared there"

Or "Han llegado ahora mismo" = "They have just arrived", again... I didn't think of that. I don't know why!!!

I know I said more, but I can't remember. I would love any corrections so that I can use them next time. That would be great! I appreciate the help!

Óscar - lazarus1907, Jul 2, 2011

Thank you :) - GuitarWarrior, Jul 2, 2011

Thanks everyone for stopping by to help me!!! :D - GuitarWarrior, Jul 5, 2011

Answer 1

"I'm going to check to see if they are there." In Spanish I said "Voy a comprobar si están allá."

It is fine, although it might sound like a rather thorough procedure for a simple casual check. "Voy a ver si están allá" is probably more common.

Justo se asoman allá. (They just appear there)

I don't know in other places, but to me, "justo" = with justice (=just); you really want to use "ya" here. You just need to practice common expressions like these, but you have to start imitating natives, rather than translating. I can suggest some as simple as "Ahí están.", "Ya han llegado"...

Thank you, I'll try to remember that :) - GuitarWarrior, Jul 2, 2011

Answer 2

averiguar (to find out) sometimes has the meaning of to check [on]. Someone used the verb checar (chequear) in that context of verification in a thread the other day.

Thank you Qfreed! :) - GuitarWarrior, Jul 2, 2011

Answer 3

I would say, voy a ver si están ahí. (ahí o allí is more common than allá)

I think when you say ambos, it should be "los dos" ambos is more for written Spanish, so I'm told.

Justo se asoman allá um..... how about acaban de llegar they just arrived, or ya están aquí, they are here now, or han llegado, están ahí, they've arrived, they are there.

Very helpful Dewclaw :) - GuitarWarrior, Jul 2, 2011