This lesson is about giving opinions and agreeing or disagreeing politely—in meetings and with friends. Spanish often maps word-for-word into English (*I am agree*, *depends of*, *according to me*). Today you replace those calques with natural forms, then practise solo with opinion flashcards.
Elena (28) and Tomás (31) work in the same SSC AP team in Madrid. At the daily stand-up, their lead asks which task should come first: a vendor portal bug that blocks three invoices, or a month-end reconciliation that is due tomorrow at 17:00.
Tomás speaks first: “In my opinion, the portal is more urgent. If vendors cannot upload, the backlog grows.” Elena replies carefully: “I see your point, but the close checklist is already late. To some extent the portal matters—frankly, though, missing month-end creates more noise for everyone.”
Tomás softens: “I don’t fully agree, but I understand the pressure. It depends on whether finance controllers are waiting on those three invoices today.” Their lead smiles. “Good discussion. We will do a quick portal workaround this morning, then both of you own the reconciliation after lunch. No hard feelings—this is how teams decide.”
After the call, Elena messages Tomás: “Thanks for not shutting the idea down. I almost said ‘I am not agree’—old habit!” Tomás replies with a laughing emoji and: “I agree with you on practising softer English.”
Lucia and Diego are planning Sunday. Lucia wants a hike; Diego wants a cinema and late brunch. Their WhatsApp thread starts friendly—and then Diego’s English slips into Spanish word order.
Diego: “According to me, the weather will be bad. I think that no—a hike is a bad idea. It depends of the rain.” Lucia: “Wait—say that again in natural English?” Diego laughs: “OK… In my opinion, the weather looks bad. I don’t think so—a hike isn’t smart. It depends on the rain.”
Lucia: “Better! And I don’t disagree completely. On the other hand, if it clears by 11:00, we could hike for one hour and still make the film.” Diego: “I agree with you on Plan B. Let’s discuss the times—not discuss about the times.” Lucia: “You’re learning fast. From my point of view, shorter outdoor time still counts as a weekend win.”
They meet at 11:30 for a short walk, then catch the 15:00 showing. Diego later texts: “It seems to me we both got what we wanted—to some extent!”
Sofia (27) posts in a company social channel: “Remote work is always better. Office days are a waste of time.” Three colleagues react with surprise. Her friend Ana calls her that evening.
Ana: “I don’t disagree with flexible work—but frankly, your post sounded absolute. On a screen, strong opinions look like attacks.” Sofia: “I meant it depends on the role. In my opinion, AP work needs quiet mornings. I didn’t mean everyone must stay home forever.” Ana: “Then write that. Soften: ‘To some extent… / From my point of view… / I see the value of office days for onboarding, but…’”
The next day Sofia edits her post: “From my point of view, remote mornings help concentration. I see the point of office days for new joiners, but I don’t think so for every task. Happy to discuss—it depends on the team.” Two people reply positively. Sofia realises that strength of language matters as much as the opinion itself.
She keeps a sticky note on her monitor: Agree / disagree = verbs. Not “I am agree.” Soften on chat. Be clear on calls.
To have the same opinion (verb—no be: I agree).
Spanish: estar de acuerdo (¡no “I am agree”!)
To have a different opinion: I disagree / I don’t agree.
Spanish: no estar de acuerdo; discrepar
A natural way to introduce your view (not according to me / for my opinion).
Spanish: en mi opinión
Similar to “in my opinion,” often a bit more reflective.
Spanish: desde mi punto de vista
Short answers (not I think that yes / that no).
Spanish: creo que sí / creo que no
The outcome changes with a condition (preposition on, not of).
Spanish: depende de (+ on in English)
I understand your argument—often before a soft disagreement.
Spanish: entiendo tu punto; te entiendo
Partly true; softens a yes or a no.
Spanish: hasta cierto punto; en cierta medida
Honestly / to be direct—use carefully; can sound strong.
Spanish: francamente; sinceramente
Introduces a contrasting idea.
Spanish: por otro lado; en cambio
Drop the natural English phrase that replaces the calque in brackets.
Answers: I agree, I don't agree, In my opinion, I don't think so, depends on, It seems to me, discuss, Currently
Answers: agree, on, so, point, extent, hand, view, about
For each line, type Soft or Strong.
Answers: Strong, Soft, Strong, Soft
Tap New topic, take a position, and speak for 60–90 seconds without writing first. Use hedges from the card. Avoid calques: not I am agree, not depends of, not according to me.
Tap “New topic” to begin.
Guiding words
Useful expressions
Solo speaking tips: State your opinion in the first sentence, then give one reason and one example. Soften before you disagree strongly. If you hear yourself say I am agree, stop, smile, and restart: I agree.
Summarise Reading A. Mention Elena, Tomás, and how Elena softens disagreement.
You are Lucia. Correct Diego’s three calques politely, then propose Plan B.
Partner A: “Everyone should check work email after 19:00.” Partner B: soft disagree, then strong disagree once.
Do three random opinion flashcards in a row. No preparation between cards.
These patterns break most often for Spanish speakers.
I agree. / I agree with you. — not I am agree (Spanish estoy de acuerdo).I don’t agree. / I disagree. — not I am not agree.I think so. / I don’t think so. — not I think that yes/no.It depends on + noun. — not depends of (Spanish depende de).discuss the plan · talk about the plan — not discuss about.It seems to me that… — not It seems me.Actually often means “in fact,” not “currently” (actualmente → currently / at the moment).I am agree with the idea. / I agree with the idea.It depends of the budget. / It depends on the budget.I think that yes. / I think so.According to me, we wait. / In my opinion, we should wait.Let’s discuss about it. / Let’s discuss it.Pablo’s flatmates want to host a party on Thursday night. Pablo has an early close-week call on Friday. In the chat someone writes, “Everyone is free—no excuses.” Pablo almost types “I am not agree,” then deletes it.
He writes instead: “I see your point—it would be fun. From my point of view, Thursday is risky for me. In my opinion we should do Saturday. It depends on how late people stay, but I don’t think so for a work night. Happy to help set up on Saturday afternoon.” Two flatmates reply with thumbs-up. Pablo feels clearer—and more polite.
Open the opinion flashcards. Record yourself answering three different topics (60–90 seconds each). In each recording: (1) state your opinion, (2) give one reason, (3) soften once. Listen back and note any calque you still used.
Rewrite this rude reply into a polite soft disagreement (six to eight sentences): “Your idea is bad. We must do my plan.” Use I see your point, in my opinion, and it depends on.
Write Spanish glosses for: agree, disagree, in my opinion, from my point of view, I think so, it depends on, I see your point, to some extent, frankly, on the other hand.
See vocabulary section; accept close equivalents. Flag any student who still glosses agree as needing be in English.