English Dialogue 3 – I’ve Got the Flu

Hello again, and welcome back to the last English Dialogue. The seasons are changing and that usually means a big change in temperature. This could also mean you, or someone you know, is gonna catch a cold, and that’s exactly the case in today’s dialogue. 

Today, we’re also gonna focus on a few phrasal verbs surrounding sickness, and to do this we have a conversation between Camilla and Natalie. Natalie isn’t feeling so good.

Here we go. 

Camilla: Oh, my nose. 

(Ay, mi nariz)

Natalie: What’s wrong with it? 

(¿Qué tiene?)

Camilla: It’s running. 

(Muchos mocos)

Natalie: And you’ve ran out of toilet paper. 

(Y te quedaste sin papel)

Camilla: Yeah, I’ve blown my nose way too much today. 

(Sí, me soplo la nariz todo el tiempo)

Natalie: It’s gone red. 

(Está colorada)

Camilla: Yeah, and I’ve sneeze so many times.

(Sí, y me la paso estornudando) 

Natalie: Maybe you’re coming down with the flu. 

(Quizá estás por engriparte)

Camilla: You think? 

(¿Vos decís?)

Natalie: Definitely! So stay away from me. Your forehead is so warm. I think you’re burning up. 

(¡Seguro! Así que no te acerques mucho. Tu frente está bastante caliente. Creo que estás levantando temperatura)

Camilla: Oh, no. Do you think I have a fever? 

(Ay, no. ¿Te parece que tengo fiebre?)

Natalie: Maybe… I think you should stay home today. 

(Puede ser… Deberías quedarte en casa hoy, me parece)

Camilla: I feel so tired and weak. 

(Me siento muy cansada y débil)

Natalie: Maybe you should lie down in bed. 

(Quizá deberías recostarte)

Camilla: And watch a movie? 

(¿Y mirar una película?)

Natalie: That’s a good idea. I always watch movies when I feel sick. 

(Esa es buena. Siempre miro pelis cuando estoy así)

Camilla: Me too. 

(Yo también)

Natalie: You’d better call in sick. 

(Mejor aviso en el trabajo que estoy enferma)

Camilla: I’ll do that. 

(Sí, hacelo)

Natalie: I’ll make some soup for you. 

(Yo te preparo una sopa)

Camilla: Thanks. You’re a good friend.

(Gracias. Qué buena amiga que sos)

 

Okay, we all know it sucks to be sick. That’s just the way it is sometimes. Let’s take a look at the keywords / phrasal verbs. 

Keywords / Phrasal Verbs

To have a running/runny nose – caérsele a uno los mocos

When I say this, you might think about a nose with legs. It’s a funny expression. But, your nose runs. You know, when you have a cold and mucus streams down your face. Yummy. 

 

Some other things “run” in English, which take us onto our next expression. 

To run out of something  – quedarse sin algo

This means to have nothing left or to have used your inventory. For example: 

I’ve ran out of toilet paper. 

I’ve ran out of battery.

Other examples with things that run:

I’ll run a bath. 

I’m running for Mayor. 

I’m running out of time. 

 

To blow your nose – soplarse la nariz

Pretty easy. I’m sure you’ve heard it before, but when you’ve got a cold and need to get that mucus out of your nose, what do you do? You blow it. This could be confusing, because when you think of blowing, you probably think of blowing out candles or blowing on hot food (which involves your mouth), but in this case we’re blowing through the nose. 

 

To burn up – levantar temperatura

This phrasal verb simply to means that you’re body temperature is rising or is high. So, when someone is sick, they will often use this expression when checking their temperature. 

 

To come down with…  – caer enfermo

Another fun phrasal verb which is used when you are sick. You could translate it is “to have the flu” as it basically means the same. If you are “getting” sick, you could say “I’m coming down with the flu” or if you are already sick, you could say “I have come down with the flu” (paste tense). 

I imagine this as being “knocked down” because of the sickness.

 

To call in sick – reportarse enfermo

Finally, the last phrasal verb is simply what you do when you are sick and you cannot go to work. You “call in sick.” After you have done this, one of your colleagues at work might say, “Liam’s not coming today. He’s called in sick.”

 

Well, that’s it for today. I hope you enjoyed the dialogue and the phrasal verbs, and if you happen to be using any of these phrasal verbs, then get well soon. 

Leave a comment below if you know more phrasal verbs surrounding sickness.

See you next time!

 

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