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Illustration for “They've Charged Me a Twelve-Euro Fee”

Spanish story with translation · B2 · 18 lines

Me han cobrado una comisión de doce euros They've Charged Me a Twelve-Euro Fee

Comic · 14 panels

Panel 1 of 14 for “They've Charged Me a Twelve-Euro Fee”: Dear Mr. Beltrán: I'm writing to you about the certificate you issued me last Tuesday at your office. (formal) First of all, I want to thank you for your…
  1. Estimado señor Beltrán: Le escribo por el certificado que me emitió el martes pasado en su oficina.

    Dear Mr. Beltrán: I'm writing to you about the certificate you issued me last Tuesday at your office. (formal)

  2. Antes de nada, quiero agradecerle su amabilidad: pocas veces me han atendido con tanta cortesía.

    First of all, I want to thank you for your kindness: I've rarely been treated with so much courtesy. (formal)

Panel 2 of 14 for “They've Charged Me a Twelve-Euro Fee”: However, when I checked the statement, I saw that they've charged me a twelve-euro fee for that certificate, without prior notice.
  1. Sin embargo, al revisar el extracto he visto que me han cobrado una comisión de doce euros por ese certificado, sin previo aviso.

    However, when I checked the statement, I saw that they've charged me a twelve-euro fee for that certificate, without prior notice.

Panel 3 of 14 for “They've Charged Me a Twelve-Euro Fee”: You told me it wouldn't cost anything, so I think it's a mistake. (formal)
  1. Usted me dijo que no tendría ningún coste, por lo tanto creo que es un error.

    You told me it wouldn't cost anything, so I think it's a mistake. (formal)

Panel 4 of 14 for “They've Charged Me a Twelve-Euro Fee”: Also, my last name is spelled wrong: the document says "Lindo" instead of "Lind."
  1. Además, mi apellido está mal escrito: en el documento pone «Lindo» en lugar de «Lind».

    Also, my last name is spelled wrong: the document says "Lindo" instead of "Lind."

Panel 5 of 14 for “They've Charged Me a Twelve-Euro Fee”: Since the gestor needs it this very week, I'd be grateful if you sent me a duplicate with the correct last name as soon as possible. (formal) I'd also be…
  1. Ya que el gestor lo necesita esta misma semana, le agradecería que me remitiera un duplicado con el apellido correcto lo antes posible.

    Since the gestor needs it this very week, I'd be grateful if you sent me a duplicate with the correct last name as soon as possible. (formal)

  2. Le agradecería también que verificara esa comisión y, si lo cree oportuno, que me devolviera los doce euros.

    I'd also be grateful if you checked that fee and, if you see fit, refunded the twelve euros to me. (formal)

Panel 6 of 14 for “They've Charged Me a Twelve-Euro Fee”: I'd also like to know whether I need to come by the office or whether I can receive it by mail.
  1. Quisiera saber, además, si es necesario que pase por la oficina o si puedo recibirlo por correo.

    I'd also like to know whether I need to come by the office or whether I can receive it by mail.

Panel 7 of 14 for “They've Charged Me a Twelve-Euro Fee”: If you don't mind, I prefer that you reply in writing, since I work in the mornings and can't answer the phone. (formal)
  1. Si no le importa, prefiero que me responda por escrito, ya que por las mañanas trabajo y no puedo atender el teléfono.

    If you don't mind, I prefer that you reply in writing, since I work in the mornings and can't answer the phone. (formal)

Panel 8 of 14 for “They've Charged Me a Twelve-Euro Fee”: I'm attaching a copy of the statement, where I've marked the fee. Sincerely, Ana Lind
  1. Adjunto una copia del extracto, donde he marcado la comisión. Atentamente, Ana Lind

    I'm attaching a copy of the statement, where I've marked the fee. Sincerely, Ana Lind

Panel 9 of 14 for “They've Charged Me a Twelve-Euro Fee”: Dear Ms. Lind: Thank you for your letter, as sincere as it is respectful, and I'm very sorry for the inconvenience. (formal) We've checked your account, and…
  1. Estimada señora Lind: Le agradezco su carta, tan sincera como respetuosa, y lamento mucho las molestias.

    Dear Ms. Lind: Thank you for your letter, as sincere as it is respectful, and I'm very sorry for the inconvenience. (formal)

  2. Hemos verificado su cuenta y tiene usted razón. Le detallo lo que hemos hecho.

    We've checked your account, and you're right. I'll explain in detail what we've done. (formal)

Panel 10 of 14 for “They've Charged Me a Twelve-Euro Fee”: The twelve-euro fee was our mistake: we've refunded that amount to you today. (formal) The last name had been wrong in our records since the day you opened the…
  1. La comisión de doce euros fue un error nuestro: hoy mismo le hemos devuelto esa cantidad.

    The twelve-euro fee was our mistake: we've refunded that amount to you today. (formal)

  2. El apellido estaba mal en nuestros datos desde el día en que usted abrió la cuenta, hace casi tres años.

    The last name had been wrong in our records since the day you opened the account, almost three years ago. (formal)

Panel 11 of 14 for “They've Charged Me a Twelve-Euro Fee”: It's already been corrected, and with this message I'm sending you the new certificate, at no cost whatsoever. (formal)
  1. Ya está cambiado, y con este mensaje le remito el nuevo certificado, sin coste alguno.

    It's already been corrected, and with this message I'm sending you the new certificate, at no cost whatsoever. (formal)

Panel 12 of 14 for “They've Charged Me a Twelve-Euro Fee”: I'd just be grateful if you came by the office with your passport whenever it suits you, to sign the change. (formal)
  1. Solo le agradecería que pasara por la oficina con su pasaporte cuando le venga bien, para firmar el cambio.

    I'd just be grateful if you came by the office with your passport whenever it suits you, to sign the change. (formal)

Panel 13 of 14 for “They've Charged Me a Twelve-Euro Fee”: For any other questions, I remain at your disposal. Sincerely, Ignacio Beltrán (formal)
  1. Para cualquier otra duda, quedo a su disposición. Le saluda atentamente, Ignacio Beltrán

    For any other questions, I remain at your disposal. Sincerely, Ignacio Beltrán (formal)

Panel 14 of 14 for “They've Charged Me a Twelve-Euro Fee”: Three years being "Ms. Lindo" to my bank, and no one had noticed. Me neither.
  1. Tres años siendo «la señora Lindo» para mi banco, y nadie se había dado cuenta. Yo tampoco.

    Three years being "Ms. Lindo" to my bank, and no one had noticed. Me neither.

Grammar for this text

A request letter. First thanks, then the facts, then the requests: le agradecería que me remitiera…, que verificara…, que me devolviera… (conditional + imperfect subjunctive), quisiera saber, además, si…, si no le importa, prefiero que…. The bank answers the same way: le agradecería que pasara por la oficina.

Don't mix them up: pasara is the subjunctive ("if you came by"); pasará, with the written accent, is the future ("will come by").

Me dijo que no tendría ningún coste is a promise in reported speech: the future became the conditional (unit 15), just like English "will" becomes "would".

Formal phrases. Si lo cree oportuno ("if you see fit") is a polite way to say "I think you should". Sin previo aviso means "without prior notice" (aviso comes from avisar, to let someone know). Sin coste alguno means "at no cost whatsoever": alguno after a noun makes the "without" stronger. Quedo a su disposición is the usual closing of a business letter.

The last line. siendo is the gerund of ser ("to be"): tres años siendo… means "three years being…".

Words and grammar of the unit: Write a polite letter to the bank.

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