Message/Note (Junior Cert Spanish): Revision Notes
Writing a short note/message
What is a short note?
A nota or mensaje is a brief written communication that conveys essential information quickly and clearly. These short messages typically contain 3-6 sentences and are used to inform someone about your whereabouts, plans, or needs.
Short notes serve several key purposes in everyday communication. They help you share important details when you can't speak to someone directly, such as telling family members where you've gone or asking friends to meet you somewhere. The main types of information you'll include are location details, companions, activities, timing, contact information, and any specific requests
Essential information to include
When writing your note, make sure to cover these key areas:
- Dónde/Adónde (Where/Where to) - Share your current location or destination
- Con quién (With whom) - Mention your companions
- Qué (What) - Describe your activity
- Cuándo (When) - Provide timing details (When you'll be back)
- Contacto (Contact) - Share how to reach you
- Petición (Request) - Include any requests or instructions
Layout and format
Your note should follow this simple structure:
(Optional) Place and date/time → Dublin, 12/08, 18:30
Addressee + colon → Mamá: / Hola, Carmen: (Mum: / Hi, Carmen:)
Body (3-5 short sentences) - Your main message
Closing + name → Gracias. Un beso, Lucía (Thanks. A kiss, Lucía)
The phrase "Un beso" is a standard friendly sign-off in Spanish that works well for informal notes to family and friends. It's equivalent to "Love" or "With love" in English and shows warmth and affection.
Phrase bank
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Place/Activity | |
| Estoy en la biblioteca / el polideportivo / casa de Ana | I'm at the library / the sports centre / Ana's house |
| Voy a la ciudad / el centro comercial / el parque | I'm going to the city / the shopping centre / the park |
| He ido a entrenar / comprar pan / estudiar | I've gone to training / to buy bread / to study |
| Company | |
| Estoy con Ana / mis amigos / mi primo | I'm with Ana / my friends / my cousin |
| Voy con mi equipo / la clase | I'm going with my team / the class |
| Time/Return | |
| Vuelvo a las 18:30 | I'm back at 18:30 |
| Llego sobre las siete | I'll arrive around seven |
| Termina a las ocho | It finishes at eight |
| Requests | |
| ¿Puedes recogerme en la parada del autobús? | Can you pick me up at the bus stop? |
| Por favour, guarda la cena | Please, keep dinner |
| ¿Puedes llamar a papá? | Can you call Dad? |
| Contact | |
| Te llamo luego / Te escribo si llego tarde | I'll call you later / I'll text you if I'm late |
| Mi móvil: 08X-XXXXXXX | My phone: 08X-XXXXXXX |
| No tengo batería | My battery is dead |
| Instructions | |
| No me esperes | Don't wait for me |
| Las llaves están en la mesa | The keys are on the table |
| He dejado la comida en la nevera | I've left the food in the fridge |
| Natural Closings | |
| Gracias / ¡Hasta luego! / Un beso, + nombre | Thanks / See you later! / A kiss, + name |
Sample answers
Model 1 (to family)
Mamá: He ido a la biblioteca con Ana. Vuelvo a las 18:30. No me esperes para la merienda. ¿Puedes recogerme en la parada del autobús? Gracias. Un beso, Luis.
Mum: I've gone to the library with Ana. I'll be back at 18:30. Don't wait for me for snack time. Can you pick me up at the bus stop? Thanks. Love, Luis.
Model 2 (to host family)
Hola, Carmen: Estoy en el polideportivo con mis compañeros. El entrenamiento termina a las 19:00. Te escribo si llego tarde. Mi móvil no tiene batería. Hasta luego, Tom.
Hi, Carmen: I'm at the sports centre with my classmates. Training finishes at 19:00. I'll text you if I'm late. My phone has no battery. See you later, Tom.
Model 3 (to a friend)
Carlos: Voy al centro con Marta para comprar un regalo. Estoy con Miguel también. Llego sobre las siete. ¿Puedes traer mi chaqueta negra? Gracias, Sofía.
Carlos: I'm going to town with Marta to buy a present. I'm with Miguel too. I'll arrive around seven. Can you bring my black jacket? Thanks, Sofía.
Grammar mini-check
Key Grammar Points for Short Notes
Pay attention to these essential grammar points:
Prepositions: Use en for 'in/at' and a for 'to/at' with time:
- Estoy en el parque → I'm at the park
- Vuelvo a las seis → I'm back at six
Useful tenses:
- Present: estoy, voy→ Estoy en la biblioteca (I'm at the library)
- Present perfect: he ido, he dejado → He ido al entrenamiento (I've gone to training)
- Requests: ¿Puedes...? → ¿Puedes traer mi chaqueta? (Can you bring my jacket?)
Accents: Remember question words need accents: ¿Qué? ¿Dónde? ¿Cómo?
Time: Use 24-hour format or a las/sobre las + number. Remember months and days are lowercase: agosto, lunes
Common mistakes and tips
Avoid These Frequent Errors:
Wrong preposition: Vuelvo en las 6 → Vuelvo a las 6 (I return at 6)
Missing addressee: Always write who it's for: Mamá: / Hola, Carmen:
Long, confusing sentences: Keep it short and clear - 3-5 brief sentences work best
Wrong verb for location: Soy en la biblioteca → Estoy en la biblioteca (Use estar for location)
Forgetting time or contact: Always include when you'll be back and how to reach you: Vuelvo a las... and Mi móvil...
Quick templates
Template 1
[Ciudad], [dd/mm], [hh]
[Nombre del destinatario]: Estoy en _____________ con _____________. (I'm at... with...) Voy a / He ido a _____________. (I'm going to / I've gone to...) Vuelvo a las _____________ / Llego sobre las _____________. (Back at / Arrive around...) ¿Puedes _____________? Mi móvil: _____________. (Can you...? My phone:...) Gracias. _____________, _____________. (Thanks. [closing], [name].)
Template 2
[Nombre]: Estoy en _____________ con _____________. (I'm at... with...) Termina a las _____________. (It finishes at...) ¿Puedes _____________? (Can you...?) Gracias, _____________. (Thanks, [name].)
Remember!
Key Points to Remember:
- Keep your message short and include all essential details - where, with whom, what, when, contact, and any requests
- Use the correct format with addressee, body, and friendly closing
- Apply accurate grammar, especially with prepositions (en/a) and verb forms (estoy/voy)
- Include proper accents on question words and check your spelling