Essential Catalan Phrases to visit like a local
Catalonia is an autonomous region within Spain that has its own unique identity and culture, which includes a language called Catalan which is remarkably different from the Spanish language which is spoken all over the country. Its roots can be traced back to the vulgar Latin language which was used in the ancient Roman Empire. In different times of history the Catalan language has been suppressed, and these days it is the official language, along with Spanish, of Catalonia, moreover, it is spoken in Andorra, Valencia (as Valencia), the Balearic Islands, Southern France and in some areas of Sardinia, Italy.
As a tourist visiting Barcelona and its surroundings, you might be preparing yourself with some key phrases in Spanithat’snd thats great, however, if you would really want to impress the locals, you might want to have some of the key Catalan phrases that every foodie and traveler alike should have at hand. It is a way of showing respect to greet people, express gratitude and ask for some basic things. In this article you will find a few Catalan expressions that are easy to learn and will help you communicate effectively when you visit this region.
FOR DAY TO DAY SMILES
You will probably meet a few interesting strangers during your trip to Barcelona, Catalonia and you might want to say hi to them. Saying your greetings in Catalan will surely attract a warm-hearted response. You might even make a few friends in the process. To get started, the phrases listed below will be very useful to you in breaking the ice during social interactions;
1. Good Morning – Bon dia.
2. Good Afternoon – Bon Tarda.
3. Good Night – Bona nit.
4. Please – Si us plau.
5. Thanks – Gracies or Merci.
6. Cheers – Salut.
7. Do you speak English? – Parla angles?
8. Nice to meet you – Moit de gust
9. I’m sorry – Ho sento
FOR FOODIES
Catalonia boasts one of the world’s most delicious cuisines. This Mediterranean cuisine has strong Italian, Arab and French influences which give it a unique savory blend that you can learn by taking cooking classes in Barcelona.
Your trip to this region cannot be complete before you sample some of the amazing Catalan gastronomy. And when you visit the hotels and restaurants, placing your orders and expressing your appreciation in Catalan will earn you lots of respect. The phrases below will be useful to any foodie during their trip;
1. A table please – Una taula si us plau
2. The menu – La Carta
3. Red wine – Vi negre
4. White wine – Vi blanc
5. Glass of wine – Copa de vi
6. Draft beer – Una canya
7. A glass of water – Un got de aigua
8. The bill please – El comte si us plau
9. That was delicious! – Estava bonissim!
BONUS TIPS FOR ADVANCED USERS
1. Good Health and strength to your balls! – Salut i Força al canut! – it is used when toasting for an aim.
2. Give me the short version – Fer-ne cinc centims – it translates as to make it five cents, but it means to go to the point.
3. Few people – Quatre Gats – it translates as four cats and it is used when few people shows up.
FER VERMUT ∼ the epitome of Catalan phrases
Catalan people have a long-standing social tradition of regularly getting together with friends and family while sipping on a glass of vermouth. The term fer vermut loosely translates to ¨go have a vermut¨ and it is the prelude to the long Sunday Catalan lunch. Nowadays, however, the term is also commonly used to refer to the act of going out for any kind of drink. So if someone tells you ¨fer vermut¨ in Cataluna, you are simply being asked to go out for a fun drinking session that certainly implies eating some delicious tapas.
You can have a glimpse of this fantastic tradition in Barcelona and a lot more by joining one of our culinary experiences, especially the Bodegas and Tapas Tour at El Born and La Barceloneta, the Authentic Food Tour of Barcelona at Sant Antoni´s foodies district, or the Wine Tasting Experience at El Born, all include a glass of vermouth and incredible insights about this drink plus other local drinks such as cava and wine and the best tapas of this beautiful city.
You have now hopefully grasped the most important Catalan phrases. You will hopefully have a blast visiting Cataluña in future. So adeu (goodbye) and que vagi be (take care).
8 essential Catalan phrases you can’t visit Barcelona without knowing | bizFlats
Do you want to learn basic Catalan phrases for your next trip to Barcelona? You may be thinking that you can just get by with Spanish or English, but if you really want to impress and get to know the locals, these essential Catalan words and phrases will go a long way.
Table of Contents
Why not use your time at home over the next few weeks to brush up your language skills in one of Spain’s official languages and add some of these useful phrases to your repertoire.
Whether you’re greeting a friend, ordering food or buying souvenirs, we’ve definitely got you covered. Preparats (ready)?
Bon dia (bon dee-ah) / Bona tarda (bon-ah tard-ah)
Good morning / Good afternoon
When strolling along the streets of Barcelona, you’ll definitely hear this phrase used again and again.
Put a smile on any local’s face with this common greeting (used more than “hola”). Remember, the afternoon starts around lunchtime and lasts all the way until just before dinnertime – which is around 10 pm – so don’t be surprised if someone greets you with “bona tarda” at 8 pm!
Si us plau (see oos plow) & Merci (mehr-see)
Please & thank you
If you’ve visited Barcelona several times and are familiar with the Catalan language, you’ll know has some similarities with the French language. These two phrases will go a long way during your stay, so please use them abundantly.
With “merci”, remember to put emphasis on the first syllable “mer–”as opposed to on the final syllable, like in French.
Note: “merci” is used a lot more than “gràcies” but please take into account is is colloquial.
De res (deh res)
You’re welcome
If it makes it a little easier to remember, you can literally translate this phrase as “of nothing”.
What’s more it’s just like the French (de rien) and Spanish (de nada).
Adéu (ah-deh-ou)
Goodbye
Whether your waving farewell to your new Catalan friends or simply saying goodbye to the owners of your new favourite restaurant, be sure to do so with a friendly and heartfelt “adéu”.
Bon profit! (bon pro-feet)
Bon appetit!
The Catalans are a very courteous bunch, so don’t be surprised if you get total strangers declaring “bon profit” as you tuck into your meal at a local restaurant.
Quant costa – ? (kwant coh-sta)
How much is –?
The chances are during your stay at some point you’ll be buying souvenirs, tickets for the museum or a little treat for yourself. Use this phrase and simply add whatever it is you’re asking for or point and say “això” (ay-shoh), which means “this”.
El compte, si us plau (el com-teh see oos plow)
The bill, please.
Show off your language skills and impress your friends by asking for the bill in Catalan at the end of your meal. If you really want to blend in with the locals, try switching this phrase for “Em cobres” (um cub-ras), which literally means “charge me” and is used much more frequently by Catalans.
Parles anglès? (par-las ang-less)?
Do you speak English?
Whilst the majority of locals speak very good English, this polite question is sure to make you many a new friend in the city. Not only will they be impressed with your Catalan skills, they’ll be grateful you are trying to learn their language.
While we’ve got you covered for the basics, we encourage you to download a learning app or grab a dusty phrase book from your shelf and get studying for your next trip to Barcelona!
See you soon! Ens veiem aviat!
Some more bites
P.S. Below is a small list of other some additional vocabulary and Catalan phrases we’re sure will come in useful!
| CATALAN | ENGLISH |
| Bona nit | Good night |
| Perdó | Sorry |
| Esmorzar | Breakfast |
| Dinar | Lunch |
| Sopar | Dinner |
| Esquerra | Left |
| Dreta | Right |
| Obert | Open |
| Carrer | Street |
| Plaça | Square |
We hope you liked these brief guide of basic Catalan Phrases! Ens veiem in Barcelona aviat! (See you soon in Barcelona) 🙂
Also you may find interesting to learn more about Catalan culture, traditions and gastronomy in the following articles:
Russian-Catalan phrasebook for tourists
The Catalan language is not considered one of the widely spoken in Europe, however, it is the official language of Andorra.
If you wish, you can agree here both in French and in Spanish, fortunately, both countries are at hand.
However, we have made for you a little Catalan phrase book with pronunciation. This will make traveling around the country much easier. Always carry a Russian-Catalan phrase book with you when you go to a particular village, especially away from the main tourist routes. Andorra is small, but it also has places to go. So it’s better to always have a small Catalan phrasebook on hand.
Browse the list of useful Catalan phrases to choose the one you need and communicate with the locals.
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Hello, hello |
Hola |
ola |
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Adéu |
Adeu |
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See you soon |
Fins despres |
fins derpres |
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Please in the meaning of “be kind” |
Si us plau |
siusplau |
Thank you |
Gràcies |
Gràcies |
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Yes |
Sí |
Sí |
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No0002 No |
No |
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ok |
D’acord |
Dacord 3 | |||
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I don’t speak Catalan |
No parlo català |
no parlu katala |
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Room, hotel room |
Habitacio |
Habitacio |
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I want to rent a room |
Vull una habitació |
boule una habitacio |
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Individual |
Individual |
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Menu, meal list |
La carta |
la carta |
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Do you offer set menus |
Té menú? |
te meng |
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Without ice | |||||
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Well done (about meat) |
Ben fet |
ben fet |
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Rare meat |
Poc fet |
poc fet |
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Glass (beer) 25 gr. |
Canya |
Canya |
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Mug ( beer) |
Gerra |
Gerra |
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Beer |
Cervesa |
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Wine (default red) |
Vi |
Bi |
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Negre |
Negre |
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Pink |
Rosat |
Ruzat |
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White |
Blanc |
Blank 9Aigua |
Aigua 1 Cafè |
Café |
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Black coffee |
Cafè sol |
cafe sol |
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tea0023 | |||||
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Ashtray |
Cendrer |
Cendrer |
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A 3 ixò |
Aisho |
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I would like it |
Volia això |
bulia aishyo |
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How much is it? |
Quant val? |
quant ball? |
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Try on |
Vull provar-ho |
boule probar y |
14 
So, Estic mirant (“estik mirant”) means “I look.” This phrase will come in handy more than once to politely ask an annoying salesman to leave you alone. The expression “estik mirant, gracies” (“I look, thank you”) is equivalent to the expression “I have not chosen anything yet.” 
After all, you will not use individual words, but ready-made combinations of words and phrases.
[bemos nose] – See you! 
, as well as their arrangement.
The following topics are covered in this course:
