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50+ essential Catalan phrases you need to know
Catalan (Català) is widely spoken within the Spanish region of Catalonia, and also Valencia and the Balearic Islands (Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera). On paper it looks like a cross between French and Spanish and is generally easy to read if you know those two.
Few visitors to Catalonia realise how important Catalan is to those who speak it: never commit the error of calling it a dialect. However, during your holidays to Barcelona you’ll get by perfectly well in Spanish as long as you’re aware of the use of Catalan in timetables, on menus, and so on.
Words and phrases
Basics
Speaking a few words of Catalan can add a lot of charm to your trip, especially when exploring the many things to do in Barcelona. While most locals understand Spanish—and often English—using basic Catalan phrases is a great way to connect more authentically. It’s a small gesture that goes a long way in one of Europe’s most vibrant cities.
Yes, No, OK Si, No, Val
Please, Thank you Si us plau, Gràcies
Hello, Goodbye Hola, Adéu
Roughly 9 million people around the world speak Catalan and for 4 million of them, it is their first language.
Good morning Bon dia
Good afternoon/night Bona tarde/nit
See you later Fins després
Sorry Ho sento
Excuse me Perdoni
I (don’t) understand (No) Ho entenc
Do you speak English? Parleu anglès?
Where? When? On? Quan?
What? How much? Què? Quant?
Here, There Aquí, Allí/Allà
This, That Això, Allò
Open, Closed Obert, Tancat
With, Without Amb, Sense
Good, Bad Bo(na), Dolent(a)
Big, Small Gran, Petit(a)
Cheap, Expensive Barat(a), Car(a)
I want Vull (pronounced “vwee”)
I’d like Voldria
Do you know? Vostès saben?
I don’t know No sé
There is (Is there?) Hi ha(?)
What’s that? Què és això?
Do you have…? Té…?
Today, Tomorrow Avui, Demà
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Directions and transport
When you're out ticking off the top things to see in Barcelona, knowing how to ask for directions or get around using Catalan can be a real bonus. Whether you're finding your way to Park Güell or figuring out the metro system, these simple phrases will help you navigate confidently—and feel more like a local while doing it.
How do I get to…? Per anar a…?
Left, Right A l’esquerra, A la dreta
Straight on Tot recte
Where is…? On és…?
…the bus station …l’estació de autobuses
…the train station …l’estació
…the nearest bank …el banc més a prop
…the post office …l’oficina de correus
…the toilet …la toaleta
Where does the bus to…leave from? De on surt el autobús a…?
Is this the train for Barcelona? Aquest tren va a Barcelona?
I’d like a (return) ticket to… Voldria un bitlet (d’anar i tornar) a…
What time does it leave (arrive in)? A quina hora surt (arriba a)?
Numbers
Basics
1 un(a)
2 dos (dues)
3 tres
4 quatre
About 72.3% of Barcelona's total population speaks Catalan.
5 cinc
6 sis
7 set
8 vuit
9 nou
10 deu
11 onze
12 dotze
13 tretze
14 catorze
15 quinze
16 setze
17 disset
18 divuit
19 dinou
20 vint
100 cent
1000 mil
Menu reader
A must-do during a holiday in Barcelona is to try its cuisine, and knowing a few Catalan words makes it even better. These phrases will help you navigate menus and enjoy the best of the local food scene in Barcelona.
To have breakfast Esmorzar
To have lunch Dinar
To have dinner Sopar
Knife Ganivet
Fork Forquilla
Spoon Cullera
Table Taula
Bottle Ampolla
Glass Got
Menu Carta
Soup Sopa
Salad Amanida
Hors d’oeuvres Entremesos
You’ll hear these casual phrases out and about in Barcelona – and dropping them in to conversation will make you smug with sophistication:
Fem un café? Let’s have a coffee
Salut i força al canut! To health and money
Déu n’hi do! Wow!
S’ha acabat el bròquil The jig is up
Quatre gats Four cats (as in, only four people turned up, a small gathering)
Omelette Truita
Sandwich Entrepà
Toast Torrades
Tapas Tapes
Butter Mantega
Eggs Ous
Bread Pa
Olives Olives
Oil Oli
Vinegar Vinagre
Salt Sal
Pepper Pebre
Sugar Sucre
The bill El compte
I’m a vegetarian Sóc vegetarià
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