Speak like a local

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 | Numbers | Menu reader

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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