Learning a new language is always fun and opens doors to new cultures, people, and experiences. Catalan is the official language of Catalonia, Andorra, and parts of Spain and France. It's a unique and beautiful Romance language with deep roots. While many people in Catalonia speak both Catalan and Spanish, learning Catalan will give you a more immersive experience, whether you're a visitor or a resident.
If you already know Spanish or another Romance language, Catalan will feel both familiar and different. It shares similarities with Spanish but has its own grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary that make it unique. Check out basic Spanish phrases as well!
Is Catalan hard to learn? That depends on your background. If you speak a Romance language, you'll find many things easier. But even for complete beginners, learning Catalan is worth it. You'll connect more with the local culture in Catalonia and gain insight into a language that is central to the region's identity and history.
In this article:
Basic Greetings and Courtesies
Hola – Hello
Adéu – Goodbye
Bon dia – Good morning
Bona tarda – Good afternoon
Bona nit – Good night
Gràcies – Thank you
De res – You're welcome
Perdó – Excuse me
Ho sento – Sorry
Si us plau – Please
Com estàs? – How are you?
Bé, gràcies – Fine, thank you
Common Catalan Verbs
Ser – To be (permanent state)
Estar – To be (temporary state)
Tenir – To have
Fer – To do, to make
Anar – To go
Venir – To come
Dir – To say
Parlar – To speak
Veure – To see
Menjar – To eat
Beure – To drink
Voldre – To want
Poder – To be able to, can
Saber – To know (information)
Conèixer – To know (a person), to meet
Donar – To give
Agafar – To take, to grab
Dormir – To sleep
Viure – To live
Social Phrases
Com et dius? – What’s your name?
Em dic... – My name is...
D’on ets? – Where are you from?
Sóc de... – I’m from...
Què tal? – How’s it going?
Què fas? – What are you doing?
Tens plans per a avui? – Do you have plans for today?
M’alegro de veure’t – Nice to see you
Somriu! – Smile!
Salut! – Cheers!
Fins després! – See you later!
Enhorabona! – Congratulations!
M’ho he passat molt bé – I had a great time
Dining and Shopping Phrases
Què voldrà menjar? – What would you like to eat?
Què voldrà beure? – What would you like to drink?
Voldria un cafè, si us plau – I’d like a coffee, please
El compte, si us plau – The bill, please
Quant val això? – How much does this cost?
Voldria comprar això – I’d like to buy this
Accepten targetes de crèdit? – Do you accept credit cards?
On és el supermercat més proper? – Where is the nearest supermarket?
Podria recomanar-me un plat típic? – Could you recommend a local dish?
Bon profit! – Enjoy your meal!
Hi ha alguna oferta especial? – Are there any special offers?
Puc veure el menú? – Can I see the menu?
Emergency and Help Phrases
Necessito ajuda – I need help
Truqui a la policia – Call the police
On és l’hospital? – Where is the hospital?
He perdut els meus documents – I’ve lost my documents
Em sento malament – I feel sick
Hi ha algun metge a prop? – Is there a doctor nearby?
Què ha passat? – What happened?
He tingut un accident – I’ve had an accident
Soc al·lèrgic a... – I’m allergic to...
Em pot ajudar, si us plau? – Can you help me, please?
He de trucar a... – I need to call...
Hi ha algun perill? – Is there any danger?
Phrases for Travelers
On és...? – Where is...?
On són els serveis? – Where are the toilets?
On és el banc? – Where is the bank?
Giri a l’esquerra – Turn left
Giri a la dreta – Turn right
Segueixi tot recte – Go straight ahead
Quin és el millor camí per a...? – What’s the best way to...?
Quant triga per arribar a...? – How long does it take to get to...?
Hi ha alguna parada d’autobús a prop? – Is there a bus stop nearby?
How Does Catalan Language Work?
Catalan is a Romance language, meaning it shares many characteristics with other languages like Spanish, French, and Italian. However, it has its own unique features that set it apart.
Grammar
Catalan grammar follows many of the same rules you might find in other Romance languages. For example, nouns have gender (masculine and feminine) and are accompanied by articles that agree in gender and number. Verbs in Catalan are conjugated based on tense, mood, and subject, just like in Spanish. However, Catalan also has its own set of irregular verbs that you'll need to learn.
Catalan uses both the verbs "ser" and "estar" for "to be," similar to Spanish, with "ser" used for more permanent states and "estar" for temporary conditions. Additionally, Catalan includes two words for "to have"—"tenir" and "haver"—which are used in different contexts.
Sentence Structure
Catalan sentences typically follow the Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) order, which is common in many languages. For example, "Jo parlo català" translates to "I speak Catalan." However, like Spanish, Catalan often drops the subject pronoun ("Jo" in this case) because the verb conjugation usually makes it clear who the subject is. So, "Parlo català" is perfectly correct and understood as "I speak Catalan."
Questions are often formed by inverting the subject and verb or by adding a question word at the beginning of the sentence. For example, "Parles català?" means "Do you speak Catalan?" and "On és el banc?" means "Where is the bank?"
Pronunciation and Vocabulary
Catalan pronunciation has some similarities with both Spanish and French. For instance, the letter "c" before "e" or "i" is pronounced as an "s," much like in French. There are also unique sounds, like the "ll" which is pronounced like the English "y" in "yes."
Vocabulary in Catalan can be a mix of familiar and new words for Spanish speakers. Many words look and sound similar, but there are also distinct Catalan words that don’t have direct equivalents in Spanish. For example, "cotxe" means "car" in Catalan, which is different from the Spanish "coche."
Final Tips
Remember, learning a new language can be challenging, and it's okay to have days when you don't feel like practicing. To keep the momentum going, try watching Catalan shows or listening to music. Don’t be too hard on yourself, but aim to practice a little bit each day. Start with pronunciation and basic phrases, and notice how Catalan differs from other languages you know.
At the end of the day, the best way to learn Catalan is by talking to locals and practicing with others. If you're planning to visit Barcelona, BarcaTrips is here to help you with everything.
FAQs
Is Catalan easy to learn?
Catalan can be relatively easy to learn, especially if you already know a Romance language like Spanish, French, or Italian. It shares many similarities with these languages in terms of grammar and vocabulary. However, Catalan has unique features, like specific pronunciation rules and vocabulary, that might require extra attention.
How are Catalan and Spanish different?
Catalan and Spanish are both Romance languages, but they have distinct differences. Catalan has unique grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. For example, Catalan uses different words for some common concepts, and its pronunciation includes sounds not found in Spanish. Additionally, Catalan has different verb conjugations and often drops subject pronouns, similar to Spanish.
Can I learn Catalan on Duolingo?
Yes, you can learn Catalan on Duolingo, but only if your base language is Spanish. The Catalan course on Duolingo is designed for Spanish speakers, so if you're fluent in Spanish, it’s a great resource to start learning Catalan. However, there isn't an English-based Catalan course on Duolingo.
Should I learn Catalan or Spanish first?
If you're planning to spend time in Catalonia or connect with Catalan culture, learning Catalan first could be beneficial. However, Spanish is more widely spoken and understood across Spain and Latin America. Starting with Spanish might give you a broader communication base, but learning Catalan can offer a deeper cultural experience in Catalonia. Consider your goals and where you’ll be using the language most.
