Barcelona

📖

Common Phrases

Sections

1. Greetings and Basic Phrases

Catalan:

  • Hola (OH-lah) – "Hello"
    • Used in both formal and informal settings.
  • Bon dia (bohn DEE-ah) – "Good morning"
    • Used until around midday.
  • Bona tarda (BOH-nah TAR-dah) – "Good afternoon"
    • Used from midday until evening.
  • Bona nit (BOH-nah NEET) – "Good night"
    • Used when saying goodbye in the evening or before going to bed.
  • Com estàs? (kohm ehs-TAHS?) – "How are you?" (informal)
    • A friendly way to ask about someone's well-being.
  • Gràcies (GRAH-syuhs) – "Thank you"
    • Always appreciated when used.
  • De res (deh REHS) – "You're welcome"
    • A polite response to "Gràcies."

Spanish:

  • Hola (OH-lah) – "Hello"
  • Buenos días (BWEH-nos DEE-ahs) – "Good morning"
  • Buenas tardes (BWEH-nahs TAR-des) – "Good afternoon"
  • Buenas noches (BWEH-nahs NOH-ches) – "Good night"
  • ¿Cómo estás? (COH-moh ehs-TAHS?) – "How are you?" (informal)
  • Gracias (GRAH-syahs) – "Thank you"
  • De nada (deh NAH-dah) – "You're welcome"

Cultural Tips:

  • In Barcelona, locals may greet you in Catalan first, especially in smaller shops or neighborhoods. Responding in Catalan, even with a simple "Hola" or "Gràcies," is seen as respectful.
  • Handshakes are common for formal greetings, while friends may exchange two kisses on the cheeks (starting with the left).

2. Dining Out

Catalan:

  • Una taula per a dos, si us plau (OO-nah TOW-lah peh-rah DOHS, see oos PLOW) – "A table for two, please"
  • El menú, si us plau (ehl meh-NOO, see oos PLOW) – "The menu, please"
  • Què em recomana? (keh ehm reh-coh-MAH-nah?) – "What do you recommend?"
  • Vull una cervesa (VOOY OO-nah sehr-VEH-sah) – "I want a beer"
  • El compte, si us plau (ehl COHM-teh, see oos PLOW) – "The bill, please"

Spanish:

  • Una mesa para dos, por favor (OO-nah MEH-sah PAH-rah DOHS, pohr fah-VOHR) – "A table for two, please"
  • El menú, por favor (ehl meh-NOO, pohr fah-VOHR) – "The menu, please"
  • ¿Qué me recomienda? (keh meh reh-coh-mee-EHN-dah?) – "What do you recommend?"
  • Quiero una cerveza (KYEH-roh OO-nah sehr-VEH-sah) – "I want a beer"
  • La cuenta, por favor (lah CWEN-tah, pohr fah-VOHR) – "The bill, please"

Cultural Tips:

  • Tipping is not mandatory in Barcelona, but rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% is appreciated for good service.
  • Lunch is the main meal of the day and is typically eaten between 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM. Dinner is lighter and served later, often after 8:30 PM.

3. Transportation

Catalan:

  • On és la parada de metro? (ohn EHS lah pah-RAH-dah deh MEH-troh?) – "Where is the metro stop?"
  • Quant costa un bitllet? (kwant COHS-tah oon beet-YEHT?) – "How much does a ticket cost?"
  • Vull anar a... (VOOY ah-NAHR ah...) – "I want to go to..."
  • A quina hora arriba el tren? (ah KEE-nah OH-rah ah-REE-bah ehl TREHN?) – "What time does the train arrive?"

Spanish:

  • ¿Dónde está la parada de metro? (DOHN-deh ehs-TAH lah pah-RAH-dah deh MEH-troh?) – "Where is the metro stop?"
  • ¿Cuánto cuesta un billete? (KWAN-toh CWES-tah oon bee-YEH-teh?) – "How much does a ticket cost?"
  • Quiero ir a... (KYEH-roh eer ah...) – "I want to go to..."
  • ¿A qué hora llega el tren? (ah keh OH-rah YEH-gah ehl TREHN?) – "What time does the train arrive?"

Cultural Tips:

  • Barcelona has an excellent public transportation system. The TMB (Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona) operates buses, trams, and the metro.
  • Validate your ticket before boarding, as fines for riding without a valid ticket are steep.

4. Shopping

Catalan:

  • Quant costa això? (kwant COHS-tah ah-SHOH?) – "How much does this cost?"
  • Teniu una talla més gran? (teh-NEE-oo OO-nah TAH-yah MEHS grahn?) – "Do you have a larger size?"
  • Puc pagar amb targeta? (pook pah-GAHR ahm tar-JEH-tah?) – "Can I pay with a card?"

Spanish:

  • ¿Cuánto cuesta esto? (KWAN-toh CWES-tah EHS-toh?) – "How much does this cost?"
  • ¿Tiene una talla más grande? (TYEH-neh OO-nah TAH-yah mahs GRAHN-deh?) – "Do you have a larger size?"
  • ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? (PWEH-doh pah-GAHR kohn tar-HEH-tah?) – "Can I pay with a card?"

Cultural Tips:

  • Bargaining is not common in most shops, but it may be acceptable in markets like La Boqueria.
  • Many smaller shops close for a midday break (siesta) between 2 PM and 5 PM.

5. Emergencies

Catalan:

  • Ajuda, si us plau! (ah-JOO-dah, see oos PLOW!) – "Help, please!"
  • Truqueu a una ambulància! (troo-KEH-oo ah OO-nah ahm-boo-LAHN-syah!) – "Call an ambulance!"
  • He perdut el passaport (eh pehr-DOOT ehl pah-sah-PORT) – "I’ve lost my passport"
  • On és la comissaria? (ohn EHS lah co-mee-sah-REE-ah?) – "Where is the police station?"

Spanish:

  • ¡Ayuda, por favor! (ah-YOO-dah, pohr fah-VOHR!) – "Help, please!"
  • ¡Llame a una ambulancia! (YAH-meh ah OO-nah ahm-boo-LAHN-syah!) – "Call an ambulance!"
  • He perdido el pasaporte (eh pehr-DEE-doh ehl pah-sah-POHR-teh) – "I’ve lost my passport"
  • ¿Dónde está la comisaría? (DOHN-deh ehs-TAH lah coh-mee-sah-REE-ah?) – "Where is the police station?"

Cultural Tips:

  • The emergency number in Spain is 112, which works for police, fire, and medical emergencies.
  • Police officers in Barcelona are generally approachable and may speak some English.

Key Differences Between Catalan and Spanish

  • Catalan is not a dialect of Spanish; it is a distinct language with its own grammar and vocabulary.
  • While Spanish is more universally understood, using Catalan phrases can create a positive impression and show respect for local culture.
  • Pronunciation in Catalan can be trickier for Spanish speakers due to unique vowel sounds and stress patterns.

Final Tips

  • If you're unsure which language to use, start with Spanish, as it is more widely spoken. However, learning a few Catalan phrases will endear you to locals.
  • Speak slowly and clearly, and don’t worry about making mistakes—locals appreciate the effort.
  • Carry a small phrasebook or use a translation app for quick reference.

Enjoy your time in Barcelona! ¡Buen viaje! / Bon viatge!