Catalan phrasebook

Catalan (català) is spoken in Catalonia, Valencia (where it is called Valencià), the Balearic Islands (where it is sometimes called Mallorquí, Menorquí, or Eivissenc in each of the islands), Andorra (where it is the only official language), the extreme south of France (north Catalonia, corresponding more or less to the Pyrénées-Orientales department) and the Sardinian city of Alghero. Spoken by about 7 million people, it is the 8th most spoken language in the European Union. It is, like Spanish, French and Italian, a Romance language, and people who hear it for the first time typically get the impression that it is a mix between them. However, it is a separate language, as old as any of the other Romance languages, and you will be very welcome if you try to say some words while you are in a Catalan-speaking region.

Like other Romance languages, Catalan nouns have genders. Every noun is either masculine, like home ("man") or feminine, like dona ("woman"). The gender of things doesn't usually follow from the meaning of the word; why a house (casa) is feminine but a car (cotxe) is masculine is just one of the vagaries of the language. Fortunately, the gender of a noun is often indicated by the last letter of the word; -a and -ó usually indicate feminine nouns (but not always), while masculine words have no common ending.

Adjectives also have gender and number. Like nouns, -a usually indicates the feminine form. Plural forms add -s and usually change some other part of the spelling and/or pronunciation (for instance, the feminine a changes to e). Adjectives need to match the noun they describe in both gender and number. For example, borratxo "drunk", when modifying les dones ("the women"), makes les dones borratxes.

In this guide, where genders of nouns or adjectives come up, the "/a" form is used to differentiate. It should be clear from the context when to use the feminine form and when to use the masculine form.

Pronunciation Guide

Written Catalan is less phonetic than Spanish or Italian, but it is definitely less complicated to pronounce than French or English. It has variations from one region to another; the model presented here is the standard pronunciation, similar to the language of the region of Barcelona. Each of the following dialectal groups has its differences in pronunciation and vocabulary: Western (Lleida province and Ebre river basin), Balearic, Valencian.

Vowels

To know how to pronounce vowels in Catalan, it is necessary to know the stressed syllable of the word; a, e, and o change if they are in the stressed syllable or an unstressed one. In other words, some vowels are reduced when unstressed.

a 

stressed as the 'a' in "article" [ah], and unstressed 'a' in "sofa" [uh]

e 

stressed as the 'e' in "pet" or the 'ea' in "bear" [eh], and unstressed 'e' in "open" [uh]

i 

like 'ee' in "bee"

o 

stressed as the 'o' in "hot" and "port" [oh], unstressed 'oo' in "zoo" [oo]

u 

silent between 'g' and 'e/i' and between 'q' and 'e/i', elsewhere as 'u' in "flute" [oo]

Watch for the different accent signs in e and o: è sounds always as 'e' in "bed", é sounds as 'ea' in "bear", ò sounds as 'o' in "bond" and ó sounds like the 'o' in "score". Stress usually falls on the second-last syllable, unless the word ends in a consonant or consonant cluster or it has a written accent. Also, two dots over 'i' or 'u', 'ї' 'ü', indicate that the vowel sound should be pronounced as a separate syllable: Ensaїmada [ehn-SUH-ee-mah-duh] (sweet pastry), diürn [dee-oorn] (in day time).

Consonants

b 

like 'b' in "bed"

c 

when followed by 'e' or 'i', like 'c' in "cell", otherwise like 'k' in "skull"

ç

like 'c' in "cell"

d 

like 'd' in "dog"

f 

like 'f' in "fine"

g 

when followed by 'e' or 'i', like 'j' in "james", otherwise like "g" in "go"; in clusters "gue" and "gui", the "u" is silent, unless it bears a diaeresis, as in "güe" and "güi"; in clusters gua,guo,güe,güi, the two first letters like 'Gu' in McGuire or 'w' in "wire"; notice the group -ig after a vowel sounds like "ch".

h 

silent

j 

like 'j' as in "jean" (French pronunciation); or British English 's' in "pleasure"

k 

like 'k' in "skull"

l 

like 'l' in "love"

ll 

like 'lli' in "million" (palatalized l)

m 

like 'm' in "mother"

n 

like 'n' in "nice", and like 'n' in "anchor"

ny 

like the Spanish "ñ" as in Señor; or US English 'ny' in "canyon"; the y is soft sign.

p 

like 'p' in "spoof"

q 

in clusters "que" and "qui", the "u" is silent, unless it bears a diaeresis, as in "qüe" and "qüi"; in clusters qua,quo,qüe,qüi, the two first letters like 'Qu' in "quit"

r 

like 'tt' in American English "butter"; except at the beginning of a word or after a consonant

r 

like 'r' in "row"; a strong trilled Scottish r; at the beginning of a word, or after a consonant

rr 

like 'rr' in "mirror"; a strong trilled Scottish r; identical to the sound above

s 

like 's' in "sun" except when is between vowels, when it sounds like 'z' in "zone". Sometimes pronounced like a soft "sh".

ss 

like 'ss' in "hiss". Always goes between vowels.

t 

like 't' in "stop"

tx

pronounced like the 'ch' as in "chip"

v 

like 'b' in "bed"

w 

like 'w' in "weight" in most English words, like 'b' in "bed" in Germanic words or Catalanised words as ""wàter" (WC) that sounds BAH-tehr

x 

like 'sh' in "short", except if is between two vowels, when sounds like the x as in "Axel"; notice the group -ix after a vowel sounds like "sh" as well.

z 

like 'z' in "zone"

Phrase list

Basics

Common signs OPEN  Obert CLOSED  Tancat ENTRANCE  Entrada EXIT  Sortida PUSH  Empenyeu PULL  Estireu TOILET  Serveis MEN  Homes WOMEN  Dones FORBIDDEN  Prohibit

Hello (informal). 

Hola. (OH-lah). For the formal equivalent of "hola" see good morning, good afternoon, good evening, below.

How are you? 

Com estàs? (kohm uhs-TAHS?) (informal); Com està? (kohm uhs-TAH?) (formal)

Fine, thank you. 

Molt bé, gràcies. (mohl behh, GRAH-syuhs)

What is your name? 

Com et dius? (informal) (kohm uht THEE-oos?) / Com es diu? (formal) (kohm uhs THEE-oo?)

My name is ______ . 

Em dic ______ . (uhm theek...)

Nice to meet you. 

Molt de gust. (mohl thuh goos)

Please. 

Si us plau. (see oos PLOW)

Thank you. 

Gràcies. (GRAH-syuhs) OR Mercès. (muhr-SEHS)

You're welcome. 

De res. (duh rrehs)

Yes. 

Sí. (see)

No. 

No. (noh)

Excuse me. (getting attention) 

Dispensi./Disculpi. (dees-PEHN-see/dees-KOOL-pee)

Excuse me. (begging pardon) 

Perdoni. (puhr-THOH-nee)

I'm sorry. 

Ho sento. (oo SEHN-too) OR Em sap greu. (uhm sahp greh-oo)

Goodbye 

Adéu. (uh-THEH-oo) OR Adéu-siau. (uh-THEH-oo-syah-oo)

I can't speak Catalan [well]. 

No parlo [bé] català. (noh PAHR-loo [BEH] kuh-tuH-LAH)

Do you speak English? 

Parles anglès? (PAHR-luhs uhn-GLEHS?) (informal); Que parla anglès? (kuh PAHR-luh uhn-GLEHS?)

Is there someone here who speaks English? 

Que hi ha algú que parli anglès? (kuh yah uhl-GOO kuh PAHR-lee uhn-GLEHS?)

Good morning. 

Bon dia. (BOHN DEE-uh)

Good afternoon. 

Bona tarda. (BOH-nuh TAHR-thuh)

Good evening (when it's dark) 

Bon vespre. (BOHM BEHS-pruh)

Good night. 

Bona nit. (BOH-nuh neet)

I don't understand. 

No ho entenc. (NOH oo UHN-tehng)

Where is the toilet? 

On és el lavabo? (OHN ehhs uhl luh-BAH-boo?)

Problems

Help! 

Ajuda! Auxili! (uh-ZHOO-thuh! ow-KSEE-lee!)

Leave me alone. 

Deixa'm en pau! (DAY-shuhm uhn POW!)

Don't touch me! 

No em toquis! (nom-TOH-kees)

I'll call the police. 

Trucaré a la policia. (troo-kuh-REH luh poo-lee-SEE-uh)

Police! 

Policia! (poo-lee-SEE-uh)

Stop! Thief! 

Al lladre! (ahl LLYAH-druh!)

I need help. 

Necessito la teva ajuda. (nuh-suh-SSEE-too luh TEH-buh uh-ZHOO-thuh)

It's an emergency. 

És una emergència. (Ehs OO-nuh uh-muhr-ZHEHN-syuh)

I'm lost. 

Estic perdut/perduda. (man/woman). (EHS-teek puhr-THOOT/EHS-teek puhr-THOO-thuh)

I lost my bag. 

He perdut la meva bossa. (eh puhr-THOOT luh MEH-buh BOH-ssuh)

I lost my wallet. 

He perdut la meva cartera. (eh puhr-THOOT luh MEH-buh kuhr-TEH-ruh)

I'm sick. 

Estic malalt/malalta (man/woman) (ehs-TEEK muh-LAHL/ehs-TEEK muh-LAHL-tuh)

I've been injured. 

Estic ferit/ferida. (man/woman)(ehs-TEEK fuh-REET/fuh-REE-thuh)

I need a doctor. 

Necessito un metge. (nuh-ssuh-SSEE-too oon MEHT-zhuh)

Can I use your phone? 

Puc utilitzar el seu telèfon? (pook oo-tee-leet-ZAH uhl seh-oo tuh-LEH-foon?)

The Fire Department

El Departament de Bombers: (uhl thuh-puhr-tuh-MEHN thuh boom-BEHS)

Numbers

1 

u/una (Male/Female) (OON/OO-nuh)

2 

dos/dues (Male/Female) (DOHS/DOO-uhs)

3 

tres (trehs)

4 

quatre (KWAH-truh)

5 

cinc (seenk)

6 

sis (sees)

7 

set (seht)

8 

vuit (BOO-eet)

9 

nou (NOH-oo)

10 

deu (DEH-oo)

11 

onze (OHN-zuh)

12 

dotze (DOHT-zuh)

13 

tretze (TREHT-zuh)

14 

catorze (kuh-TOHR-zuh)

15 

quinze (KEEN-zuh)

16 

setze (SEHT-zuh)

17 

disset (dees-SEHT)

18 

divuit (dee-BOO-eet)

19 

dinou (dee-NOH-oo)

20 

vint (been)

21 

vint-i-u (been-tee-OO)

22 

vint-i-dos (been-tee-DOHS)

23 

vint-i-tres (been-tee-TREHS)

30 

trenta (TREHN-tuh)

31 

trenta-u (trehn-tuh-OO)

40 

quaranta (kwuh-RAHN-tuh)

50 

cinquanta (seen-KWAHN-tuh)

60 

seixanta (say-SHAHN-tuh)

70 

setanta (suh-TAHN-tuh)

80 

vuitanta (boo-ee-TAHN-tuh)

90 

noranta (noo-RAHN-tuh)

100 

cent (SEHN)

200 

dos-cents/dues-centes (Male/Female)(dohs-SEHNS/doo-wuhz-SEHN-tuhs)

300 

tres-cents (trehs-SEHNS)

1000 

mil (MEEL)

2000 

dos mil (dohs meel)

1,000,000 

un milió (oon mee-lee-OH)

1,000,000,000 

mil milions (meel mee-lee-OHNS)

1,000,000,000,000 

un bilió (oon bee-lee-OH)

number _____ (train, bus, etc.) 

número _____ (NOO-muh-roo)

half 

meitat (muhy-TAHT)

less 

menys (MEHNYS)

more 

més (MEHS)

Time

now 

ara (AH-ruh)

later 

després (duhs-PREHHS)

before 

abans (uh-BAHNS)

morning 

matí (muh-TEE)

afternoon 

tarda (TAHR-thuh)

evening 

vespre (BEHS-pruh)

night 

nit (neet)

Clock time

NOTE: Catalan express time using a scheme based on quarters of hour:

un quart de X means (X-1) hour + 15 minutes, or 45 minutes before X hour

dos quarts de X means (X-1) hour + 30 minutes, or 30 minutes before X hour

tres quarts de X means (X-1) hour + 45 minutes, or 15 minutes before X hour

the X hour 

les X

the X hour in the early morning/morning/midday/afternoon/evening/night

les X de la matinada /matí/migdia/tarda/vespre/nit (lehs X theh luh mah-tee-NAH-thuh/mah-TEE/MEEG-thyuh/TAHR-thah/BEHS-preh/neet)

one o'clock AM 

la una de la matinada (lah OO-nah deh lah mah-tee-NAH-dah), literally the one in the early morning

two o'clock AM 

les dues de la matinada (lehs DOO-wehs deh luh mah-tee-NAH-duh)

noon 

migdia (meech-DEE-uh) literally half day

one o'clock PM 

la una de la tarda (lah OO-nuh deh lah TAHR-thuh)

two o'clock PM 

les dues de la tarda (lehs dwehs deh lah TAHR-thuh)

midnight 

mitjanit (meet-juh-NEET)

9.15 

un quart de deu (oon kwahrt deh DEH-oo)

11.30 

dos quarts de dotze (dohs kwahrts deh DOHT-seh)

15.45 

tres quarts de quatre (trehs kwahrts theh KWAH-treh)

17.37 (approx.)

dos quarts i mig de sis,(dohs kwahrts ee meech deh sees) literally two quarters and a half of six

Duration

_____ minute(s) 

_____ minut(s) (MEE-noot(s))

_____ hour(s) 

_____ hora (hores) (orah (OH-rehs))

_____ day(s) 

_____ dia (dies) (DEE-ah (DEE-ehs)

_____ week(s) 

_____ setmana (setmanes) (seht-MAH-nuh (seht-MAH-nehs)

_____ month(s) 

_____ mes (mesos) (mehs (MEH-sohs)

_____ year(s) 

_____ any(s) (AH-nee(s))

Days

today 

avui (uh-BWEE)

yesterday 

ahir (uh-EE)

tomorrow 

demà (duh-MAH)

this week 

aquesta setmana (uh-KEH-stuh saht-MAH-nuh)

last week 

la setmana passada (luh saht-MAH-nuh pah-SAH-thuh)

next week 

la setmana que ve (luh saht-MAH-nuh kuh beh)

Monday 

Dilluns (dee-LYOONS)

Tuesday 

Dimarts (dee-MAHRS)

Wednesday 

Dimecres (dee-MEH-kruhs)

Thursday 

Dijous (dee-ZHOH-oos)

Friday 

Divendres (dee-BEHN-druhs)

Saturday 

Dissabte (dee-SSAHP-tuh)

Sunday 

Diumenge (dee-oo-MEHN-zhuh)

Months

January 

Gener (zhuh-NEH)

February 

Febrer (fuh-BREH)

March 

Març (mahrs)

April 

Abril (uh-BREEL)

May 

Maig (mahch)

June 

Juny (ZHOO-nn)

July 

Juliol (zhoo-lee-OHL)

August 

Agost (uh-GOHST)

September 

Setembre (suh-TEHM-bruh)

October 

Octubre (ook-TOO-bruh)

November 

Novembre (noo-BEHM-bruh)

December 

Desembre (duh-ZEHM-bruh)

Writing time and date

June 13 of 2004: tretze (13) de juny de 2004

Colors

black 

negre (NEH-greh)

white 

blanc (blahnk)

gray 

gris (greehs)

red 

vermell (bher-MAY)

blue 

blau (blhao)

yellow 

groc (grohk)

green 

verd (bherd)

orange 

taronja (tah-rhun-ZHAH)

purple 

lila (lee-LAH)

brown 

marró (mahr-ROH)

Transportation

car 

cotxe (KOHT-sheh)

taxi 

taxi (...)

bus 

autobús (ow-toh-BOOS)

van 

furgoneta (foor-zhon-EH-tah)

trolley 

carretó (kah-reh-TOH)

tram 

tramvia (trahm-VEE-ah)

train 

tren (trehn)

subway 

metro (MAY-troh)

ship/boat 

vaixell (buh-SHELY), barco (BARH-koo)

helicopter 

helicòpter (uhl-lee-KOHP-tuhr)

airplane/airline 

avió (uh-bee-OH)

bicycle 

bicicleta (bee-see-KLEH-tuh)

motorcycle 

motocicleta (moh-too-see-KLEH-tuh) or more commonly moto (MOH-too)

carriage 

transport (truhns-POHR)

Bus and train

How much is a ticket to _____? 

Quant val el bitllet per anar a _____? (kwahnt buhl uhl bee-LYEHT puhr uh-NAHR uh____?)

A single ticket to _____, please. 

Un bitllet senzill a _____, si us plau. (oon bee-LYEHT suhn-ZEELY uh____, see oos PLOW)

A return ticket to _____, please. 

Un bitllet d'anada i tornada a ____, si us plau. (oon bee-LYEHT duh-NAH-duh ee toor-NAH-duh uh_____, see oos PLOW)

Where does this train/bus go? 

A on va, aquest tren/autobus? (uh ohn bah, uh-KEHT trehn/ow-too-BOOS?)

Where is the train/bus to _____? 

On és el tren/autobus que va a _____? (ohn EHS uhl trehn/ow-too-BOOS kuh bah uh_____?)

Does this train/bus stop in _____? 

Aquest tren/autobus para a _____? (uh-KEHT trehn/ow-too-BOOS PAH-ruh uh _____?)

When does the train/bus for _____ leave? 

Quan marxa, el tren/autobus que va a _____? (kwahn MAHR-shuh, uhl trehn/ow-too-BOOS kuh bah uh _____?)

When will this train/bus arrive in _____? 

Quan arribarà aquest tren/autobus a _____? (kwahn uh-rree-buh-RAH uh-KEHT trehn/ow-too-BOOS uh ____?)

Directions

How do I get to _____ ? 

Com ho faig per arribar a_____ ? (kohm oo FAHCH puhr ah-rree-BAHR uh____?)

...the train station? 

...a l'estació de tren? (ah lehs-tah-SYOH theh trehn? )

...the bus station? 

...a l'estació d'autobusos? (ah lehs-tah-SYOH dow-too-BOOS?)

...the closest bus stop? 

...la parada més pròxima? (luh pah-RAH-duh mehs PROH-ksee-muh?)

...the airport? 

...a l'aeroport? (ah luh-eh-ROH-pohrt?)

...downtown? 

...al centre? (uhl THEHN-treh?)

...the youth hostel? 

...a l'alberg de joventut? (uh LAHL-behrg deh zhoh-BEHN-toot?)

...the _____ hotel? 

...a l'hotel _____? (uh LOH-tehl____?)

...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? 

...al consulat d'Estats Units/Canadà/Austràlia/Regne Unit? (ahl kohn-SOO-laht dehs-STAHTS OO-neets/kah-nah-DUH/ows-TRAH-lyah/REHG-neh OO-neet?)

Where are there a lot of... 

On hi ha molts... (ohn ee ah mohlts)

...hotels? 

...hotels? (oh-TEHLS)

...restaurants? 

...restaurants? (rehs-tow-RAHNTS?)

...bars? 

...bars? (bahrs?)

...sites to see? 

...llocs per visitar? (lyohcs pehr bee-see-TAH?)

Can you show me on the map? 

Pots indicar-me al mapa? (pohts een-DEE-kahr-me uhl MAH-puh?)

street 

carrer (kahr-REH)

road 

carretera (kahr-REH-teh-ruh)

avenue 

avinguda (ah-been-GOO-duh)

highway 

autopista (ow-toh-PEES-tuh)

boulevard 

bulevard (boo-LEH-vahrd)

Turn left. 

Tomba a l'esquerra. (TOHM-bah uh lehs-KEHR-ruh)

Turn right. 

Tomba a la dreta. (TOHM-bah uh lah DREH-tah)

left 

esquerra (ehs-KEH-rruh)

right 

dreta (DREH-tuh)

straight ahead 

endavant (ehn-DAH-bahnt)

towards the_____ 

cap a_____ (cuhp ah_____)

past the_____ 

després de_____ (dehs-PREHS deh____)

before the_____ 

abans de_____ (uh-BAHNS deh____)

Watch for the_____. 

Vigila el/la/els/les _____. (bee-ZHEE-luh ehl/luh/ehls/lehs____.)

intersection 

intersecció (een-tehr-sehk-SYOH)

north 

nord (nohrd)

south 

sud (sood)

east 

est (ehst)

west 

oest (OH-ehst)

uphill 

cap amunt (kahp AH-moont)

downhill 

costa avall (KOHS-tah ah-BAH-lyee)

Taxi

Taxi! 

Taxi! (TAHK-see)

Take me to _____, please. 

Porta'm a _____, si us plau. (pohr-TAHM uh_____, syoos plow)

How much does it cost to get to _____? 

Quant costa anar a _____? (kwant KOHS-tuh AH-nuhr uh_____?)

Take me there, please. 

Porta'm allà, si us plau. (pohr-TAHM ahl-LUH, syoos plow)

Lodging

Do you have any rooms available? 

Teniu alguna habitació disponible? (TEH-nyoo ahl-GOO-nuh ah-bee-tah-SYOH dees-poh-NEE-bleh?)

How much is a room for one person/two people? 

Quant costa una habitació per una/dues persona/persones? (kwahnt KOHS-tah OO-nuh ah-bee-tah-SYOH pehr OO-nuh/DOO-ehs pehr-SOH-nuh/pehr-SOH-nehs)

Does the room come with... 

L'habitació té... (lah-bee-tah-SYOH TEH...)

...bedsheets? 

...llençols? (LLYEH-sohls?)

...a bathroom? 

...lavabo? (lah-VUH-boh?)

...a telephone? 

...telèfon? (teh-LEH-fohn?)

...a TV? 

...televisió? (teh-leh-bee-SYOH?)

May I see the room first? 

Puc veure l'habitació, abans? (pook beh-OO-reh lah-bee-tuh-SYOH, uh-BAHNS?)

Do you have anything quieter? 

No hi ha res més silenciós? (noh ee ha rehs MEHS see-lehn-SYOHS?)

...bigger? 

...més gran? (MEHS grahn?)

...cleaner? 

...més net? (MEHS neht?)

...cheaper? 

...més barat? (MEHS buh-RAHT?)

OK, I'll take it. 

D'acord, l'agafo. (dah-KOHRD, lah-GAH-foh)

I will stay for _____ night(s). 

Em quedaré _____ nit(s). (ehm keh-duh-REH ____ neet(s))

Can you suggest another hotel? 

Em podeu suggerir un altre hotel? (ehm poo-DEH-oo soog-zheh-REE oon UHL-treh oh-TEHL?)

Do you have a safe lockers? 

Teniu caixa de seguretat? (TEH-new KAI-shuh deh seh-GOO-reh-taht?)

Is breakfast/supper included? 

L'esmorzar/el sopar està inclòs? (lehs-mohr-ZAH/ehl soo-PAH uhs-TAH een-KLOHS?)

What time is breakfast/supper? 

Quan s'esmorza/se sopa? (kahn sehs-MOHR-zuh/seh SOH-puh?)

Please clean my room. 

Si us plau, netegeu la meva habitació. (see oos plow, neh-teh-GEH-oo luh MEH-vuh ah-bee-tah-SYOH)

Can you wake me at _____? 

Em podeu llevar a les _____? (ehm poo-DEH-oo lyeh-VAH uh lehs____?)

I want to check out. 

Vull marxar. (vooly muhr-SHAH)

Money

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? 

Accepteu dòlars americans/australians/canadencs? (ahk-THEHP-teh-oo DOH-lahrs ah-meh-REE-kahns/ows-TRAH-lyahns/kah-NAH-dehnks?)

Do you accept British pounds? 

Accepteu lliures esterlines? (ahk-THEHP-teh-oo LYOO-rehs ehs-tehr-LEE-nehs?)

Do you accept credit cards? 

Accepteu targes de crèdit? (ahk-THEHP-teh-oo TAHR-zhehs deh KREH-deet?)

Can you change money for me? 

Pot canviar-me diners? (poht KAHN-byahr-meh DEE-nehrs?)

Where can I get money changed? 

On puc canviar diners? (ohn KAHN-byahr DEE-nehs?)

Can you change a traveler's check for me? 

Pot canviar-me xecs de viatge? (poht kuhm-bee-AHR-muh shehks duh bee-AHT-zhuh?)

Where can I get a traveler's check changed? 

On puc canviar xecs de viatge? (ohn pook kuhm-bee-AHR shehks duh bee-AHT-zhuh?)

What is the exchange rate? 

Quin és el canvi? (keen EHS ehl KUHN-bee?)

Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? 

On hi ha un caixer automàtic? (ohn ee uh oon KAI-shehr ow-toh-MAH-teek?)

Eating

A table for one person/two people, please. 

Una taula per una persona/dues persones, si us plau. (OO-nah TOW-lah pehr OO-nah pehr-SOH-nehs/DOO-ehs pehr-SOH-nehs, see oos plow)

Can I look at the menu, please? 

Puc veure el menú, si us plau? (pook beh-OO-reh ehl meh-NOO, see oos plow?)

Can I look in the kitchen? 

Puc veure la cuina? (pook beh-OO-reh luh koo-EE-nah?)

Is there a house specialty? 

Teniu cap especialitat de la casa? (TEH-new kahp ehs-peh-THYAH-lee-taht deh lah KAH-sah?)

Is there a local specialty? 

Teniu cap plat típic? (TEH-new kahp pluht TEE-peek?)

I'm a vegetarian. 

Sóc vegetarià. (SOHK beh-jeh-tah-RYAH)

I don't eat pork. 

No menjo porc. (noh MEHN-zhoh pohrk)

I don't eat beef. 

No menjo vedella. (noh MEHN-zhoh beh-DEHL-lyah)

I only eat kosher food. 

Només menjo menjar kosher. (noh-MEHS MEH-nyoh MEHN-zhahr KOH-shehr)

Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard) 

Pots fer-m'ho més lleuger, si us plau? (amb menys oli/mantega/llard)

fixed-price meal 

menú de la casa (meh-NOO-der-ler-KAH-zer)

à la carte 

a la carta (ah lah KAHR-tah)

breakfast 

esmorzar (ehs-MOHR-zahr)

lunch 

dinar (DEE-nahr)

tea (meal) 

tè (TEH)

supper 

sopar (SOH-pahr)

I want _____. 

Vull _____. (vool)

I want a dish containing _____. 

Vull un plat que tingui _____. (vool oon plaht keh TEEN-kee______)

chicken 

pollastre (pohl-LYAHS-treh)

beef 

vedella (beh-DEHL-lyah)

fish 

peix (paysh)

ham 

pernil o cuixot (...)

sausage 

salsitxes (...)

cheese 

formatge (foor-MAT-zhuh)

eggs 

ous (...)

salad 

amanida (...)

(fresh) vegetables 

verdura (fresca) (...)

(fresh) fruit 

fruita (fresca) (...)

bread 

pa (...)

toast 

torrades (...)

noodles 

fideus (...)

rice 

arròs (...)

beans 

mongetes (mohn-ZHEH-tehs)

May I have a glass of _____? 

Em pots dur un got de _____? (ehm pohts door oon goht deh____?)

May I have a cup of _____? 

Em pots dur una tassa de _____? (ehm pohts OO-nah TAHS-sah deh____?)

May I have a bottle of _____? 

Em pots dur una ampolla de _____? (ehm pohts door OO-nuh ahm-POH-lyah deh____?)

coffee 

café (kah-FEH)

tea (drink) 

tè (TEH)

juice 

suc de fruita (sook deh FROOI-tuh)

(bubbly) water 

aigua amb gas (I-gwah ahmb gahs)

water 

aigua (I-gwah)

beer 

cervesa (ser-BEH-sah); (informal) birra (BEER-rah)

red/white wine 

vi negre/blanc (bee NEH-greh/blahnk)

May I have some _____? 

Podries dur-me una mica de _____? (POH-dryehs door-meh OO-nuh MEE-kah deh______?)

salt 

sal (SAHL)

black pepper 

pebre (PEH-breh)

butter 

mantega (mahn-TEH-guh)

Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server)

Perdoni, cambrer? (pehr-DOH-nee, KAHM-brehr?)

I'm finished. 

Ja he acabat. (yah eh uh-KAH-baht)

It was delicious. 

Estava deliciós. (ehs-TAH-bah deh-lee-SYOHS)

Please clear the plates. 

Pots endur-te els plats. (pohts ehn-DOOR-teh ehls plahts)

The check, please. 

El compte, si us plau. (ehl KOHMP-teh, see oos plow)

Bars

Do you serve alcohol? 

Teniu alcohol? (...) Almost every bar in Spain serves alcohol and some people could think that you are asking for rubbing alcohol.

Is there table service? 

Hi ha servei de taules? (...)

A beer/two beers, please. 

Una cervesa/dues cerveses, si us plau. (...)

A glass of red/white wine, please. 

Un got de vi negre/blanc, si us plau. (...)

A pint, please. 

Una pinta de cervesa, si us plau. But most likely a pinta will not be understood, in Catalan speaking Spain it is better to ask for a quinto (KEEN-too) (20 cl), a mitjana (meet-JAH-nuh) (33 cl) or a canya (KA-nyuh) (tap beer).

A bottle, please. 

Una ampolla, si us plau. (oonuh uhm-POH-lyuh sees-PLOW)

_____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please. 

_____ amb _____, si us plau. (...)

whiskey 

whiskey (...)

vodka 

vodka (...)

rum 

rom (...)

water 

aigua (I-gwuh)

club soda 

aigua amb gas (...)

tonic water 

tònica (...)

orange juice 

suc de taronja (...)

Coke (soda) 

coca-cola (KOH-kuh-KOH-luh)

Do you have any bar snacks? 

Teniu alguna cosa per picar? (...)

One more, please. 

Un altre, si us plau. (...)

Another round, please. 

Una altra ronda, si us plau. (...)

When is closing time? 

A quina hora tanqueu? (...)

Shopping

Do you have this in my size? 

Teniu això en la meva talla? (...)

How much is this? 

Quant costa això? (...)

That's too expensive. 

És massa car. (...)

Would you take _____? 

Agafaries _____? (...)

expensive 

car (...)

cheap 

barat (...)

I can't afford it. 

No puc pagar-ho. (...)

I don't want it. 

No ho vull. (...)

You're cheating me. 

M'estàs timant. (...)

I'm not interested. 

No hi estic interessat. (...)

OK, I'll take it. 

D'acord, me'l quedo. (...)

Can I have a bag? 

Em pots donar una bossa? (...)

Do you ship (overseas)? 

Feu enviaments (a l'estranger)? (...)

I need... 

Necessito... (...)

...toothpaste. 

...pasta de dents. (...)

...a toothbrush. 

...raspallde dents. (...)

...tampons. 

...tampons. (...)

...soap. 

...sabó. (...)

...shampoo. 

...xampú. (...)

...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen) 

...calmant. (...)

...cold medicine. 

...medicina per el refredat. (...)

...stomach medicine. 

...medicina per l'estómac. (...)

...a razor. 

...una fulla d'afeitar. (...)

...an umbrella. 

...un paraigües. (...)

...sunblock lotion. 

...crema protectora pel sol. (...)

...a postcard. 

...una postal. (...)

...postage stamps. 

...segells. (...)

...batteries. 

...piles. (...)

...writing paper. 

...paper per escriure. (...)

...a pen. 

...un bolígraf. (...)

...English-language books. 

.. llibres en anglès. (...)

...English-language magazines. 

...revistes en anglès. (...)

...an English-language newspaper. 

...diari en anglès. (...)

...an English-Catalan dictionary. 

...diccionari anglès-català. (...)

Driving

I want to rent a car. 

Vull llogar un cotxe. (...)

Can I get insurance? 

Puc obtenir una assegurança? (...)

stop (on a street sign) 

para (...)

one way 

un sentit (...)

yield 

cediu el pas (...)

no parking 

no aparcar (...)

speed limit 

límit de velocitat (...)

gas (petrol) station 

benzinera (...)

petrol 

benzina (...)

diesel 

gas-oil (...)

Authority

I haven't done anything wrong. 

No he fet res de dolent. (...)

It was a misunderstanding. 

Ha estat un malentès. (...)

Where are you taking me? 

On em porteu? (...)

Am I under arrest? 

Estic arrestat? (...)

I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. 

Sóc un ciutadà Americà/Australià/Britànic/Canadenc. (...)

I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. 

Vull parlar amb l'ambaixada/el consulat Americà/Australià/Britànic/Canadenc. (...)

I want to talk to a lawyer. 

Vull parlar amb un advocat. (...)

Can I just pay a fine now? 

Puc simplement pagar una multa ara? (...)

Other Resources

• Cursdecatala.com - Online free Catalan course
• DACCO Creative Commons Catalan-English Dictionary in català and English