Learning useful Catalan phrases as a beginner works best when you know when to say them and how to continue the exchange. Memorising a list is a start, but practising short interactions prepares you to understand the reply and keep a conversation going in Barcelona.
Greeting people and introducing yourself
- Bon dia: good morning.
- Bona tarda: good afternoon.
- Em dic Anna i visc a Barcelona: my name is Anna and I live in Barcelona.
- Estic aprenent català: I’m learning Catalan.
Practise saying your name, where you are from and what you do. Then add a question: I tu, d’on ets? (And you, where are you from?). Questions turn a memorised introduction into an exchange.
In a shop or café
You can begin with Bon dia, em poses un cafè amb llet, si us plau? (Good morning, could I have a coffee with milk, please?) or Quant val aquesta bossa? (How much is this bag?). If you cannot find something, ask Em pots ajudar a trobar…? (Can you help me find…?). Change the object and repeat the sentence using three different products.
Finding your way and clearing up misunderstandings
Com puc arribar a l’estació? means How can I get to the station?; És gaire lluny? means Is it very far?; and M’ho pots repetir, si us plau? means Could you repeat that, please? If you need more time, say Un moment, ho estic aprenent (One moment, I’m still learning).
Practise a three-turn dialogue
Write a question, a likely answer and a follow-up. For example, order a product, listen to the price and ask whether you can pay by card. Rehearse the dialogue aloud, changing the product and quantity. In real life, listen to the entire reply rather than preparing your next sentence while the other person speaks.
An example dialogue to adapt
—Bon dia, em poses un cafè amb llet, si us plau?
—Sí. El vols aquí o per emportar?
—Aquí, gràcies. Quant val?
—Dos euros.
—D’acord. M’ho pots repetir una mica més a poc a poc?
First practise by reading both roles, then cover one of the replies and improvise. Change the drink, price and final question. This small exercise prepares you for real variations better than reciting an isolated sentence.
Save the expressions you really use and review them before going out. You will find a level-by-level progression in our Catalan courses.
