Greetings

1. Bon dia

   bon DI-a

   Good morning / Good day

   Usage

   Used from morning until early afternoon; the most common daytime greeting in Catalan

   Grammar Note

   Equivalent to Spanish "Buenos días". Catalan has its own phonology distinct from Spanish

2. Bona tarda

   BO-na TAR-da

   Good afternoon

   Usage

   Afternoon greeting, used from early afternoon until evening

   Grammar Note

   Adjectives agree with the noun's gender; "tarda" is feminine so "bona" (fem.) is used

3. Bona nit

   BO-na nit

   Good evening / Good night

   Usage

   Used both as an evening greeting and as a goodnight farewell

   Grammar Note

   "Nit" (night) is feminine in Catalan, corresponding to Spanish "buenas noches"

4. Hola

   O-la

   Hello / Hi

   Usage

   All-purpose informal greeting used at any time of day; very common in Barcelona

   Grammar Note

   Same form as Spanish. The H is nearly silent in Catalan as well

5. Adéu

   a-DEU

   Goodbye

   Usage

   Standard farewell; shares etymology with French "Adieu"

   Grammar Note

   From Latin "ad deum" (to God); corresponds to Spanish "Adiós"

6. Gràcies

   GRA-si-es

   Thank you

   Usage

   The most basic expression of thanks; widely used and appreciated by locals

   Grammar Note

   From Latin "gratia". The grave accent on à indicates an open 'a' sound

7. De res

   de res

   You're welcome

   Usage

   Standard response to "Gràcies"; literally means "of nothing"

   Grammar Note

   Equivalent to Spanish "De nada"; "res" derives from Latin "rem" (thing)

8. Perdona

   per-DO-na

   Excuse me / Sorry

   Usage

   Used to get someone's attention or to pass by; also for light apologies

   Grammar Note

   Imperative of "perdonar". More formal alternative: "Perdoni" (polite vostè form)

9. Com estàs?

   kom es-TAS

   How are you?

   Usage

   Casual greeting for acquaintances; for strangers use "Com està vostè?" (formal)

   Grammar Note

   Second person singular of "estar". Catalan also distinguishes "ser" (identity) from "estar" (state)

10. Parles anglès?

    PAR-les an-GLES

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Many people in Barcelona speak English, but locals appreciate efforts in Catalan

    Grammar Note

    In Catalan, word order doesn't change for questions; rising intonation signals the question

11. On és el lavabo?

    Where is the toilet/bathroom?

    Usage

    Basic phrase for asking where the toilet is in restaurants or public places

    Grammar Note

    Question word "on" (where) comes first. "Lavabo" (washbasin) is often used to mean toilet in Catalan

12. No puc parlar català

    I can't speak Catalan

    Usage

    Used to indicate you don't speak Catalan; often followed by a request to speak Spanish or English

    Grammar Note

    Negation is formed by placing "no" before the verb. "Puc" is the irregular first-person of "poder" (can)

13. Tornaré.

    tur-nuh-RÉ

    I'll come again

    Usage

    Said when leaving a shop — a friendly way to signal you enjoyed it

14. M'ho he passat molt bé.

    mu he puh-SAT mol BE

    I had a great time

    Usage

    Said when parting, to share how much you enjoyed it

15. Gràcies, fins aviat!

    GRA-si-es, fins a-vi-AT

    Thanks, see you

    Usage

    A casual farewell for someone you've become friendly with

16. Bon descans.

    bon des-KANS

    Good night

    Usage

    A bedtime alternative to "Bona nit"; literally "good rest"

17. Ja me'n vaig.

    zhuh men BATCH

    I'm heading out

    Usage

    Said when leaving your lodging for a while

18. He tornat.

    eh tur-NAT

    I'm back

    Usage

    Said upon returning to your lodging

19. Amb permís, me n'he d'anar.

    am per-MIS, me NEH danAR

    I'll be going now

    Usage

    A polite phrase for excusing yourself when leaving before others

20. No hi ha de què.

    no i a de KE

    You're welcome

    Usage

    An alternative to "De res" for replying to thanks

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