4 Tips For Learning Basic Catalan Phrases

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Table of Contents

• 1. Learn Basic Greetings
• 2. Use Language Similarities
• 3. Try Online Tools
• 4. Speak Out Loud
• Sources & References
• Images Sources & Attributions

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1. Learn Basic Greetings

When you're just getting started, don't worry about full conversations.

Focus on greetings and everyday words you'll use over and over.

These basics form the backbone of casual interaction and are honestly all you need in tons of situations.

Think about it—when you walk into a shop, meet someone, or even just say goodbye, a quick "Hola" or "Bon dia" can work wonders.

Catalan greetings aren't complicated, and once you say them a few times, they start feeling natural.

Most people respond warmly when they see you're trying, even if you get it a bit wrong at first.

It's all part of the fun.

You don't need to memorize a long list.

Just start with a handful of common ones and practice them regularly.

Keep it light.

Maybe write them on a sticky note or say them aloud in the mirror in the morning.

You'll be surprised how fast they stick.

And remember—tone matters more than perfection.

Smile, say the word clearly, and don't stress over pronunciation too much.

You're not being graded!

Here are some must-know phrases to start with:

• Hola - Hello

• Bon dia - Good morning

• Bona tarda - Good afternoon

• Bona nit - Good night

• Gràcies - Thank you

• De res - You're welcome

• Si - Yes

• No - No

• Si us plau - Please

That list alone can carry you through a surprising number of interactions.

Keep it handy!

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2. Use Language Similarities

One of the coolest things about Catalan?

It overlaps with Spanish, French, and Italian more than you might expect.

So if you've ever learned a bit of those, you're already ahead of the game.

A lot of words look almost identical across these languages.

That means you'll recognize things without much effort.

It's like finding shortcuts while you're driving—you still get there, just faster.

For example, words like possible, important, or animal are spelled exactly the same or super close in Catalan.

That can help build your confidence because you'll feel like you already "know" some of the vocabulary even before you officially learn it.

This similarity also makes Catalan a great stepping stone if you're planning to learn other Romance languages down the line.

You're essentially training your brain to get used to a certain rhythm, grammar pattern, and sound.

Not bad for a beginner win, right?

Now, this doesn't mean everything will make sense right away.

There will still be false friends—words that look the same but mean something else entirely.

But even those are kind of fun to discover and laugh about.

If you're unsure, just try guessing!

Often, context will help you figure it out.

And even if you're wrong, it's part of learning.

Nobody expects you to be perfect on day one.

Here's a quick comparison table to show how similar some words can be:

English	Catalan	Spanish	French
Important	important	importante	important
Possible	possible	posible	possible
Animal	animal	animal	animal
Family	família	familia	famille
Hospital	hospital	hospital	hôpital

And a few tips to make the most of these connections:

• Listen for words that feel familiar

• Try reading menus or signs aloud

• Don't hesitate to guess—you might be right

• Use what you already know as a foundation

Let the similarities work for you!

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3. Try Online Tools

Okay, let's be honest—apps and websites make learning way more fun these days.

You don't need to sit through a boring textbook or take a formal class.

There are so many free and paid tools that help you learn at your own pace and in your own style.

Duolingo is probably the most popular one.

It's colorful, a bit gamified, and easy to use.

They have a Catalan course (though currently it's only available if your base language is Spanish), but even then, it's worth checking out.

You might end up learning a bit of Spanish, too.

Bonus!

Then there's Memrise, which is also pretty interactive and gives you short video clips of native speakers.

That's great for hearing how words are actually used and pronounced in real life.

YouTube is another goldmine.

There are whole channels focused on Catalan for beginners—some by teachers, some by locals just helping out.

Just search for "Catalan basic phrases" and see what pops up.

And if you're more into reading, there are blogs and simple language sites that explain Catalan grammar, phrases, and culture.

Some even give you audio recordings or practice quizzes.

Here's a quick table comparing a few online resources:

Resource	Type	Notes
Duolingo	App	Free with optional paid features
Memrise	App	Native speaker videos, vocabulary focus
YouTube	Video platform	Great for pronunciation and real context
Loecsen	Website	Simple phrasebooks with audio
CatalanTV	YouTube	Fun cultural and language videos

And a short list of things you can do with these tools:

• Practice five minutes a day

• Watch a beginner lesson while you cook

• Repeat phrases out loud with the speaker

• Use the slow playback feature when available

They're free (or mostly free), so give a few a try and see what you like best.

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4. Speak Out Loud

Here's something most people forget when learning a new language: speaking is a physical thing.

Your mouth, tongue, and vocal cords all need to learn new movements.

And the only way to train them is by using them.

Reading is great.

Listening is awesome.

But nothing beats saying the words out loud—even if no one's around to hear you.

When you speak out loud, your brain connects the sound to your memory faster.

Plus, it just makes you feel like you're actually using the language, not just studying it.

It boosts your confidence big time.

Start small.

Say your greetings in the mirror.

Repeat them when you're brushing your teeth or making coffee.

Practice asking for something like, "On és el bany?" (Where is the bathroom?) even if you're just talking to your cat.

It might feel silly at first, but it works.

The more you say things out loud, the less awkward they feel.

And if you ever do get to use Catalan with someone, you'll already feel more prepared.

You don't need a language partner to do this either.

Sure, having someone to talk to is great, but it's not required.

You can still build fluency by "talking to yourself" every day for a few minutes.

This tip doesn't come with a table or a list—it's just about doing it.

Make your voice part of your practice.

It's that simple.

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You don't need a huge vocabulary, expensive course, or native-level grammar to start speaking Catalan.

Just start with greetings, notice the similarities, use the free stuff online, and say things out loud.

Learning a new language doesn't have to be stressful.

In fact, it can be super fun and even relaxing if you keep it chill.

The key is just to start small, be curious, and don't be afraid to sound a little silly at first.

And hey, every "Hola" you say is a step closer to being understood and connecting with someone new.

That's pretty awesome.

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Sources & References

• Duolingo Catalan Course

• Memrise Catalan Course

• YouTube: Catalan for Beginners

• Loecsen Catalan Phrases

• Learn Catalan with CatalanTV

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