The common language used in Spain is Castilian (castellano), officially known as Spanish. But, just like with English words can alter when used in countries outside of England, for example in the US or Australia, the same is true of Spanish.

There will be some slight differences to the Spanish spoken, say, in Central or South America, or parts of the Caribbean.

And, even with Spain itself there are a number of other languages, perhaps most noticeably Catalan, spoken in Catalonia, which includes Barcelona. Although roughly half of the inhabitants of Barcelona speak Catalan, the vast majority will speak Spanish. So, if you are the type who wants to learn the language and you are planning on a move to Barcelona, then it would be better to learn Spanish rather than Catalan, though I`m sure a few words of Catalan might be useful, and no doubt appreciated by the locals.

Like a number of languages, Catalan has different dialects. Apart from Catalonia it is also used in the Balearic Islands, as well as outside of Spain, for example Andorra, where Catalan is the official language. To demonstrate the similarities, and differences, to the Spanish language, I`ve shown some Catalan words below.

There are a few other languages in use too, such as Basque and Galician, along with some `unofficial` languages.

When I went to school the main languages taught at that time tended to be French, German, and Latin. Since then other languages have been added to the curriculum of many schools, one of these being Spanish. So, it could be that you already know some Spanish from your school days. As far as children are concerned though, if you have any who will be attending a Spanish school there then don`t worry. Children pick up the language in next to no time and will soon be teaching you.

Anyway, let me get one thing out of the way. I am not a teacher, nor am I especially proficient at the Spanish language. I do know enough to get by when ordering in cafes and restaurants, and when buying groceries from the supermarket. It certainly is useful to know some of the key words. Of course if you intend working in Spain then the chances are you would need to know Spanish more or less fluently to get by.

 

Common Words & Phrases

 

 

My name is - Mi nombre es     
Hello - Hóla
Do you speak English? - Habla ingles?
Good morning - Buenas días
Good Afternoon - Buenas tardes
Good night - Buenos noches
Goodbye (as in see you soon) - Adiós
Yes - Sí
No  - No
Please - Por favor  (Catalan - Si us plau)
Thank you - Gracias  (Catalan - Gràcies)
Thank you very much - Muchas gracias
You are welcome - De nada
Excuse me - Perdon
I am sorry - Lo siento
How are you? - Como esta?
I am fine, thanks - Estoy bien, gracias
Thank you very much - Muchas gracias
What is your name? - Como se llama?
I (don't) understand - (No) Entiendo
I don't know - No lo sé
Do you speak english? - Habla ingles?
I don't mind - No importa
I do not think so - Creo que no
The bill please - La cuenta, por favor
With pleasure - Con gusto
What time is it - Que hora es?
How long - Cuanto Tiempo?      
How much does it cost? - Cuanto cuesta?     
How far? - A que distancia?  
Can you help me? - Puede ayudarme?
Cold - Frío  (Catalan - Fred)
A cold beer please - Una cerveza fría por favor   (Catalan - Una cervesa freda si us plau)

 

 

Remember "I keep six honest serving-men..." by Rudyard Kipling?

What? - Qué?
Why? - Por qué?
When? Cuándo?
How? - Cómo?
Where? - Dónde?
Who? - Quién?
    

Some Everyday Foods and Drinks

Banana - Plátano
Beer - Cerveza  (Catalan - Cervesa)
Black Coffee - Café negro
Bread - pan
Cake - Pastel
Cheese - Queso    
Coffee with milk - Café con leche
Fish - Pescado
Fruit - fruta
Meat - Carne
Milk - leche
Potato - Patata    
Red wine - Vino rojo    
Salad - Ensalada
Sauce - Salsa        
Seafood - Mariscos
Soup(thin) - Consomé
Tea - Te
Vegetables - Verduras
White wine - Vino blanco    

Meats

Chicken - Pollo
Beef - Res
Duck - Pato
Ham - Jamón
Lamb - Cordero
Pork - Cerdo
Pork - Puerco
Poultry - Aves
Sausages - Salchichas
Steak - Bistec
Turkey - Pavo
Veal - Ternera

Fish

Carp - Carpa    
Catfish - Bagre
Cod - Bacalao
Dogfish - Cazón    
Eel - Anguila
Haddock - Eglefino
Mackerel - Caballa    
Monkfish - Peje sapo
Salmon - Salmón    
Sardines - Sardinas
Trout - Trucha
Tuna - Atún

 

Seafoods

Clams - Almejas
Crab - cangrejo
Squid - Calamar        
Shrimps - Camarones
Lobster - Langosta
Octopus - Pulpo
Oysters - Ostras
Prawn - Langostino

 

Days of the Week

Sunday - Domingo      
Monday - Lunes     
Tuesday - Martes     
Wednesday - Miercoles     
Thursday - Jueves     
Friday - Viernes     
Saturday - Sabado

 

Numbers

1 - Uno      
2 - Dos     
3 - Tres     
4 - Cuatro     
5 - Cinco     
6 - Seis     
7 - Siete     
8 - Ocho     
9 - Nueve     
10- Diez     

 

                                      

 

 

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