Basic Expressions in Catalan

Overview

Learning basic expressions is your entry point into real Catalan conversation. At the A1 level, these fixed phrases let you greet people, introduce yourself, be polite, and handle simple social interactions — even before you fully understand the grammar behind them.

Catalan greetings vary by time of day: bon dia (good morning), bona tarda (good afternoon), and bona nit (good evening/night). The informal greeting hola works at any time. Politeness expressions like si us plau (please) and gràcies (thank you) are essential in every interaction.

Introductions in Catalan use the reflexive verb dir-se (to be called): Em dic... (My name is... / I'm called...) or the question Com et dius? (What's your name?). These phrases are used constantly and become natural very quickly.

How It Works

Greetings

Catalan	English	When to use
Hola!	Hello!	Any time, informal
Bon dia!	Good morning!	Morning until lunch
Bona tarda!	Good afternoon!	Afternoon until evening
Bona nit!	Good evening/night!	Evening, also goodbye at night
Adéu!	Goodbye!	Any time
Fins aviat!	See you soon!	Informal goodbye
Fins demà!	See you tomorrow!	When you will meet again tomorrow

Introductions

Catalan	English
Com et dius?	What's your name? (informal)
Com es diu?	What's your name? (formal)
Em dic...	My name is...
Encantat/ada!	Nice to meet you! (m/f)
D'on ets?	Where are you from? (informal)
Sóc de...	I am from...

Politeness

Catalan	English
Si us plau	Please
Gràcies	Thank you
Moltes gràcies	Thank you very much
De res	You're welcome
Perdona / Perdoni	Excuse me (informal/formal)
Ho sento	I'm sorry

Examples in Context

Catalan	English	Note
Bon dia!	Good morning!	Morning greeting
Com et dius?	What's your name?	Informal
Em dic Anna.	My name is Anna.	Self-introduction
Si us plau.	Please.	Politeness
Gràcies, de res.	Thanks, you're welcome.	Polite exchange
Com estàs?	How are you?	Informal check-in
Molt bé, gràcies.	Very well, thank you.	Standard response
Parles anglès?	Do you speak English?	Asking about language
No entenc.	I don't understand.	Useful in class
Pot repetir, si us plau?	Can you repeat, please?	Asking for repetition
Adéu, fins demà!	Goodbye, see you tomorrow!	Farewell
Encantat de conèixer-te!	Nice to meet you!	First meeting

Common Mistakes

Using "si us plau" with the wrong register

• Informal: Si us plau (actually works in both, but sounds slightly formal)
• Very informal: Sisplau (compressed form, common in speech)
• Why: "Si us plau" literally means "if it pleases you" and is correct everywhere. In very casual speech, Catalans often compress it to "sisplau."

Confusing "com et dius?" with "com estàs?"

• Wrong meaning: Saying Com et dius? when you mean "How are you?"
• Right: Com estàs? (How are you?) vs. Com et dius? (What's your name?)
• Why: "Dius" comes from "dir" (to say/call), while "estàs" comes from "estar" (to be). They sound different but beginners sometimes mix them up.

Forgetting gender in "encantat/ada"

• If you're male: Encantat!
• If you're female: Encantada!
• Why: This adjective agrees with the gender of the speaker, not the person you're meeting.

Practice Tips

1. Practice a complete self-introduction sequence: "Hola! Em dic [name]. Sóc de [place]. Encantat/ada!"
2. Use greetings appropriate to the time of day. Make it a habit to think "Bon dia!" when you wake up and "Bona nit!" before bed.
3. In any interaction — at a shop, restaurant, or bus — practice using "si us plau" and "gràcies." These two words open many doors.

Related Concepts

• Food and Drink — expressions for ordering food and drink