Conjunctions and Connectors in Catalan

Overview

Conjunctions and connectors are the glue that holds sentences together. At the A2 level, you need to move beyond simple sentences and start linking ideas with words like i (and), però (but), perquè (because), quan (when), and si (if). These allow you to express cause, contrast, condition, and time relationships.

Catalan conjunctions fall into two main categories: coordinating conjunctions (joining elements of equal weight) and subordinating conjunctions (introducing dependent clauses). The most common coordinating conjunctions are i, o, and però. Subordinating conjunctions like perquè, quan, and si are equally essential.

Learning these connectors transforms your Catalan from a series of choppy statements into fluid, connected discourse. Even a few well-placed conjunctions dramatically improve the naturalness of your speech.

How It Works

Coordinating Conjunctions

Catalan	English	Use
i	and	Connecting ideas
o	or	Offering alternatives
però	but	Contrasting ideas
ni...ni	neither...nor	Double negation
sinó	but rather	Correcting
o bé...o bé	either...or	Alternatives

Subordinating Conjunctions

Catalan	English	Use
perquè	because	Cause
com que	since/given that	Cause (sentence start)
quan	when	Time
mentre	while	Simultaneous time
si	if	Condition
encara que	although	Concession
per tal que	so that	Purpose
fins que	until	Time limit
des que	since (time)	Starting point
abans que	before	Time sequence

Examples in Context

Catalan	English	Note
Estudio perquè tinc un examen.	I study because I have an exam.	Cause
Quan plou, em quedo a casa.	When it rains, I stay home.	Time
Si tens temps, vine.	If you have time, come.	Condition
Encara que és car, m'agrada.	Although it's expensive, I like it.	Concession
Parlo català i castellà.	I speak Catalan and Spanish.	Coordination
Vols te o cafè?	Do you want tea or coffee?	Alternative
M'agrada però és difícil.	I like it but it's difficult.	Contrast
Com que plou, no sortirem.	Since it's raining, we won't go out.	Cause at sentence start
Mentre treballo, ella estudia.	While I work, she studies.	Simultaneous
No és gran sinó petit.	It's not big but rather small.	Correction

Common Mistakes

Confusing "perquè" (because) with "per què" (why)

• Statement: Ho faig perquè m'agrada. (I do it because I like it.)
• Question: Per què ho fas? (Why do you do it?)
• Why: "Perquè" (one word) means "because." "Per què" (two words) means "why."

Using "però" where "sinó" is needed

• Wrong: No és vermell, però blau.
• Right: No és vermell, sinó blau.
• Why: After a negative statement that is being corrected, use "sinó" (but rather), not "però" (but/however).

Forgetting subjunctive after certain conjunctions

• A2 note: At this level, you don't need the subjunctive yet. But be aware that conjunctions like "per tal que" and "abans que" will require it at B1.

Practice Tips

1. Take pairs of simple sentences and connect them: "Plou. Em quedo a casa." → "Quan plou, em quedo a casa."
2. Practice "perquè" by giving reasons: "Estudio català perquè visc a Barcelona. M'agrada perquè és bonic."
3. Use "si" for real conditions: "Si fa sol, anirem a la platja. Si plou, ens quedarem a casa."

Related Concepts

• Negation and Questions — negation patterns used with ni...ni
• Discourse Connectors — advanced connectors at B2