Basic words in Catalan

110 words in Catalan on the topic “basic words”: sí — yes, no — no, bé — well, malament — badly. 110 words can be played from recordings.

Updated September 1, 2026 · Lingofly

110 words on the topic

sí
yes
Sí with the accent means 'yes'; si without it means 'if'. Only the written mark separates them
no
no
One word for 'no' and for negating the verb: no entenc — 'I don't understand'
bé
well
An adverb: it answers 'how?'. The adjective 'good' is another word, bo — and before a noun it shrinks further: bon dia
malament
badly
The partner of bé. For a bad thing the adjective is dolent: el temps és dolent — the weather is foul
molt bé
very well
Molt is 'very' and stands right before the word it boosts
més o menys
so-so
Literally 'more or less'. The same phrase means 'about': més o menys vint — around twenty
el metre
meter (unit)
An international word, from the Greek "measure". The jump was two meters, not a centimeter more
el centímetre
centimeter
Literally "a hundredth of a meter". The child grew three centimeters in a year
el quilòmetre
kilometer
Literally "a thousand meters": theGreek measure with a Greek prefix. From the town to the beach is five kilometers
el litre
liter
From the Greek litra — a unit of weight, become a measure of volume. Buy a liter of milk, please
el gram
gram
From the Greek gramma — a small weight. Put a hundred grams of sugar in the dough
el pes
weight
The same pes as the fish weighing at the market: what the scales say. The backpack's weight tires my shoulders
la llargada
length
From llarg — long: the length as a thing. The length of the pool is twenty-five meters
l'amplada
width
From ample — wide: the width as a thing, with the same -ada as the length. The corridor's width does not reach a meter
l'altura
height (object)
From alt — high: the height of towers and mountains. About a person they say alçada. The tower's height amazes the tourists
la fondària
depth
From fons — the bottom: the depth is "bottom-ness". The children's pool is half a meter deep
aproximadament
approximately
From aproximar — to approach: approximately is "approached to" the truth. Roughly ten thousand people live here
gairebé
almost
A short word with a long career: almost everything. The film has almost finished, come quickly
en punt
sharp (on the dot)
Literally "on the point": exactly at the hour, not a minute off. The meeting starts at ten sharp
de mitjana
on average
Literally "by the middle": la mitjana — the mean. On average snow falls here two days a year
el doble
twice as much
Literally "the double": the double of anything. This flat costs twice as much as ours
la xifra
figure (number)
From the Arabic cifra — and that from Sanskrit: the figures traveled the world. The figure of visitors grows every summer
el quart
a quarter (time)
The same quart as the fourth floor: a quarter of the hour. A quarter of an hour has passed, and he still has not come
pesar
to weigh
From pes — the weight: to weigh is to "weight" a thing. The seller weighs the melon in front of the buyer
innecessari
unnecessary
In- + necessari — the necessary with a negation: the unnecessary. This purchase was unnecessary, I see now
buit
empty
Short and hollow, like its meaning. The fridge is empty, time to go shopping
el fet
fact
From the Latin factum — done: a fact is a "done thing". The fact is the train no longer stops here
la pregunta
question
A relative of the request — preguntar, to ask: a question is what is "asked". I have one: when do you close on Friday?
important
important
From importar — to carry in: important is what "carries in" weight. Take the important documents and the ID
positiu
positive
From posar — to put: positive is "set for yes". A positive test here is the welcome kind, this time
negatiu
negative
From negar — to deny: negative is "set for no". A negative balance for the month explains everything without words
en comparació amb
compared with
Literally "in comparison with": the comparison with a standard. Compared with other years this summer is cool
igual que
the same as
Literally "equal as": igual — the same. I want the same cake as the one from last year's birthday
l'avantatge
advantage
Masculine: «l'avantatge». «Avantatges i desavantatges» — the classic decision sheet
el desavantatge
disadvantage
The advantage with a des-: the "backwardness", the drawback. The drawback of the old flat is felt every winter in the bill
les conseqüències
consequences
From conseqüir — to follow with: consequences "follow with" the deed. The consequences of a fair contract are seen quickly
tenir en compte
to take into account
Literally "to hold in account": el compte — the account. One must take into account that in August the city empties
el més probable és que
most likely
Literally "more probable": the comparative of probable. Most likely we will be late: the train strike
segurament
surely
From segur — sure: surely is "surely-ly". Surely they have gone to bed already: it is past two
la probabilitat
probability
From probable — provable: probability is what can be "proved" likely. The probability of rain rises to ninety percent
la suposició
assumption
The same family as suposar: an assumption is a "placing-under". This is only an assumption, not an accusation
sembla que
it seems that
Literally "it seems that": semblar — to seem. It seems that it will rain today: the birds fly low
deu ser
he must be
Literally "he owes to be": deure — to owe and to must. Where is Pau? He must still be on the train
no pot ser
it cannot be
Literally "it cannot be": the impossibility of the facts. It cannot be that the same grandma won again
com a mínim
at least
Literally "as a minimum": the least that can be said. At least we got home dry
en qualsevol cas
in any case
Literally "in whatever case": qualsevol — any. In any case, we will call the doctor tomorrow
per si de cas
just in case
Literally "in case it should be the case": a triple of caution. Take an umbrella just in case
si
if I had (hypothetical)
The hypothetical if, with the -és form after it: a conditional world. If I had free time, I would learn a third language
sempre que
provided that
Literally "always that": a condition dressed as a promise. I will leave this with you provided that you are back by ten
fins i tot si
even if
The intensifier fins i tot plus the if: even in that case. Even if it rains, the party will be on the square
en aquest cas
in that case
Literally "in this case": el cas — the case. If the train is gone, in that case we will go by car
si no
otherwise
Literally "if not": the other branch of the if. Careful with the paella, otherwise it will burn
llavors
then (in that case)
The same llavors as "since then": here it is the "then" of logic. If it rains, then we will lunch indoors
per tal que
so that
Literally "for the purpose that": the purpose with a clause after. We study so that the children have a better future
com si
as if
Literally "as if": the comparison takes the fos, tingués form after it. He rents the flat as if he were going to live in it for twenty years
en lloc de
instead of (action)
Literally "in the place of": one action in the place of another. Instead of complaining, you cook for a week
en general
mostly
Literally "in general": the whole rather than the part. Mostly we give Saturdays to the family
per regla general
as a rule
Literally "by the general rule": la regla — the rule. As a rule, Catalan trains arrive on time
quasi tothom
almost everyone
Literally "almost all-the-world": gairebé + tothom. Almost everyone came out to the street to celebrate the victory
l'excepció
exception
A Latin relative: what is "taken out" of the rule. Every rule has its own exception, and this one is mine
etcètera
and so on
The Latin "and the others": the universal tail of lists. The list lacks sugar, oil, flour and so on
a diferència de
unlike
Literally "in difference from": the comparison with a person. Unlike his brother, he runs up the stairs
excepte
except
A Latin relative — "taken out": the one set aside. Everyone signed the agreement except the younger uncle
no del tot
not quite
Literally "not of the whole": almost, but with a remainder. That is not quite exact: I saw her from afar
més o menys
more or less
Literally "more or less": the balance phrase. How is the repair going? More or less: the kitchen already breathes
amb dificultat
with difficulty
Literally "with difficulty": the honest adverb of effort. With difficulty, but we finished the wardrobe before dark
val la pena provar-ho
it is worth a try
Literally "it is worth the pain to try": valer la pena — to be worth the pain. It is worth a try: the teacher is charming
calia
you should have seen
The imperfect of caler — it was necessary: said of what had to be seen. You should have seen grandma's face when she opened the door!
el millor de tot
the best of all
Literally "the best of everything": the superlative of the day. The best of all was the silence after the holiday
el pitjor de tot
the worst of all
From pitjor — worse: the worst of everything. The worst of all is that nobody warned anybody
el més aviat possible
as soon as possible
Literally "as early as possible": the sooner the better, compressed. Call as soon as possible: the places fly away
en va
in vain
Literally "in vain-ness": the effort that found nothing. He ran in vain: the bus had already left
sortir-se'n
to manage
Literally "to get out of it": sortir-se'n — to come out of the affair. Alone, with two children and a move, he still managed
l'intent
attempt
Masculine. «Al primer intent» — at the first try
és a dir
that is to say
Literally «is to say». It spells out your own thought, like a footnote read aloud
resulta que
it turned out that
Literally "it results that": the fact revealed. It turned out that the neighbor had known it for days
com a resultat
as a result
Literally "as a result": the consequence drawn. As a result of the rain the fair moves indoors
du a
leads to
From dur — to carry: to lead to is to "carry to". Every evening before the screen leads to worse sleep
gràcies a
thanks to
Literally "thanks to": the cause welcomed. Thanks to the Friday rain the garden woke up
a la primera
on the first try
Literally "at the first": the first attempt, implied. I did not pass the exam on the first try, nor the second
o
or
One letter: 'or' here is simply o. Choices line up as you expect: cafè o te? — coffee or tea?
també
too, also
Stands before the verb: jo també estudio — I study too. One word covers both 'too' and 'also'
només
only
Només tinc deu euros — I've only got ten euros. One word for 'only' and 'just', stress at the end
ja
already
'Already' and a short 'yes, done' in one: ja. Ja he dinat — I've already had lunch: it works with the past too
encara
still
One word for 'still' and 'yet': encara. With no it means 'not yet': encara no sé
massa
too
'Too' and 'too much' in one word: massa. Massa car — too expensive
una mica
a little
Literally 'one bit'. Una mica més — a little more: the easy way to ask for it
plegats
together
Literally 'folded up': togetherness for people. Anem plegats — let's go together; about objects people say junts
no es pot
it's not allowed
Literally 'it is not possible': the impersonal no es pot. Aquí no es pot aparcar — no parking here
cal
must
An impersonal 'must': cal + infinitive — cal beure aigua. One word instead of three, and it never changes form
per tal de
in order to
Literally 'for the purpose of': purpose + infinitive. Before a vowel it shrinks: per tal d'arribar
si
if
Si without the accent is 'if': si plou, ens quedem a casa. With the accent, sí is 'yes' — one stroke decides
mentre que
while
Mentre is 'while'; this is the reinforced mentre que — MEN-truh kuh. Often about contrast: mentre que ell dorm, ella treballa
ja que
seeing that
Literally 'already that': a cause everyone accepts. Ja que ets aquí, seu — since you're here, sit down
només cal que
as long as
Literally 'it only takes that' + the not-yet form: només cal que vinguis — if only you would come
així que
so
Literally 'thus that': the natural consequence. Plou, així que quedem a casa — a bridge between two facts
entre
between
Entre also means amid: entre llàgrimes — through tears. Entre tu i jo — between you and me: two people, one preposition
uns
about (roughly)
The plural of un: uns + number means 'about' — uns deu anys, about ten years. Feminine words take unes: unes hores
en comptes de
instead of
Literally 'in the count instead': a choice through replacement. En comptes de pa, arròs — rice instead of bread
contra
against
International and versatile: contra la pluja — against the rain. It works in arguments and in football alike
sense
without
Short and reliable: sense sucre, si us plau — without sugar. You will say it in every café
per a
for
Per a is 'for whom': un regal per a tu — a present for you. Plain per is 'for what purpose': a subtle but living difference
sobre
about (concerning)
Sobre does double duty: 'on the table' and 'about the sea'. The word order tells the meanings apart
després de
after
Després is 'then'; with de it becomes 'after' — després de dinar. No apostrophe, but the de is obligatory
durant
during
'During' and 'for (a span)' in one: durant la festa, durant dos dies
a causa de
because of
Literally 'by the cause of'. Before an article it contracts: a causa del tren — because of the train
al voltant de
around
Literally 'at the turn': la volta is 'a turn'. Al voltant de la taula — around the table
a través de
through
Literally 'across, crosswise': through a wall, a window, the news. A través de la finestra — through the window
des de dins
from the inside
Literally 'from the inside'. A dins — inside: its sibling
pels voltants
nearby
Literally 'by the turns': in the surroundings. Viure pels voltants — to live nearby

Download the word set (CSV) · Open the printable sheet

The CSV contains spelling, reading guides, translations and links to word pages. Use the browser menu to save the printable sheet as a PDF.

How it sounds in a sentence

A word list is a blank. Conversation is made of sentences, and these are the ones the words fit into most often.

What is worth knowing about these words

sí — yes. Sí with the accent means 'yes'; si without it means 'if'. Only the written mark separates them.

no — no. One word for 'no' and for negating the verb: no entenc — 'I don't understand'.

bé — well. An adverb: it answers 'how?'. The adjective 'good' is another word, bo — and before a noun it shrinks further: bon dia.

malament — badly. The partner of bé. For a bad thing the adjective is dolent: el temps és dolent — the weather is foul.

Test yourself

First by ear — the way you will meet the word in conversation. Click the speaker and pick the translation.

What is this word?
It is sí — yes.
What is this word?
It is el centímetre — centimeter.
What is this word?
It is l'altura — height (object).
What is this word?
It is la xifra — figure (number).
What is this word?
It is important — important.

Now the other way around: recall the spelling from the meaning. That is harder, and therefore more useful.

How do you say “yes” in Catalan?
Sí with the accent means 'yes'; si without it means 'if'. Only the written mark separates them
How do you say “centimeter” in Catalan?
Literally "a hundredth of a meter". The child grew three centimeters in a year
How do you say “height (object)” in Catalan?
From alt — high: the height of towers and mountains. About a person they say alçada. The tower's height amazes the tourists
How do you say “figure (number)” in Catalan?
From the Arabic cifra — and that from Sanskrit: the figures traveled the world. The figure of visitors grows every summer
How do you say “important” in Catalan?
From importar — to carry in: important is what "carries in" weight. Take the important documents and the ID

How to learn the set instead of just reading it

Yes, no, good, bad, very. The small change of a language — and no sentence assembles without it.

A list is read in a minute and forgotten in a day. What works: hide the translation, try to recall, get it wrong — and come back to the same words tomorrow.

Recalling beats re-reading. Covering the translation and trying to remember it does more than reading it ten more times.checked many times
Adesope, Trevisan & Sundararajan, 2017, Review of Educational Research 87(3) · 188 experiments, 272 comparisons. g = 0.61; against plain re-reading 0.51, against passive review 0.93.
Study spread over days wins not only in experiments but in ordinary classrooms, with real students.checked many times
Mawson & Kang, 2025, Behavioral Sciences 15(6):771 · 22 studies, d = 0.54 (confidence interval 0.31–0.77). The authors warn that individual studies disagree widely.

Frequently asked

How do you say “yes” in Catalan?

«sí». Sí with the accent means 'yes'; si without it means 'if'. Only the written mark separates them. It is one of 110 words in the set “basic words” — the rest are in the table above.

How many basic words do you need to start?

The whole set on this page is 110 words, but there is no need to start with all of it: the words you will need in the next few days are enough. Take them a few at a time — five to seven new ones per session.

Is there audio?

Yes, 110 words on this page can be played — click the speaker next to the word. The sound works on any phone, and nothing needs to be installed.

Basic words in Catalan

110 words on the topic

How it sounds in a sentence

What is worth knowing about these words

Test yourself

How to learn the set instead of just reading it

Frequently asked

How do you say “yes” in Catalan?

How many basic words do you need to start?

Is there audio?

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