Why learn Catalan as a beginner
Catalan is a vibrant Romance language spoken in Catalonia (Barcelona), the Balearic Islands, Valencia, Andorra, parts of Aragon, and Alghero in Sardinia. It’s close to Spanish and French, yet distinct, with its own literature, music, and identity. For travelers, students, and professionals, learning even basic Catalan earns smiles and opens doors.
For English speakers, Catalan grammar is logical and spelling is fairly phonetic. If you’ve met Spanish or French before, you’ll recognize many words. Even total beginners can learn polite greetings, order food, and navigate shops within days. The key is consistent, bite-sized practice from day one.
- Connect deeper with locals and culture beyond tourist paths.
- Boost job or study prospects in Barcelona and beyond.
- Understand signage, transport, and menus with confidence.
- Build a bridge to other Romance languages later.
First steps: sounds, basics, and survival phrases
Start with pronunciation. Focus on ny (like the ñ in Spanish), ll (often a clear l or palatal sound depending on variety), open/closed vowels (é/è, ó/ò), and the soft c (ç). Catalan stresses are marked with accents and most letters are pronounced, so reading aloud helps beginners learn fast.
Collect a mini phrase kit you can use immediately: greetings, courtesy words, and simple questions. Keep it short, repeat often, and practice from English to Catalan and back.
- Bon dia (good morning), Bona tarda (good afternoon), Bona nit (good night).
- Si us plau (please), Gràcies (thank you), Perdó (sorry).
- Em dic… (my name is…), Sóc de… (I’m from…).
- D’on ets? (where are you from?) On és…? (where is…?).
- Quant val? (how much is it?) No ho entenc (I don’t understand).
Free and online tools to learn
Mix a few apps with structured courses and real media. Keep it simple: one core course, one vocab tool, and one listening source. Everything below is free or has a solid free tier, perfect for a beginner on a budget.
Note on Duolingo: the Catalan course is currently offered from Spanish. If you know basic Spanish, it’s great. If not, pair it with Parla.cat and English-friendly videos to stay oriented.
- Parla.cat: official courses (A1–B2) with guided units and exercises.
- Duolingo (from Spanish): bite-sized practice; good for daily streaks.
- Memrise or Anki: spaced-repetition decks for core beginner vocabulary.
- Easy Catalan (YouTube): street interviews with subtitles; natural language.
- TV3/3Cat and Catalunya Ràdio: news, shows, and podcasts online, free.
- Softcatalà: tools, spellcheckers, and helpful language resources.
A simple 30-day study plan
Aim for 20–30 minutes daily. Keep sessions small, finish with a win, and track progress. Alternate skills: pronunciation, vocab, grammar, listening, then review. Use English as a bridge, but speak Catalan out loud every day.
- Days 1–3: Learn sounds (ny, ll, r/rr), stress, and basic greetings.
- Days 4–7: Articles (el, la), ser/estar basics, numbers 1–100.
- Week 2: Daily routines, food, directions; memorize 15–20 words/day.
- Week 3: Present tense verbs, time, dates; short listening every day.
- Week 4: Role-plays (ordering, asking prices); two short voice messages.
- Every day: 5-minute review with Anki/Memrise; shadow one short clip.
Practice from English to real life
Turn study into interaction. Even as a beginner, you can greet shop staff, order coffee, or send a short voice note. Combine online exchanges with tiny real-world challenges. Small reps build big confidence.
- Language exchanges on Tandem or HelloTalk; 50–50 English/Catalan.
- Join meetups or online groups for beginners; ask slow, clear speech.
- Micro-diary: three Catalan sentences daily about your day.
- Label items at home (porta, finestra, taula) to learn passively.
- Shadow 30–60 seconds of audio; match rhythm and vowels.
FAQ
- Is Catalan hard for English-speaking beginners?
- It’s manageable. Spelling is consistent, grammar is logical, and many words resemble Spanish or French. Biggest hurdles: vowel contrasts and pronouns—solved with steady practice.
- Can I learn Catalan free and online?
- Yes. Use Parla.cat, Easy Catalan on YouTube, TV3/3Cat, Catalunya Ràdio, Memrise or Anki decks, and Duolingo’s Catalan from Spanish if you know basic Spanish.
- How long to reach A1 or A2 from English?
- With 20–30 minutes daily, A1 can take 4–6 weeks; A2 often 3–4 months. Consistency, active speaking, and listening speed things up.
- Is Catalan a different language from Spanish?
- Yes, it’s a separate language. Examples: avui (today) vs hoy, molt (very) vs muy. Pronunciation and some grammar differ, though they share Latin roots.
- Any quick pronunciation tips for beginners?
- Focus on ny (like ñ), contrast é/è and ó/ò, and practice r/rr. Use Forvo or Wiktionary audio, then shadow short clips daily.