What is Galician?
Galician (galego) is a Romance language spoken in Galicia, a region on Spain’s Atlantic coast. It sits between Spanish and Portuguese and shares features with both, which is great news for beginners because you may recognize many words right away.
People use Galician at home, in schools, and in media. If you learn the basics, you can order food, ask for directions, and make friendly small talk in local towns and cities. Start simple, repeat often, and build confidence step by step.
- About 2–3 million speakers use Galician daily.
- Official in Galicia; understood across the region.
- Close to Portuguese; familiar to Spanish speakers.
Pronunciation in one minute
Galician sounds are clear and regular. Focus on vowels first, then a few consonant rules. Reading aloud helps a lot—say each example slowly and copy the rhythm.
- Vowels: a, e, i, o, u are short and steady (no diphthongs).
- X often sounds like “sh”: xente (people) = “SHEN-teh.”
- Ñ is like “ny”: mañá (tomorrow) = “mah-NYAH.”
- LL can sound like a soft “ly”: ollo (eye) ≈ “OH-lyo.”
- C before e/i may sound like “th” (thin) for many speakers.
- J and G before e/i are a throaty “h”: Galicia ≈ “ga-LEE-hia.”
First phrases for beginners
These examples cover greetings, courtesy, and simple needs. Read the phrase, then say it out loud. As a beginner, repetition is your best friend.
- Ola! — Hello!
- Adeus! — Goodbye!
- Por favor — Please
- Grazas — Thank you
- Si / Non — Yes / No
- Desculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (formal)
- Non entendo — I don’t understand
- Como se di…? — How do you say…?
Handy sentence patterns
Use these patterns to make your own sentences. Swap the last word to say what you need, where you are from, or what you want to learn next.
Notice que (that) links ideas. It helps you say opinions, wishes, and facts in a natural way even at A1–A2 level.
- Son de [país/cidade] — I am from [country/city].
- Teño [cousa] — I have [thing]. Teño un mapa.
- Quero [algo] — I want [something]. Quero café.
- Hai [algo] aquí? — Is there [something] here? Hai wifi?
- Penso que… — I think that… Penso que é fácil.
Numbers, time, and politeness
Numbers appear everywhere—menus, prices, buses. Learn the basics now and add more later. Remember that one has gender: un (masculine), unha (feminine).
Time and courtesy are daily essentials. If you only remember one sentence today, make it the polite request below.
- 1: un / unha
- 2: dous / dúas
- 3: tres
- 4: catro
- 5: cinco
- 6: seis
- 7: sete
- 8: oito
- Un minuto, por favor — One minute, please.
- Que hora é? — What time is it?
Free ways to keep learning
You can learn Galician with zero cost. Mix reading, listening, and speaking. Keep sessions short and regular—five to ten minutes is enough for a beginner.
- Public TV/radio from Galicia: short news clips for clear audio (free).
- Local government or university pages: beginner PDFs and glossaries.
- YouTube: search “galego A1” or “galego para principiantes.”
- Online dictionaries: look up examples and audio for each word.
- Language exchanges: ask, “Como se di…?” and practice small talk.
FAQ
- Is Galician closer to Spanish or Portuguese?
- Galician is its own language but historically closer to Portuguese. For beginners who know Spanish, many words look familiar, so you can learn faster by spotting patterns you already recognize.
- How do I pronounce the letter X in Galician?
- Often like “sh,” as in xente (people) and xaneiro (January). In a few words it varies, but for beginner practice, “sh” will help you be understood.
- What is the best first sentence to learn?
- Un minuto, por favor. It is polite, short, and useful everywhere. Right after that, learn Como se di…? to ask how to say new words.
- How can I practice speaking if I am shy?
- Shadow short clips: listen, pause, and repeat exactly. Record yourself for one minute. Small daily practice helps beginners sound natural without pressure.
- Are there free resources for absolute beginners?
- Yes. Public broadcasters, university sites, and community courses often share free materials. Combine those with a simple phrase list and a spaced-repetition app.