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Catalan → Vocabulary → 0 to A1 Course → Idioms, colloquial expressions and slang

Welcome to the lesson on Catalan Vocabulary: Idioms, Colloquial Expressions, and Slang! In this session, we will explore the vibrant and colorful world of Catalan idioms and expressions that bring the language to life. Understanding these phrases is essential because they reflect the culture, humor, and nuances of daily communication in Catalonia. Whether you are chatting with friends, ordering food, or simply trying to sound more like a local, mastering these expressions will enhance your conversational skills and make your interactions richer.

In this lesson, we will:

Define idioms, colloquial expressions, and slang.

Dive into 20 common Catalan idioms with their meanings and usage.

Explore 20 popular colloquial expressions.

Discover 20 slang terms that are frequently used in casual conversations.

Engage with 10 exercises to practice what you’ve learned and solidify your understanding.

So, let’s get started!

What Are Idioms, Colloquial Expressions, and Slang?[edit | edit source]

Before we dive into our examples, let’s clarify what we mean by idioms, colloquial expressions, and slang:

Idioms are phrases where the meaning isn’t deducible from the individual words. For instance, "kick the bucket" in English means to die, but you wouldn’t guess that just by looking at the words.

Colloquial expressions are informal phrases used in everyday speech. They often vary by region and can be very specific to local cultures.

Slang consists of very informal words or phrases that often change quickly and can be specific to certain groups or communities.

Common Catalan Idioms[edit | edit source]

Let’s look at some idioms that you might encounter in Catalan conversations.

Catalan	Pronunciation	English
Estar en les nubes	esˈtaɾ ɛn ləs ˈnubes	To be daydreaming (literally: to be in the clouds)
No tenir pèls a la llengua	nu teˈniɾ ˈpɛls a lə ˈʎeŋɡwə	To speak one's mind (literally: to have no hairs on the tongue)
Fer-se el suec	ˈfeɾ sə lə ˈswek	To pretend not to understand (literally: to play Swedish)
Treure's el barret	ˈtɾeʊɾəs əl bəˈɾet	To take off one's hat (literally: to take off one's hat as a sign of respect)
Anar de mal en pitjor	əˈnaɾ də ˈmal ɛn piˈtʒoɾ	To go from bad to worse (literally: to go from bad to worse)
Viure de les rendes	ˈbjuɾə ðə ləs ˈrɛndəs	To live off the scraps (literally: to live off the leftovers)
Fer el cor fort	ˈfeɾ əl kɔɾ ˈfɔɾt	To be brave (literally: to make the heart strong)
Agafar el toro per les banyes	əɡəˈfaɾ əl ˈtoɾo pɛʁ ləs ˈbaɲəs	To take the bull by the horns
A poc a poc	ə ˈpɔk ə ˈpɔk	Slowly but surely (literally: little by little)
Ser com un peix fora de l'aigua	sɛɾ kɔm un ˈpeʃ ˈfɔɾə ðe lˈaiɡwə	To feel out of place (literally: to be like a fish out of water)

Popular Colloquial Expressions[edit | edit source]

Now, let’s explore some colloquial expressions that you might hear in casual conversations.

Catalan	Pronunciation	English
Què tal?	ke ˈtal	How's it going?
Mola!	ˈmɔlə	Cool!
No hi ha problema	nu i a pɾoˈblema	No problem
Estic en un fogó	esˈtik ɛn un fuˈɡɔ	I'm in trouble (literally: I'm on a hot plate)
T'has quedat a gust	t'az keˈðat a ɡust	You are comfortable (literally: you’ve settled in well)
D'acord!	ðəˈkoɾt	Okay!
Fes-ho bé	ˈfez u ˈbe	Do it well
Vinga!	ˈviŋɡə	Come on!
Ets un crack!	ets un ˈkɾak	You're awesome!
No sé què dir-te	nu sə ke ˈdiɾtə	I don’t know what to tell you

Everyday Slang Terms[edit | edit source]

Finally, let’s discover some slang terms that are commonly used among younger people or in informal settings.

Catalan	Pronunciation	English
Tio/Tia	ˈti.o/ˈti.ə	Dude/Girl (used informally to address someone)
Flipar	fliˈpaɾ	To freak out (literally: to flip)
Pujar	puˈʒaɾ	To upload or to get high
Guai	ɡwai	Great/Cool
Xaval	ʃəˈβal	Kid/Young guy
Merdar	mɛɾˈðaɾ	To mess up (literally: to make a mess)
Porrón	puˈrɔŋ	A large jug of wine; also used for drinking a lot
Fotut	fuˈtut	Messed up (often used to describe a bad situation)
Xafarder	ʃəfaˈɾðeɾ	Gossip (literally: someone who snoops)
Cani	kaˈni	A streetwise person (often refers to young people from the streets)

Exercises[edit | edit source]

Now that we've explored idioms, colloquial expressions, and slang, it's time to practice! Below are some exercises to help you apply what you've learned.

Exercise 1: Match the Idiom[edit | edit source]

Match the Catalan idioms with their English meanings.

Catalan Idiom	English Meaning
1. Estar en les nubes	A. To feel out of place
2. No tenir pèls a la llengua	B. To be daydreaming
3. Agafar el toro per les banyes	C. To speak one's mind
4. Ser com un peix fora de l'aigua	D. To take the bull by the horns

Solution: 1-B, 2-C, 3-D, 4-A

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks[edit | edit source]

Complete the sentences using the correct idiom from the list provided.

1. Ella sempre __________ quan té alguna cosa a dir.

2. No et preocupis, __________, tot estarà bé.

3. La situació va __________, necessitem un pla.

4. Està __________, no para de pensar en el futur.

Idiom List: Estar en les nubes, Anar de mal en pitjor, No tenir pèls a la llengua, Fer el cor fort

Solution: 1-No tenir pèls a la llengua, 2-Estar en les nubes, 3-Anar de mal en pitjor, 4-Fer el cor fort

Exercise 3: Create Your Own Sentences[edit | edit source]

Use the following idioms in sentences of your own.

Viure de les rendes

Fer-se el suec

Treure's el barret

Solution: Students should create their own sentences based on their understanding of the idioms.

Exercise 4: Translate the Colloquial Expressions[edit | edit source]

Translate the following colloquial expressions into English.

1. Mola!

2. Què tal?

3. Ets un crack!

4. Vinga!

Solution: 1-Cool!, 2-How's it going?, 3-You're awesome!, 4-Come on!

Exercise 5: Identify the Slang[edit | edit source]

Identify the meaning of the following slang terms.

1. Tio

2. Flipar

3. Cani

Solution: 1-Dude, 2-To freak out, 3-A streetwise person

Exercise 6: Role Play[edit | edit source]

Pair up with a partner and role-play a conversation using at least five idioms, colloquial expressions, or slang terms from this lesson.

Solution: Students will perform their role-play using their chosen terms.

Exercise 7: Group Discussion[edit | edit source]

Discuss in small groups how idioms, colloquial expressions, and slang add flavor to a language. Share your thoughts!

Solution: This will vary based on group discussion.

Exercise 8: Listening Comprehension[edit | edit source]

Listen to a short audio clip of a conversation in Catalan and identify at least three idioms or expressions used.

Solution: This will depend on the audio provided.

Exercise 9: Quiz Yourself[edit | edit source]

Create a quiz for yourself using the idioms and expressions learned today. Include multiple-choice questions.

Solution: Students will create their own quizzes.

Exercise 10: Reflection[edit | edit source]

Reflect on what idioms, colloquial expressions, and slang you find most interesting or challenging. Write a short paragraph about it.

Solution: This will vary based on individual reflection.

Congratulations on completing this lesson on Catalan idioms, colloquial expressions, and slang! Remember, the more you practice, the more natural these expressions will become in your conversations. Keep engaging with the language, and don't hesitate to sprinkle these colorful phrases into your daily interactions!

Table of Contents - Catalan Course - 0 to A1[edit source]

Course Presentation

Introduction to Catalan

Greetings and Introductions

Articles and Nouns

Numbers and Time

Adjectives and Pronouns

Family and Relationships

Verbs and Tenses

Food and Dining

Prepositions and Conjunctions

Travel and Transportation

Catalan Culture

Sources[edit | edit source]

Catalan Idiomatic Expressions 〜 Speak Like a Local - Barcelona ...

Other Lessons[edit | edit source]

Template:Catalan-Page-Bottom

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Catalan-Page-Top}}
+<div class="pg_page_title">[[Language/Catalan|Catalan]]  → [[Language/Catalan/Vocabulary|Vocabulary]] → [[Language/Catalan/Grammar/0-to-A1-Course|0 to A1 Course]] → Idioms, colloquial expressions and slang</div>
+Welcome to the lesson on '''Catalan Vocabulary: Idioms, Colloquial Expressions, and Slang'''! In this session, we will explore the vibrant and colorful world of Catalan idioms and expressions that bring the language to life. Understanding these phrases is essential because they reflect the culture, humor, and nuances of daily communication in Catalonia. Whether you are chatting with friends, ordering food, or simply trying to sound more like a local, mastering these expressions will enhance your conversational skills and make your interactions richer.
+In this lesson, we will:
-<div class="pg_page_title">Catalan Vocabulary → Intermediate vocabulary in Catalan → Idioms, colloquial expressions and slang</div>
+* Define idioms, colloquial expressions, and slang.
+* Dive into 20 common Catalan idioms with their meanings and usage.
+* Explore 20 popular colloquial expressions.
+* Discover 20 slang terms that are frequently used in casual conversations.
+* Engage with 10 exercises to practice what you’ve learned and solidify your understanding.
+So, let’s get started!
 __TOC__
-As a long-time Catalan language teacher, I often emphasize the importance of not only learning the basics of grammar and vocabulary but also familiarizing oneself with the colloquial expressions, idioms, and slang frequently used in everyday conversation. In this lesson on intermediate vocabulary in Catalan, I have compiled a list of common phrases that will help you understand and communicate with native speakers more effectively.
+=== What Are Idioms, Colloquial Expressions, and Slang? ===
-== Catalan Idioms ==
+Before we dive into our examples, let’s clarify what we mean by idioms, colloquial expressions, and slang:
-Idioms are phrases that are not meant to be taken literally, but rather convey a figurative meaning. Here are some of the most commonly used Catalan idioms:
-* Fer el salt -- To take the leap (to take a chance)
+* '''Idioms''' are phrases where the meaning isn’t deducible from the individual words. For instance, "kick the bucket" in English means to die, but you wouldn’t guess that just by looking at the words.
-* Fer punyetes -- To fiddle or waste time (to do something unimportant or impractical)
-* No estar ni fred ni calent -- To be neither hot nor cold (to be indifferent)
-* Anar a la seva -- To go about one's business (to mind one's own business)
-* Conèixer per fora -- To know outside (to have superficial knowledge of something)
-* Estar a la lluna -- To be on the moon (to be absent-minded)
-Here is an example table with some of the idioms:
+* '''Colloquial expressions''' are informal phrases used in everyday speech. They often vary by region and can be very specific to local cultures.
+* '''Slang''' consists of very informal words or phrases that often change quickly and can be specific to certain groups or communities.
+=== Common Catalan Idioms ===
+Let’s look at some idioms that you might encounter in Catalan conversations.
 {| class="wikitable"
-! Catalan !! Pronunciation !! English Translation
+! Catalan !! Pronunciation !! English
+|-
+| Estar en les nubes || esˈtaɾ ɛn ləs ˈnubes || To be daydreaming (literally: to be in the clouds)
+|-
+| No tenir pèls a la llengua || nu teˈniɾ ˈpɛls a lə ˈʎeŋɡwə || To speak one's mind (literally: to have no hairs on the tongue)
+|-
+| Fer-se el suec || ˈfeɾ sə lə ˈswek || To pretend not to understand (literally: to play Swedish)
 |-
-| Fer el salt || [fɛɾ əɫ səɫt] || To take the leap (to take a chance)
+| Treure's el barret || ˈtɾeʊɾəs əl bəˈɾet || To take off one's hat (literally: to take off one's hat as a sign of respect)
 |-
-| Fer punyetes || [fɛɾ puˈɲɛtəs] || To fiddle or waste time (to do something unimportant or impractical)
+| Anar de mal en pitjor || əˈnaɾ də ˈmal ɛn piˈtʒoɾ || To go from bad to worse (literally: to go from bad to worse)
 |-
-| No estar ni fred ni calent || [nu əsˈta ni fɾɛd ni kəˈɫɛnt] || To be neither hot nor cold (to be indifferent)
+| Viure de les rendes || ˈbjuɾə ðə ləs ˈrɛndəs || To live off the scraps (literally: to live off the leftovers)
 |-
-| Anar a la seva || [əˈnaɾ ə ˈsɛvə] || To go about one's business (to mind one's own business)
+| Fer el cor fort || ˈfeɾ əl kɔɾ ˈfɔɾt || To be brave (literally: to make the heart strong)
 |-
-| Conèixer per fora || [kunəɫksiˈpe peɾ ˈfoɾə] || To know outside (to have superficial knowledge of something)
+| Agafar el toro per les banyes || əɡəˈfaɾ əl ˈtoɾo pɛʁ ləs ˈbaɲəs || To take the bull by the horns
 |-
-| Estar a la lluna || [əsˈtaɾ ə ɫə ˈʎunə] || To be on the moon (to be absent-minded)
+| A poc a poc || ə ˈpɔk ə ˈpɔk || Slowly but surely (literally: little by little)
+|-
+| Ser com un peix fora de l'aigua || sɛɾ kɔm un ˈpeʃ ˈfɔɾə ðe lˈaiɡwə || To feel out of place (literally: to be like a fish out of water)
 |}
-== Colloquial Expressions ==
+=== Popular Colloquial Expressions ===
-Colloquial expressions are informal phrases or words that are common in spoken language, and may differ from the standard grammatical form. Here are some of the most commonly used Catalan colloquial expressions:
-* Anar de cap -- To go of head (to go crazy)
+Now, let’s explore some colloquial expressions that you might hear in casual conversations.
-* Fer-se enrere -- To make oneself backward (to back down)
-* Parlar clar i català -- To speak clearly and plainly (to express oneself honestly)
-* Fer traça -- To make mold (to do something poorly)
-* Da-li que da-li -- Give it that give it (to do something quickly and without stopping)
-Here is an example table with some of the colloquial expressions:
+{| class="wikitable"
+! Catalan !! Pronunciation !! English
+|-
+| Què tal? || ke ˈtal || How's it going?
+|-
+| Mola! || ˈmɔlə || Cool!
+|-
+| No hi ha problema || nu i a pɾoˈblema || No problem
+|-
+| Estic en un fogó || esˈtik ɛn un fuˈɡɔ || I'm in trouble (literally: I'm on a hot plate)
+|-
+| T'has quedat a gust || t'az keˈðat a ɡust || You are comfortable (literally: you’ve settled in well)
+|-
+| D'acord! || ðəˈkoɾt || Okay!
+|-
+| Fes-ho bé || ˈfez u ˈbe || Do it well
+|-
+| Vinga! || ˈviŋɡə || Come on!
+|-
+| Ets un crack! || ets un ˈkɾak || You're awesome!
+|-
+| No sé què dir-te || nu sə ke ˈdiɾtə || I don’t know what to tell you
+|}
+=== Everyday Slang Terms ===
+Finally, let’s discover some slang terms that are commonly used among younger people or in informal settings.
 {| class="wikitable"
-! Catalan !! Pronunciation !! English Translation
+! Catalan !! Pronunciation !! English
+|-
+| Tio/Tia || ˈti.o/ˈti.ə || Dude/Girl (used informally to address someone)
+|-
+| Flipar || fliˈpaɾ || To freak out (literally: to flip)
+|-
+| Pujar || puˈʒaɾ || To upload or to get high
 |-
-| Anar de cap || [əˈnaɾ ðə ˈkap] || To go of head (to go crazy)
+| Guai || ɡwai || Great/Cool
 |-
-| Fer-se enrere || [fəɾ sə ənˈɾeɾə] || To make oneself backward (to back down)
+| Xaval || ʃəˈβal || Kid/Young guy
 |-
-| Parlar clar i català || [paɾˈɫaɾ ˈkɫaɾ i kətəˈɫa] || To speak clearly and plainly (to express oneself honestly)
+| Merdar || mɛɾˈðaɾ || To mess up (literally: to make a mess)
 |-
-| Fer traça || [fər ˈtɾasə] || To make mold (to do something poorly)
+| Porrón || puˈrɔŋ || A large jug of wine; also used for drinking a lot
 |-
-| Da-li que da-li || [dəˈli kə dəˈli] || Give it that give it (to do something quickly and without stopping)
+| Fotut || fuˈtut || Messed up (often used to describe a bad situation)
+|-
+| Xafarder || ʃəfaˈɾðeɾ || Gossip (literally: someone who snoops)
+|-
+| Cani || kaˈni || A streetwise person (often refers to young people from the streets)
 |}
-== Slang ==
+== Exercises ==
-Slang is informal language that is often used in casual conversations. Here are some of the most common Catalan slang words:
-* Tio/tia -- Uncle/aunt (dude/girl)
+Now that we've explored idioms, colloquial expressions, and slang, it's time to practice! Below are some exercises to help you apply what you've learned.
-* Merda -- Shit (crap)
-* Flipe/flipeu -- Flip out (to be surprised/amazed)
-* Mona -- Monkey (cute/beautiful girl)
-* Collon -- Testicle (cool/awesome)
-Here is an example table with some of the slang words:
+=== Exercise 1: Match the Idiom ===
+Match the Catalan idioms with their English meanings.
 {| class="wikitable"
-! Catalan !! Pronunciation !! English Translation
+! Catalan Idiom !! English Meaning
 |-
-| Tio/tia || [ˈtjo/ˈtja] || Uncle/aunt (dude/girl)
+| 1. Estar en les nubes || A. To feel out of place
 |-
-| Merda || [ˈmɛrðə] || Shit (crap)
+| 2. No tenir pèls a la llengua || B. To be daydreaming
 |-
-| Flipe/flipeu || [ˈfɫipə]/[fɫiˈpəw] || Flip out (to be surprised/amazed)
+| 3. Agafar el toro per les banyes || C. To speak one's mind
 |-
-| Mona || [ˈmonə] || Monkey (cute/beautiful girl)
-|-
+| 4. Ser com un peix fora de l'aigua || D. To take the bull by the horns
-| Collon || [kuˈʎon] || Testicle (cool/awesome)
 |}
-Learning these idioms, colloquial expressions, and slang words will not only help you understand and communicate better in everyday situations but will also give you a deeper insight into Catalan culture and society. So go out there and use them with confidence!
+''Solution: 1-B, 2-C, 3-D, 4-A''
+=== Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks ===
+Complete the sentences using the correct idiom from the list provided.
+. Ella sempre __________ quan té alguna cosa a dir.
+. No et preocupis, __________, tot estarà bé.
+. La situació va __________, necessitem un pla.
+. Està __________, no para de pensar en el futur.
+''Idiom List: Estar en les nubes, Anar de mal en pitjor, No tenir pèls a la llengua, Fer el cor fort''
+''Solution: 1-No tenir pèls a la llengua, 2-Estar en les nubes, 3-Anar de mal en pitjor, 4-Fer el cor fort''
+=== Exercise 3: Create Your Own Sentences ===
+Use the following idioms in sentences of your own.
+* Viure de les rendes
+* Fer-se el suec
+* Treure's el barret
+''Solution: Students should create their own sentences based on their understanding of the idioms.''
+=== Exercise 4: Translate the Colloquial Expressions ===
+Translate the following colloquial expressions into English.
+. Mola!
+. Què tal?
+. Ets un crack!
+. Vinga!
+''Solution: 1-Cool!, 2-How's it going?, 3-You're awesome!, 4-Come on!''
+=== Exercise 5: Identify the Slang ===
+Identify the meaning of the following slang terms.
+. Tio
+. Flipar
+. Cani
+''Solution: 1-Dude, 2-To freak out, 3-A streetwise person''
+=== Exercise 6: Role Play ===
+Pair up with a partner and role-play a conversation using at least five idioms, colloquial expressions, or slang terms from this lesson.
+''Solution: Students will perform their role-play using their chosen terms.''
+=== Exercise 7: Group Discussion ===
+Discuss in small groups how idioms, colloquial expressions, and slang add flavor to a language. Share your thoughts!
+''Solution: This will vary based on group discussion.''
+=== Exercise 8: Listening Comprehension ===
+Listen to a short audio clip of a conversation in Catalan and identify at least three idioms or expressions used.
+''Solution: This will depend on the audio provided.''
+=== Exercise 9: Quiz Yourself ===
+Create a quiz for yourself using the idioms and expressions learned today. Include multiple-choice questions.
+''Solution: Students will create their own quizzes.''
+=== Exercise 10: Reflection ===
+Reflect on what idioms, colloquial expressions, and slang you find most interesting or challenging. Write a short paragraph about it.
+''Solution: This will vary based on individual reflection.''
+Congratulations on completing this lesson on Catalan idioms, colloquial expressions, and slang! Remember, the more you practice, the more natural these expressions will become in your conversations. Keep engaging with the language, and don't hesitate to sprinkle these colorful phrases into your daily interactions!
 {{#seo:
-|title=Catalan Vocabulary Intermediate: Idioms, Colloquial Expressions and Slangs
-|keywords=Catalan, Vocabulary, Idioms, Colloquial Expressions, Slangs,
+|title=Catalan Vocabulary: Idioms, Colloquial Expressions, and Slang
-|description=This lesson will teach you the most common idioms, colloquial expressions and slang used in everyday conversations
+|keywords=Catalan, idioms, colloquial expressions, slang, language learning
+|description=In this lesson, you will learn common Catalan idioms, colloquial expressions, and slang that are essential for everyday conversations.
 }}
-{{Catalan-0-to-A1-Course-TOC}}
+{{Template:Catalan-0-to-A1-Course-TOC}}
 [[Category:Course]]
@@ Line 100: / Line 317: @@
 [[Category:0-to-A1-Course]]
 [[Category:Catalan-0-to-A1-Course]]
+<span openai_correct_model></span> <span gpt></span> <span model=gpt-4o-mini></span> <span temperature=0.7></span>
+==Sources==
+* [https://barcelonanavigator.com/catalan-idioms/ Catalan Idiomatic Expressions 〜 Speak Like a Local - Barcelona ...]
-==Related Lessons==
+==Other Lessons==
 * [[Language/Catalan/Vocabulary/Scientific-and-technical-vocabulary|Scientific and technical vocabulary]]
 * [[Language/Catalan/Vocabulary/Medical-terms|Medical terms]]
@@ Line 115: / Line 337: @@
-<span class='maj'></span>
-==Sources==
-* [https://barcelonanavigator.com/catalan-idioms/ Catalan Idiomatic Expressions 〜 Speak Like a Local - Barcelona ...]
 {{Catalan-Page-Bottom}}