Language/Catalan/Vocabulary/Idiomatic-Expressions
Hi Catalan learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will delve into idiomatic expressions in Catalan. These expressions, often used in everyday speech, add color to the language and can enhance your communication with native speakers.
After mastering this lesson, consider exploring these related pages: How to Say Hello and Greetings & Language/Catalan/Vocabulary/Idioms,-colloquial-expressions-and-slang.
Idiomatic Expressions in Catalan
Idiomatic expressions are phrases whose meanings cannot be inferred from the literal meanings of the words. They are frequently used in everyday Catalan and are key to sounding like a native speaker.
Here are some common Catalan idiomatic expressions:
| Catalan | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| fer el pèsol | fəɾ ɛɫ pəzoɫ | to waste time |
| estar al galliner | əsˈtaɾ əɫ ɡəʎiˈne | to be in trouble |
| fer tuf | fəɾ tuf | to stink |
| fer figa | fəɾ ˈfiɣə | to make a rude gesture |
| Quan porto la masquereta, les meves ulleres s'entelen | kwan ˈpoɾtɔ ɫə məsˈkeɾətə, ɫəz ˈmɛβəz uˈʎɛɾəz sənˈtɛɫən | mist up, steam up |
| El cel començava a entelar-se | əɫ ˈsɛɫ kumənˈsabə ə ənˈtɛɫəɾsə | cloud over |
| Encara em cou! | əŋˈkaɾə əm ˈkow | I'm still seething! / I'm still smarting from it! |
| Improvisar/inventar sobre la marxa | impɾuβiˈzaɾ/inβənˈtaɾ ˈsɔβɾə ɫə ˈmaɾʃə | off the cuff / on the spot |
| Aquell/a vell/a xaruc/a | əˈkɛʎ/ə βɛˈʎ/ə ʃəˈɾuk/ə | that doddering old fool |
| Vaig sentir una fiblada de dolor | ˈβajʒ sənˈtiɾ ˈunə fiˈβɫaðə ðə ðuˈɫoɾ | I felt a twinge (of pain) |
| Matusser | məˈtusəɾ | cack-handed (person); botched (job) |
| Recorrien prop de 7 quilòmetres | rəkuˈrjən ˈpɾɔp ðə ˈsɛt kiɫɔˈmɛtɾəs | getting on for 7 km |
| Reien pels descosits | ˈrɛjən ˈpɛɫz ðəsˈkɔzits | They were laughing fit to burst |
| Parla pels descosits | ˈpaɾɫə ˈpɛɫz ðəsˈkɔzits | S/he never stops talking; talks nineteen to the dozen |
| No pots ficar-hi cullerada | ˈno ˈpɔts fiˈkaɾ ˈi kuʎəˈɾaðə | you can't get a word in edgeways |
| Per acabar-ho d'adobar | ˈpɛɾ əkəˈβaɾ ˈo ðəðuˈβaɾ | to crown it all, to make matters worse |
| Fer una muntanya d'un gra de sorra | ˈfɛɾ ˈunə munˈtaɲə ðun ˈɣɾa ðə ˈsɔrə | make a mountain out of a molehill |
| Molta fressa i poca endreça | ˈmoɫtə ˈfɾɛsə i ˈpɔkə ənˈðɾɛsə | all mouth and no trousers |
| Anar a palpentes | əˈnaɾ ə pəɫˈpɛntəs | grope one's way |
| S'ho mirés com s'ho mirés... | ˈso miˈɾɛz ˈkom ˈso miˈɾɛz... | Whichever way you look at it... |
| Sigui com sigui, estàs equivocat! | ˈsiɣi ˈkom ˈsiɣi, əsˈtas əkiβɔˈkað! | Anyway, you're wrong! |
| No se'n sortirà com si res! | ˈno sən sɔɾˈtiɾə ˈkom si ˈrɛs | Don't think you're going to get away with it! |
| Això és bufar i fer ampolles | əˈʃo ɛz ˈβufaɾ i ˈfɛɾ əmˈpoʎəs | it's as easy as pie / ABC / falling off a log |
| ... menjar que s'havia fet malbé | ... ˈmɛnʒaɾ ˈkə səˈβiə fɛd məɫˈβe | food that had gone off |
| La vaig espifiar | ɫə ˈβajʒ əsˈpifjəɾ | I messed it up / I made a mess of it |
| Encara ara estic fent marrada | əŋˈkaɾə ˈaɾə əsˈtik fɛnˈmaɾəðə | I'm still taking the long way round |
| No diguis rucades | ˈno ðiˈɣis ruˈkaðəs | Don't be a smartass; That's a lot of crap |
Using Idiomatic Expressions in Conversation
One effective way to learn idiomatic expressions is through their usage in conversations. Here's an updated example:
- Person 1: Hola, com estàs? (Hi, how are you?)
- Person 2: Bé, gràcies. I tu? (Good, thank you. And you?)
- Person 1: Estic fart de tant estudiar. (I'm tired of studying so much.)
- Person 2: No facis el pèsol, és important que aprenguis. (Don't waste time, it's important that you learn.)
- Person 1: Tens raó. Però quan porto la masquereta, les meves ulleres s'entelen. (You're right. But when I wear the mask, my glasses fog up.)
- Person 2: Ah, fer tuf amb aquesta calor és normal. (Ah, it's normal to stink in this heat.)
- Person 1: Certament. I, per acabar-ho d'adobar, avui m'han acomiadat del treball. (Certainly. And, to make matters worse, today I got fired from work.)
- Person 2: Oh, no! Estàs al galliner ara. (Oh, no! You are in trouble now.)
- Person 1: Sí, però no se'n sortirà com si res. (Yes, but it won't just go away like that.)
- Person 2: Espero que tinguis raó. A més, et recordo que avui fa molt de calor. (I hope you're right. Also, I remind you that it is very hot today.)
- Person 1: Gràcies per recordar-me. Ara, aniré a palpentes amb aquesta nova situació. (Thanks for reminding me. Now, I'll grope my way through this new situation.)
- Person 2: Sigui com sigui, estàs equivocat si penses que tot serà fàcil. (Anyway, you're wrong if you think everything will be easy.)
- Person 1: Ja ho sé, però no puc fer més que intentar-ho. (I know, but I can do nothing more than try.)
Conclusion
Idiomatic expressions are an integral part of everyday speech in Catalan. Familiarizing yourself with these expressions will not only help you communicate more effectively with native speakers but also deepen your understanding of the Catalan culture. Don't forget to use resources like the Polyglot Club to connect with native speakers and clarify any doubts. Also, explore the Vocabulary section to further enhance your Catalan vocabulary. Molta sort! (Good luck!)
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➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
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