Catalan for Newcomers in Barcelona: Phrases, Sounds and Free Courses
Where Catalan matters in daily life, how to pronounce it, 30 phrases for shops and offices, and how to get a place on a free CPNL course or study online with Parla.cat.
Catalan is Catalonia’s own language and is official alongside Spanish, so in Barcelona you will see it on street signs, in the metro, on council and health documents and as the main teaching language in public schools. Free beginner courses (levels A1 and A2) are run by the Consorci per a la Normalització Lingüística (CPNL); the next enrollment is December 16 to 21, 2026.
Where will you see and hear Catalan in Barcelona?
Under the 2006 Statute of Autonomy, Catalan and Spanish are both official in Catalonia, and Aranese (the Occitan spoken in the Val d’Aran) is official too. Most people in Barcelona speak both Catalan and Spanish, and many switch depending on who they are talking to. In daily life, Catalan shows up most in:
- Signs and transport. Street names (carrer, plaça, passeig), metro and Rodalies announcements and most public signs are in Catalan, often with Spanish and English versions in tourist areas.
- Public administration. The Ajuntament and the Generalitat work mainly in Catalan. You have the right to deal with them in Spanish and can ask for documents in Spanish; many services also offer information in English.
- Schools. Catalan is the main language of teaching in Catalan public schools, with Spanish and foreign languages also taught. Schools run reception classes for newly arrived pupils; our guide to school enrollment in Barcelona explains how places are assigned.
- Health and jobs. CatSalut letters, the La Meva Salut app and many public-sector job requirements use Catalan. Jobs in the Catalan public administration usually require a Catalan certificate.
Language rules, especially in schools, are a long-running political debate in Catalonia and have been the subject of court rulings. For a newcomer, the practical point is simpler: a little Catalan makes paperwork, school meetings and neighborhood life easier, while Spanish is understood almost everywhere.
How do you pronounce Catalan?
Catalan spelling is regular once you know a few rules. These describe Central Catalan, the variety spoken in Barcelona:
| Spelling | Sounds like | Example |
|---|---|---|
| unstressed a, e | A weak “uh” | casa (house): KAH-zuh |
| unstressed o | “oo” | Barcelona: bar-suh-LO-nuh |
| ny | “ny” as in canyon | Catalunya |
| ll | “ly” as in million | llet (milk) |
| l·l | A held “l” | col·legi (school) |
| x at the start, ix | “sh” | xocolata, caixa (KAH-shuh) |
| tx, final -ig | “ch” | cotxe (car), Puig (pooch) |
| ç | “s” | plaça (square) |
| j, and g before e or i | “zh” as in measure | jardí (garden) |
| final r in most verbs | Silent | parlar (to speak): par-LAH |
| s between vowels | “z” | casa |
The written accent shows the stressed syllable, and the direction matters: è and ò are open sounds, é and ó closed.
Which Catalan phrases are most useful?
Thirty phrases cover most everyday situations in shops, cafés and offices:
| Catalan | English |
|---|---|
| Bon dia | Good morning (used until lunch) |
| Bona tarda | Good afternoon or evening |
| Bona nit | Good night |
| Hola / Adéu | Hi / Bye |
| Fins després / Fins demà | See you later / See you tomorrow |
| Si us plau | Please |
| Gràcies / Moltes gràcies | Thanks / Thank you very much |
| De res | You’re welcome |
| Perdoni | Excuse me (polite) |
| Ho sento | I’m sorry |
| Com estàs? / Molt bé | How are you? / Very well |
| Em dic… | My name is… |
| Parla anglès? | Do you speak English? |
| Parlo una mica de català | I speak a little Catalan |
| No ho entenc | I don’t understand |
| Pot parlar més a poc a poc? | Can you speak more slowly? |
| Com es diu… en català? | How do you say… in Catalan? |
| Quant val? | How much is it? |
| Puc pagar amb targeta? | Can I pay by card? |
| El compte, si us plau | The bill, please |
| Un cafè amb llet | A white coffee |
| Aigua de l’aixeta | Tap water |
| Bon profit | Enjoy your meal |
| Salut! | Cheers! |
| On és…? | Where is…? |
| Entrada / Sortida | Entrance / Exit |
| Obert / Tancat | Open / Closed |
| Avui / Demà / Ahir | Today / Tomorrow / Yesterday |
| De dilluns a divendres | Monday to Friday |
| Bon cap de setmana! | Have a good weekend! |
Starting a conversation with “Bon dia” and then switching to Spanish or English if needed is common and well received.
Where can you take free Catalan courses?
The CPNL (Consorci per a la Normalització Lingüística, the public consortium for Catalan teaching) runs adult courses in every Barcelona district, in person and online. As of November 2026, the 2026-2027 CPNL price list is:
| Level | Length | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Inicial (A1) | 45 hours | Free |
| Bàsic 1 to 3 (A2) | 45 hours each | Free |
| Elemental 1 to 3 (B1) | 45 hours each | €25.50 each |
| Intermedi 1 to 3 (B2) | 45 hours each | €50.50 each |
| Suficiència 1 to 3 (C1) | 45 hours each | €98.50 each |
Reductions of 50% or 70% apply to paid levels for some groups, which you must prove when you enroll. The free oral course Ep! Escolta i parla focuses on listening and speaking.
To enroll for courses starting in January 2027:
- If you already know some Catalan, prove your level by December 11, 2026 with a certificate or a placement test. Complete beginners start at Inicial.
- From November 27, search for a course and time slot in the CPNL course finder.
- Enroll online at inscripcions.cpnl.cat or at your local center on your level’s day, between December 16 and 21. Places go first come, first served.
- Bring your NIE, passport or EU ID. You must be 18, or over 16 if you did not go to school in Catalonia.
Free places fill fast. With a free course, you must attend the first session or your place is canceled.
What other free ways are there to learn?
- Parla.cat, the online course backed by the Generalitat, the CPNL and the Institut Ramon Llull, has a free self-study mode with courses of about 45 hours per level. A tutored mode is also available for a fee set by the organization that provides the tutor, according to the Generalitat’s procedures page.
- Voluntariat per la llengua, a CPNL program, pairs learners with Catalan speakers for informal conversation.
- Public libraries in Barcelona lend Catalan learning materials and host conversation groups.
Bottom line
Put December 16 to 21 in your calendar now if you want a free January course, and take the placement test before December 11 if you are not a complete beginner. Until then, learn the greetings and the pronunciation table: reading signs and names correctly is the quickest win.
FAQ
Do I need Catalan to live in Barcelona?
No. Spanish is understood everywhere and you can use it with any public office. Catalan helps with school life, some jobs and local social life.
Does Catalan count for Spanish citizenship?
No. The nationality procedure requires a Spanish language exam (DELE A2 or higher) and a culture test unless you are exempt; see our guide to Spanish citizenship by residence.
Is Catalan similar to Spanish?
Catalan is a separate Romance language. If you know Spanish, French or Italian, you will recognize much of the vocabulary, but pronunciation and many common words differ.
Are CPNL courses only for residents of Barcelona?
The CPNL runs centers across Catalonia, and you can enroll at any of them if you meet the age and ID requirements.
