What does it mean if a Catalan person asks you to ‘go and escape the fog’? And how about when they ask if you want to ‘f*ck’ a coffee? If you’re based in Barcelona or elsewhere in Catalonia, these phrases will help you fit right in.
1. DÉU N’HI DO! There’s no literal meaning, but this common exclamation means Wow! or Amazing! – in a good OR a bad sense.
2. FOTEM UN CAFÉ? Literal meaning: Let’s ‘make love’ to a coffee. Real meaning: Let’s go for a coffee. Used when you really, really want a coffee.
3. S’HA ACABAT EL BROQUIL Literal meaning: There is no broccoli left. Real meaning: The game is up. Used when you have uncovered someone’s dastardly plans or you are putting a stop to their unacceptable behaviour.
Advertisement
4. SALUT I FORÇA AL CANUT! Literal meaning: Good health, and strength to your purse. Real meaning: Good health, and strength to your balls. A canut was a purse made from a bull’s scrotum so this common toast also wishes virility for its lucky recipients.
5. HE BEGUT OLI Literal meaning: I’ve drunk oil. Real meaning: I’ve failed. Used after any visit to a government office in an attempt to complete an official procedure or file paperwork.
6. FER-NE CINC CÈNTIMS Literal meaning: Make it five cents. Real meaning: Give me the short version. Used when you want a quick summary of something because you don’t have the time (or patience) to chat.
7. ANEU A ESCAMPAR LA BOIRA Literal meaning: Go and escape the fog. Real meaning: get lost or leave me alone. Used to make it clear you’re no longer interested in someone’s company.
8. FER PASSAR BOU PER BÈSTIA GROSSA Literal meaning: To pass old beef off as prime meat. Real meaning: To make something cheap or shoddy look better than it is. Used when covering up poor workmanship or a rushed job or, less kindly – when referring to people’s Facebook profile photos.
9. QUATRE GATS Literal meaning: Four cats. Real meaning: Only a few people. Used to express surprise at a small turnout or crowd attendance.
10. SENY Literal meaning: Common sense. Real meaning: The self-defining Catalan concept of levelheadedness. Often used in contrast to its opposite – rauxa – which means wild abandonment, especially when making excuses for how boring the sardana (national dance) is to watch.
List compiled by Steve Tallantyre, a journalist and writer based in Barcelona
