Language is not only a means of communication but also a treasure trove of a culture’s wit, wisdom, and worldview. Catalan, a Romance language spoken by millions in parts of Spain, France, and Italy, is no different. It boasts an array of colorful idioms and common sayings that offer a glimpse into the Catalan way of life. These phrases can be puzzling to language learners, but unlocking their meaning is key to achieving fluency. Let’s take a look at some of the most intriguing idioms and common sayings in Catalan, complete with their definitions and examples.
Fer-se un tip de riure translates to “to have a good laugh.” It is used when someone finds something extremely funny.
Ahir a la festa ens vam fer un tip de riure amb les històries del Joan.
Costa un ull de la cara means “it costs an eye from the face,” which is similar to the English idiom “it costs an arm and a leg.” It’s used when something is very expensive.
Aquest rellotge és molt bonic, però costa un ull de la cara!
Està tirant pedres contra la seva teulada can be directly translated as “throwing stones against one’s own roof,” which is akin to “shooting oneself in the foot” in English. It’s said when someone is doing something that goes against their own interest.
Si continues parlant malament del teu equip, estàs tirant pedres contra la seva teulada.
Menjar-se el coco literally means “to eat one’s coconut,” but in a figurative sense, it means to overthink or to worry too much about something.
No et mengis tant el coco per l’examen, segur que anirà bé.
Anar amb peus de plom or “to go with feet of lead,” refers to proceeding with caution or to tread carefully.
En aquestes negociacions cal anar amb peus de plom.
Fer la pilota translates as “to do the ball,” but it is used to describe the act of flattering or sweet-talking someone with a hidden agenda, somewhat similar to “buttering someone up.”
No cal que li facis la pilota al professor, ja sap que vols pujar nota.
Quedar-se curt means “to stay short.” This expression is used when something falls short of expectations or isn’t enough.
Les provisions que vam comprar per a la festa es van quedar curtes.
Agafar el bou per les banyes meaning “to grab the bull by the horns,” is much like the English idiom and suggests confronting a problem head-on.
Ha arribat l’hora d’agafar el bou per les banyes i parlar clar amb ell.
Estar al núvol translates to “to be in the cloud.” It’s used to describe someone who is daydreaming or not paying attention.
He intentat explicar-li el problema però està al núvol.
De mica en mica s’omple la pica literally translates to “bit by bit, the sink fills,” which is similar to the English saying “little by little, the bird builds its nest.” It means that small consistent efforts lead to big results.
No et preocupis si no ho entens tot de seguida, de mica en mica s’omple la pica.
Understanding these idioms and common sayings not only enriches your vocabulary but also gives you a deeper appreciation of the Catalan language and culture. As you immerse yourself in the language, try to use these phrases in your conversations and you’ll sound more like a native speaker in no time. Remember, learning a language is not just about words and grammar, but also about embracing the quirks and nuances that give it character.
