Learning a new language is always an exciting adventure, and if you’ve chosen to learn Galician, you’re in for a treat! Galician, or Galego, is a beautiful Romance language spoken in the autonomous community of Galicia in northwestern Spain. It shares some similarities with Portuguese and Spanish, making it a fascinating language to study. If you’re just starting out, mastering essential vocabulary is key to building your confidence and communication skills. In this article, we’ll cover 50 essential words you need to know for Galician at the A1 level.

Greetings and Basic Expressions

1. Ola – Hello
– This is the most common way to greet someone in Galician.

2. Bós días – Good morning
– Use this phrase to greet people in the morning.

3. Boas tardes – Good afternoon
– This is used from midday until the evening.

4. Boas noites – Good night
– Use this when you are saying goodbye for the night or going to bed.

5. Grazas – Thank you
– A simple way to show appreciation.

6. Por favor – Please
– Use this to make polite requests.

7. De nada – You’re welcome
– A polite response when someone thanks you.

8. Desculpa – Excuse me / Sorry
– Useful for getting someone’s attention or apologizing.

9. Si – Yes
– A basic affirmation.

10. Non – No
– A basic negation.

Numbers

11. Un – One
12. Dous – Two
13. Tres – Three
14. Catro – Four
15. Cinco – Five
16. Seis – Six
17. Sete – Seven
18. Oito – Eight
19. Nove – Nine
20. Dez – Ten

Understanding numbers is crucial for everyday activities like shopping, telling time, and more.

Days of the Week

21. Luns – Monday
22. Martes – Tuesday
23. Mércores – Wednesday
24. Xoves – Thursday
25. Venres – Friday
26. Sábado – Saturday
27. Domingo – Sunday

Knowing the days of the week helps you plan and understand schedules.

Common Nouns

28. Casa – House
– A fundamental word when talking about where you live.

29. Amigo/amiga – Friend (male/female)
– Essential for social interactions.

30. Comida – Food
– Useful for dining and grocery shopping.

31. Augua – Water
– A necessity for asking for a drink.

32. Coche – Car
– Important for transportation discussions.

33. Rúa – Street
– Helps in giving and understanding directions.

34. Escola – School
– Useful if you’re talking about education.

35. Traballo – Work
– Important for discussing occupations and daily routines.

36. Libro – Book
– Essential for anyone who loves reading or is studying.

37. Teléfono – Phone
– A modern necessity.

Common Verbs

38. Ser – To be (permanent)
– Used for identity, origin, and characteristics.

39. Estar – To be (temporary)
– Used for emotions, locations, and conditions.

40. Ter – To have
– Useful for possession and necessity.

41. Facer – To do / To make
– Essential for various actions.

42. Ir – To go
– Important for discussing movement and travel.

43. Ver – To see
– Useful in daily interactions.

44. Comer – To eat
– A necessity for discussing meals.

45. Beber – To drink
– Essential for discussing drinks.

46. Querer – To want
– Useful for expressing desires and needs.

47. Poder – To be able / Can
– Important for discussing abilities and possibilities.

48. Falar – To speak
– Crucial for communication.

49. Escoitar – To listen
– Important in conversations and learning.

50. Ler – To read
– Essential for literacy and education.

Conclusion

Mastering these 50 essential words will give you a solid foundation in Galician, helping you to navigate basic conversations and understand everyday situations. Remember, language learning is a gradual process, and the more you practice, the more confident you’ll become. Incorporate these words into your daily routine, practice with native speakers if possible, and immerse yourself in Galician culture. With dedication and effort, you’ll soon find yourself more comfortable and fluent in this beautiful language. Boa sorte! (Good luck!)