Learning a new language can be a deeply rewarding experience, and Galician is no exception. With its rich cultural heritage and unique linguistic features, Galician offers a fascinating journey for language enthusiasts. If you’ve reached the B2 level in Galician, congratulations! You’re now at an upper-intermediate level where you can handle more complex sentences and engage in detailed conversations. To help you further solidify your skills, we’ve compiled a list of 50 essential words that will enhance your vocabulary and comprehension. Let’s dive in!
Basic Vocabulary
1. **Amizade** – Friendship
– Understanding the concept of friendship in Galician culture can enrich your interactions with native speakers. “A amizade é moi importante na vida.”
2. **Saúde** – Health
– A vital word in any language. “A saúde é a nosa maior riqueza.”
3. **Traballo** – Work
– You’ll often talk about your job or profession. “O meu traballo é moi esixente.”
4. **Tempo** – Time
– Essential for making plans. “Non teño moito tempo libre.”
5. **Casa** – House/Home
– Whether you’re talking about your home or someone else’s. “A miña casa está preto do centro.”
6. **Familia** – Family
– Family is a universal topic. “A miña familia é moi unida.”
7. **Lembrar** – To remember
– Important for recalling past events. “Non podo lembrar o nome dese lugar.”
8. **Esquecer** – To forget
– Sometimes you just can’t remember. “Esquecín onde deixei as chaves.”
9. **Viaxe** – Trip/Journey
– For all your travel conversations. “Fixemos unha viaxe inesquecible a Santiago.”
10. **Cidade** – City
– Useful when discussing places. “Vivo nunha cidade pequena.”
Nature and Environment
11. **Mar** – Sea
– Galicia is known for its beautiful coastline. “O mar é moi importante para a economía galega.”
12. **Montaña** – Mountain
– Perfect for discussing outdoor activities. “Gústame escalar montañas nos fins de semana.”
13. **Río** – River
– Another key feature of the Galician landscape. “O río Miño é o máis longo de Galicia.”
14. **Bosque** – Forest
– For nature lovers. “O bosque está cheo de vida.”
15. **Praia** – Beach
– Essential for summer plans. “Pasamos todo o día na praia.”
16. **Ceu** – Sky
– Useful in many contexts. “O ceo está claro hoxe.”
17. **Estrela** – Star
– Great for romantic conversations. “As estrelas son moi brillantes esta noite.”
18. **Natureza** – Nature
– Important for environmental discussions. “Debemos coidar a natureza.”
19. **Chuvia** – Rain
– Common in Galicia! “A chuvia é frecuente nesta rexión.”
20. **Vento** – Wind
– Another weather-related term. “O vento é forte na costa.”
Daily Life and Activities
21. **Cociñar** – To cook
– Everyone loves food. “Gústame cociñar pratos tradicionais galegos.”
22. **Ler** – To read
– A great way to improve your language skills. “Ler libros en galego axúdame moito.”
23. **Escribir** – To write
– Useful for various contexts. “Gústame escribir contos curtos.”
24. **Andar** – To walk
– Good for talking about travel or exercise. “Gústame andar polo parque.”
25. **Correr** – To run
– Another common activity. “Correr é bo para a saúde.”
26. **Falar** – To talk
– Essential for communication. “Gústame falar con amigos.”
27. **Escuchar** – To listen
– Important for comprehension. “Escuchar música galega é unha boa práctica.”
28. **Ver** – To see
– Useful for many situations. “Quero ver ese filme.”
29. **Comprar** – To buy
– Essential for shopping. “Vou comprar un regalo.”
30. **Vender** – To sell
– Useful in business contexts. “Quero vender o meu coche.”
Feelings and Emotions
31. **Felicidade** – Happiness
– A universal emotion. “A felicidade é o obxectivo principal na vida.”
32. **Tristeza** – Sadness
– Equally important to express. “A tristeza é parte da vida.”
33. **Medo** – Fear
– Useful for discussing fears. “Teño medo das alturas.”
34. **Amor** – Love
– A word that transcends cultures. “O amor é o motor do mundo.”
35. **Odio** – Hatred
– Unfortunately, also a part of human experience. “O odio non leva a ningures.”
36. **Enfado** – Anger
– Important for expressing frustration. “O seu enfado era evidente.”
37. **Sorpresa** – Surprise
– Great for unexpected situations. “Foi unha gran sorpresa para min.”
38. **Ansiedade** – Anxiety
– Useful for discussing mental health. “A ansiedade pode ser debilitante.”
39. **Esperanza** – Hope
– Essential for motivation. “A esperanza é o último que se perde.”
40. **Desesperación** – Despair
– Useful for more intense conversations. “A desesperación apoderouse del.”
Food and Drink
41. **Pan** – Bread
– A staple in many diets. “O pan galego é delicioso.”
42. **Queixo** – Cheese
– Another common food item. “O queixo tetilla é moi famoso en Galicia.”
43. **Viño** – Wine
– Galicia is known for its wines. “O viño albariño é excelente.”
44. **Peixe** – Fish
– Common in Galician cuisine. “O peixe fresco é moi saboroso.”
45. **Marisco** – Seafood
– Essential given Galicia’s coastal culture. “O marisco galego é dos mellores do mundo.”
46. **Froita** – Fruit
– Important for a balanced diet. “A froita fresca é moi saudable.”
47. **Carne** – Meat
– Another dietary staple. “A carne de vaca é moi popular en Galicia.”
48. **Augua** – Water
– Essential for life. “É importante beber moita auga.”
49. **Café** – Coffee
– Common in daily life. “Un café pola mañá sempre me esperta.”
50. **Cerveza** – Beer
– Popular in social settings. “Gústame tomar unha cervexa cos amigos.”
Conclusion
Mastering these 50 essential words will significantly boost your Galician vocabulary at the B2 level. Remember, language learning is a journey, and every new word you learn opens up new possibilities for communication and understanding. Don’t just memorize these words—try to use them in sentences, engage in conversations, and immerse yourself in the language as much as possible. Boa sorte! (Good luck!)
