Galician, a Romance language spoken in the autonomous community of Galicia in northwestern Spain, has a rich cultural and linguistic heritage. For those aiming to achieve a B2 level in Galician, expanding your vocabulary is crucial. This article will delve into essential Galician words and phrases that will help you communicate effectively and understand the nuances of the language at an upper-intermediate level.

Everyday Vocabulary

At the B2 level, it’s important to be comfortable with everyday vocabulary. Here are some key words and phrases that will help you navigate daily conversations.

Basic Nouns

1. Casa – House
2. Escola – School
3. Traballo – Job
4. Coche – Car
5. Comida – Food
6. Rúa – Street
7. Amigo/a – Friend
8. Familia – Family
9. Libraría – Bookstore
10. Praza – Square

These basic nouns will help you form the backbone of your sentences, making it easier to describe your surroundings and daily activities.

Common Verbs

1. Ser – To be
2. Ter – To have
3. Falar – To speak
4. Comer – To eat
5. Beber – To drink
6. Ir – To go
7. Ver – To see
8. Pensar – To think
9. Querer – To want
10. Facer – To do/make

Mastering these verbs is essential for constructing sentences and expressing actions.

Descriptive Adjectives

Adjectives are indispensable for adding detail and depth to your conversations. Here are some key descriptive adjectives:

1. Bonito/a – Beautiful
2. Feo/a – Ugly
3. Grande – Big
4. Pequeno/a – Small
5. Rápido/a – Fast
6. Lento/a – Slow
7. Alto/a – Tall
8. Baixo/a – Short
9. Antigo/a – Old (ancient)
10. Novo/a – New

These adjectives will help you describe people, places, and things more vividly.

Useful Phrases

Knowing a variety of phrases can significantly improve your ability to hold conversations. Here are some useful phrases for different contexts:

Greetings and Farewells

1. Ola – Hello
2. Bos días – Good morning
3. Boas tardes – Good afternoon
4. Boas noites – Good night
5. Adeus – Goodbye
6. Ata logo – See you later
7. Como estás? – How are you?
8. Estou ben, grazas – I’m fine, thank you
9. E ti? – And you?
10. Prazer en coñecerte – Nice to meet you

Asking for Help

1. Por favor – Please
2. Grazas – Thank you
3. Podes axudarme? – Can you help me?
4. Onde está…? – Where is…?
5. Que significa…? – What does … mean?
6. Perdoa – Excuse me/Sorry
7. Non entendo – I don’t understand
8. Podes repetir? – Can you repeat?
9. Falo un pouco de galego – I speak a little Galician
10. Como se di … en galego? – How do you say … in Galician?

Shopping and Dining

1. Canto custa? – How much does it cost?
2. Quero comprar… – I want to buy…
3. Está delicioso – It’s delicious
4. Teño fame – I’m hungry
5. Teño sede – I’m thirsty
6. A conta, por favor – The bill, please
7. Un café, por favor – A coffee, please
8. Unha mesa para dous – A table for two
9. Que me recomendas? – What do you recommend?
10. Podo pagar con tarxeta? – Can I pay with a card?

Expressions and Idioms

At the B2 level, understanding and using expressions and idioms can make your language use more natural and nuanced.

1. Estar no sétimo ceo – To be in seventh heaven (to be very happy)
2. Ter as mans cheas – To have one’s hands full (to be very busy)
3. Non dar pé con bóla – Not to get anything right
4. Facer as beiras – To flirt
5. Ir ó grano – To get to the point
6. Non ter pelos na lingua – To be very direct
7. Estar coma un carballo – To be very strong (literally, like an oak tree)
8. Botar unha man – To lend a hand
9. Ter un humor de cans – To be in a bad mood (literally, like dogs)
10. Estar na flor da vida – To be in the prime of life

Advanced Vocabulary

To reach a B2 level, it is also important to expand your vocabulary beyond the basics. Here are some advanced words that will enrich your language skills.

Abstract Nouns

1. Liberdade – Freedom
2. Amizade – Friendship
3. Sabedoría – Wisdom
4. Coraxe – Courage
5. Honra – Honor
6. Igualdade – Equality
7. Justiza – Justice
8. Paciencia – Patience
9. Esperanza – Hope
10. Desexo – Desire

Technical Terms

1. Informática – Computer science
2. Enxeñaría – Engineering
3. Medicina – Medicine
4. Arquitectura – Architecture
5. Dereito – Law
6. Economía – Economics
7. Psicoloxía – Psychology
8. Socioloxía – Sociology
9. Física – Physics
10. Química – Chemistry

Connecting Words and Phrases

Using connecting words and phrases will help you form more complex sentences and improve the coherence of your speech and writing.

1. Ademais – Besides
2. Por outra banda – On the other hand
3. Porque – Because
4. Aínda que – Although
5. Xa que – Since
6. En consecuencia – Consequently
7. Por iso – Therefore
8. Mentres – While
9. Despois – Afterwards
10. En resumo – In summary

Practice Makes Perfect

To effectively incorporate these words into your vocabulary, regular practice is essential. Here are some tips to help you practice:

1. **Flashcards:** Create flashcards with the new vocabulary and review them daily.
2. **Language Exchange:** Find a language partner to practice speaking and listening.
3. **Write Essays:** Try writing essays or short stories using the new vocabulary.
4. **Read Books:** Read books, newspapers, or articles in Galician to see how these words are used in context.
5. **Use Apps:** Language learning apps can help reinforce your vocabulary through interactive exercises.
6. **Watch Movies:** Watch movies or series in Galician with subtitles to improve your listening skills.
7. **Join Groups:** Participate in Galician language groups or forums online.

Conclusion

Reaching a B2 level in Galician requires dedication and consistent effort, especially when it comes to expanding your vocabulary. By mastering these essential words and phrases, you’ll be well on your way to achieving fluency and enjoying meaningful conversations in Galician. Remember, the key to language learning is regular practice and immersion, so make use of every opportunity to use the language in real-life situations. Boa sorte! (Good luck!)