Galician, a Romance language spoken in the northwestern region of Spain, shares many similarities with both Spanish and Portuguese. However, it is a unique language with its own distinct vocabulary, grammar, and nuances. For those who have achieved a C1 level in Galician, it’s essential to expand your lexicon and deepen your understanding of more advanced words and expressions. This article aims to provide you with a comprehensive list of Galician words that are particularly useful at a C1 level, along with explanations and examples to help you incorporate them into your everyday language use.

Advanced Vocabulary

Abstract Nouns

At the C1 level, it’s crucial to grasp abstract nouns that allow you to discuss complex ideas and concepts.

1. **Liberdade** – freedom
– Example: “A liberdade de expresión é fundamental en calquera democracia.” (Freedom of expression is fundamental in any democracy.)

2. **Sabedoría** – wisdom
– Example: “A sabedoría non vén só coa idade, senón coa experiencia.” (Wisdom doesn’t come only with age but with experience.)

3. **Xustiza** – justice
– Example: “A xustiza social é un obxectivo polo que todos debemos loitar.” (Social justice is a goal we all must strive for.)

4. **Solidariedade** – solidarity
– Example: “A solidariedade entre os pobos é esencial para a paz mundial.” (Solidarity among peoples is essential for world peace.)

5. **Sinceridade** – sincerity
– Example: “A sinceridade nas relacións é a clave para a confianza.” (Sincerity in relationships is the key to trust.)

Adjectives

Using a richer set of adjectives can make your descriptions more vivid and precise.

1. **Enxebre** – genuine, authentic
– Example: “A comida enxebre galega é coñecida pola súa calidade e sabor.” (Authentic Galician food is known for its quality and flavor.)

2. **Esvelto/a** – slender, elegant
– Example: “Ela ten unha figura moi esvelta.” (She has a very slender figure.)

3. **Resplandecente** – radiant
– Example: “O sol estaba resplandecente no ceo azul.” (The sun was radiant in the blue sky.)

4. **Intricado/a** – intricate
– Example: “O patrón do tecido é moi intricado.” (The pattern of the fabric is very intricate.)

5. **Perceptible** – noticeable
– Example: “Hai unha mellora perceptible na súa actitude.” (There is a noticeable improvement in his attitude.)

Verbs

Advanced verbs are essential for expressing more nuanced actions and states.

1. **Aboiar** – to float
– Example: “O barco comezou a aboiar despois de reparar a fuga.” (The boat started to float after fixing the leak.)

2. **Arrepentirse** – to regret
– Example: “Arrepentíuse de non ter estudado máis para o exame.” (He regretted not having studied more for the exam.)

3. **Consolar** – to console
– Example: “Ela tratou de consolar ao seu amigo despois da perda.” (She tried to console her friend after the loss.)

4. **Desafiar** – to challenge
– Example: “O equipo decidiu desafiar as probabilidades e seguir adiante.” (The team decided to challenge the odds and move forward.)

5. **Reflexionar** – to reflect
– Example: “É importante reflexionar sobre as nosas accións e decisións.” (It’s important to reflect on our actions and decisions.)

Idiomatic Expressions

Idiomatic expressions can add a native touch to your speech and writing.

1. **Facer a vista gorda** – to turn a blind eye
– Example: “Non podemos facer a vista gorda ante a inxustiza.” (We cannot turn a blind eye to injustice.)

2. **Estar na súa salsa** – to be in one’s element
– Example: “Ela está na súa salsa cando está a cociñar.” (She is in her element when she is cooking.)

3. **Non dar pé con bóla** – to not get anything right
– Example: “Hoxe estou tan distraído que non dou pé con bóla.” (Today I’m so distracted that I can’t get anything right.)

4. **Levar a palma** – to take the cake
– Example: “O seu discurso levou a palma no concurso de oratoria.” (His speech took the cake in the oratory contest.)

5. **Non ter pelos na lingua** – to speak one’s mind
– Example: “Ela non ten pelos na lingua e sempre di o que pensa.” (She speaks her mind and always says what she thinks.)

Connecting Words and Phrases

Using connectors effectively can make your speech and writing more coherent and fluid.

1. **Por conseguinte** – therefore
– Example: “Non estudou para o exame; por conseguinte, suspendeu.” (He didn’t study for the exam; therefore, he failed.)

2. **A pesares de** – despite
– Example: “A pesares das dificultades, conseguiu o seu obxectivo.” (Despite the difficulties, he achieved his goal.)

3. **En consecuencia** – consequently
– Example: “Non respectou as normas e, en consecuencia, foi sancionado.” (He didn’t follow the rules and, consequently, was penalized.)

4. **En definitiva** – in short
– Example: “En definitiva, a reunión foi un éxito.” (In short, the meeting was a success.)

5. **Polo tanto** – thus
– Example: “O proxecto foi ben planificado e, polo tanto, tivo éxito.” (The project was well planned and, thus, was successful.)

Specialized Vocabulary

Scientific Terms

For those interested in scientific topics, knowing specific terminology can be very useful.

1. **Célula** – cell
– Example: “A célula é a unidade básica da vida.” (The cell is the basic unit of life.)

2. **Fotosíntese** – photosynthesis
– Example: “A fotosíntese é esencial para a vida das plantas.” (Photosynthesis is essential for plant life.)

3. **Evolución** – evolution
– Example: “A teoría da evolución explica a diversidade das especies.” (The theory of evolution explains the diversity of species.)

4. **Molécula** – molecule
– Example: “A auga está composta por moléculas de hidróxeno e osíxeno.” (Water is composed of hydrogen and oxygen molecules.)

5. **Gravidade** – gravity
– Example: “A gravidade é a forza que nos mantén no chan.” (Gravity is the force that keeps us on the ground.)

Business and Economics Terms

Understanding business and economics vocabulary can be beneficial for professional settings.

1. **Investimento** – investment
– Example: “O investimento en tecnoloxía é crucial para o futuro da empresa.” (Investment in technology is crucial for the company’s future.)

2. **Mercado** – market
– Example: “O mercado inmobiliario está en constante cambio.” (The real estate market is constantly changing.)

3. **Acción** – stock
– Example: “Comprou accións da empresa para diversificar a súa carteira.” (He bought company stocks to diversify his portfolio.)

4. **Débeda** – debt
– Example: “A débeda pública é un problema para moitos países.” (Public debt is an issue for many countries.)

5. **Inflación** – inflation
– Example: “A inflación afecta o poder adquisitivo dos consumidores.” (Inflation affects consumers’ purchasing power.)

Legal Terms

Legal terminology is essential for understanding laws and regulations.

1. **Contrato** – contract
– Example: “Asinou un contrato de traballo por un ano.” (He signed a one-year employment contract.)

2. **Dereito** – right
– Example: “Todos temos o dereito á liberdade de expresión.” (We all have the right to freedom of expression.)

3. **Testemuña** – witness
– Example: “A testemuña deu unha declaración ante o xuíz.” (The witness gave a statement before the judge.)

4. **Leis** – laws
– Example: “As leis deben ser respectadas por todos os cidadáns.” (Laws must be respected by all citizens.)

5. **Xuízo** – trial
– Example: “O xuízo foi adiado para a semana que vén.” (The trial was postponed to next week.)

Medical Terms

Medical vocabulary is crucial for discussing health-related topics.

1. **Diagnóstico** – diagnosis
– Example: “O diagnóstico precoz pode salvar vidas.” (Early diagnosis can save lives.)

2. **Tratamento** – treatment
– Example: “O tratamento para a enfermidade é moi eficaz.” (The treatment for the disease is very effective.)

3. **Recuperación** – recovery
– Example: “A súa recuperación foi máis rápida do esperado.” (His recovery was faster than expected.)

4. **Cirurxía** – surgery
– Example: “A cirurxía foi todo un éxito.” (The surgery was a complete success.)

5. **Medicación** – medication
– Example: “Debe tomar a medicación cada oito horas.” (He must take the medication every eight hours.)

Practice and Usage

Listening and Reading

To effectively incorporate these advanced words into your vocabulary, it’s crucial to engage in active listening and reading. Listen to Galician podcasts, watch news programs, and read newspapers, books, and scientific articles. Pay attention to how these words are used in context and try to mimic their usage in your conversations and writings.

Writing Exercises

Practice writing essays, reports, and narratives using the new vocabulary. Challenge yourself to use at least five new words in each piece you write. This will help reinforce your memory and make the words a natural part of your lexicon.

Speaking Practice

Engage in conversations with native speakers or fellow learners. Try to incorporate the new vocabulary into your dialogues. Role-playing different scenarios, such as business meetings, medical consultations, or legal discussions, can also be very beneficial.

Language Exchange

Participate in language exchange programs where you can practice Galician with native speakers. This will give you real-life experience and help you understand the nuances and connotations of the new words you are learning.

Conclusion

Achieving a C1 level in Galician is a significant milestone, but it’s just the beginning of a lifelong journey of language learning. Expanding your vocabulary with advanced words, idiomatic expressions, and specialized terminology will not only enhance your communication skills but also deepen your understanding of the culture and nuances of the Galician language. Practice regularly, engage with native speakers, and immerse yourself in the language as much as possible. With dedication and effort, you’ll continue to grow and refine your proficiency in Galician.