A very common question from travellers: “If I learn Spanish, will it work in Barcelona?”. Yes. Completely. But knowing a little about the other languages will win you a lot of smiles.
Spain’s languages at a glance
| Language | Where | Hello | Thank you |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spanish (castellano) | All of Spain | Hola | Gracias |
| Catalan (català) | Catalonia, Balearic Islands | Hola / Bon dia | Gràcies / Merci |
| Valencian (valencià) | Valencian Community | Bon dia | Gràcies |
| Basque (euskara) | Basque Country, part of Navarre | Kaixo | Eskerrik asko |
| Galician (galego) | Galicia | Ola / Bo día | Grazas |
Is Catalan a dialect of Spanish?
No. Catalan is a language of its own, closer in some ways to French and Occitan. Valencian is the name used in Valencia for the same language. Calling Catalan “a dialect” is a quick way to make a local frown.
Is Basque related to Spanish?
Not at all. Basque isn’t related to any other known language in Europe. It’s one of the oldest languages on the continent, and it looks nothing like Spanish: eskerrik asko, agur (bye), egun on (good morning).
Galician
Galician is very close to Portuguese. If you speak Spanish, you’ll understand quite a lot when you read it.
What this means for your Spanish
- Spanish is enough everywhere in Spain.
- Signs, street names and announcements may be in both languages (or only the local one).
- In Catalonia, the Basque Country and Galicia, people switch between languages all the time.
- A “bon dia”, “gràcies”, “kaixo” or “grazas” shows respect and gets a warm reaction.
Also useful: why Spaniards answer you in English, Spanish phrases for moving to Madrid and Canary Islands Spanish.
Travelling or moving to Spain?
In a 30-minute Roadmap call (symbolic price: $20) we prepare the Spanish you need for real life in Spain.
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Do they speak Spanish in Barcelona?
Yes. Everyone in Barcelona speaks Spanish. Catalan is co-official and widely used, but you can live there in Spanish.
How many languages are spoken in Spain?
Spanish is official everywhere; Catalan/Valencian, Basque, Galician and Aranese are co-official in their regions.
Is Catalan a dialect of Spanish?
No, it’s a separate Romance language. Valencian is the name for Catalan in Valencia.
Do I need to learn Catalan to live in Barcelona?
Not to live there, but it helps with integration, local news, schools and some jobs.
What language do they speak in the Basque Country?
Spanish and Basque (euskara). Basque is not related to Spanish or any other known European language.
— Monica Bernabe Perez
$20 symbolic price · 30 minutes · with Mónica
Want to speak Spanish like this, not just read it?
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