Catalan C1: Nuances: the small words of spoken Catalan · Phrases

Small words change the tone. doncs starts an answer or draws a conclusion (Doncs no ho sé). oi? asks for agreement (Fa calor, oi?). au and apa urge or close (Au, som-hi! Apa, fins demà!). home and dona soften (Home, no n’hi ha per a tant). vaja shows surprise or disappointment, or corrects (Vaja, quina mala sort). és que gives an excuse.

• doncs — well, so, then
• oi? — right?, isn’t it?
• au — come on, off you go
• apa — right then, bye
• home — come on, well (softener)
• vaja — oh dear, I mean
• és que — the thing is
• és clar — of course

• Doncs no sé què dir-te. — Well, I don’t know what to tell you.
• Home, no n’hi ha per a tant. — Come on, it’s not that bad.
• És que no tinc temps. — The thing is, I don’t have time.
• Au, som-hi! — Come on, let’s go!