Introduction
Catalan is a very interesting and diverse language, known for its lexical and expressive richness. In addition to the many expressions and sayings of Central Catalan, there are other unique expressions used in different regions of Catalonia and beyond.
Valencian expressions
1. Exaggerated ostentation
An interesting Valencian expression is ‘bufar en broth gelat’, which is used to describe someone who flaunts wealth, power, titles or properties, even exaggerating or falsifying reality. It is as if someone pretends to have what he really does not have. For example: ‘Com els gusta bufar en broth gelat als veïns’ (They like to show off their wealth to their neighbors)
2. Reveal a secret
Another interesting Valencian expression is ‘Catarroja descoberta’, which refers to the fact that something has been revealed or made public inadvertently, when it was intended to be kept secret. For example: ‘It is not necessary that you continue lying, we enxampat. Catarroja uncovers!’ (No need to keep lying, we caught you. Catarroza discovered!)
3. Insistently bother
The expression ‘puffing your hat with pebbles’ is used to describe the act of bothering someone insistently and repetitively, in a way that is extremely annoying and even makes you dizzy. It’s like getting heavy. For example: ‘Now that Jaume has decided to learn to play the drums is terrible. He m’està inflant el barret de guixes! ‘ (This thing about Jaume having decided to learn to play the drums is terrible. He is insistently bothering me) (https://www.spanish.cl/Grammar/Notes/Articulos_Definidos_Indefineds.htm).
4. Being a hard worker
The expression ‘more gos que un pont’ is used to describe someone who is not very hard-working, who does not feel like working and who is considered to be like a bridge, who is always lying horizontally and does not move from place to place. For example: ‘El xiquet del Paco has failed his subjects this quarter. It’s more goos than a pont!’ (Paco’s son has failed six subjects this term. He is lazier than a bridge) (https://www.rae.es/dpd/el).
5. Take a short nap
The expression ‘taking a woodcock’ is used to describe the act of taking a short nap, especially while sitting and not lying in bed. For example: ‘What I like most about summer is catching a woodcock after eating dinar’ (What I like most about summer is taking a short nap after eating)
Balearic expressions
1. Without regard
An interesting Balearic expression is ‘a la fotrenca’, which is used to describe something that is done in any way, without any consideration. For example: ‘Estic fart d’aquesta attitude! Feis ses ses a la fotrenca!’ (I’m sick of this attitude! You do things without consideration)
2. Lead an unorganized life
The expression ‘anar de tres qui n’agafa quatre’ is used to describe someone who leads a morally unorganized life, who is on the wrong path. For example: ‘L’al·lot d’en Pep fa patir, va de tres qui n’agafa quatre. Who greu!’ (Pep’s son worries, he is going down the wrong path. How serious!)
3. Be very attentive
The expression ‘eyes like salt’ is used to describe the act of being very attentive or vigilant. Por ejemplo: ‘If you visit the Bronx, you better have eyes like salt shakers!’ (If you visit the Bronx, you better be very careful)
4. Looking sick
The expression ‘dur ses ombres mortes’ is used to describe someone who looks sick or disillusioned, who has no delight. For example: ‘Quina cara que fas, nin! Dus ses ombres mortes!’ (What a look on your face, boy! You look sick)
5. Trying uselessly
The expression ‘fer retxes dins s’aigo’ is used to describe the act of working or exerting useless effort, such as trying to make lines in the water. For example: ‘Trying to talk to each other is too late!’ (Trying to talk to you is making a useless effort) (https://www.rae.es/dpd/a).
Conclusion
These Valencian and Balearic expressions are just some examples of the richness and diversity of the Catalan language. If you want to know more expressions or look for new ones, I recommend visiting the Rodamots website. You will be surprised and learn a lot!
