French word

catalan

Pronunciation

IPA/katalɑ̃/

Meaning

  • masculine nounCatalan

Example

Je parle catalan.

I speak Catalan.

Illustration for catalan (Catalan)

More examples

Nous avons suivi un cours de catalan.

We took a Catalan course.

Core concept

A distinct Romance language spoken in Catalonia and nearby areas, separate from Spanish.

Common phrases

  • apprendre le catalan

    learn Catalan

  • lire en catalan

    read in Catalan

  • écrire en catalan

    write in Catalan

Similar words

espagnol: The language widely spoken throughout Spain.

Definition in French

Langue romane parlée en Catalogne et dans les régions voisines, distincte de l'espagnol.

Word origin

The French word catalan comes through the medieval Latin regional name Catalonia, with -an marking association with a place.

Usage tips

  • For the language, French uses parler catalan without an article, while le catalan names the language as a noun.

Word lists with this word