Language/Catalan/Grammar/Common-Prepositions

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Catalan → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Prepositions and Conjunctions → Common Prepositions

Introduction

Welcome to the lesson on common prepositions in Catalan! In this lesson, we will explore the importance of prepositions in the Catalan language and how to use them effectively to add detail and clarity to your sentences. Prepositions are essential for expressing relationships between different elements in a sentence, such as location, direction, time, and manner. By understanding and using prepositions correctly, you will be able to convey your ideas more precisely and express yourself with greater fluency in Catalan.

Throughout this lesson, we will cover various common prepositions in Catalan, providing you with clear explanations, numerous examples, and practical exercises to reinforce your learning. We will also delve into the cultural aspects related to the usage of prepositions in different regions of Catalonia and share interesting anecdotes that will enhance your understanding of the topic. By the end of this lesson, you will have a solid foundation in using common prepositions effectively in your Catalan conversations and written expressions.

Let's dive in and explore the fascinating world of prepositions in the Catalan language!

Common Prepositions

Prepositions are words that establish relationships between different parts of a sentence. They typically indicate location, direction, time, manner, or the relationship between two different elements. In Catalan, prepositions play a crucial role in expressing these relationships and adding depth to your sentences.

Prepositions of Location

Prepositions of location are used to describe the position or location of an object or person in relation to something else. They help us answer questions such as "Where?" or "In what position?" Let's take a look at some common prepositions of location in Catalan:

Catalan	Pronunciation	English Translation
a	[a]	at, to
en	[ɛn]	in, inside
sobre	[suˈβe]	on, upon, about
sota	[ˈsɔ.ta]	under, below
darrera	[dəˈrɛ.ɾə]	behind
davant	[dəˈvan]	in front of
entre	[ˈɛn.tɾə]	between, among

Let's see these prepositions in action with some examples:

• El gat està **a** la taula. (The cat is **on** the table.)
• La llibreta és **en** la motxilla. (The notebook is **in** the backpack.)
• Els llibres són **sobre** la prestatgeria. (The books are **on** the shelf.)
• La clau és **sota** el tapet. (The key is **under** the mat.)
• Jo sóc **darrera** tu. (I am **behind** you.)
• El cotxe és **davant** de la casa. (The car is **in front of** the house.)
• La botiga està **entre** el parc i l'escola. (The store is **between** the park and the school.)

Remember that prepositions can sometimes be used figuratively or idiomatically in certain contexts, so it's important to familiarize yourself with their various meanings and usages.

Prepositions of Direction

Prepositions of direction indicate the movement or direction of an action or object. They help us answer questions such as "Where to?" or "Where from?" Let's explore some common prepositions of direction in Catalan:

Catalan	Pronunciation	English Translation
cap a	[ˈkap ˈa]	towards
des de	[dɛz ˈdɛ]	from, since
fins a	[fins ˈa]	until, up to
per	[pɛɾ]	through, by
sense	[ˈsɛn.sə]	without

Here are a few examples of prepositions of direction in action:

• Caminem **cap a** la platja. (We are walking **towards** the beach.)
• Vaig venir **des de** casa. (I came **from** home.)
• Correm **fins a** la meta. (We run **until** the finish line.)
• Passem **per** la muntanya. (We are passing **through** the mountain.)
• Vaig anar-hi **sense** ell. (I went there **without** him.)

These prepositions of direction are essential for expressing movement or indicating the origin or destination of an action.

Prepositions of Time

Prepositions of time are used to indicate the time or duration of an action or event. They help us answer questions such as "When?" or "For how long?" Let's explore some common prepositions of time in Catalan:

Catalan	Pronunciation	English Translation
a les	[a ləs]	at, on
abans de	[əˈbans də]	before
després de	[dəsˈpɾɛs də]	after
durant	[duˈɾant]	during
fins a	[fins ˈa]	until
per	[pɛɾ]	for
cada	[ˈka.ðə]	every

Here are a few examples of prepositions of time in action:

• Ens veiem **a les** sis. (We'll see each other **at** six.)
• L'esdeveniment comença **abans de** la nit. (The event starts **before** the night.)
• Anirem a sopar **després de** la pel·lícula. (We will go out for dinner **after** the movie.)
• Treballarem **durant** dues hores. (We will work **during** two hours.)
• El parc tanca **fins a** les deu de la nit. (The park closes **until** ten o'clock at night.)
• Vaig estudiar **per** tres hores ahir. (I studied **for** three hours yesterday.)
• Hi ha una festa **cada** dissabte. (There is a party **every** Saturday.)

These prepositions of time are crucial for expressing specific moments, durations, or recurring events.

Prepositions of Manner

Prepositions of manner describe the way or manner in which an action is performed. They help us answer questions such as "How?" or "In what way?" Let's explore some common prepositions of manner in Catalan:

Catalan	Pronunciation	English Translation
amb	[ˈamb]	with
sense	[ˈsɛn.sə]	without
de	[də]	of, by
com	[ˈkɔm]	like, as

Here are a few examples of prepositions of manner in action:

• Parla **amb** calma. (Speak **calmly**.)
• Vaig anar-hi **sense** problemes. (I went there **without** any problems.)
• És un llibre **de** poesia. (It's a book **of** poetry.)
• Canta **com** un ocell. (She sings **like** a bird.)

These prepositions of manner are crucial for describing the way or manner in which an action is performed.

Cultural Insights

The usage of prepositions can vary across different regions of Catalonia, and there are sometimes slight differences in how prepositions are used or understood. For example, in some regions, the preposition "en" may be used interchangeably with "a" to indicate location, while in other regions, "en" is used exclusively for "in" or "inside." These regional variations add richness and diversity to the Catalan language.

Additionally, prepositions are often used idiomatically in Catalan, and understanding these idiomatic expressions can greatly enhance your language skills. For example, the expression "per sort" literally translates to "by luck," but it is commonly used to mean "fortunately." Learning these idiomatic expressions will help you communicate more naturally and fluently in Catalan.

Exercises

Now it's time to practice what you've learned! Complete the following exercises to reinforce your understanding of common prepositions in Catalan.

Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Preposition Choose the correct preposition to complete each sentence.

1. El gos està ___ jardí. (The dog is in the garden.) a) a b) en c) sobre d) sota

2. Vaig venir ___ cotxe. (I came by car.) a) cap a b) des de c) fins a d) per

3. Anirem a la platja ___ l'estiu. (We will go to the beach in summer.) a) a les b) abans de c) durant d) com

Exercise 2: Translate the Sentence Translate the following sentence into Catalan.

"I will meet you at the restaurant."

Exercise 3: Idiomatic Expressions Translate the following idiomatic expressions into English.

1. "Per sort." 2. "Amb gust."

Solutions

Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Preposition 1. b) en 2. d) per 3. c) durant

Exercise 2: Translate the Sentence "Et trobaré al restaurant."

Exercise 3: Idiomatic Expressions 1. "Fortunately." 2. "With pleasure."

Conclusion

Congratulations on completing the lesson on common prepositions in Catalan! Throughout this lesson, you have learned about the importance of prepositions in expressing relationships between different elements in a sentence. You have explored various prepositions of location, direction, time, and manner, and practiced using them in context through exercises.

Remember to continue practicing and incorporating these prepositions into your daily conversations and written expressions to solidify your understanding and fluency in Catalan. As you progress in your language learning journey, you will encounter more complex uses of prepositions, and building a strong foundation now will greatly benefit your future language skills.

Keep up the great work, and see you in the next lesson!

Table of Contents - Catalan Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to Catalan

• Alphabet and Pronunciation
• Basic Sentence Structure

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Common Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

  ---

Articles and Nouns

• Definite and Indefinite Articles
• Noun Gender and Plurals

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-100
• Telling Time

  ---

Adjectives and Pronouns

• Adjective Agreement
• Personal Pronouns

  ---

Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Describing Relationships

  ---

Verbs and Tenses

• Regular Verbs
• Irregular Verbs

  ---

Food and Dining

• Food Vocabulary
• At the Restaurant

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Prepositions and Conjunctions

• Common Prepositions
• Coordinating Conjunctions

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Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Travel Phrases

  ---

Catalan Culture

• History and Geography
• Traditions and Celebrations

Sources

• Catalan grammar - Wikipedia
• Catalan Lesson 4 - Prepositions and Directions
• Catalan II Tutorial: Basic Phrases, Vocabulary and Grammar

Other Lessons

• Questions
• Ordinal Numbers in Catalan
• Conditional and future tenses
• Basic Sentence Structure
• Dative Case in Catalan
• Introduction to adjectives and adverbs
• Nominative Case in Catalan
• Regular Verbs
• Reflexive verbs
• Gender

◀️ At the Restaurant — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Coordinating Conjunctions ▶️