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Lesson 2 of 10

Order anything by pointing in Galician

I would like, this one, how much, the bill: survive any counter or menu. Play the ten Galician words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.

Ourense Cathedral
Order anything by pointing
11 words · 20 seconds each · 9 of 11 to pass
What it meansHow to say it
Victor Hermida Prada, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

All 11 Galician phrases in this lesson

Quería...keh-REE-ah
I would like...

Literally "I wanted", the polite way to order: "quería un café".

EsteES-teh
This one

Point and say it.

Canto é?KAHN-toh eh
How much is it?

Useful at market stalls and small bars where prices may not be displayed.

A conta, por favorah KOHN-tah por fah-VOR
The bill, please

Say this or mime writing on your palm. Tipping is optional but rounding up is appreciated.

Con tarxetakon tar-SHEH-tah
By card

Galician x sounds like "sh". Cards are widely accepted in towns.

En efectivoen eh-fek-TEE-voh
In cash

Useful when a sign says "só efectivo" (cash only). ATMs are plentiful in Santiago de Compostela.

AugaAW-gah
Water

Specify "auga con gas" (sparkling) or "auga sen gas" (still) when buying bottled water.

Cafékah-FEH
Coffee

A "cortado" is espresso with a dash of milk.

Téteh
Tea
Cervexaser-VEH-shah
Beer

Estrella Galicia is the local lager in every bar.

Sen...sen
Without...

"Sen xeo" (sen SHEH-oh), without ice.

Next lesson: Yes, no and the essentials →