Which Catalan phrases matter most here?

“La taula de fora està lliure?” (Is the table outside free); “Podem seure a la terrassa?” (Can we sit on the terrace); “Seu on vulguis.” (Sit wherever you like). The full list is above.

Can I hear how they sound?

Yes: press the speaker next to a phrase to hear it, recorded for the Frasa app.

How can I practise this conversation?

Press “Start the conversation” above to play it through and choose your replies, with a note on why some fit better in Catalonia. Frasa, an iPhone app, lets you save these phrases and rehearse them out loud.

Catalan phrases for getting a table on a café terrace in Catalonia

Point at a free table and ask “La taula de fora està lliure?” or, for a group, “Podem seure a la terrassa?”. Staff often say “Seu on vulguis”. Order when they ask “Què et poso?”, then ask “Teniu wifi?” and “Quina és la contrasenya del wifi?”. To check the closing time, ask “A quina hora tanqueu avui?”.

Try it · about two minutes

On a sunny afternoon you look for a free table outside a café, then ask about the wifi and how late they’re open.

Sound on: the waiter speaks Catalan. You choose what to say back, and Frasa tells you why it works.

How does the conversation usually go?

It’s a sunny afternoon and the terrace is almost full. One table by the wall is free, and a waiter is passing.
You
La taula de fora està lliure?
Is the table outside free?
Waiter
Seu on vulguis.
Sit wherever you like.
You
Puc veure la carta, si us plau?
Can I see the menu, please?
Waiter
Què et poso?
What can I get you?
You
Em poses un te, si us plau?
Can I have a tea, please?
Waiter
En uns minuts tindràs la comanda.
Your order will be ready in a few minutes.
You
Teniu wifi?
Do you have wifi?
Waiter
Sí, la contrasenya és a la carta.
Yes, the password is on the menu.
You
Et va bé que treballi aquí un parell d'hores?
Is it okay if I work here a couple of hours?
Waiter
És clar, endavant.
Of course, go ahead.
You
Fins a quina hora esteu oberts?
Until what time are you open?

Which Catalan phrases do you need?

La taula de fora està lliure?
Is the table outside free?
Podem seure a la terrassa?
Can we sit on the terrace?
Seu on vulguis.
Sit wherever you like.
Aquesta cadira està lliure?
Is this chair free?
Què et poso?
What can I get you?
Teniu wifi?
Do you have wifi?
Quina és la contrasenya del wifi?
What’s the wifi password?
Puc carregar aquí el mòbil?
Can I charge my phone here?
Et va bé que treballi aquí un parell d'hores?
Is it okay if I work here a couple of hours?
A quina hora tanqueu avui?
When do you close today?

What is worth knowing in Catalonia?

How a terrace works

1
Look for a free table outside, or ask a waiter if you can sit.
Is the table outside free?
2
A waiter comes to your table, so wait to order.
What can I get you?
3
Ask for the bill when you’re ready. You often pay at the table.
Can you bring me the bill, please?

Wifi and the password

Many cafés have wifi, with the password on the menu, a card or the receipt. Ask once you have ordered.

Quina és la contrasenya del wifi?

What’s the wifi password?

Staying for a while

On a quiet afternoon it’s usually fine to stay with a laptop if you order something. Ask first, and order again if you stay long.

Et va bé que treballi aquí un parell d'hores?

Is it okay if I work here a couple of hours?

Questions about this situation

Which Catalan phrases matter most here?: “La taula de fora està lliure?” (Is the table outside free); “Podem seure a la terrassa?” (Can we sit on the terrace); “Seu on vulguis.” (Sit wherever you like). The full list is above.
Can I hear how they sound?: Yes: press the speaker next to a phrase to hear it, recorded for the Frasa app.
How can I practise this conversation?: Press “Start the conversation” above to play it through and choose your replies, with a note on why some fit better in Catalonia. Frasa, an iPhone app, lets you save these phrases and rehearse them out loud.

Related situations in Catalan

All situations in Catalan

Practise these phrases in Frasa

Frasa is an iPhone app for the conversations in front of you. Save phrases like these, rehearse them out loud, and they come back until they stick.

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AI-generated. May be inaccurate.