Greetings

1. Ola

   Hello / Hi

   Usage

   The basic Galician greeting. Spelled without h, unlike Spanish "hola", and usable at any time of day

   Grammar Note

   The RAG dictionary treats "hola" as incorrect and points to "ola". The noun ola, spelled the same, means an earthenware pot

2. Grazas

   Thank you / Thanks

   Usage

   Basic thanks with no gender split. Strengthen it with "Moitas grazas"

   Grammar Note

   Spelled with z (not Spanish "gracias" nor Portuguese "obrigado/a"). Reply with "De nada"

3. Por favor

   Please

   Usage

   A polite word added to requests and orders

   Grammar Note

   Same spelling as Spanish. It can come first or last: "Por favor, a conta" or "A conta, por favor"

4. Adeus

   Goodbye

   Usage

   The standard farewell. Among friends, "Chao" is also used

   Grammar Note

   No accent mark (not Spanish "adiós"). It is the standard farewell and appears in the RAG dictionary

5. Con permiso

   Excuse me

   Usage

   Said when squeezing past people or entering a room

   Grammar Note

   con + permiso, literally "with permission". It asks for room rather than apologising

6. Bos días

   Good morning

   Usage

   Morning greeting used until lunchtime. Always plural

   Grammar Note

   bo becomes bos to agree with masculine plural días. Portuguese singular "bom dia" is not Galician

7. Desculpe

   I'm sorry / Excuse me

   Usage

   A polite apology or attention-getter (to vostede). To a friend: "Desculpa"

   Grammar Note

   The formal imperative of desculpar. A shorter option is "Perdón". Spelled differently from Spanish "disculpe"

8. Como está?

   How are you?

   Usage

   A polite way to ask how someone is (to vostede). To a friend: "Como estás?"

   Grammar Note

   The question word "como" has no accent, and only the closing "?" is written, never "¿"

9. Ata logo

   See you later

   Usage

   Used when you will see the person soon, or as an everyday goodbye

   Grammar Note

   ata + logo, "until soon". No initial h as in Spanish "hasta luego"

10. Encantado / Encantada

    Pleased to meet you

    Usage

    A first-meeting greeting. Men say Encantado, women say Encantada

    Grammar Note

    An adjective, so it agrees with the speaker's gender. It can be extended with coñecer, as in "Encantado de coñecelo"

11. Onde están os servizos?

    Where is the toilet?

    Usage

    One of the most essential travel phrases. Matches the signs "Servizos" or "Aseos"

    Grammar Note

    "servizos" in the plural is the usual word for public toilets. For a single bathroom: "Onde está o baño?"

12. Non falo galego

    I don't speak Galician

    Usage

    Tells people you do not speak Galician; follow it with "Falas inglés?"

    Grammar Note

    Language names are lowercase. The word is galego, not Spanish "gallego"

13. Volverei

    I'll come back

    Usage

    Said to a host or shop when you plan to come again

    Grammar Note

    The future adds -ei to the infinitive. No accent as in Spanish "volveré"

14. Pasámolo moi ben

    We had a great time

    Usage

    Say it after a trip, meal or visit to show you enjoyed yourselves

    Grammar Note

    "pasalo ben" (to have a good time) is a fixed expression whose "o" stays. "moi" corresponds to Spanish "muy"

15. Grazas, ata logo!

    Thanks, see you later!

    Usage

    Thanks and goodbye in one, for example when leaving a shop

    Grammar Note

    Only the closing "!" is written, never "¡"

16. Boas noites

    Good evening / Good night

    Usage

    Used both as an evening greeting and as "good night". Always plural

    Grammar Note

    noite is feminine, so bo becomes boas. Portuguese singular "boa noite" is not Galician

17. Xa cheguei

    I'm here / I'm back

    Usage

    Said when arriving home or at a meeting point

    Grammar Note

    xa is spelled with x (not Spanish "ya" nor Portuguese "já"). The preterite of chegar here means "I have arrived"

18. Con permiso, marcho xa

    Excuse me, I'm off now

    Usage

    Said when leaving a gathering or meal before others

    Grammar Note

    marchar means "to leave". No reflexive pronoun as in Spanish "me marcho"

19. De nada

    You're welcome

    Usage

    Reply to thanks. A fuller alternative is "Non hai de que"

    Grammar Note

    Same form as Spanish. In "Non hai de que" the verb hai is invariable (Spanish "no hay de qué")

20. Boas tardes

    Good afternoon

    Usage

    Greeting from after lunch until evening. Always plural

    Grammar Note

    tarde is feminine, so bo becomes boas. The RAG dictionary also lists singular "boa tarde" as a greeting, but "Boas tardes" is the usual form

21. Chao

    Bye

    Usage

    A casual goodbye to friends and family. With elders use "Adeus"

    Grammar Note

    The RAG dictionary labels it colloquial

22. Moitas grazas

    Thank you very much

    Usage

    A warmer thank-you for service or kindness

    Grammar Note

    moitas agrees with feminine plural grazas. "muitas" is Portuguese and is not used

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