Galician culture is one of the most interesting in the entire Spanish territory: they have their own language their own climate and their own way of seeing the world around them.
Many of the words that Galicians use may sound totally incomprehensible to the rest of Spaniards and Spanish speakers.
Expressions and words in Galician (and their translation)
That is why we have thought it essential to make a selection of the 70 words and expressions of Galician more relevant and that you should know before venturing through Galician lands, they can be very useful on more than one occasion. We accompany them with their translation into Spanish.
1. Open.
The Spanish translation is: Hug.
2. Agarimo.
Agarimo means affection.
3. Barallocas.
Who talks a lot, but only says nonsense.
4. Arroiar.
When it rains a lot and it doesn’t stop.
5. Arrouted.
Venison. Doing something spontaneous and unwise.
6. Brétema.
Fog. The sound of this word is beautiful.
7. Enxebre.
Something pure and very authentic, unsullied. I usually hear it in contexts where rural people are talked about.
8. Feitiño.
It is said a lot to small children but also in the sense that he is neither handsome nor ugly, he is cute, cuqui, feitiño.
9. Ledicia.
Happiness.
10. Luscofusco.
It is dusk, when the light is fading and all the shadows appear.
11. Orballo.
Another word for rain. The translator of the Xunta de Galicia defines it as “drizzle”. “When it rains very little, a dew.
12. Querote.
I love you.
13. Rabudo.
It is said of an irascible and bad-tempered person.
14. Ruliña.
She’s a little bird, but especially grandparents and older people tend to call you “my little ruliña” as in my dear girl.
15. Saudade.
It is a kind of melancholy and longing that has to do with love.
16. Toxo.
It is a word that translates in Spanish to its common name “tojo”, but it has another meaning, “to be a toxo or to be a toxo means to be an edge, to have a bad temper.”
17. Xeito.
Literally translated as “way”, “skill” or “skill”, it explains that doing things successfully is doing things well and with art.
18. Traptrap.
It is defined as something poorly done, without meaning or importance.
19. Sentidiño.
Doing things with sense is doing things with prudence and care.
20. Sarabia.
Hail.
21. Rosmar.
Something similar to grumbling. “Like when you protest quietly and your angry murmur is heard but not what you say, which is usually not good.”
22. Parvo.
Silly.
23. Morriña.
Missing the native land and home.
24. Luar.
The light of the moon.
25. Fochicar.
Rummage, specifically “in something you shouldn’t”.
26. Scary.
A scarecrow. “But people are also called unattractive or in the way.
27. Chosco.
Going half blind or cross-eyed due to making an effort with your eyesight.
28. Bico.
Kiss.
29. Catch in the colo.
Hold in arms or hold on lap.
30. Cheese bread.
Tempered bread or stale bread.
31. Being in the bargain.
Be prepared, do very well in the workplace.
32. Aínda for riba.
And even on top of that, an expression of boredom about a topic.
33. Hake bull.
The definition according to the RAG would be a circular portion of meat (toro means slice).
34. Dipper.
Deep utensil for cooking soup that in other parts of Spain is called a ladle.
35. It will be bad.
Galician expression that encourages us to be optimistic in the situation we find ourselves in.
36. Well.
The coffee grounds in Galician lands are called the well.
37. For adults.
In addition or above, move on to adults.
38. I sew.
It’s like the Galicians would say “that” pass me that or pass me the “thing” that, other regions can say “thing” too.
39. Pota.
In Galician lands a pota is a pot.
40. Smagar.
Crush or crush can also mean repress depending on the context.
41. Landfill.
In certain areas of Galicia the sink is called that, it comes from the Galician word vertedoiro.
42. Rapante.
This is what Galicia calls the fish that the rest of Spain calls Gallo.
43. Fuchicar.
Trying to do something without knowing how to do it, or telling someone that you don’t know how to do it.
44. Get lost.
Take a good hit or fall on your face.
45. Riquiño.
“Do you like it? I don’t know, although it is very delicious.” Something tasty but neither good nor bad.
46. Fozar.
“Stop fumbling with the computer, you’re going to ruin it for me.” In Spanish it would be something like rummaging or tinkering.
47. Minaxoia.
The literal translation would be “mijoya” and is used to say that someone is naive or innocent.
48. Coitated.
You tell someone that they are naive and also have bad luck.
49. Pailán.
It’s what someone from the countryside was called, a bit rough or not very smart.
50. Seica.
It would be something like “it seems to be” or “it is said that”.
51. Chafallada.
A botched job or a job that looks very sloppy, a mess!
52. Prea.
When someone who is dishonest, lying or untrustworthy.
53. Afouteza.
Carry out any action or act without fear of danger or difficulties, this word is also part of the Galician version of the Celta de Vigo anthem.
54. Esmorga.
I would say something like an exaggerated fun “going out on a night out,” for example.
55. Escarallar.
It would be the equivalent in Spanish of damaging or breaking “my car crashed.”
56. Be docent.
Doente is hurt but adding the verb “estar” the meaning changes slightly, it would be used when something has made us feel bad or has hurt us emotionally.
57. Carallo.
The translation would be “damn” and is used in the same context. “It’s crazy sunny”
58. Larpeiro.
The person is told that he likes to eat in abundance or that he is gluttonous.
59. Farina.
The translation would be “flour” and in Galicia they use it to refer to cocaine. This expression gained a lot of strength throughout Spain due to the television series of the same name.
60. Bolboreta.
Butterfly, word used to talk about someone who is stunned.
61. Lareira.
Fireplace, especially refers to old stone fireplaces that are located in the kitchen.
62. Cheirar.
Smell or stink, you can smell good or bad but cheirar refers to smelling a lot.
63. Sapoconcho.
A very curious word to refer to turtles.
64. Polbo.
Pulpo, when you go to Galicia and you want to be served this dish it is polbo and not octopus.
65. Pirola.
It is the term they use in Galicia to talk about the penis, especially if it is a child’s.
66. Mamalón.
When someone is lazy or not very given to work, they are a sucker.
67. Pinchocarneiro.
It is used as a synonym for tadpole, but above all to refer to a somersault or caper.
68. Lambecus.
It is said of someone who is a “ball” or does whatever it takes to obtain the favor of a third party.
69. Pelouro.
Word used to say that someone suffers from baldness, a “pelouro” a “pelón”.
70. Trapalleiro.
It refers to when someone is a liar or a charlatan, “that boy is a trapalleiro.”
71. Look like a Pepe.
Be very comfortable and satisfied after eating.
72. What a chova, what a chova.
If it rains, let it rain. Expression used to designate a situation with which we have to settle.
73. Polo pan dances or can.
For the bread, the dog dances. When someone does something out of pure interest.
74. Galiña vella fai bo broth.
old hen makes good soup. It is used to praise older people for their experience and wisdom, especially women.
75. Piaches afternoon!
Expression that we use with someone who gives their opinion on a topic when what they can say is no longer relevant or it is too late for it to be taken into account.
76. Chegar e encher.
It is used to designate a situation in which someone reaches somewhere and achieves success in a very short time.
77. Non vaia ser or demo.
Expression equivalent to “just in case” or “just in case.” We use it to indicate that it is advisable to be cautious before something bad happens.
78. Be smarter than a guy.
Be smarter than garlic. Designates someone who we believe is very smart or savvy.
79. Check out what’s up
Literally “it is what it is”. An expression of resignation to accept everything that happens to us.
80. I’m marching because I have to march.
“I’m leaving, I have to leave.” We use it to clarify that we are leaving because it is our obligation, not because we want to.
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PsychologyFor. (2024). 80 Galician Words and Expressions That You Should Know. https://psychologyfor.com/80-galician-words-and-expressions-that-you-should-know/