Welcome back! Here are 20 further common British English expressions translated to Catalan. As in the first part of Common BrE expressions translated to Catalan, they sound very idiomatic in both languages, so, again, if you ever go to the UK or Catalonia and use these expressions, you will probably impress locals.So let’s have a look at these new expressions:
Contents / Continguts
(to) be stuffed
To be stuffed means to be very full. In Catalan language it can be translated as the very idiomatic expression estar tip, for example No en vull mĂ©s. Estic tip (I’m good. I’m stuffed).
Estic tip
I’m gutted
I’m gutted means that I am very disappointed. In Catalan, you can say M’he quedat xof / Estic decebut/da.
(To) be in a pickle
It means (to) be in a difficult or confused situation. In Catalan Estar (ficat) en un merder / embolic.
That’s mental / It’s mental
Something is crazy or surprising. In Catalan És de bojos (to say that something is a madness) or Quina passada or Brutal (for a surprising thing) depending on the context..
Give me a bell
It basically means Get in touch with me or Call me. Very similar to the expression we saw in the first part Give me a tinkle (on the blower)> In Catalan, you can say Fes-me un truc or just Truca’m (Call me).
(to) be in a mood
It means (to) be in a bad mood / upset. In Catalan slang you can say Estar ratllat. In a colloquial language you can say No estar del tot fi/fina or Estar de mala lluna.
Crickey / Blimey
It is an expressions to show shock or surprise. In Catalan, you can say Ostres!, ospa! (this one quite provincial), Caram! or, in slang language Wala! (this one quite urban).
(to) take the mickey out of someone
It means to make a joke about someone or to tease them. You are taking the mickey out of me. In Catalan You are taking the mickey out of me can be translated as Em fots el pèl or Me l’estĂ s fotent.
(to) pull someone’s leg
Very similar to make the mickey out of someone. This somewhat old-fashioned expression means to make a joke about someone or to tease them. In Catalan Prendre / fotre el pèl.
(to) faff about / around
We are constantly doing it, specially with social networks. Waffing about or around means to waste time doing unimportant tasks instead of the thing that one should be doing. In Catalan you can say Fer el dropo or Perdre / Matar el temps.
(to) lose the plot
(to) Lose the plot means (to) become confused / (to) do something crazy. In Catalan you can say anar-se’n l’olla. Se m’ha anat l’olla (I lost the plot).
That’s crap
Slang. You wouldn’t use it in a formal situation. You use it to say that something is not good, that something is rubbish, of low quality. In Catalan you can say És una merda or de merda (if it works as an adjective). For instance una peli de merda (A crap movie). We love the expression Una merda pinxada en un pal (literally, a shit pricked with a stick) to refer to something that is worth nothing.
(to) nick
(to) Nick is slang for (to) steal something. In Catalan you can say Pispar (slang). There is also the slang word mangar, if you like. It is not so genuine as pispar, but many people say it.
(to) have had one’s chips
(to) fail at something or lose an opportunity. In Catalan you can say Cagar-la or espifiar-la. L’he cagat! (=I’ve had my chips!). Nano, l’has cagat! (Dude, you’ve had your chips!)
The bee’s knees
Slang. Something that is excellent, of a high quality. In Catalan language is ser la hòstia, una passada, brutal. Top. Pensa que Ă©s la hòstia, però nomĂ©s Ă©s una altra poser d’Instagram (=She thinks she is the bee’s knees, but she’s just another Instagram poser).
(to) take the biscuit
It means (to) be rude/offensive/particularly bad. In Catalan is ser un estĂşpid, ser un impresentable, (or un borde).
Shattered
As we saw in the first part of this series, it is synonymous with Knackered, which means very tired. In Catalan it is Fet pols or Rebentat. Estic fet pols. Estic rebentat. (I’m knackered. I’m shattered).
I’m not being funny, but…
It means I don’t mean to be rude, but… (very idiomatic, it sounds very British). In Catalan you can say No Ă©s per tallar el rotllo, però… Notice that here the word funny changes its meaning.
A spanner in the works
It refers to something unexpected that can disrupt or confuse a situation. In Catalan you can say Posar pals a les rodes. For instance, Van retirar el finançament per l’espectacle i això va posar pals a les rodes (The funding for the show was withdrawn so that really threw a spanner in the works). As you may know, a spanner is a tool with a shaped opening or jaws for gripping and turning a nut or bolt, so the metaphor is quite clear here.
(to) head somewhere
It essentially means (to) go somewhere. In Catalan, Fer cap a algun lloc. Fem cap a la festa. We’re heading for the party.
Mint / That’s mint
It refers to something that is excellent or in perfect condition. In Catalan you can say Genial, perfecte or de pu*a mare.. (the missing word is t). For instance That’s mint! (EstĂ perfecte)
Brolly
Slang for umbrella. Informal. Oh, no! I forgot my brolly! Catalan: ParaigĂĽes.
Beeb
Colloquial expression for BBC. Informal.
Uni
Short for University. Informal. Catalan: la Uni.
Telly
Short for television. Informal. There’s nothing on the telly. Catalan: No fan res a la tele.
Chrimbo
Colloquial for Christmas. Informal. Are you going away for Chrimbo? Catalan: Nadal.
Footy
Short for football. Informal. Catalan: Futbol.
Offie
Short for Off-License. Informal. I’m just going to get some beers from the offi. Catalan: Botiga de queviures
Tommy K
Colloquial for Tomato Ketchup. Informal. Catalan: Ketchup.
Veg
Short for vegetables. Informal. Catalan: verdures.
Bicky
Short for biscuit. Informal. Catalan: galeta.
Brekky
Short for breakfast. Informal. Catalan: esmorzar.
Tocat del Bolet is a blog that aims to promote and share Catalan language and culture throughout its most typical expressions, in a fun and informative way.
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Common British English expressions translated to Catalan I
Common British English expressions translated to Catalan III (Slang edition)
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Have a good one! (Que vagi bé!)