Galician, also known as Galego, is a Romance language spoken by approximately 2.4 million people, primarily in the autonomous community of Galicia in northwestern Spain. Learning Galician not only enriches your linguistic repertoire but also opens the door to a unique cultural and historical heritage. One effective way to start learning a new language is by familiarizing yourself with common household items. This article will provide you with the vocabulary for everyday household items in Galician, helping you to build a strong foundation in the language.
Living Room
The living room, or “salón” in Galician, is a central part of any home. Here are some common items you might find in a living room:
– **Sofá** (Sofa): The centerpiece for seating in the living room.
– **Mesa de centro** (Coffee table): A small table usually placed in front of the sofa.
– **Lámpada** (Lamp): Provides lighting for the room.
– **Televisión** (Television): A common source of entertainment.
– **Estante** (Shelf): Used for storing books, decorations, and more.
– **Cadro** (Picture/Frame): Often used to display photographs or artwork.
– **Alfombra** (Rug): Adds comfort and decoration to the floor.
– **Cortinas** (Curtains): Used to cover windows and provide privacy.
Example Sentences
– O **sofá** é moi cómodo. (The sofa is very comfortable.)
– Podes poñer o libro na **mesa de centro**? (Can you put the book on the coffee table?)
– A **lámpada** está rota. (The lamp is broken.)
– Imos ver a **televisión**. (Let’s watch TV.)
– Necesito máis **estantes** para os meus libros. (I need more shelves for my books.)
– Colgamos un **cadro** novo na parede. (We hung a new picture on the wall.)
– A **alfombra** é vermella. (The rug is red.)
– As **cortinas** son azuis. (The curtains are blue.)
Kitchen
The kitchen, or “cociña” in Galician, is another important area in the house. Knowing the names of kitchen items can be very useful.
– **Frigorífico** (Refrigerator): Used to keep food cold.
– **Cociña** (Stove): Used for cooking food.
– **Forno** (Oven): Used for baking and roasting.
– **Microondas** (Microwave): Used for quickly heating food.
– **Lavavaixelas** (Dishwasher): Used for cleaning dishes.
– **Fregadeiro** (Sink): Used for washing dishes by hand.
– **Tixola** (Frying pan): Used for frying and sautéing.
– **Tixolo** (Pot): Used for boiling and cooking.
– **Prato** (Plate): Used for serving food.
– **Culler** (Spoon): Used for eating and serving food.
– **Garfo** (Fork): Used for eating.
– **Culler de sopa** (Soup spoon): Specifically used for soup.
– **Culler de sobremesa** (Dessert spoon): Used for desserts.
– **Cunca** (Bowl): Used for serving soups and cereals.
– **Vaso** (Glass): Used for drinking beverages.
Example Sentences
– A comida está no **frigorífico**. (The food is in the refrigerator.)
– A **cociña** está quente. (The stove is hot.)
– Vou usar o **forno** para facer pan. (I am going to use the oven to bake bread.)
– Quentamos a comida no **microondas**. (We heat the food in the microwave.)
– O **lavavaixelas** está cheo. (The dishwasher is full.)
– Vou lavar os pratos no **fregadeiro**. (I will wash the dishes in the sink.)
– Preciso unha **tixola** para cociñar ovos. (I need a frying pan to cook eggs.)
– O **tixolo** está no armario. (The pot is in the cupboard.)
– O meu **prato** está limpo. (My plate is clean.)
– Onde está a **culler**? (Where is the spoon?)
– Necesito un **garfo** para comer a ensalada. (I need a fork to eat the salad.)
– A **culler de sopa** está na mesa. (The soup spoon is on the table.)
– A **culler de sobremesa** é pequena. (The dessert spoon is small.)
– A **cunca** está chea de sopa. (The bowl is full of soup.)
– Pásame o **vaso**, por favor. (Pass me the glass, please.)
Bedroom
The bedroom, or “dormitorio” in Galician, is where you rest and recharge. Here are some common items found in a bedroom:
– **Cama** (Bed): The main piece of furniture for sleeping.
– **Almofada** (Pillow): Used to rest your head while sleeping.
– **Manta** (Blanket): Used for warmth.
– **Armario** (Wardrobe): Used for storing clothes.
– **Mesilla de noite** (Nightstand): A small table next to the bed.
– **Espello** (Mirror): Used to see your reflection.
– **Reloxo** (Clock): Used to keep track of time.
– **Lámpada de mesa** (Table lamp): Provides light for reading or other activities.
– **Caixón** (Drawer): Used for storing various items.
– **Roupa de cama** (Bedding): Includes sheets, pillowcases, and blankets.
Example Sentences
– A **cama** é moi grande. (The bed is very big.)
– A miña **almofada** é suave. (My pillow is soft.)
– Vou coller unha **manta** máis quente. (I will get a warmer blanket.)
– O **armario** está cheo de roupa. (The wardrobe is full of clothes.)
– A **mesilla de noite** ten un libro. (The nightstand has a book.)
– O **espello** está sucio. (The mirror is dirty.)
– O **reloxo** marca as oito. (The clock shows eight o’clock.)
– Preciso unha **lámpada de mesa** para ler. (I need a table lamp to read.)
– O **caixón** está roto. (The drawer is broken.)
– A **roupa de cama** está limpa. (The bedding is clean.)
Bathroom
The bathroom, or “baño” in Galician, is essential for personal hygiene. Here are some common bathroom items:
– **Lavabo** (Sink): Used for washing hands and face.
– **Inodoro** (Toilet): Used for waste disposal.
– **Ducha** (Shower): Used for bathing.
– **Bañeira** (Bathtub): Used for soaking and bathing.
– **Espello** (Mirror): Used for grooming.
– **Toalla** (Towel): Used for drying off after bathing.
– **Xabón** (Soap): Used for cleaning.
– **Champú** (Shampoo): Used for washing hair.
– **Acondicionador** (Conditioner): Used to soften hair.
– **Cepillo de dentes** (Toothbrush): Used for brushing teeth.
– **Pasta de dentes** (Toothpaste): Used with a toothbrush to clean teeth.
– **Peite** (Comb): Used for grooming hair.
– **Secador de pelo** (Hairdryer): Used for drying hair.
– **Crema** (Cream): Used for moisturizing skin.
Example Sentences
– O **lavabo** está atascado. (The sink is clogged.)
– O **inodoro** non funciona. (The toilet doesn’t work.)
– Prefiro tomar unha **ducha** pola mañá. (I prefer to take a shower in the morning.)
– A **bañeira** está chea de auga. (The bathtub is full of water.)
– O **espello** está empañado. (The mirror is foggy.)
– Preciso unha **toalla** limpa. (I need a clean towel.)
– Onde está o **xabón**? (Where is the soap?)
– O **champú** é moi perfumado. (The shampoo is very fragrant.)
– Usa o **acondicionador** despois do **champú**. (Use the conditioner after the shampoo.)
– O meu **cepillo de dentes** está vello. (My toothbrush is old.)
– A **pasta de dentes** está case acabada. (The toothpaste is almost finished.)
– O **peite** está no caixón. (The comb is in the drawer.)
– Vou usar o **secador de pelo**. (I am going to use the hairdryer.)
– A **crema** é para a cara. (The cream is for the face.)
Dining Room
The dining room, or “comedor” in Galician, is where meals are often shared with family and friends. Here are some common dining room items:
– **Mesa** (Table): The main piece of furniture for dining.
– **Cadeira** (Chair): Used for seating at the table.
– **Prato** (Plate): Used for serving food.
– **Culler** (Spoon): Used for eating and serving food.
– **Garfo** (Fork): Used for eating.
– **Culler de sopa** (Soup spoon): Specifically used for soup.
– **Culler de sobremesa** (Dessert spoon): Used for desserts.
– **Cunca** (Bowl): Used for serving soups and cereals.
– **Vaso** (Glass): Used for drinking beverages.
– **Xarra** (Pitcher): Used for serving drinks.
– **Mantel** (Tablecloth): Used to cover the table.
– **Servilleta** (Napkin): Used for wiping hands and mouth.
Example Sentences
– A **mesa** está posta. (The table is set.)
– As **cadeiras** son cómodas. (The chairs are comfortable.)
– O **prato** principal é carne asada. (The main dish is roasted meat.)
– Necesito unha **culler** para a sopa. (I need a spoon for the soup.)
– O **garfo** está na esquerda do **prato**. (The fork is on the left of the plate.)
– A **culler de sopa** está no caixón. (The soup spoon is in the drawer.)
– A **culler de sobremesa** é pequena. (The dessert spoon is small.)
– A **cunca** está chea de sopa. (The bowl is full of soup.)
– Pásame o **vaso**, por favor. (Pass me the glass, please.)
– A **xarra** está chea de auga. (The pitcher is full of water.)
– O **mantel** está sucio. (The tablecloth is dirty.)
– Usa a **servilleta** para limpar a túa boca. (Use the napkin to clean your mouth.)
General Household Items
Beyond specific rooms, there are general household items that are used throughout the home. Here are some of them:
– **Porta** (Door): Used to enter and exit rooms.
– **Fiestra** (Window): Provides natural light and ventilation.
– **Chave** (Key): Used to lock and unlock doors.
– **Interruptor** (Switch): Used to turn lights on and off.
– **Enchufe** (Outlet): Used to plug in electrical devices.
– **Escaleiras** (Stairs): Used to move between different levels of the house.
– **Aspiradora** (Vacuum cleaner): Used for cleaning floors.
– **Vasoira** (Broom): Used for sweeping floors.
– **Recolledor** (Dustpan): Used to collect swept dirt.
– **Po** (Dust): Small particles that accumulate on surfaces.
– **Ventilador** (Fan): Used for air circulation.
– **Calefacción** (Heating): Used for warming the house.
– **Aire acondicionado** (Air conditioning): Used for cooling the house.
Example Sentences
– A **porta** está pechada. (The door is closed.)
– Abre a **fiestra** para ventilar. (Open the window to ventilate.)
– Onde está a **chave**? (Where is the key?)
– Apaga o **interruptor** antes de saír. (Turn off the switch before leaving.)
– Necesito un **enchufe** para cargar o móbil. (I need an outlet to charge my phone.)
– As **escaleiras** están empinadas. (The stairs are steep.)
– A **aspiradora** está no trasteiro. (The vacuum cleaner is in the storage room.)
– Vou usar a **vasoira** para limpar o chan. (I will use the broom to clean the floor.)
– Usa o **recolledor** para o po. (Use the dustpan for the dust.)
– Hai moito **po** nos mobles. (There is a lot of dust on the furniture.)
– O **ventilador** está roto. (The fan is broken.)
– A **calefacción** está apagada. (The heating is off.)
– O **aire acondicionado** está aceso. (The air conditioning is on.)
Learning the names of household items in Galician is a practical and effective way to begin your language journey. By incorporating these words into your daily life, you can build a strong vocabulary base that will make further learning easier and more enjoyable. Happy learning!