Basic Words

1. Òc

   Yes

   Usage

   Affirmative answer; the word that gave the language its name (langue d'oc)

   Grammar Note

   After a negative question the "yes" is si instead. Unrelated to French oui

2. Non

   No

   Usage

   Negative answer; spelled like French non

   Grammar Note

   Verbs are negated with pas placed after the verb; there is no French-style ne

3. Se vos plai

   Please

   Usage

   Added after a request to make it polite

   Grammar Note

   "If it pleases you". vos is the polite second person; the informal counterpart is deliberately not given

4. Mercé

   Thank you

   Usage

   The basic way to say thanks; for more warmth say Mercé plan

   Grammar Note

   Ends in -é; not French merci

5. Excusatz-me

   Excuse me

   Usage

   Used to get someone's attention or to pass by

   Grammar Note

   Imperative (2nd plural) of excusar plus enclitic me, joined by a hyphen; pronouns follow an affirmative imperative

6. Perdon

   Sorry

   Usage

   A short word for a light apology

   Grammar Note

   The noun perdon "forgiveness" used as an apology; note the spelling differs from French pardon

7. Va plan

   It's OK / It's fine

   Usage

   Used to say that all is well or that something is fine

   Grammar Note

   Literally "it goes well"; the subject is dropped. plan can also mean "very"

8. Ai pas comprés

   I didn't understand

   Usage

   When you did not follow what was said; follow with a request to repeat

   Grammar Note

   Compound past: aver + past participle, with pas after the auxiliary. With aver the participle does not agree with the speaker's gender. Composed

9. Ai comprés

   I understood / I get it

   Usage

   To show that you have understood an explanation

   Grammar Note

   aver + past participle; the negative is Ai pas comprés. Composed

10. Ai acabat

    I'm finished / Done

    Usage

    To say you have finished a meal or a task

    Grammar Note

    Participle of acabar (to finish) after aver; -ar verbs form the participle in -at. Composed

11. Esperatz, se vos plai

    Please wait

    Usage

    A polite request to wait

    Grammar Note

    Imperative 2nd plural of esperar in -atz, identical to the present 2nd plural. Composed

12. Un moment

    Just a moment

    Usage

    Asks for a short wait; add se vos plai to be polite

    Grammar Note

    Masculine noun; spelled like the French word but it is also an Occitan word

13. Un adult, se vos plai

    One adult, please

    Usage

    To state the number when buying tickets or entry

    Grammar Note

    adult is the masculine form; adulta is the feminine. Composed

14. Ai pas reservat

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

    To say at a hotel or restaurant that you have not booked

    Grammar Note

    Negative compound past of reservar (to book). Composed

15. Ai reservat

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    To say you have already booked

    Grammar Note

    Compound past of reservar, "I have booked". Composed

16. Ajudatz-me, se vos plai

    Please help me

    Usage

    Asks for help; in an emergency repeat it loudly

    Grammar Note

    Imperative 2nd plural of ajudar with enclitic -me. Composed

17. Tornatz dire, se vos plai

    Please say that again

    Usage

    Use it when you did not catch what was said

    Grammar Note

    tornar + infinitive means "to do again"; tornar dire is "to repeat". Composed

18. Parlatz mai lentament, se vos plai

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    Asks the other person to slow down

    Grammar Note

    mai + adverb makes the comparative; lentament is lent + -ament. Composed

19. Parli un pauc

    I speak a little

    Usage

    To say your command of the language is only basic

    Grammar Note

    1st singular of -ar verbs ends in -i (parli); the subject ieu is dropped. Composed

20. Parlatz anglés?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Asks whether someone speaks English; to a friend say Parlas anglés?

    Grammar Note

    Subject-less question with ordinary word order; rising intonation marks the question. The language name is lower-case. Composed

21. Aqueste

    This

    Usage

    Used with pointing for something close by

    Grammar Note

    Masculine singular demonstrative; the ending changes to -a for a feminine noun

22. Aquel

    That

    Usage

    For something farther away than the speaker

    Grammar Note

    Masculine singular demonstrative, pointing farther than aqueste

23. Aicí

    Here

    Usage

    The place where the speaker is

    Grammar Note

    An adverb with a final accent; keep it apart from aquí (there)

24. Aquí

    There

    Usage

    A place a little away from the speaker

    Grammar Note

    Points farther than aicí; the spellings are close, so take care

25. Ailà

    Over there

    Usage

    For something far away

    Grammar Note

    An adverb for a place farther than aquí; ends in an open accent -à

26. Ieu

    Me / I

    Usage

    Used to stress "I"; normally dropped in ordinary sentences

    Grammar Note

    First-person singular pronoun; verb endings already show the person, so it appears only for emphasis

27. Tu

    You (informal)

    Usage

    For friends, children and people you know well

    Grammar Note

    Informal 2nd singular, with verbs in -as (Parlas); use vos with strangers

28. Vos

    You (polite / plural)

    Usage

    The polite second person, for strangers, elders and groups

    Grammar Note

    Takes the 2nd plural verb in -atz (Parlatz); corresponds to French vous

29. Amassa

    Together

    Usage

    Adds "together" to a verb, e.g. going or eating together

    Grammar Note

    An adverb, so it never changes form; equivalent to French ensemble

30. Aquò

    This / that (thing)

    Usage

    An all-purpose word for "this" or "that" while pointing

    Grammar Note

    A neuter demonstrative that never changes for gender or number; the -ò marks an open o

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