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PhrasebookA letter, a form, a counter

SPANISH TO SAY · CATALAN TO READ

A letter, a form, a counter

The words on an official letter and the deadline hidden in it, the numbers and dates inside the answer, and what to say when you are told something different from last time.

A resident speaking with a clerk at a Barcelona public service counter
At a public counter, show the document name and say the short sentence beside it.

Search the phrases, translations and pronunciation notes on this page.

A letter, a form, a counter phrases

WORDS YOU SAY

At a public counter

A justificante is the stamped paper proving you handed something in on a given day. Ask for one every time. Asking a civil servant for their name is a legal right, not a provocation — Ley 39/2015, article 53.1.b.

  1. Quería pedir cita, por favor.

    I'd like to book an appointment, please.

    Say it like: ke-RI-a pe-DIR THI-ta, por fa-BOR

  2. ¿Hay que pagar algo?

    Is there anything to pay?

    Say it like: ai ke pa-GAR AL-go

  3. ¿Me da un justificante, por favor?

    Can I have a proof-of-submission slip, please?

    Say it like: me da un khus-ti-fi-KAN-te, por fa-BOR

  4. ¿Me sella una copia, por favor?

    Can you stamp a copy for me, please?

    Say it like: me SE-ya U-na KO-pya, por fa-BOR

  5. ¿Me puede atender en castellano, por favor?

    Can you serve me in Spanish, please?

    Say it like: meh PWEH-deh a-ten-DER en kas-teh-YA-no

  6. ¿Podría hablar con un responsable, por favor?

    Could I speak to a supervisor, please?

    Say it like: po-DRI-a a-BLAR kon un rres-pon-SA-ble

  7. ¿Me puede decir su nombre, por favor?

    Can you tell me your name, please?

    Say it like: me PWE-de de-THIR su NOM-bre, por fa-BOR

  8. ¿Me da la hoja de reclamaciones, por favor?

    Can I have the official complaint form, please?

    Say it like: me da la O-kha de rre-kla-ma-THYO-nes

WORDS YOU SAY

Arriving at the counter

Almost every public office in Spain requires a cita previa — a booked appointment — before it will see you. Turning up without one usually means being turned away, however short the queue.

  1. Buenos días. Tengo cita a las diez.

    Good morning. I have an appointment at ten.

    Say it like: BWE-nos DI-as. TEN-go THI-ta a las dyeth

  2. Tengo cita previa a nombre de María Santos.

    I have an appointment in the name of María Santos.

    Say it like: TEN-go THI-ta PRE-bya a NOM-bre de…

  3. ¿Dónde se coge el número?

    Where do you take a number?

    Say it like: DON-de se KO-khe el NU-me-ro

  4. ¿Han llamado al número cuarenta y dos?

    Have they called number forty-two?

    Say it like: an ya-MA-do al NU-me-ro kwa-REN-ta i dos

  5. Perdone, ¿es aquí para el padrón?

    Excuse me, is this the right place for the padrón?

    Say it like: per-DO-ne, es a-KI PA-ra el pa-DRON

WORDS YOU SAY

Getting an appointment

Almost every public office requires a cita previa before it will see you — and getting one is often the hardest part, especially when the website shows nothing available.

  1. ¿Cómo puedo pedir cita?

    How do I book an appointment?

    Say it like: KO-mo PWE-do pe-DIR THI-ta

  2. No hay citas en la web. ¿Qué puedo hacer?

    There are no appointments on the website. What can I do?

    Say it like: no ai THI-tas en la web. ke PWE-do a-THER

  3. ¿Me puede dar cita para otro día?

    Can you give me an appointment for another day?

    Say it like: me PWE-de dar THI-ta PA-ra O-tro DI-a

  4. ¿Tengo que pedir cita previa?

    Do I need a booked appointment?

    Say it like: TEN-go keh peh-DEER THEE-ta PREH-bya

  5. ¿Cuánto tarda el trámite?

    How long does the procedure take?

    Say it like: KWAN-to TAR-da el TRA-mi-teh

WORDS YOU SAY

Documents, forms and fees

Whether what you brought is enough, what the tasa costs and where to pay it, whether the form comes in Spanish, and how to get an answer about a letter or a deadline before you leave.

  1. ¿Con esto es suficiente?

    Is this enough?

    Say it like: kon ES-to es su-fi-THYEN-te

  2. ¿Me falta algún documento?

    Am I missing any document?

    Say it like: me FAL-ta al-GUN do-ku-MEN-to

  3. ¿Cuánto cuesta la tasa?

    How much is the official fee?

    Say it like: KWAN-to KWES-ta la TA-sa

  4. ¿Dónde se paga la tasa?

    Where do I pay the fee?

    Say it like: DON-de se PA-ga la TA-sa

  5. ¿Tienen el impreso en inglés?

    Do you have the form in English?

    Say it like: TYE-nen el im-PRE-so en in-GLES

  6. ¿Me da el impreso en castellano, por favor?

    Can I have the form in Spanish, please?

    Say it like: me da el im-PRE-so en kas-te-YA-no

  7. ¿Me puede ayudar a rellenar esto?

    Can you help me fill this in?

    Say it like: me PWE-de a-yu-DAR a rre-ye-NAR ES-to

  8. ¿Qué pongo aquí?

    What do I put here? (pointing at the box)

    Say it like: ke PON-go a-KI

  9. ¿Es gratuito?

    Is it free?

    Say it like: es gra-TWEE-to

  10. He recibido esta carta y no la entiendo.

    I received this letter and I don’t understand it.

    Say it like: eh reh-thi-BEE-do ES-ta KAR-ta i no la en-TYEN-do

  11. ¿Cuál es el plazo?

    What is the deadline?

    Say it like: kwal es el PLA-tho

WORDS YOU SAY

When you miss the number

When they say a number and you miss it — ask them to repeat it, get it in writing, or double-check between numbers that sound alike.

  1. No he oído bien el número. ¿Me lo repite?

    I didn't hear the number properly. Can you say it again?

    Say it like: no e o-I-do byen el NU-me-ro. me lo rre-PI-te

  2. ¿Me lo puede escribir aquí?

    Can you write it here for me? (hold out paper or phone)

    Say it like: me lo PWE-de es-kri-BIR a-KI

  3. ¿Cincuenta o sesenta?

    Fifty or sixty? (ask — they sound alike)

    Say it like: thin-KWEN-ta o se-SEN-ta

WORDS YOU SAY

Numbers you’ll hear at a counter

The usual failure is not the question. It is the number inside the answer. You understand "come back on…" and lose the date. Learn to hear these, and always ask for the number in writing.

  1. cero · uno · dos · tres · cuatro

    0 · 1 · 2 · 3 · 4

    Say it like: THE-ro · U-no · dos · tres · KWA-tro

  2. cinco · seis · siete · ocho · nueve

    5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9

    Say it like: THIN-ko · seys · SYE-te · O-cho · NWE-be

  3. diez · once · doce · trece

    10 · 11 · 12 · 13

    Say it like: dyeth · ON-the · DO-the · TRE-the

  4. catorce · quince · dieciséis

    14 · 15 · 16

    Say it like: ka-TOR-the · KIN-the · dye-thi-SEYS

  5. diecisiete · dieciocho · diecinueve

    17 · 18 · 19

    Say it like: dye-thi-SYE-te · dye-THYO-cho · dye-thi-NWE-be

  6. veinte · treinta · cuarenta

    20 · 30 · 40

    Say it like: BEYN-te · TREYN-ta · kwa-REN-ta

  7. cincuenta · sesenta · setenta

    50 · 60 · 70

    Say it like: thin-KWEN-ta · se-SEN-ta · se-TEN-ta

  8. ochenta · noventa · cien

    80 · 90 · 100

    Say it like: o-CHEN-ta · no-BEN-ta · thyen

  9. doscientos · quinientos · mil

    200 · 500 · 1,000

    Say it like: dos-THYEN-tos · ki-NYEN-tos · mil

WORDS YOU SAY

Money

The prices you’ll hear read back to you at a counter, and the questions that get one repeated or written down.

  1. Son tres con cincuenta.

    That’s €3.50.

    Say it like: son tres kon thin-KWEN-ta

  2. Tres cincuenta.

    €3.50. (the short way — most common)

    Say it like: tres thin-KWEN-ta

  3. Son doce euros con veinte.

    That’s €12.20.

    Say it like: son DO-the EU-ros kon BEYN-te

  4. Novecientos euros al mes.

    Nine hundred euros a month.

    Say it like: no-be-THYEN-tos EU-ros al mes

  5. Ochocientos, más gastos.

    Eight hundred, plus bills.

    Say it like: o-cho-THYEN-tos, mas GAS-tos

  6. ¿Cuánto ha dicho?

    How much did you say?

    Say it like: KWAN-to a DI-cho

  7. ¿Me lo escribe, por favor?

    Can you write it down, please?

    Say it like: me lo es-KRI-be, por fa-BOR

WORDS YOU SAY

Dates

Five sentences for the date you’re given at a counter, plus the days of the week and the months you need to recognise them by.

  1. El quince de octubre.

    The fifteenth of October.

    Say it like: el KIN-the de ok-TU-bre

  2. El uno de mayo.

    The first of May. (Spain says "el uno", not "el primero")

    Say it like: el U-no de MA-yo

  3. El martes que viene.

    Next Tuesday.

    Say it like: el MAR-tes ke BYE-ne

  4. Pasado mañana.

    The day after tomorrow.

    Say it like: pa-SA-do ma-NYA-na

  5. Dentro de quince días.

    In two weeks. ("fifteen days" means a fortnight)

    Say it like: DEN-tro de KIN-the DI-as

  6. lunes · martes · miércoles · jueves · viernes · sábado · domingo

    Monday · Tuesday · Wednesday · Thursday · Friday · Saturday · Sunday

    Say it like: LU-nes · MAR-tes · MYER-ko-les · KHWE-bes · BYER-nes · SA-ba-do · do-MIN-go

  7. enero · febrero · marzo · abril · mayo · junio · julio · agosto · septiembre · octubre · noviembre · diciembre

    January · February · March · April · May · June · July · August · September · October · November · December

    Say it like: e-NE-ro · fe-BRE-ro · MAR-tho · a-BRIL · MA-yo · KHU-nyo · KHU-lyo · a-GOS-to · sep-TYEM-bre · ok-TU-bre · no-BYEM-bre · di-THYEM-bre

WORDS YOU SAY

Times

The time you’re given at a counter — what you’ll hear, and what to say if you need it repeated or written down.

  1. A las nueve.

    At nine o’clock.

    Say it like: a las NWE-be

  2. A las nueve y media.

    At half past nine — 9:30.

    Say it like: a las NWE-be i ME-dya

  3. A las nueve y cuarto.

    At quarter past nine — 9:15.

    Say it like: a las NWE-be i KWAR-to

  4. A las diez menos cuarto.

    Quarter to ten — 9:45.

    Say it like: a las dyeth ME-nos KWAR-to

  5. A las dieciséis treinta.

    At 16:30. (how a letter or a recording says it)

    Say it like: a las dye-thi-SEYS TREYN-ta

  6. Por la mañana. / Por la tarde.

    In the morning. / In the afternoon.

    Say it like: por la ma-NYA-na / por la TAR-de

  7. ¿A qué hora?

    At what time?

    Say it like: a ke O-ra

  8. ¿Es por la mañana o por la tarde?

    Is it morning or afternoon?

    Say it like: es por la ma-NYA-na o por la TAR-de

  9. ¿Me lo puede poner por escrito?

    Can you put it in writing for me?

    Say it like: me lo PWE-de po-NER por es-KRI-to

WORDS YOU SAY

Understanding a form

Before you sign anything you don’t fully understand — what a form says, what it commits you to, and how to ask for it again.

  1. ¿Qué pone aquí?

    What does it say here? (pointing)

    Say it like: ke PO-ne a-KI

  2. ¿Qué quiere decir esto?

    What does this mean?

    Say it like: ke KYE-re de-THIR ES-to

  3. ¿Qué tengo que firmar?

    What do I have to sign?

    Say it like: ke TEN-go ke fir-MAR

  4. ¿Esto me compromete a algo?

    Does this commit me to anything?

    Say it like: ES-to me kom-pro-ME-te a AL-go

  5. No quiero firmar nada hoy.

    I don't want to sign anything today.

    Say it like: no KYE-ro fir-MAR NA-da oy

  6. ¿Me lo puede explicar otra vez, por favor?

    Can you explain it again, please?

    Say it like: me lo PWE-de eks-pli-KAR O-tra beth

WORDS YOU SAY

Being misunderstood, and standing your ground

This is the group most phrasebooks skip. It is the one you will need on the day it matters.

  1. La última vez me dijeron que sí se podía.

    Last time they told me it could be done.

    Say it like: la UL-ti-ma beth me di-KHE-ron ke si se po-DI-a

  2. Vine el mes pasado y me dieron este papel.

    I came last month and they gave me this paper.

    Say it like: BI-ne el mes pa-SA-do i me DYE-ron ES-te pa-PEL

  3. Creo que hay un error. ¿Lo puede comprobar?

    I think there’s a mistake. Can you check it?

    Say it like: KRE-o ke ai un e-RROR. lo PWE-de kom-pro-BAR

  4. ¿Lo puede mirar otra vez, por favor?

    Can you look at it again, please?

    Say it like: lo PWE-de mi-RAR O-tra beth, por fa-BOR

  5. ¿Dónde pone eso? ¿Me lo puede enseñar?

    Where does it say that? Can you show me?

    Say it like: DON-de PO-ne E-so. me lo PWE-de en-se-NYAR

  6. ¿Con quién puedo hablar de esto?

    Who can I speak to about this?

    Say it like: kon kyen PWE-do a-BLAR de ES-to

  7. ¿Me da el número de expediente?

    Can I have the file reference number?

    Say it like: me da el NU-me-ro de eks-pe-DYEN-te

  8. ¿Me apunta la fecha de hoy aquí, por favor?

    Can you write today's date here, please?

    Say it like: me a-PUN-ta la FE-cha de oy a-KI

  9. ¿Cuál es el siguiente paso?

    What's the next step?

    Say it like: kwal es el si-GYEN-te PA-so

  10. ¿A qué oficina tengo que ir?

    Which office do I have to go to?

    Say it like: a ke o-fi-THI-na TEN-go ke ir

  11. ¿Me lo puede dar por escrito?

    Can you give me that in writing?

    Say it like: me lo PWE-de dar por es-KRI-to

  12. ¿Puedo volver con esos papeles?

    Can I come back with those documents?

    Say it like: PWE-do bol-BER kon E-sos pa-PE-les

  13. ¿Dónde puedo poner una queja?

    Where can I make a complaint? (public office)

    Say it like: DON-de PWE-do po-NER U-na KE-kha

  14. No estoy de acuerdo, pero gracias por su tiempo.

    I don't agree, but thank you for your time.

    Say it like: no es-TOY de a-KWER-do, PE-ro GRA-thyas por su TYEM-po

  15. Voy a volver con los papeles.

    I'll come back with the documents.

    Say it like: boy a bol-BER kon los pa-PE-les

  16. Prefiero esperar a tenerlo claro.

    I'd rather wait until I'm clear on it.

    Say it like: pre-FYE-ro es-pe-RAR a te-NER-lo KLA-ro

4 sources · checked September 2026

WORDS YOU READ

Words on an official letter

The highest-value group on this page. Missing one word here costs a deadline.

  1. ajuntament

    city council

    Tells you who wrote. The Ajuntament handles the padró, city school places, local taxes, waste.

    Where you’ll see it: Letterhead: Ajuntament de Barcelona. On the building.

  2. Generalitat

    the Catalan government

    Health, schools, housing aid, Catalan courses. A different authority — you cannot answer one at another’s counter.

    Where you’ll see it: Letterhead: Generalitat de Catalunya

  3. tràmit

    an official procedure

    Everything is organised in tràmits. Find the tràmit name and you find the exact list of what they want.

    Where you’ll see it: Fer un tràmit, Tràmits telemàtics, the title of every procedure page

  4. sol·licitud

    application; the form itself

    This is the thing with the deadline attached.

    Where you’ll see it: Formulari de sol·licitud, Presentació de sol·licituds

  5. instància genèrica

    general-purpose written request

    When there is no specific form, this is how you put anything on the official record.

    Where you’ll see it: Barcelona’s Instància genèrica; the Generalitat’s Petició genèrica

  6. cita prèvia

    appointment booked in advance

    Most offices will not serve you without one. Turning up costs you a morning of work for nothing.

    Where you’ll see it: Office doors, every booking page

  7. termini

    deadline / time limit

    Not Spanish término. This is plazo. It is the clock on everything.

    Where you’ll see it: Termini de presentació; el termini finalitza el 22/09/2026

  8. dies hàbils

    working days

    Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays are not counted. See the box below.

    Where you’ll see it: Termini de 10 dies hàbils

  9. dies naturals

    calendar days

    Every day counts, weekends included. Always read which of the two words is printed.

    Where you’ll see it: 14 dies naturals to return an online purchase

  10. presentar

    to submit, formally

    Handing paper to a person is not presenting it. It has to enter the register.

    Where you’ll see it: Presentar la sol·licitud, presentar documentació

  11. aportar

    to provide, supply

    The verb of "bring us this".

    Where you’ll see it: Cal aportar l'original; si et falta aportar més informació, se't reclamarà

  12. adjuntar

    to attach a file

    Barcelona’s instància genèrica caps you at six files, 5 MB total.

    Where you’ll see it: Online forms: Adjuntar document

  13. documentació

    the required documents

    Where you’ll see it: A heading on every tràmit page

  14. justificant

    proof, receipt

    Your only evidence you met the deadline. Save it, photograph it.

    Where you’ll see it: Justificant de presentació, justificant d'assistència, justificant de retard

  15. registre d'entrada

    the official inbox

    The date stamped here is the date you are judged on — not the date you wrote it or posted it.

    Where you’ll see it: Registre general electrònic; data d'entrada al registre

  16. notificació

    official notice with legal effect

    The deadline starts the day after the notification, not the day you open it.

    Where you’ll see it: Notificació electrònica; the letter itself

  17. requeriment

    a formal demand to supply something

    The most dangerous letter you can receive. See the box below.

    Where you’ll see it: A letter headed Requeriment, or requeriment d'esmena

  18. esmena

    correcting or completing an application

    This is the action a requeriment demands. Spanish calls it subsanación.

    Where you’ll see it: Esmena de defectes, requeriment d'esmena

  19. al·legacions

    your written argument against a provisional decision

    The cheap, early way to fix a wrong decision, before it hardens.

    Where you’ll see it: Presentar al·legacions, printed under provisional lists

  20. recurs (d'alçada, de reposició)

    appeal

    What is left after a definitive refusal. Normally one month from notification.

    Where you’ll see it: Interposar un recurs; el termini per presentar un recurs d'alçada finalitza…

  21. resolució

    the decision

    Provisional can still be changed by an al·legació. Definitiva needs a recurs.

    Where you’ll see it: Resolució provisional / Resolució definitiva

  22. estimat / desestimat

    upheld / rejected

    Not "Dear". Estimada la sol·licitud = granted. Desestimat = refused.

    Where you’ll see it: On a resolution about an appeal or a claim

  23. denegat · motius de denegació

    refused · reasons for refusal

    Read the reasons. They tell you whether to appeal or simply reapply correctly.

    Where you’ll see it: On the resolution

  24. favorable / desfavorable

    positive / negative

    Where you’ll see it: On reports and resolutions

  25. caducat / vigent

    expired / currently valid

    An expired document is refused at the counter whatever your circumstances.

    Where you’ll see it: Your TIE, targeta sanitària, padró, any certificate

  26. renovació

    renewal

    Non-EU residents without permanent residence must confirm the padró every two years or be struck off it.

    Where you’ll see it: Renovació d'empadronament per a estrangers no comunitaris

  27. pròrroga

    extension of a period

    Where you’ll see it: Permits, rental contracts

  28. dades personals

    your personal details

    Where you’ll see it: The first block of every form

  29. nom i cognoms

    first name and surnames

    Apellidos is cognoms. Write both surnames exactly as on your passport, same order, every single time.

    Where you’ll see it: Every form

  30. adreça

    address

    Catalan for dirección. On a form, direcció means a department, not where you live.

    Where you’ll see it: The form field

  31. signatura · segell

    signature · official stamp

    A stamped, dated copy is your justificant.

    Where you’ll see it: Signatura electrònica; the stamp on your copy

  32. DNI / NIE / TIE / passaport

    Spanish ID / foreigner's number / foreigner's card / passport

    The NIE is the number; the TIE is the card. A form asking for NIE wants the number — it does not change when the card is replaced.

    Where you’ll see it: The identity box on every form

  33. cal / no cal

    it is necessary / there is no need

    Spanish has no cousin for this word. It is the commonest instruction word in official Catalan.

    Where you’ll see it: Cal aportar…, No cal demanar cita

  34. cap

    (here) no, none

    Not "head". Miss it and you read the exact opposite instruction.

    Where you’ll see it: No cal aportar cap document

  35. padró municipal d'habitants

    the residents’ register

    Where you’ll see it: Registering your address

  36. empadronament

    the act of registering

    Where you’ll see it: Council pages, letters

  37. volant

    a slip proving something

    Where you’ll see it: Volant de convivència = proof of who lives with you

  38. expedient

    your case file, with a reference number

    Where you’ll see it: Top of the letter — quote it when you call

  39. taxa

    a fee for a specific service

    Where you’ll see it: Payment slips

  40. instància

    application form

    Where you’ll see it: The form itself

6 sources · checked September 2026

WORDS YOU READ

Dates on a deadline

The days, months and relative dates you need once you’ve found the deadline itself.

  1. dilluns · dimarts · dimecres · dijous · divendres · dissabte · diumenge

    Monday · Tuesday · Wednesday · Thursday · Friday · Saturday · Sunday

  2. gener · febrer · març · abril · maig · juny · juliol · agost · setembre · octubre · novembre · desembre

    January · February · March · April · May · June · July · August · September · October · November · December

  3. avui · demà · ahir · matí · tarda · vespre

    today · tomorrow · yesterday · morning · afternoon · evening

  4. Dia / Mes / Any

    Day / Month / Year

    Any means year, not English "any".

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