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PhrasebookWork, pay and papers

SPANISH TO SAY · CATALAN TO READ

Work, pay and papers

Your contract, your payslip line by line, what to say to an employer, and the eleven conversations nobody wants to have. Plus the vocabulary of care work, cleaning and hospitality.

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

Work, pay and papers phrases

WORDS YOU SAY

At work

“Dada de alta” is the question that matters most. It is the difference between working with sick pay, a pension and a paper trail, and working with none. Ask it early, and ask for the answer in writing.

  1. ¿Estoy dada de alta en la Seguridad Social?

    Am I registered with Social Security? (a woman says dada)

    Say it like: es-TOY DA-da deh AL-ta en la seh-goo-ri-DAD so-THYAL

  2. ¿Estoy dado de alta en la Seguridad Social?

    Am I registered with Social Security? (a man says dado)

    Say it like: es-TOY DA-do deh AL-ta en la seh-goo-ri-DAD so-THYAL

  3. No he recibido la nómina.

    I haven't received my payslip.

    Say it like: no eh reh-thi-BEE-do la NO-mi-na

  4. ¿Cuál es mi horario?

    What are my hours?

    Say it like: kwal es mee o-RA-ryo

  5. ¿Me lo puede poner por escrito?

    Can you put that in writing for me?

    Say it like: meh lo PWEH-deh po-NER por es-KREE-to

  6. Trabajo como interna.

    I'm a live-in worker. (living out is externa)

    Say it like: tra-BA-ho KO-mo in-TER-na

WORDS YOU READ

Contract words you will read

Contracts, payslips and Social Security documents are almost always in Spanish.

  1. Contrato indefinido

    Permanent, no end date

    No end date means no end date. It does not mean you cannot be dismissed.

  2. Contrato temporal / de duración determinada

    Fixed-term

    Since 2022, a fixed term is only lawful for a genuine production peak or to cover an absent worker, and the contract must state the exact reason. A vague reason is a warning sign.

  3. Contrato fijo discontinuo

    Permanent but seasonal — you are called back each season

    Must be in writing, and must state the length of the season, the hours and the timetable. Common in hotels.

  4. Período de prueba

    Trial period

    Maximum 2 months in domestic work. During it, either side can end the contract; notice cannot exceed 7 calendar days.

  5. Jornada completa

    Full time

    The legal maximum ordinary working week is 40 hours of actual work.

  6. Jornada parcial

    Part time

    The contract must state the number of ordinary hours per day/week/month/year and how they are distributed. If it doesn’t, that is a defect.

  7. Horas semanales

    Hours per week

    Check this number against what you actually work. It is also the number your employer reported to Social Security.

  8. Categoría profesional / grupo profesional

    Your job classification

    In a company job this decides which pay scale applies. Get it right.

  9. Convenio colectivo

    The sector’s collective agreement

    See the note below.

  10. Preaviso

    Notice period

    How much warning either side must give.

  11. Salario base

    Base pay before any extras

  12. Salario en especie

    Pay in kind — room, board

    Can never exceed 30% of total pay, and can never reduce the cash minimum wage.

  13. Pagas extraordinarias

    Extra payments, minimum 2 per year

    See “prorrateo” in the payslip section.

  14. Vacaciones

    Paid annual leave — 30 calendar days minimum

  15. Firma

    Signature

    Keep a signed copy. Photograph it.

6 sources · checked September 2026

WORDS YOU READ

Your payslip, line by line

This is the most important page in this section. The payslip is the document that proves what you earned, what was taken off, and whether anyone is paying into your pension.

  1. Empresa / CIF / CCC

    Employer / tax ID / Social Security employer code

    Who employs you and their Social Security employer account. In domestic work this is a person, not a company.

  2. Núm. Afiliación a la Seguridad Social

    Your Social Security number

    Your Social Security number. It follows you for life, across every job. Learn it.

  3. Grupo de cotización

    Contribution bracket

    The bracket used to work out contributions.

  4. Período de liquidación

    Pay period

    The month this payslip covers. Payslips are monthly. If you are paid weekly, those are advances, and a monthly payslip must still be issued.

  5. Total días

    Total days

    Days counted in the month.

  6. Salario base

    Basic pay

    Your basic pay. On its own it must not put you below the minimum wage for your hours.

  7. Complementos salariales

    Salary add-ons

    Add-ons. Blank lines on the official model, filled in with whatever applies to you.

  8. Antigüedad

    Seniority supplement

    A seniority supplement, where a convenio provides one. There is none by law in domestic work.

  9. Plus de nocturnidad

    Night-work supplement

    Night-work supplement, normally for hours between 22:00 and 06:00, set by the convenio.

  10. Plus de transporte, dietas

    Travel money and meal allowances

    Travel money and meal allowances. Note that these are usually percepciones no salariales and sit in section 2 — they are reimbursements, not wages, so they don’t count towards your minimum wage or your pension.

  11. Horas extraordinarias

    Overtime pay

    Overtime beyond your ordinary hours. Must be paid at not less than your ordinary hourly rate, or given back as paid time off within four months. Maximum 80 a year. Overtime is voluntary unless your contract or convenio says otherwise.

  12. Horas complementarias

    Extra hours on a part-time contract

    Extra hours on a part-time contract. They must have been agreed in writing beforehand.

  13. Gratificaciones extraordinarias

    Extra payments, paid as a lump sum

    Your extra payments, when paid as a lump sum.

  14. Prorrateo / prorrata de pagas extras

    Extra payments, spread across the year

    The same extra payments, spread across the twelve months instead. Check which one you are on. If your payslip says prorrata every month, do not also expect a lump sum in June and December — you have already been paid it. If it does not say prorrata, those two payments are owed to you separately, and at least two a year is the legal minimum.

  15. Salario en especie

    Pay in kind

    Room and board, valued in euros. Never more than 30% of total pay.

  16. A. TOTAL DEVENGADO

    Total gross pay

    Gross. This is not what arrives in your account.

  17. Contingencias comunes — 4.70%

    Common contingencies contribution

    Your share towards sickness, pension, maternity.

  18. Desempleo — 1.55%

    Unemployment contribution

    Your share towards unemployment benefit (1.60% on a fixed-term contract). For domestic workers this line only exists since October 2022.

  19. Formación profesional — 0.10%

    Training levy

    Training levy. Appears on ordinary company payslips. It is not charged in the domestic-employment system, so a domestic worker’s payslip should not show it.

  20. MEI — 0.15%

    Intergenerational equity levy

    Mecanismo de Equidad Intergeneracional, a pension top-up levy. Total 0.90%, of which the employer pays 0.75% and you pay 0.15%.

  21. Horas extraordinarias

    Overtime contribution

    An extra contribution charged only when overtime is paid — 2% on your side for emergency overtime, 4.70% on the rest. Domestic employment is exempt from this.

  22. Retención IRPF

    Income tax withheld

    Income tax held back and paid to the tax office on your behalf. It is an advance on your annual tax return, not a separate tax. Low earners are often on 0%. A private household is not on the list of people obliged to withhold income tax, so most empleada de hogar payslips show 0% here. That is normal — but it means the tax has not been paid yet, and you may need to deal with it yourself in the annual Renta. Ask Agencia Tributaria, not your employer.

  23. Anticipos

    Advances

    Money you were already advanced this month.

  24. Valor de productos en especie

    Value of goods received in kind

    The cash value of room and board, deducted here because you received it as goods, not money.

  25. B. TOTAL A DEDUCIR

    Total deducted

    Everything taken off.

  26. LÍQUIDO TOTAL A PERCIBIR (A – B)

    What you actually get paid

    This is the line that says what you actually get. Compare it against your bank statement every single month. If they differ, ask the same day.

  27. Base de cotización por contingencias comunes

    Common contingencies contribution base

    The figure your pension and your sick pay will one day be calculated from. It includes the extra payments, spread monthly, even if you are not on prorrateo.

  28. Base de contingencias profesionales (AT y EP)

    Occupational-risk contribution base

    The base for accidents at work and occupational illness. Paid entirely by the employer.

  29. Base adicional por horas extraordinarias

    Overtime contribution base

    Only if overtime was paid.

  30. Base sujeta a retención del IRPF

    Income-tax base

    The part of your pay that income tax looks at.

  31. Aportación de la empresa

    The employer’s contribution

    The employer’s own contribution. This column was added to the official model in 2014 precisely so workers could see it. It is the line that shows your employer is paying into the system for you.

17 sources · checked September 2026

WORDS YOU SAY

Getting the paperwork right

Polite, direct, and in usted. Say them slowly. Repeating yourself is normal.

  1. ¿Me puede dar el contrato por escrito, por favor?

    Can you give me the contract in writing, please?

    Say it like: me PWE-de dar el kon-TRA-to por es-KRI-to, por fa-BOR

  2. La ley permite pedir el contrato por escrito en cualquier momento.

    The law allows the contract to be put in writing at any time.

    Say it like: la ley per-MI-te pe-DIR el kon-TRA-to por es-KRI-to en kwal-KYER mo-MEN-to

  3. ¿Me puede dar de alta en la Seguridad Social, por favor?

    Can you register me with Social Security, please?

    Say it like: me PWE-de dar de AL-ta en la se-gu-ri-DAD so-THYAL, por fa-BOR

  4. ¿Ya está tramitada mi alta? Me gustaría ver el justificante.

    Is my registration done? I'd like to see the confirmation.

    Say it like: ya es-TA tra-mi-TA-da mi AL-ta? me gus-ta-RI-a ber el hus-ti-fi-KAN-te

  5. ¿Me puede entregar la nómina cada mes, por favor?

    Can you give me the payslip every month, please?

    Say it like: me PWE-de en-tre-GAR la NO-mi-na KA-da mes, por fa-BOR

  6. Prefiero cobrar por transferencia bancaria.

    I'd prefer to be paid by bank transfer.

    Say it like: pre-FYE-ro ko-BRAR por trans-fe-REN-thya ban-KA-rya

WORDS YOU SAY

Hours, days off and holiday

Polite, direct, and in usted. Say them slowly. Repeating yourself is normal.

  1. ¿Cuántas horas a la semana serían?

    How many hours a week would it be?

    Say it like: KWAN-tas O-ras a la se-MA-na se-RI-an

  2. ¿A qué hora empiezo y a qué hora termino?

    What time do I start and finish?

    Say it like: a ke O-ra em-PYE-tho i a ke O-ra ter-MI-no

  3. ¿Cuál es mi día de descanso semanal?

    Which is my weekly rest day?

    Say it like: kwal es mi DI-a de des-KAN-so se-ma-NAL

  4. Me gustaría hablar de mis vacaciones.

    I'd like to talk about my holiday.

    Say it like: me gus-ta-RI-a a-BLAR de mis ba-ka-THYO-nes

  5. Tengo derecho a treinta días naturales de vacaciones al año.

    I'm entitled to 30 calendar days' holiday a year.

    Say it like: TEN-go de-RE-cho a TREYN-ta DI-as na-tu-RA-les de ba-ka-THYO-nes al A-nyo

  6. ¿Podemos fijar las fechas con dos meses de antelación?

    Can we fix the dates two months ahead?

    Say it like: po-DE-mos fi-HAR las FE-chas kon dos ME-ses de an-te-la-THYON

WORDS YOU SAY

Money

Polite, direct, and in usted. Say them slowly. Repeating yourself is normal.

  1. Me gustaría hablar de mi salario. ¿Podríamos revisarlo?

    I'd like to talk about my pay. Could we review it?

    Say it like: me gus-ta-RI-a a-BLAR de mi sa-LA-ryo. po-DRI-a-mos rre-bi-SAR-lo

  2. Llevo un año trabajando aquí y me gustaría pedir una subida.

    I've worked here a year and I'd like to ask for a rise.

    Say it like: YE-bo un A-nyo tra-ba-HAN-do a-KI i me gus-ta-RI-a pe-DIR U-na su-BI-da

  3. El salario mínimo ha subido este año. ¿Podemos ajustarlo?

    The minimum wage went up this year. Can we adjust it?

    Say it like: el sa-LA-ryo MI-ni-mo a su-BI-do ES-te A-nyo. po-DE-mos a-hus-TAR-lo

WORDS YOU SAY

Everyday situations

Polite, direct, and in usted. Say them slowly. Repeating yourself is normal.

  1. Lo siento, el jueves no puedo venir. ¿Podemos cambiarlo por otro día?

    Sorry, I can't come Thursday. Can we swap it for another day?

    Say it like: lo SYEN-to, el HWE-bes no PWE-do be-NIR. po-DE-mos kam-BYAR-lo por O-tro DI-a

  2. Buenos días. Hoy estoy enferma y no puedo ir a trabajar.

    Good morning. I'm ill today and can't come to work.

    Say it like: BWE-nos DI-as. oy es-TOY en-FER-ma i no PWE-do ir a tra-ba-HAR

  3. Voy al médico y le mando el parte de baja.

    I'm going to the doctor and I'll send you the sick note.

    Say it like: boy al ME-di-ko i le MAN-do el PAR-te de BA-ha

  4. ¿Le importa si hoy salgo una hora antes?

    Do you mind if I leave an hour early today?

    Say it like: le im-POR-ta si oy SAL-go U-na O-ra AN-tes

  5. Perdone, no le he entendido bien. ¿Me lo puede repetir más despacio?

    Sorry, I didn't understand. Can you repeat it more slowly?

    Say it like: per-DO-ne, no le e en-ten-DI-do byen. me lo PWE-de rre-pe-TIR mas des-PA-thyo

  6. ¿Me lo puede enseñar una vez, por favor?

    Can you show me once, please?

    Say it like: me lo PWE-de en-se-NYAR U-na beth, por fa-BOR

WORDS YOU SAY

Asking for it in writing

Nothing else in this section protects you as reliably.

  1. ¿Me lo puede mandar por WhatsApp? Así lo tengo apuntado.

    Can you send it by WhatsApp? Then I have it written down.

    Say it like: me lo PWE-de man-DAR por wats-AP? a-SI lo TEN-go a-pun-TA-do

  2. Prefiero tenerlo por escrito para que no haya malentendidos.

    I'd rather have it in writing so there's no misunderstanding.

    Say it like: pre-FYE-ro te-NER-lo por es-KRI-to PA-ra ke no A-ya ma-len-ten-DI-dos

  3. Estoy de acuerdo, pero necesito que quede por escrito.

    I agree, but I need it in writing.

    Say it like: es-TOY de a-KWER-do, PE-ro ne-the-SI-to ke KE-de por es-KRI-to

WORDS YOU SAY

Saying no to unpaid extra hours

Overtime is voluntary unless your contract or convenio says otherwise. You can refuse. Do it calmly, and offer the alternative.

  1. Hoy no puedo quedarme más tiempo.

    I can't stay longer today.

    Say it like: oy no PWE-do ke-DAR-me mas TYEM-po

  2. Mi jornada termina a las seis.

    My working day ends at six.

    Say it like: mi hor-NA-da ter-MI-na a las seys

  3. Puedo quedarme dos horas más, pero se pagan aparte como horas extra. ¿De acuerdo?

    I can stay two more hours, but they're paid separately as overtime. Agreed?

    Say it like: PWE-do ke-DAR-me dos O-ras mas, PE-ro se PA-gan a-PAR-te KO-mo O-ras EKS-tra. de a-KWER-do

  4. Si necesita más horas de forma habitual, lo hablamos y lo añadimos al contrato.

    If you need more hours regularly, let's discuss it and add it to the contract.

    Say it like: si ne-the-SI-ta mas O-ras de FOR-ma a-bi-TWAL, lo a-BLA-mos i lo a-nya-DI-mos al kon-TRA-to

  5. Prefiero compensarlas con tiempo de descanso.

    I'd rather take them back as time off.

    Say it like: pre-FYE-ro kom-pen-SAR-las kon TYEM-po de des-KAN-so

WORDS YOU SAY

The difficult conversations

Say the sentence first. Give it a short, fixed deadline. Then take the step.

  1. Todavía no he cobrado el salario de agosto. ¿Cuándo me lo va a pagar?

    I still haven't been paid my August wages. When are you going to pay me?

    Ask again in writing with a date. Late wages carry 10% interest a year by law. Claim within one year: file a papereta de conciliació (Conciliacions administratives). Also report it via Denúncia per irregularitats laborals. Get help from SAT Llar (CCOO) or Sindillar Sindihogar.

    Say it like: to-da-BI-a no e ko-BRA-do el sa-LA-ryo de a-GOS-to

    Where you’ll see it: You have not been paid

  2. Necesito cobrar siempre el mismo día del mes. ¿Podemos fijarlo?

    I need to be paid on the same day every month. Can we fix that?

    Wages must be paid punctually and the pay period cannot exceed one month. Persistent lateness is a serious infraction. Keep your bank statements — they date every payment for you.

    Say it like: ne-the-SI-to ko-BRAR SYEM-pre el MIS-mo DI-a del mes

    Where you’ll see it: You are paid late, every month

  3. Necesito estar dada de alta. Es obligación del empleador y quiero el justificante.

    I need to be registered. It's the employer's obligation, and I want the confirmation slip.

    Check for yourself first on Import@ss — you don't need permission. If nothing is there, report it to the Inspecció de Treball de Catalunya.

    Say it like: ne-the-SI-to es-TAR DA-da de AL-ta

    Where you’ll see it: You are not registered with Social Security

  4. ¿Me puede dar la nómina de este mes, por favor? La necesito para el banco.

    Can you give me this month’s payslip, please? I need it for the bank.

    Keep your own timesheet from today. Ask a union to write the request for you. Report it with the wage complaint, not separately.

    Say it like: me PWE-de dar la NO-mi-na de ES-te mes

    Where you’ll see it: You get no payslip

  5. Eso son más horas de las que tenemos acordadas. Si son fijas, hay que cambiar el contrato.

    That's more hours than we agreed. If they're going to be regular, the contract needs to change.

    Write down every extra hour, with dates. Any change to your hours must be reported to Social Security within 6 calendar days — so check your Import@ss area to see whether it was.

    Say it like: E-so son mas O-ras de las ke te-NE-mos a-kor-DA-das

    Where you’ll see it: You are asked to work more hours than agreed

  6. ¿Me lo puede dar por escrito, con la fecha y el motivo?

    I understand. Can you give it to me in writing, with the date and the reason?

    In domestic work the employer must give it in writing, state the reason, and hand over the compensation at the same time: 12 days' pay per year worked, capped at 6 months. Notice is 20 days if you have worked over a year, otherwise 7. If it is not in writing, or no compensation is offered, the law treats it as an ordinary dismissal — which is much better for you. 20 working days to act: file the papereta de conciliació.

    Say it like: me lo PWE-de dar por es-KRI-to, kon la FE-cha i el mo-TI-bo

    Where you’ll see it: You are dismissed

  7. Necesito recoger mis cosas y necesito la carta por escrito.

    I need to collect my things, and I need the letter in writing.

    You cannot lawfully be dismissed between 17:00 and 08:00 unless there is a very serious breach of trust. If you have nowhere to go tonight, call 010 (Barcelona city information) or go to SAIER. Do not sign anything you have not read. Photograph the room and your belongings.

    Say it like: ne-the-SI-to rre-ko-HER mis KO-sas i ne-the-SI-to la KAR-ta por es-KRI-to

    Where you’ll see it: You are told to leave the house immediately (interna)

  8. Mi pasaporte es mío y lo necesito. Se lo pido, por favor.

    My passport is mine and I need it. I'm asking you for it, please.

    No employer has any right to keep your identity documents. If it is not returned, report it to the police — 112 in an emergency, or a Mossos d'Esquadra station. Withholding documents is one of the recognised warning signs of trafficking. The Ministry of the Interior line for trafficking of women and girls for sexual exploitation is 900 105 090. Your consulate can issue you a replacement passport: Philippine Consulate General Barcelona.

    Say it like: mi pa-sa-POR-te es MI-o i lo ne-the-SI-to

    Where you’ll see it: Your employer is holding your passport

  9. Eso no es aceptable. Le pido que pare.

    That is not acceptable. I am asking you to stop.

    Since Real Decreto 893/2024 you have an explicit right to protection from violence and harassment at work in a private home, including harassment based on nationality or ethnic origin. 016 is free, 24 hours, in 53 languages by phone, WhatsApp 600 000 016, email [email protected].

    Say it like: E-so no es a-thep-TA-ble. le PI-do ke PA-re

    Where you’ll see it: You are harassed, shouted at, or touched

  10. Me he hecho daño trabajando. Necesito ir al médico y que conste como accidente de trabajo.

    I've hurt myself at work. I need to see a doctor and have it recorded as a workplace accident.

    Say the words accidente de trabajo at the health centre — it changes how the case is handled and who pays. Accident cover is paid entirely by the employer, and it applies even if you are not registered.

    Say it like: me e E-cho DA-nyo tra-ba-HAN-do

    Where you’ll see it: You are hurt at work

15 sources · checked September 2026

WORDS YOU SAY

Medication — read the box before you give anything

The Say column is what you speak. The Read column is Catalan, because that is the language on medication boxes, care-home notes, prescriptions and hospital letters.

  1. comprimido / pastilla

    tablet

    On the boxcomprimit / pastilla

  2. cápsula

    capsule

    On the boxcàpsula

  3. jarabe

    syrup

    On the boxxarop

  4. gotas

    drops

    On the boxgotes

  5. pomada

    ointment

    On the boxpomada

  6. inyección

    injection

    On the boxinjecció

  7. jeringa

    syringe

    On the boxxeringa

  8. dosis

    dose

    On the boxdosi

  9. medicamento

    medicine

    On the boxmedicament

  10. receta

    prescription

    On the boxrecepta

  11. prospecto

    patient information leaflet

    On the boxprospecte

  12. caducidad

    expiry date

    On the boxcaducitat

  13. en ayunas

    on an empty stomach

    On the boxen dejú

  14. nevera

    fridge (some medicines must be kept there)

    On the boxnevera

  15. pastillero

    pill box

    On the boxpastiller

1 source · checked September 2026

WORDS YOU SAY

Meals, routine and the body

Meals, routine and the body. The Say column is what you speak; the Read column is Catalan.

  1. comida (the food)

    food

    On the boxmenjar

  2. comida (the meal)

    meal

    On the boxàpat

  3. desayuno

    breakfast

    On the boxesmorzar

  4. almuerzo / comida

    lunch

    On the boxdinar

  5. merienda

    afternoon snack

    On the boxberenar

  6. cena

    dinner

    On the boxsopar

  7. ducha

    shower

    On the boxdutxa

  8. sábana

    bed sheet

    On the boxllençol

  9. pañal

    nappy / incontinence pad

    On the boxbolquer

  10. toalla

    towel

    On the boxtovallola

  11. ropa

    clothes

    On the boxroba

  12. silla de ruedas

    wheelchair

    On the boxcadira de rodes

  13. andador

    walking frame

    On the boxcaminador

  14. paseo

    walk

    On the boxpasseig

  15. cita (médica)

    appointment

    On the boxcita / visita

  16. urgencias

    emergency department

    On the boxurgències

  17. caída

    a fall

    On the boxcaiguda

  18. fiebre

    fever

    On the boxfebre

  19. mareo

    dizziness

    On the boxmareig

  20. tensión

    blood pressure

    On the boxtensió

  21. azúcar

    sugar / blood glucose

    On the boxsucre

1 source · checked September 2026

WORDS YOU SAY

Instructions you will hear, and what they want

Instructions you will hear, and what they want.

  1. Dale la pastilla con el desayuno.

    Give the tablet with breakfast.

    You will hear: DA-le la pas-TI-ya kon el de-sa-YU-no

  2. Tiene que tomarlo en ayunas.

    It has to be taken on an empty stomach.

    You will hear: TYE-ne ke to-MAR-lo en a-YU-nas

  3. Que no se levante sola.

    Don’t let her get up on her own.

    You will hear: ke no se le-BAN-te SO-la

  4. Hay que darle la vuelta cada dos horas.

    She needs turning every two hours.

    You will hear: ay ke DAR-le la BWEL-ta KA-da dos O-ras

  5. Avísame si le sube la fiebre.

    Let me know if the fever goes up.

    You will hear: a-BI-sa-me si le SU-be la FYE-bre

  6. Mañana tiene visita médica a las diez.

    She has a medical appointment tomorrow at ten.

    You will hear: ma-NYA-na TYE-ne bi-SI-ta ME-di-ka a las dyeth

  7. Hay que recogerlo del colegio a las cinco.

    He needs picking up from school at five.

    You will hear: ay ke rre-ko-HER-lo del ko-LE-hyo a las THIN-ko

WORDS YOU SAY

Things to say back

Things to say back.

  1. ¿Me lo puede escribir? Así no me equivoco.

    Can you write it down? Then I won’t get it wrong.

    Say it like: me lo PWE-de es-kri-BIR? a-SI no me e-ki-BO-ko

  2. ¿Qué hago si se cae? ¿A quién llamo primero?

    What do I do if she falls? Who do I call first?

    Say it like: ke A-go si se KA-e? a kyen YA-mo pri-ME-ro

  3. Se ha caído. Está consciente. Voy a llamar al 112.

    She has fallen. She is conscious. I’m calling 112.

    Say it like: se a ka-I-do. es-TA kons-THYEN-te. boy a ya-MAR al THYEN-to DO-the

  4. Hoy no ha comido nada.

    She hasn’t eaten anything today.

    Say it like: oy no a ko-MI-do NA-da

  5. No estoy formada para eso. ¿Puede enseñarme?

    I’m not trained for that. Can you show me?

    Say it like: no es-TOY for-MA-da PA-ra E-so. PWE-de en-se-NYAR-me

WORDS YOU SAY

Cleaning — equipment and products

Cleaning — equipment and products. The Say column is what you speak; the Read column is Catalan.

  1. escoba

    broom

    On the boxescombra / granera

  2. fregona

    mop

    On the boxpal de fregar

  3. cubo

    bucket

    On the boxgalleda / cubell

  4. trapo / bayeta

    cloth

    On the boxdrap

  5. aspiradora

    vacuum cleaner

    On the boxaspiradora

  6. lavadora

    washing machine

    On the boxrentadora

  7. lavavajillas

    dishwasher

    On the boxrentavaixella / rentaplats

  8. plancha

    iron

    On the boxplanxa

  9. lejía

    bleach

    On the boxlleixiu

  10. basura

    rubbish

    On the boxescombraries

  11. guantes

    gloves

    On the boxguants

  12. delantal

    apron

    On the boxdavantal

  13. suelo

    floor

    On the boxterra

  14. polvo

    dust

    On the boxpols

2 sources · checked September 2026

WORDS YOU SAY

Kitchen, service and shifts

Kitchen, service and shifts. The Say column is what you speak; the Read column is Catalan.

  1. cocina

    kitchen

    On the boxcuina

  2. comedor

    dining room

    On the boxmenjador

  3. habitación

    room

    On the boxhabitació

  4. camarero/a

    waiter/waitress

    On the boxcambrer/a

  5. limpieza

    cleaning

    On the boxneteja

  6. bandeja

    tray

    On the boxsafata

  7. vajilla

    crockery

    On the boxvaixella

  8. turno

    shift

    On the boxtorn

  9. jornada

    working day

    On the boxjornada

  10. descanso

    break

    On the boxdescans

1 source · checked September 2026

WORDS YOU SAY

Instructions in a kitchen or hotel

Instructions in a kitchen or hotel.

  1. Entras a las siete, sales a las tres.

    You start at seven, finish at three.

    You will hear: EN-tras a las SYE-te, SA-les a las tres

  2. Hoy haces turno de tarde.

    You’re on the afternoon shift today.

    You will hear: oy A-thes TUR-no de TAR-de

  3. Falta limpiar las habitaciones de la tercera planta.

    The third-floor rooms still need cleaning.

    You will hear: FAL-ta lim-PYAR las a-bi-ta-THYO-nes de la ter-THE-ra PLAN-ta

  4. Saca la basura antes de irte.

    Take the rubbish out before you leave.

    You will hear: SA-ka la ba-SU-ra AN-tes de IR-te

  5. Date prisa, que hay servicio.

    Hurry up, we have customers.

    You will hear: DA-te PRI-sa, ke ay ser-BI-thyo

WORDS YOU SAY

Answering back, professionally

Answering back, professionally.

  1. ¿Cuál es mi turno esta semana?

    What’s my shift this week?

    Say it like: kwal es mi TUR-no ES-ta se-MA-na

  2. ¿Cuándo tengo el descanso?

    When is my break?

    Say it like: KWAN-do TEN-go el des-KAN-so

  3. Necesito el cuadrante por escrito.

    I need the rota in writing.

    Say it like: ne-the-SI-to el kwa-DRAN-te por es-KRI-to

  4. Eso no entra en mi categoría, pero lo hago hoy.

    That isn’t in my job classification, but I’ll do it today.

    Say it like: E-so no EN-tra en mi ka-te-go-RI-a, PE-ro lo A-go oy

  5. ¿Se pagan estas horas como extras?

    Are these hours paid as overtime?

    Say it like: se PA-gan ES-tas O-ras KO-mo EKS-tras

1 source · checked September 2026

WORDS YOU READ

Reading a Spanish or Catalan job advert

Barcelona adverts mix both languages, sometimes in the same posting.

  1. Se ofrece

    What the employer is offering

    The concrete part: money, contract, hours.

  2. Se requiere / Es requereix

    What they require

    Distinguish this from the next two rows.

  3. Imprescindible

    Essential

    Without it you will not be considered.

  4. Valorable / Es valorarà

    An advantage, not a requirement

    Apply anyway. This is where a lot of people wrongly rule themselves out.

  5. Jornada completa / Jornada parcial

    Full time / part time

    Part time must state the exact hours.

  6. Turnos / Torns

    Shifts

    Ask which ones before you accept.

  7. Incorporación inmediata

    Immediate start

  8. Experiencia demostrable

    Provable experience

    Payslips, contracts or a reference — not just years claimed.

  9. Papeles en regla / Documentació en regla

    Documents in order

    Means a valid residence and work authorisation.

  10. Indefinido / Indefinit

    Permanent

  11. Temporal

    Fixed-term

    The advert should say why.

  12. Bruto / brut

    Gross, before deductions

    Always assume advertised pay is gross.

  13. Neto

    Net, what reaches your account

    Rare in adverts.

  14. X pagas

    Number of payments a year

    12 means monthly with extras spread; 14 means twelve months plus two extra payments; 16 appears in some convenios.

  15. Según convenio / Segons conveni

    Set by the collective agreement

    Look up the convenio to find the actual number.

  16. Bruts anuals

    Gross per year

    Divide by the number of pagues, not by 12.

  17. Per cobrir baixes

    To cover staff on sick leave

    A fixed-term contract that ends when they return.

1 source · checked September 2026

WORDS YOU SAY

On the phone, or at the counter

On the phone, or at the counter.

  1. Buenos días, llamo por la oferta de trabajo. ¿Sigue disponible?

    Good morning, I’m calling about the job. Is it still available?

    Say it like: BWE-nos DI-as, YA-mo por la o-FER-ta de tra-BA-ho. SI-ge dis-po-NI-ble

  2. ¿Puedo dejar mi currículum?

    Can I leave my CV?

    Say it like: PWE-do de-HAR mi ku-RRI-ku-lum

  3. ¿Qué horario tiene el puesto?

    What are the hours for the post?

    Say it like: ke o-RA-ryo TYE-ne el PWES-to

  4. ¿Cuál es el salario bruto?

    What’s the gross salary?

    Say it like: kwal es el sa-LA-ryo BRU-to

  5. ¿Qué tipo de contrato es?

    What kind of contract is it?

    Say it like: ke TI-po de kon-TRA-to es

  6. ¿Podríamos concertar una entrevista?

    Could we arrange an interview?

    Say it like: po-DRI-a-mos kon-ther-TAR U-na en-tre-BIS-ta

  7. ¿Qué día y a qué hora le va bien?

    What day and time suits you?

    Say it like: ke DI-a i a ke O-ra le ba byen

  8. Perdone, ¿me puede repetir la dirección?

    Sorry, can you repeat the address?

    Say it like: per-DO-ne, me PWE-de rre-pe-TIR la di-rek-THYON

  9. Hablo español, inglés y tagalo. Entiendo algo de catalán.

    I speak Spanish, English and Tagalog. I understand some Catalan.

    Say it like: A-blo es-pa-NYOL, in-GLES i ta-GA-lo. en-TYEN-do AL-go de ka-ta-LAN

  10. Gracias por su tiempo. Quedo a la espera.

    Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing from you.

    Say it like: GRA-thyas por su TYEM-po. KE-do a la es-PE-ra

  11. ¿El contrato sería por escrito y desde el primer día?

    Will the contract be in writing, from day one?

    Ask this at the interview, not after the first week.

  12. ¿Me daría de alta en la Seguridad Social antes de empezar?

    Will you register me with Social Security before I start?

    Ask this at the interview, not after the first week.

1 source · checked September 2026

WORDS YOU READ

Work and payslip words in Catalan

Catalan words you will meet on your payslip and your contract.

  1. nòmina

    payslip

    Keep every one. It is your proof of employment, income and contributions.

    Where you’ll see it: The document itself

  2. salari brut / salari net

    gross pay / take-home pay

    The figure agreed verbally is usually brut. What arrives is net.

    Where you’ll see it: Top and bottom of the nòmina

  3. retenció (IRPF)

    income tax withheld

    Not a deduction by your employer for itself — it is tax paid on your behalf.

    Where you’ll see it: A deduction line

  4. cotització · base de cotització

    Social Security contribution · the amount it is calculated on

    This is what builds your future pension, sick pay and unemployment right. If the base is lower than your real pay, you are losing those rights.

    Where you’ll see it: Deduction lines

  5. jornada

    working day / contracted hours

    Compare the jornada on the contract with the hours you actually work. Jornada completa, parcial, partida, intensiva.

    Where you’ll see it: Contract; jornada completa, jornada parcial

  6. horari · torn

    schedule · shift

    Where you’ll see it: Rotas

  7. hores extraordinàries

    overtime

    This is the legal term (Estatut dels treballadors, art. 35) and the actual payslip line. Hores extres is correct Catalan too, but colloquial — you will hear it, you will not see it on a payslip.

    Where you’ll see it: A printed line on the nòmina, twice — once under earnings, once under deductions

  8. vacances · permís

    paid holiday · leave of absence

    Where you’ll see it: Contract and conveni

  9. baixa (mèdica)

    certified sick leave

    With a baixa you are legally absent and protected. Without one you are absent without leave.

    Where you’ll see it: The doctor's document; your payslip

  10. alta

    being registered with Social Security

    Being paid is not the same as being registered. Alta is what makes your work permit effective and leads to the TIE — if your employer does not do it within the stated termini, the authorisation never takes effect. Check your alta yourself.

    Where you’ll see it: L'alta del treballador a la Seguretat Social

  11. acomiadament

    dismissal

    It must be in writing, with a reason and a date. Take the letter to a union or to a labour lawyer before signing anything. Acomiadament improcedent = unfair.

    Where you’ll see it: The letter

  12. quitança (el "finiquito")

    final settlement on leaving a job

    Quitança is the Catalan term; finiquito is the Spanish one and is what most payroll software prints. Signing can be treated as accepting the terms of your exit. Take it away and read it, or have it checked, before you sign — unions offer exactly this check.

    Where you’ll see it: The document you are asked to sign on your last day

  13. conveni (col·lectiu)

    the sector-wide collective agreement

    Look up your conveni. It sets the legal minimum pay, hours, holidays and overtime rate for your sector — often better than what you were offered. The Generalitat runs a public Cercador de convenis.

    Where you’ll see it: Named on your contract and payslip

  14. certificat d'empresa

    employer's certificate of your employment

    Without it your atur claim stalls.

    Where you’ll see it: Requested when you claim unemployment

  15. atur · prestació

    unemployment · benefit

    Where you’ll see it: SEPE and gencat letters

8 sources · checked September 2026

WORDS YOU READ

If you work in a private home

Domestic work and live-in care run under their own rules, and under their own vocabulary. You will meet two different official phrases for the same job.

  1. empleat / empleada de la llar

    domestic employee

    This is the legal term. The law uses it and treballador de la llar appears nowhere in it.

    Where you’ll see it: Your contract; Social Security documents

  2. treballadora de la llar

    domestic worker

    The term unions and workers themselves use. Same job, different speaker.

    Where you’ll see it: Union material, campaigns, community groups

  3. Sistema Especial per a Empleats de la Llar

    the special Social Security scheme for domestic work

    Your contributions are calculated on a fixed scale by pay band. The employer pays the larger share — currently 23.60% against your 4.70%. If your payslip shows you carrying more, ask.

    Where you’ll see it: Contribution documents and payslips

  4. titular de la llar · ocupador

    the householder · the employer

    In domestic work these are the same person. The family you work for is legally your employer, with an employer’s duties.

    Where you’ll see it: The contract

  5. hores de presència

    on-call / presence hours

    Hours when you must be available but are not actively working. They are paid separately from your ordinary jornada and are capped. This is the line most often used to hide unpaid hours — check it.

    Where you’ll see it: Live-in and carer contracts

  6. desistiment

    the special no-fault ending of domestic employment

    Domestic work can be ended without a disciplinary reason, but only in writing, with notice (20 days after a year of service, 7 otherwise) and 12 days’ pay for each year worked. A verbal "don’t come back on Monday" is not a lawful desistiment.

    Where you’ll see it: A written notice

  7. acomiadament disciplinari

    dismissal for cause

    Different route, different rights. If you get a letter, take it to a union or SAIER before signing anything.

    Where you’ll see it: A written letter

8 sources · checked September 2026
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Ask Juan Work, pay and papers · Catalan & Spanish phrasebook