Language Guide

In Mallorca, two languages are spoken — and this is not just folklore, but a lived reality with political significance.

Castellano (Spanish)

The official language of Spain and the language that everyone in Mallorca understands and speaks. Those who know school Spanish can get by everywhere. In the tourism sector, many Mallorcans also speak German and/or English.

Catala / Mallorquin

Catalan (Catala) is the second official language of the Balearic Islands. The Mallorcan dialect (Mallorquin) differs from Barcelona Catalan through a softer pronunciation and its own vocabulary. In everyday life, Mallorquin is mainly spoken in the family, among friends, and in rural areas. In Palma, Castellano dominates, in the countryside Mallorquin.

What you see and hear

• Street signs: Predominantly in Catalan — "Carrer" (not "Calle"), "Placa" (not "Plaza"), "Passeig" (not "Paseo")
• Place names: Officially Catalan — "Palma" (not "Palma de Mallorca"), "Alcudia" (not "Alcudia")
• Menus: Mostly in Castellano, sometimes in Catalan, often in both languages plus German and English
• Authorities: Catalan preferred, Castellano always accepted

Practical tip: Learn the basic Spanish phrases — they work everywhere. Those who sprinkle in a few words of Mallorquin ("Bon dia!" instead of "Buenos dias!") earn respect and sympathy.

The most important Spanish phrases for a Mallorca vacation — plus the Mallorquin alternative where it is common.

The most important sentences for restaurants, bars, and cafes — so you get what you want.

Dietary Needs

Useful phrases for orientation, transport, and everyday life in Mallorca.

Directions & Orientation

Transport

Shopping

Phrases you hopefully never need — but are priceless in an emergency.

Important: The emergency number 112 has multilingual operators — if you don't speak Spanish, say "English, please" or "German, please". In many cases, German is facilitated, as German-speaking personnel work in the emergency services on Mallorca.

You don't have to learn Mallorquin — but a basic understanding helps enormously when reading street signs, menus, and place names.

The most important differences to Castellano

Understanding Place Names

Many place names in Mallorca begin with prefixes that reveal their origin:

• Son/Sa/Ses/S' — from the Catalan article: Son Marroig, Sa Calobra, Ses Salines, S'Arenal (feminine/masculine/plural)
• Bin-/Bini- — of Arabic origin (from "ibn" = son): Binissalem, Biniamar, Biniali
• Cal-/Cala — Bay: Cala Millor, Cala d'Or, Cala Ratjada
• Port/Porto — Port: Port de Soller, Port de Pollenca, Porto Cristo
• Santa/Sant — Saint: Santa Ponsa, Sant Elm, Santa Maria

Pronunciation

Mallorquin sounds softer than Barcelona Catalan. Features:

• Stressed "a" is pronounced as an open "e": "Aigua" (water) sounds like "Eigo"
• "ll" is pronounced like a soft "j" (different from Castellano): Mallorca = Ma-JOR-ka (not Ma-LJOR-ka)
• "x" is pronounced as "sh": Xocolata = Schokolata
• Final consonants are often swallowed: "Soller" is pronounced "So-JEH" (the r at the end is dropped)

Numbers and time indications — indispensable when shopping, in restaurants, and for appointments.

Numbers

Compound numbers: 21 = veintiuno, 25 = veinticinco, 31 = treinta y uno, 42 = cuarenta y dos, 100 = cien, 150 = ciento cincuenta.

Days of the Week

Months

Time