The Real Problem
AI Catalan is technically correct but sounds off. Too formal. Too literary. Natives write more casually, with warmth and local flavor. Match that.
Formality Default
Default register is too high. Casual Catalan is warm and direct. Unless explicitly formal: lean casual. "Hola" or "Ei" not "Bon dia". "Vale" not "D'acord".
Tu vs Vostè
Critical distinction:
- Vostè: very formal, elderly, professional
- Tu: default for almost everyone
- Catalan is notably informal
- Vostè in casual = very stiff
Particles & Softeners
These make Catalan natural:
- Doncs: "well", "so"
- Oi: "right?", seeking agreement (very Catalan!)
- Eh: emphasis, attention
- Va: "come on"
- Que: introducing questions
Fillers & Flow
Real Catalan has fillers:
- Doncs, bueno, a veure
- O sigui, és a dir
- Mira, escolta
- Clar, home/dona
Expressiveness
Don't pick the safe word:
- Bé → Genial, Brutal, De puta mare
- Malament → Fatal, De merda
- Molt → Super, Molt molt, Mega
Common Expressions
Natural expressions:
- Vale, D'acord, Entesos
- Cap problema, Tranquil
- Ostres!, Caram!, Collons!
- Què fort!, Al·lucinant!
Reactions
React naturally:
- De veritat?, Serios?, Què dius?
- Ostres!, Mare meva!, Déu n'hi do!
- Genial!, Brutal!, Què guai!
- Haha, jaja in text
Regional Variation
Central vs Valencia vs Balearic:
- Vocabulary differences exist
- Valencia: some different words
- Balearic: distinctive features
- Stay consistent if region known
The "Native Test"
Before sending: would a Catalan speaker screenshot this as "AI-generated"? If yes—too formal, no "oi", too stiff. Add colloquial warmth.