Formal and Colloquial Register

Level 6

Galician changes with the situation. Formal writing uses full forms and connectors like porén (however). Everyday speech uses expressions like Isto éche así (that is just how it is) and short answers like Veño (yes, I am coming).

How It Works

Formal register

Connectors: porén, non obstante, con todo for contrast and xa que logo, por conseguinte for conclusions.
Noun-based style: a aprobación do plan (the approval of the plan) rather than cando aprobaron o plan. See nominal style.
Full forms: para, not pra.

Colloquial register

Che for closeness: the dative of solidarity, as in Isto éche así.
Echo answers: answer with the verb instead of si. Vés mañá? Veño. Echo answers are good Galician with anyone; they are simply more common in conversation than in writing.
Reduced forms: pra for para in fast speech. The RAG dictionary lists pra but recommends para.

Two things to watch

If you address someone as vostede, do not use che for them. Che belongs to ti, so use lle.
Xa que logo means so, therefore, but xa que alone means since, because. They are easy to confuse.

Examples (6)

O proxecto é viable; porén, precisa máis financiamento.
The project is viable; however, it needs more funding.
Porén is a formal connector.
Non se presentaron alegacións; xa que logo, apróbase o plan.
No objections were filed; therefore, the plan is approved.
Xa que logo introduces a conclusion in formal style.
A aprobación do plan foi unánime.
The approval of the plan was unanimous.
A noun phrase instead of a clause, typical of formal writing.
Isto éche así, meu.
That is just how it is, mate.
Colloquial: che draws the listener in.
Vés mañá? Veño.
Are you coming tomorrow? Yes, I am.
An echo answer with the verb, typical of conversation.
Vou pra casa.
I am going home.
Pra is common in speech. In writing, use para: Vou para casa.

Common Mistakes

Using che for someone you address as vostede.
Estimada señora: agardo que che guste o regalo.
Estimada señora: agardo que lle guste o regalo.
Che goes with ti. With vostede, use lle.
Using xa que logo to give a reason.
Xa que logo chove, levo o paraugas.
Xa que chove, levo o paraugas.
Xa que logo means therefore. To say since or because, use xa que.

How It Connects

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Formal and Colloquial RegisterLevel 6

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Words in This Pattern

pra

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