parlar

Parlar is a verb in the Catalan and Occitan languages that means to speak or to talk. It is among the basic, daily-use verbs and is used to describe the act of talking, conversing, or discussing a topic. As a noun, parlar can also appear in some dialects to denote speech or the act of speaking.

Etymology and cognates: Parlar derives from Latin parlare. It has cognates in several Romance languages, notably French parler, Italian parlare, and Occitan parlar, as well as Catalan parlar itself. The root net of these forms is commonly linked to speech and speaking.

Conjugation and usage: Parlar is a regular -ar verb in Catalan. Present indicative forms include: jo parlo (I speak), tu parles, ell parla, nosaltres parlem, vosaltres parleu, ells parlen. The imperfect tense forms are used for past habitual actions or descriptions, for example: jo parlava, tu parlaves, ell parlava, nosaltres parlàvem, vosaltres parlàveu, ells parlaven. The future tense forms are: jo parlaré, tu parlaràs, ell parlarà, nosaltres parlarem, vosaltres parlareu, ells parlaran. The present subjunctive is formed as: que jo parli, que tu parlis, que ell parli, que nosaltres parlem, que vosaltres parleu, que ells parllin. Parlar also combines with prepositions to specify the direction or topic of the talk, most commonly parlar amb (to speak with) and parlar de or parlar sobre (to speak about).

Examples: Jo parlo català. Parlem de la situació. Ahir vaig parlar amb ell.

Regional notes: Occitan uses a closely related set of forms with regional variation. The verb remains central to communication in both languages, reflecting its role in everyday discourse and instruction.