El flabiol y la cobla

Practice reading

5 free word translations

Tap any word to see its translation

. . .
. . . .
. . .
. , . . .
. . . .
. . . .
. . . .
. , . .
. . .
. . .

Keep reading with translations

Create a free account: 7 days of Pro, then 20 word translations a day or a paid plan.

Create a free account I already have an account

About this article

Level A1 Reading focus

What you'll learn

musical instruments, Catalan culture, traditional music, flabiol, cobla, sardana, ~30 new words

This article teaches about traditional Catalan cobla music and flabiol instrument. A1 level for beginners. Learn vocabulary about music, instruments and traditions.

After reading

Article learning block

Phrases, words, grammar, and quick practice from this text.

16 items

Phrases for training

Add useful phrases to SRS or mark them as already known.

El flabiol es un instrumento musical

new

The flabiol is a musical instrument

Structure "X es un Y" is the basic noun definition pattern in Spanish. Used to describe what something is.

Essential pattern for introducing things in Spanish.

La cobla es un grupo de músicos

new

The cobla is a group of musicians

Same definition pattern "X es un Y" with the new word "músicos" (musicians).

Practice the "X es un Y" pattern with new vocabulary.

once personas

new

eleven people

Cardinal number "once" (11). Used in the phrase about cobla composition.

Learn numbers 1-20: once = eleven.

La sardana es la danza más famosa

new

The sardana is the most famous dance

Superlative construction "la más + adjective" = the most. "La más famosa" = the most famous.

Learn the superlative: la más + adjective.

Es un momento de alegría

new

It is a moment of joy

"Alegría" means joy/happiness. Used in the set phrase "momento de alegría" (moment of joy).

Learn emotion words: alegría = joy, felicidad = happiness.

Es importante para su historia

new

It is important for their history

Preposition "para" (for) + "su historia" (their history). Expresses cultural importance.

Learn: "es importante para" = it is important for.

Key words

Vocabulary that carries the school-day topic.

flabiol

flabiol — a small wooden flute

The flabiol is a traditional Catalan musical instrument, a small wooden flute. It is the main instrument of the cobla.

Core topic of the article, key cultural term.

cobla

cobla — a Catalan musical ensemble of 11 musicians

A cobla is a group of 11 musicians who play traditional Catalan music together, wearing traditional black costumes with silk vests.

Key Catalan cultural institution, central to the article.

sardana

sardana — a traditional Catalan dance

The sardana is the most famous traditional dance of Catalonia. Dancers form a circle, holding hands and moving their feet together.

Major Catalan cultural symbol, mentioned multiple times.

trajes tradicionales

traditional costumes/clothes

Traditional black costumes worn by cobla musicians, including a special silk vest (chaleco de seda).

Learn clothing vocabulary: traje = suit/costume, tradicionales = traditional.

instrumento principal

main/principal instrument

El flabiol es el instrumento principal de la cobla. "Principal" = main/most important.

Learn "principal" to describe what is most important.

mantener viva

to keep alive / to preserve

"Mantener viva" + noun = to keep something alive/active. Used for traditions and culture.

Idiomatic expression: mantener + cosa + adjective. Great for talking about traditions.

Grammar in context

Patterns from the text worth noticing after reading.

hay — there is/there are

hay

hay = there is/there are

"Haber" in the "hay" form means "there is/there are". Used for indefinite quantity: "En una cobla hay once personas".

Essential "hay" for expressing existence and quantities.

usar — to use

usa / usan

usar — to use

Regular verb "usar" (to use) in forms "usa" (he/she uses) and "usan" (they use): "Los catalanes lo usan desde hace muchos años".

Practice conjugation: yo uso, tú usas, él/ella usa, ellos usan.

es de — expresses origin/belonging

es de

es de = is from / belongs to

Preposition "de" with "es" shows origin or abstract belonging: "Es importante para su historia".

Distinguish: "de" for origin, "para" for purpose/direction.

muy + adjective — very + adjective

muy + adjective

muy = very

Adverb "muy" intensifies adjectives. "Muy bonito" (very beautiful), "muy dulce" (very sweet), "muy antiguo" (very ancient). Do NOT confuse with "mucho" (much/many).