A la tarda, vull caminar al parc.

A la tarda is a common time expression meaning in the afternoon.

The a is part of the fixed expression. In Catalan, many time expressions use a where English would use in, at, or sometimes no preposition at all.

For example:

• al matí = in the morning
• a la tarda = in the afternoon
• al vespre = in the evening

So you should learn a la tarda as a set phrase.

By itself, a la tarda usually means in the afternoon and can be understood from context as either:

• a general time of day, or
• this afternoon / later in the afternoon

Catalan often relies on context instead of adding extra words. If the situation is clear, a la tarda can easily refer to this afternoon.

The comma is there because A la tarda is being used as an introductory time phrase.

It works like English sentences such as:

• In the afternoon, I want to walk to the park.

The comma is helpful and natural in writing, but in short sentences like this, punctuation can sometimes vary. The sentence would still be understandable without it.

Vull means I want and comes from the verb voler = to want.

This is the first-person singular form in the present tense:

• jo vull = I want

The form is a little irregular, so it is worth memorizing.

Some present-tense forms of voler are:

• jo vull = I want
• tu vols = you want
• ell/ella vol = he/she wants
• nosaltres volem = we want
• vosaltres voleu = you all want
• ells/elles volen = they want

Catalan often leaves out subject pronouns when the verb form already makes the subject clear.

Since vull clearly means I want, adding jo is usually unnecessary.

So:

• Vull caminar al parc. = normal, natural
• Jo vull caminar al parc. = also correct, but more emphatic

You might include jo if you want contrast or emphasis:

• Jo vull caminar, però ell vol córrer.
  • I want to walk, but he wants to run.

After vull (I want), the next verb stays in the infinitive.

This is the same basic pattern as in English:

• I want to walk
• Vull caminar

So:

• vull + caminar
• vols + menjar
• volem sortir

Catalan does not use a separate word equivalent to English to before the second verb in this structure.

Yes, but the meaning changes slightly.

• caminar = to walk
• passejar = to stroll / to go for a walk / to take a walk

So:

• Vull caminar al parc suggests the action of walking.
• Vull passejar pel parc often sounds more like strolling around the park for pleasure.

Also note that with passejar, Catalan often uses pel parc (through/around the park) rather than al parc.

Al is a contraction of a + el.

So:

• a + el = al

Because parc is a masculine singular noun, it takes el:

• el parc = the park

After the preposition a, Catalan normally contracts:

• al parc = to the park / at the park, depending on context

This is similar to contractions in some other Romance languages.

Here, al parc is used because the idea is movement or destination: to the park.

Catalan often uses a for going to a place:

• Vaig al parc. = I go to the park.

If you want to emphasize location, Catalan may use al parc or sometimes al/en el parc depending on dialect and context, but in a sentence with caminar al parc, the idea is naturally walking to the park or going to walk in the park.

A useful basic rule:

• anar a
  • place = to go to a place
• ser/estar a
  • place = to be at a place

Yes, depending on context, caminar al parc can be understood as walk in the park or walk to the park.

If you want to make inside the park clearer, Catalan speakers may also say:

• Vull caminar pel parc.

Here, pel = per + el, and it often suggests movement through or around the park.

So:

• al parc = to the park / at the park
• pel parc = through/around the park

Yes. Catalan word order is flexible, especially with time expressions.

These are all possible:

• A la tarda, vull caminar al parc.
• Vull caminar al parc a la tarda.
• Al parc, vull caminar-hi a la tarda. (more marked and less basic)

The original sentence is very natural because it starts with the time phrase and then gives the main idea.

Vull is pronounced roughly like vuy in many varieties, with a sound similar to oo gliding into y.

A simple learner-friendly approximation is:

• vull ≈ BOOL-y without the full second syllable, or vwll/vuy depending on accent

The exact pronunciation varies somewhat across Catalan varieties, so the best approach is to listen to native audio and imitate it.

Parc is masculine.

So you say:

• el parc = the park
• un parc = a park
• al parc = to the park / at the park

That is why the contraction is al and not something else.

Yes, it is natural and correct.

It sounds like a simple everyday statement of intention. A native speaker might also say slightly different versions depending on the exact meaning:

• A la tarda, vull anar al parc a caminar.
• A la tarda, vull caminar pel parc.
• Vull caminar al parc aquesta tarda.

But your sentence is perfectly good Catalan.