The Basque language: Euskara is one of the oldest languages ​​in the world and is considered a language isolate. Its origins are so ancient that they remain an unsolvable puzzle even for specialists in the field.

 

What is certain is that the Basque language has survived for millennia, as it is still spoken today by a large number of locals, particularly in the Southern Basque Country (Spanish).

 

Let's start with the basics of pronunciation. In Basque, it is important to pronounce all the letters clearly. Ongi (good) is pronounced "onn gui", Egun on (hello) is pronounced "Egounn onn", eu is pronounced "éou",

e is pronounced é,

u is pronounced ou,

j de is pronounced di,

z is pronounced s (as in soleil),

s is pronounced sh (between s and ch),

x is pronounced ch,

tx is pronounced tch (as in Czech),

g is pronounced gu.

 

In Basque, there is no masculine or feminine gender.

The article "le" or "la" is defined by the letter A at the end of a word (chat: gatu; le chat: gatua). The plural is indicated by the letter K at the end of a word (the cat: gatua; the cats: gatuak).

 

In conversation

Yes: Bai

No: Ez

Please: Otoi / Plazer baduzu

Excuse me: Barkatu

Thank you: Milesker

Thank you very much: Milesker Anitz

You're welcome: Deusetaz

Sorry: Barkatu

I don't know: Ez dakit

Welcome: Ongi etorri

Maybe: Behar bada

Where: Nun

How: Nola

Why: Zergatik

 

Essentials

Good morning: Egun on

Good afternoon: Arratsalde on

Good evening (or good night): Gau on

Hi / Goodbye: Adio / Agur

Goodbye: Ez adiorik / Ikus arte

How are you?: Ongi? / Ontsa? / Zer diozu?

Have a good day! :Izan ontsa!

See you tomorrow ! :Bihar arte!

 

Some key words and practical questions

Basque language: Euskara

Basque (person): Euskaldun

Basque Country: Euskal Herri, Euskadi

Do you speak Basque?:Euskara badakizu? Euskaraz badakizu?

I don't speak Basque: Euskara ez dut mintzatzen

I don't understand: Ez dut konprenitzen. Ez dut ulertzen.

I know: Badakit

I don't know: Ez dakit

Pardon ? (you say?): Mantxut?

Say what ? Can you repeat, please?: Errepikatzen ahal duzu, otoi?

How do you say…. in Basque?:Nola erraten da….. euskaraz?

What does the word ….. mean?:Zer erran nahi du…..hitzak?

What time is it?: What do you think?

What time is the meeting?: Are you tenoretan da bilkura?

What time is the appointment?: Are you tenoretan da hitzordua?

 

Qualitatives/states

Good: Ongi

Evil: Gaizki

Pain: Mina

Sick: Eri

Fever: Sukar

Good: Ona

Bad: Gaiztoa

Happy: Zoriontsu / Dohatsu

Unhappy: Dohakabe / Maluros

Slacker: Alfer

Valiant: Langile

Tall: Handi

Small: Tipi, ttipi, ttiki, txiki

Thin: Mehe

Big: Lodi

Bold: Gizen

Elegant: Sotil

Adroit: Artex

Able: Trebe

I'm hungry: Gose naiz

I'm sleepy: Logale naiz

I'm thirsty: Egarri naiz

Bon appetit: On dagizula / Apetitu on

To your health: Zure osagarriari

I'm sick: Eri naiz

I'm tired: Akitua naiz / unatua naiz

I'm in good shape: Bizkorrean naiz

​

Feelings

Love: Amodio, maitasun

Hate: Herra

Shame: Ahalge

Happiness: Zorion

Woe: Zoriogaitz

Laugh: Irri

Cry: Negar

Fear: Beldur

​

Temporal

Today: Egun, gaur

Yesterday: Atzo

The day before yesterday: Herenegun

Tomorrow: Bihar

The day after tomorrow: Etzi

This morning: Goiz honetan

Tonight: Gau honetan

Last night: Barda

​

The colors

White: Xuri,

Black: Beltz

Blue: Urdin

Red: Gorri

Yellow: Hori

Violet: Ubel

Green: Stupid

Clair: Argi

Dark: Ilun

​

The body human

Body: Gorputza

Head: Buru

Leg: Zango

Foot: Oina

Arm: Needo

Hand: Esku

Wrist: Ukar

Elbow: Ukondo

Shoulder: Sorbalda

Knee: Belaun

Thigh: Izter

Finger: Erhi / Behatz

Back: Bizkar

Nose: Southern

Mouth: Aho

Lip: Ezpain

Eye: Begi

Eyebrow: Betarrots

Ear: Belarri

Hair: Island

Hair: Bilo

Teeth: Hortz

Heart: Bihotza

Lung: Birika / Bular

​

The places

Community of communes: Herri elkargo

Town Hall: Herriko Etxea

House: Etxe

Church: Eliza

Tourist office: Turismo bulego

Recycling center: Hondakintegi

Area craft: Lan eremu

Store: Saltegi

Factory: Lantegi

Bar: Ostatu

Restaurant: Jatetxe

Pharmacy: Botika

Road: Errebide

Highway: Autobide

Station: Tren geltoki

Bus Stop: Geltoki Bus

Street: Karrika

Avenue: Etorbide

Passage: Ateka

​

Nature

Mountain: Mendi

River: Erreka

River: Ibai

Forest: Oihan

Grove: Xara

Beach: Ondartz

Ocean: Itsas

Edge (beach, river, etc.): … Bazter / … Hegi

path: Bide

trail: Bidexka / Xendera

Hike: Ibilaldi

Path of hike: Ibilbide

Sun: Eguzki

Moon: Expanded

Cloud: Laino

​

Direction

North: Ipar

South: Hego

East: Ekialde

West: Mendebalde

Right: Eskuin

Left: Ezker

Front: Aitzin, Aurre

Behind: Gibel, Atze

​

Animals

Animal: Abere

Bird: Xori

Fish: Fish

Dog: Zakur

Cat: Gatu

Cow: Behi

Horse: Zaldi

Hen: Oilo

Duck: Ahate

Goose: Antzar

Pigeon: Urtzo / Uso

Donkey: Asto

​

Specifics

Espelette pepper: Ezpeletako

biperra

The thermal baths of Cambo-les-Bains: Kanboko ur-onak

The Itxassou cherry: Itsasuko gerezia

The golf courses of Souraïde and Bassussarry: Zuraideko eta Basusarriko kali jokoak

The Larressore makila: Larresoroko makila

Arcangues Castle: Arrangoitzeko gaztelua

Jatxou station: Jatsuko geltokia

The Halsou pediment: Haltsuko pilota plaza

Louhossoa cookies: Luhusoko bixkotxak

Ustaritz Castles: Uztaritzeko jauregiak

The Pas-de-Roland trail: Atekagaitzeko bidexka

The millstones of Mount Artzamendi: Artzamendiko eihera harriak

The salmon of the Nive: Errobiko izokinak