Adjectives

1. handia

   Big

   Usage

   For stating size, e.g. clothes or rooms

   Grammar Note

   Basque adjectives have no gender; they follow the noun and carry the article "-a"

2. txikia

   Small

   Usage

   The opposite of big; use it to ask for another size

   Grammar Note

   The indefinite form is "txiki"

3. astuna

   Heavy

   Usage

   Describe a heavy bag, often before asking for help

   Grammar Note

   The indefinite form is "astun"

4. arina

   Light (weight)

   Usage

   Light in weight — a different word from "bright"

   Grammar Note

   Light in weight; light in colour is "argia"

5. garestia

   Expensive

   Usage

   Opens a price negotiation

   Grammar Note

   Indefinite "garesti"; "Garestiegia da!" opens a negotiation

6. merkea

   Cheap

   Usage

   Use it when hunting for a cheaper option

   Grammar Note

   The indefinite form is "merke"

7. beroa

   Hot

   Usage

   Hot to the touch — distinct from hot weather

   Grammar Note

   Hot to the touch; for weather Basque says "Bero egiten du"

8. hotza

   Cold

   Usage

   Cold to the touch — distinct from cold weather

   Grammar Note

   Cold to the touch; for weather, "Hotz egiten du"

9. berria

   New

   Usage

   For asking for a new item or a different room

   Grammar Note

   The indefinite form is "berri"

10. zaharra

    Old (thing)

    Usage

    Old as in an object — not used for people here

    Grammar Note

    Old as in an object; for people the polite word is "adinekoa"

11. gaztea

    Young

    Usage

    For talking about a person's age

    Grammar Note

    The indefinite form is "gazte"

12. adinekoa

    Old (person)

    Usage

    The word used for people; keep it apart from "old thing"

    Grammar Note

    From "adin" (age) — the polite word for an elderly person

13. garbia

    Clean

    Usage

    For the cleanliness of a room or of water

    Grammar Note

    "Clean" only; beautiful is "ederra"

14. zikina

    Dirty

    Usage

    For complaints, e.g. asking to change rooms

    Grammar Note

    The indefinite form is "zikin"

15. ona

    Good

    Usage

    The most general word for a positive judgement

    Grammar Note

    The indefinite form is "on"

16. txarra

    Bad

    Usage

    For reporting something faulty or unwell

    Grammar Note

    The indefinite form is "txar"

17. hurbil

    Near

    Usage

    Comes up constantly as an answer about distance

    Grammar Note

    Used adverbially; "Hurbil dago?" is the standard question

18. urrun

    Far

    Usage

    Check it to decide between walking and taking transport

    Grammar Note

    Used adverbially; "Urrun dago?" is the traveller's standard question

19. goiz

    Early

    Usage

    Early in time — this entry is about the clock, not speed

    Grammar Note

    Early in time; it also means "morning". Fast in speed is "azkarra"

20. berandu

    Late

    Usage

    Late in time; also used to report a delay

    Grammar Note

    Late in time; slow in speed is "geldoa"

21. asko

    Many

    Usage

    A large quantity; handy for adjusting an order

    Grammar Note

    Follows the noun: "jende asko" means "many people"

22. gutxi

    Few

    Usage

    A small quantity; use it to ask for less

    Grammar Note

    Follows the noun: "jende gutxi" means "few people"

23. Bero egiten du

    Hot (weather)

    Usage

    Hot weather; many languages use a different word than for hot objects

    Grammar Note

    Weather uses the impersonal verb "egin"; a hot object is "beroa"

24. Hotz egiten du

    Cold (weather)

    Usage

    Cold weather; many languages use a different word than for cold objects

    Grammar Note

    Weather uses the impersonal verb "egin"; a cold object is "hotza"

25. polita

    Cute

    Usage

    Used broadly for people, things, and animals

    Grammar Note

    The indefinite form is "polit"

26. dotorea

    Cool

    Usage

    Mainly about how a person or thing looks

    Grammar Note

    The indefinite form is "dotore"; closer to "smart/elegant" than slang

27. gozoa

    Delicious

    Usage

    The word you will reach for most often at the table

    Grammar Note

    The indefinite form is "gozo"; it also covers "sweet"

28. harrigarria

    Amazing

    Usage

    An expression of surprise and admiration

    Grammar Note

    The indefinite form is "harrigarri", derived from "harritu" (to surprise)

29. dibertigarria

    Fun

    Usage

    For describing an experience itself

    Grammar Note

    The indefinite form is "dibertigarri"

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