Cooking & Markets

1. Non dago tokiko azoka?

   Non da-go to-ki-ko a-zo-ka?

   Where is the local market?

   Usage

   Used when looking for fresh local produce

   Grammar Note

   Basque is an isolate language with SOV word order. "Non dago ~?" asks for location

2. Nola deitzen da osagai hau?

   No-la dei-tzen da o-sa-gai hau?

   What is this ingredient called?

   Usage

   Used to ask the name of an unfamiliar ingredient

   Grammar Note

   "Nola deitzen da ~?" means "how is it called?" in Basque

3. Plater hau oso pikantea al da?

   Pla-ter hau o-so pi-kan-te-a al da?

   Is this dish very spicy?

   Usage

   Used to check whether a dish is very spicy

   Grammar Note

   "al da?" uses the Basque question particle "al" to form a yes/no question

4. Sukaldaritza ikastaro bat gomendatu al dezakezu?

   Su-kal-da-ri-tza i-kas-ta-ro bat go-men-da-tu al de-za-ke-zu?

   Can you recommend a cooking class?

   Usage

   Used when seeking a cooking class recommendation

   Grammar Note

   Basque verbs incorporate agreement for both subject and object

5. Nola prestatzen da plater hau?

   No-la pres-ta-tzen da pla-ter hau?

   How do you prepare this dish?

   Usage

   Used to ask how to prepare a dish

   Grammar Note

   "Nola" is the Basque interrogative adverb meaning "how"

6. Non erosi ditzaket barazki freskoak?

   Non e-ro-si di-tza-ket ba-raz-ki fres-ko-ak?

   Where can I buy fresh vegetables?

   Usage

   Used to find where to buy fresh produce

   Grammar Note

   The Basque verb "ditzaket" encodes first-person subject and plural object agreement

7. Tokiko janaria sukaldatzen ikasi nahi dut.

   To-ki-ko ja-na-ri-a su-kal-da-tzen i-ka-si na-hi dut.

   I'd like to learn to cook local food.

   Usage

   Expresses interest in learning local cuisine

   Grammar Note

   "To cook" is "sukaldatu" (imperfective "sukaldatzen"). "nahi dut" expresses "I want to"

8. Badituzue osagai begetarianoak?

   Ba-di-tu-zu-e o-sa-gai be-ge-ta-ri-a-no-ak?

   Do you have vegetarian ingredients?

   Usage

   Used when looking for vegetarian-friendly ingredients

   Grammar Note

   "Badituzue" is the second-person plural form asking about possession in Basque

9. Ze espezia erabiltzen dira plater honetan?

   Ze es-pe-zi-a e-ra-bil-tzen di-ra pla-ter ho-ne-tan?

   What spices are used in this dish?

   Usage

   Used to inquire about spices in a dish

   Grammar Note

   "Ze" is the interrogative "what/which". Basque orthography does not use c here — the word is "espezia" (not Spanish "especia")

10. Lagin bat probatu al dezaket?

    La-gin bat pro-ba-tu al de-za-ket?

    Can I try a sample?

    Usage

    Used at markets or food shops to request a taste

    Grammar Note

    "al dezaket?" uses the question particle "al" to ask for permission or ability

11. gatza

    Salt

    Usage

    For asking for seasoning or checking ingredients

12. azukrea

    Sugar

    Usage

    For asking for seasoning or checking ingredients

13. piperbeltza

    Black pepper

    Usage

    For asking for seasoning or checking ingredients

14. olioa

    Oil

    Usage

    For checking how a dish is cooked

15. ozpina

    Vinegar

    Usage

    For checking seasoning or ingredients

16. eztia

    Honey

    Usage

    Point at it to order or to check ingredients

17. baratxuria

    Garlic

    Usage

    Also useful for avoiding an ingredient

18. tipula

    Onion

    Usage

    Also useful for avoiding an ingredient

19. piper mina

    Chili pepper

    Usage

    Point at it to add or avoid heat

20. koriandroa

    Coriander

    Usage

    Often disliked; also useful for asking to leave it out

21. jengibrea

    Ginger

    Usage

    For checking seasoning or ingredients

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