Oso polita zara
O-so po-li-ta za-ra
You are very beautiful
Usage
A polite compliment on appearance, suitable for a first meeting
Grammar Note
"zara" is the 2nd person singular of "to be"; Basque encodes subject in the verb
Zein da zure izena?
Zein da zu-re i-ze-na?
What is your name?
Usage
A natural way to ask the name of someone you are interested in
Grammar Note
"zure" is the second person singular genitive meaning "your"
Edari bat hartu nahi duzu?
E-da-ri bat har-tu na-hi du-zu?
Would you like a drink?
Usage
Offering a drink at a bar or evening gathering
Grammar Note
"duzu" is the 2nd person singular auxiliary meaning "you do/have"
Zurekin egon nahi dut
Zu-re-kin e-gon na-hi dut
I want to be with you
Usage
A romantic expression of wanting to spend time with someone
Grammar Note
"-kin" is the comitative case suffix meaning "together with"
Maite zaitut
Mai-te zai-tut
I love you
Usage
The Basque expression for professing love
Grammar Note
"zaitut" encodes both "I" (subject) and "you" (object) — a hallmark of Basque verb conjugation
Oso dibertigarria zara.
O-so di-ber-ti-gar-ri-a za-ra.
You are very entertaining.
Usage
Complimenting someone on their fun and entertaining personality
Grammar Note
"zara" is second-person singular present of "iz" (to be). "dibertigarri" + "-a" (definite) = "dibertigarria"
Berriz ikusi nahi zaitut.
Ber-riz i-ku-si na-hi zai-tut.
I want to see you again.
Usage
Expressing a desire to meet again — a heartfelt romantic phrase
Grammar Note
"zaitut" encodes both first-person subject and second-person object — Basque verbs integrate grammatical relations
Ederra zara.
E-der-ra za-ra.
You are beautiful.
Usage
Directly complimenting someone on their beauty
Grammar Note
"eder" (beautiful) + "-a" (definite article) = "ederra" as a predicate. Adjectives take "-a" as predicates in Basque
Zinemara joango al gara elkarrekin?
Zi-ne-ma-ra jo-an-go al ga-ra el-kar-re-kin?
Shall we go to the cinema together?
Usage
Asking someone out to the cinema on a date
Grammar Note
"zinema" (cinema) + "-ra" (allative case) = "zinemara" (to the cinema). "al" is the question particle
Zurekin denbora igarotzea gustatzen zait.
Zu-re-kin den-bo-ra i-ga-rot-ze-a gus-ta-tzen zait.
I enjoy spending time with you.
Usage
Expressing enjoyment of someone's company in a warm, romantic way
Grammar Note
"gustatzen zait" = "it pleases me" — the experiencer appears in the dative, not nominative, in Basque
More Basque phrases
- Basic Words
- Basic Nouns
- Basic Verbs
- Adjectives
- Question Words
- Greetings
- Food & Drinks
- Transportation
- Shopping
- Numbers
- Hotel
- Emergency
- Sightseeing
- Nightlife
- Massage & Spa
- Compliments
- Contacts & SNS
- Beach & Activities
- Places & Areas
- Useful Phrases
- Airport & Customs
- Weather & Climate
- Pharmacy & Health
- Directions
- Money & Exchange
- Health & Hospital
- Internet & WiFi
- Nature & Outdoors
- Religion & Temples
- Café & Drinks
- Schedule & Booking
- Culture & Etiquette
- Traveling with Kids
- Sports & Activities
- Public Transport
- Accommodation
- Banking & ATM
- Visa & Immigration
- Business & Work
- School & Education
- Cooking & Markets
- Music & Entertainment
- Art & Museums
- Festivals & Events
- Photography
- Laundry
- Post Office
- Language Learning
- Dating & Romance
- Dating Apps
- Volunteering
- Accessibility
- Sustainability & Eco
- Fruits
- Colors
- Dietary & Allergies
- Markets & Souvenirs
- Wine & Spirits
- Car Rental & Driving
- Time & Dates
- Hiking & Trekking
- Diving & Water Sports
- Skiing & Winter Sports
- Hot Springs & Baths
- Yoga & Wellness
- Casino & Gambling
- Beauty & Grooming
- Remote Work
- Fashion & Clothing
- Convenience Store
- Martial Arts
- Signs
- Body Parts
- Animals
- Vehicles
- Electronics
- Feelings
- Slang
- Local Dishes
- Local Drinks
- Indulgences