Greetings

1. Kaixo

   Kai-xo

   Hello

   Usage

   The everyday Basque greeting, used in the Basque Country of Spain and France

   Grammar Note

   Basque is a language isolate with no known relatives among the world's languages

2. Eskerrik asko

   Es-ker-rik as-ko

   Thank you very much

   Usage

   The most common Basque expression of gratitude

   Grammar Note

   Literally "a lot of thanks." "Mila esker" (a thousand thanks) is also commonly used

3. Agur

   A-gur

   Goodbye

   Usage

   The Basque farewell — simple and casual for any parting

   Grammar Note

   "Agur!" alone is sufficient. "Gero arte" (until later) is a casual alternative

4. Bai / Ez

   Yes / No

   Usage

   Basic Basque words for yes and no

   Grammar Note

   "Ez" is also used as a negation prefix. "Ez dakit" means "I don't know"

5. Zer moduz?

   Zer mo-duz?

   How are you?

   Usage

   The everyday Basque way to ask how someone is doing

   Grammar Note

   Reply with "Ondo" (fine) or "Ongi" (well) — both are commonly used

6. Egun on

   E-gun on

   Good morning

   Usage

   The Basque morning greeting

   Grammar Note

   "egun" means both "day" and "today". "Arratsalde on" means "good afternoon"

7. Gabon

   Ga-bon

   Good night

   Usage

   Basque farewell for the evening or before sleep

   Grammar Note

   "Gabon" is a contraction of "Gau" (night) + "on" (good). As a noun, "gabon" also means Christmas Eve in Basque

8. Barkatu

   Bar-ka-tu

   Excuse me / Sorry

   Usage

   Used to get someone's attention or to apologize

   Grammar Note

   "Barkatu" comes from the root "barka-" (forgive) + the infinitive ending "-tu"

9. Gero arte

   Ge-ro ar-te

   See you later

   Usage

   Casual farewell when you plan to meet again soon

   Grammar Note

   "Gero arte" literally means "until later". Often combined with "Agur" in informal goodbyes

10. Euskara pixka bat baino ez dakit.

    Eus-ka-ra pix-ka bat bai-no ez da-kit.

    I only know a little Basque.

    Usage

    Letting someone know your Basque is limited

    Grammar Note

    "baino ez" forms a comparative negative meaning "only/nothing more than". Basque uses SOV word order

11. Non dago komuna?

    Where is the toilet/bathroom?

    Usage

    Essential phrase for finding a toilet in any public place

    Grammar Note

    "dago" is the third person singular present of "egon" (to be/stay). Used in Basque for location and existence

12. Ezin dut euskaraz hitz egin

    I can't speak Basque

    Usage

    Used to let someone know you don't speak Basque

    Grammar Note

    "euskaraz" uses the instrumental case suffix "-z" meaning "in Basque". Basque cases are expressed by suffixes

13. Berriro etorriko naiz.

    Ber-ri-ro e-tor-ri-ko naiz.

    I'll come again

    Usage

    Said when leaving a shop or restaurant

14. Oso ondo pasatu dut.

    O-so on-do pa-sa-tu dut.

    I had a great time

    Usage

    Said as you part ways

    Grammar Note

    "Ondo pasatu" is the standard idiom for "to have a good time"

15. Eskerrik asko, gero arte!

    Es-ker-rik as-ko, ge-ro ar-te!

    Thanks, see you

    Usage

    A casual farewell

16. Ez horregatik

    Ez hor-re-ga-tik

    You're welcome

    Usage

    Reply to "Eskerrik asko" (thank you). Literally "not for that"

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