Language Learning

1. Nola esaten da "eskerrik asko" euskaraz?

   No-la e-sa-ten da "es-ker-rik as-ko" eus-ka-raz?

   How do you say "thank you" in Basque?

   Usage

   Used to ask for a basic expression in Basque

   Grammar Note

   "euskaraz" adds the instrumental suffix "-z" to "euskara" (Basque language)

2. Mesedez, hitz egin motelago.

   Me-se-dez, hitz e-gin mo-te-la-go.

   Please speak more slowly.

   Usage

   A polite request to slow down speech

   Grammar Note

   "motelago" (more slowly) is used as an adverb, so it takes no article suffix -a

3. Idatzi al dezakezu hori niretzat?

   I-datzi al de-za-ke-zu ho-ri ni-re-tzat?

   Can you write that down for me?

   Usage

   Used to ask someone to write something down

   Grammar Note

   Basque verbs can encode subject, object, and indirect object within one word

4. Zer esan nahi du hitz honek?

   Zer e-san na-hi du hitz ho-nek?

   What does this word mean?

   Usage

   Used to ask the meaning of a Basque word

   Grammar Note

   Basque is ergative-absolutive; transitive subjects use the ergative case like "honek"

5. Euskara ikasten ari naiz — elkarrekin praktikatu dezakegu?

   Eus-ka-ra i-kas-ten a-ri naiz — el-kar-re-kin prak-ti-ka-tu de-za-ke-gu?

   I'm studying Basque — can we practice together?

   Usage

   Used when looking for a Basque language practice partner

   Grammar Note

   "ikasten ari naiz" is the Basque progressive form using "ari" + verb

6. Nola ahoskatzen da hau?

   No-la a-hos-ka-tzen da hau?

   How do you pronounce this?

   Usage

   Used to confirm pronunciation in Basque

   Grammar Note

   Basque pronunciation is similar to Spanish in parts but has unique consonants like "tx" and "tz"

7. Hizkuntza ikasteko baliabide on bat gomendatu al dezakezu?

   Hiz-kun-tza i-kas-te-ko ba-li-a-bi-de on bat go-men-da-tu al de-za-ke-zu?

   Can you recommend a good language learning resource?

   Usage

   Used to ask for recommendations for language learning materials

   Grammar Note

   "ikasteko" is the purpose form of "ikasi" (to learn). Basque typically follows SOV word order

8. Nolakoa da tokiko dialektoa?

   No-la-ko-a da to-ki-ko di-a-lek-to-a?

   What is the local dialect like?

   Usage

   Used to inquire about regional variation in Basque

   Grammar Note

   Basque has many dialects (Western, Central, Eastern, etc.); "Batua" is the standardised form

9. Ba al dago hizkuntza-trukaketarako ekitaldiren bat hemen?

   Ba al da-go hiz-kun-tza-tru-ka-ke-ta-ra-ko e-ki-tal-di-ren bat he-men?

   Is there a language exchange event here?

   Usage

   Used to look for language exchange events in the area

   Grammar Note

   "ba al dago" is a question asking for existence. "al" is a question-emphasis particle

10. Hasiberria naiz — mesedez, pazientzia izan nirekin!

    Ha-si-ber-ri-a naiz — me-se-dez, pa-zi-en-tzi-a i-zan ni-re-kin!

    I'm a beginner — please be patient with me!

    Usage

    Used to say you are a beginner and ask for patience in Basque

    Grammar Note

    "nirekin" is "ni" (I) with the comitative suffix "-rekin" (with). Basque has a rich case system

Browse all TravelPhrases languages