Useful Phrases

1. Nik egin dut app hau.

   Nik e-gin dut app hau.

   I made this app

   Usage

   Introduce the app in Basque

   Grammar Note

   Basque is an ergative-absolutive language. Transitive subjects take the "-k" ergative suffix

2. App hau doakoa da.

   App hau do-a-ko-a da.

   This app is free

   Usage

   Explain the app is free

   Grammar Note

   "Doako" is the adjective "free of charge"; with the definite article -a it becomes "doakoa", the predicate

3. Saiatu deskargatzen.

   Sai-a-tu des-kar-ga-tzen.

   Please try downloading it

   Usage

   Encourage someone to download the app

   Grammar Note

   Basque gerunds use "-tzen/-ten" suffix. "Saiatu + gerund" = try doing

4. Japoniarra naiz.

   Ja-po-ni-a-rra naiz.

   I'm Japanese

   Usage

   Introduce your nationality

   Grammar Note

   A Japanese person is "japoniar" (definite "japoniarra"). "izan" is intransitive, so the subject is absolutive and the pronoun "ni" can be dropped

5. Bidaiari bat naiz.

   Bi-dai-a-ri bat naiz.

   I'm a traveler

   Usage

   Identify yourself as a traveler

   Grammar Note

   "Bidai" (journey) + "-ari" (agent suffix) = "bidaiari" (traveler)

6. Bakarrik bidaiatzen ari naiz.

   Ba-kar-rik bi-dai-a-tzen a-ri naiz.

   I'm traveling alone

   Usage

   Tell others you are traveling solo

   Grammar Note

   "Bakar" (alone) + "-rik" (adverbial suffix) = "bakarrik" (alone)

7. Hemen lehen aldiz nago.

   He-men le-hen al-diz na-go.

   It's my first time here

   Usage

   Express that this is your first visit

   Grammar Note

   "Lehen" (first) + "aldiz" (times, with -z instrumental) = "for the first time"

8. Argazkia atera dezaket?

   Ar-gaz-ki-a a-te-ra de-za-ket?

   May I take a photo?

   Usage

   Ask for permission to take a photo

   Grammar Note

   "Dezaket" incorporates subject (I) and expresses ability. Basque verbs include argument info

9. Elkarrekin argazki bat atera dezakegu?

   El-kar-re-kin ar-gaz-ki bat a-te-ra de-za-ke-gu?

   Shall we take a photo together?

   Usage

   Suggest taking a photo together

   Grammar Note

   "Elkar" (each other) + "-rekin" (comitative suffix "with") = "together"

10. Mesedez, eskaneatu QR kodea.

    Me-se-dez, es-ka-ne-a-tu QR ko-de-a.

    Please scan the QR code

    Usage

    Ask someone to scan the QR code

    Grammar Note

    "Mesedez" is the Basque "please", borrowed from Spanish "merced" (grace/favor)

11. Ez nazazu engainatu!

    Don't cheat me / Stop ripping me off

    Usage

    Used when protesting an unfair price or being cheated

    Grammar Note

    Basque imperatives have complex agreement. "nazazu" is the 2nd-to-1st person imperative auxiliary

12. Ez nazazu gutxietsi!

    Don't underestimate me / Don't look down on me

    Usage

    Used when someone is underestimating or disrespecting you

    Grammar Note

    "gutxietsi" derives from "gutxi" (little/few), meaning to belittle or undervalue someone

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