Nightlife

1. Bar on bat al dago hemen?

   Bar on bat al da-go he-men?

   Is there a good bar nearby?

   Usage

   Asking for a recommended local bar

   Grammar Note

   "al" is a question particle placed before the verb in Basque

2. Topa!

   To-pa!

   Cheers!

   Usage

   The Basque toast said when clinking glasses

   Grammar Note

   "Topa!" is the quintessential Basque toast expression

3. Noiz ixten da?

   Noiz ix-ten da?

   What time does it close?

   Usage

   Checking closing time at a bar or club

   Grammar Note

   "ixten da" is the habitual present of "to close"; "-ten" marks ongoing/habitual aspect

4. Beste bat mesedez.

   Bes-te bat me-se-dez.

   One more, please

   Usage

   Handy phrase for ordering another drink at a bar

   Grammar Note

   "beste bat" literally means "another one" — versatile for any repeat order

5. Txakolia edaten ari naiz.

   Txa-ko-li-a e-da-ten a-ri naiz.

   I am drinking txakoli

   Usage

   Ordering or describing txakoli, the traditional Basque white wine

   Grammar Note

   Txakoli is famous for being poured from height to create a slight fizz

6. Zein ordutan hasten da musika?

   Zein or-du-tan has-ten da mu-si-ka?

   What time does the music start?

   Usage

   Asking what time the music starts at a bar or club

   Grammar Note

   "hasten" = "hasi" (begin) + "-ten" (habitual suffix). In Basque SOV, the predicate comes last

7. Nortzuk ari dira jotzen gaur gauean?

   Nor-tzuk a-ri di-ra jo-tzen gaur gau-e-an?

   Who is playing tonight?

   Usage

   Asking who is performing tonight

   Grammar Note

   "ari dira" is the progressive auxiliary. "jotzen" = "jo" (play) + "-tzen" (continuous suffix)

8. Beste zerbait edateko nahi dut.

   Bes-te zer-bait e-da-te-ko na-hi dut.

   I want another drink.

   Usage

   Ordering another round at the bar

   Grammar Note

   "-teko/-rako" is the purposive case suffix. "edateko" = "edan" (drink) verbal noun + "-teko" (for)

9. Topa, eta dantza egin dezagun!

   To-pa, e-ta dan-tza e-gin de-za-gun!

   Cheers and let's dance!

   Usage

   Getting the party started with a toast and an invitation to dance

   Grammar Note

   The drinking toast is "Topa!" ("Zorionak" means "congratulations"). "dezagun" is the hortative "let us" form

10. Etxera noa orain.

    Et-xe-ra no-a o-rain.

    I am going home now.

    Usage

    Telling friends you are heading home at the end of the night

    Grammar Note

    "etxe" (house) + "-ra" (allative case) = "etxera" (homeward). "noa" is first-person present of "joan" (go)

Browse all TravelPhrases languages