Basque phrases | Most common phrases for everyday life

Basque phrases – Here you will find the most common phrases in Basque with translation. | Free & useful

Basque phrases are short expressions or idioms often used in speech to be polite, express gratitude, greet or say goodbye or simply to have a pleasant conversation.

They are an important part of Basque culture and can be useful in different situations, both in private and business life.

Basque phrases you should know

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Greet someone in Basque

If you want to greet someone in Basque, it’s actually quite easy:

English	Basque	IPA
Welcome! in Basque	Ongi etorri!	[oŋɡi e̞ˈto̞ri]
Good day to you! in Basque	Egun on!	[e̞ɡun̺ o̞n]
Good morning to you! in Basque	Goizean on!	[ɡo̞i̯se̞an̺ o̞n]
Good evening! in Basque	Arratsalde on!	[arat͡sal̺de̞ o̞n]
Good to see you. in Basque	Pozten naiz zu ikusteaz.	[po̞s̺ten nai̯s̺ s̺u ikuʃte̞as̺]
I’m glad to see you. in Basque	Zu ikusteaz pozik nago.	[s̺u ikuʃte̞as̺ po̞s̺ik naɡo̞]

If you are greeted in Basque, the best way to respond is as follows:

English	Basque	IPA
Have a nice day too! in Basque	Zuri ere egun on!	[s̺uɾi e̞ɾe̞ e̞ɡun̺ o̞n]
Thanks, it’s nice to see you too. in Basque	Eskerrik asko, zuri ere ikustea atsegina da.	[es̺k̺e̞rik as̺k̺o̞ s̺uɾi e̞ɾe̞ ikus̺te̞a at̺s̺e̞ɡina ð̞a]

How is my dialogue partner?

As in any other country, it is polite to start by asking where the person you are talking to is located. Here’s how you do it:

English	Basque	IPA
How are you doing? in Basque	Nola zaude?	[ˈno̞l̺a ˈs̺au̯ð̞e̞]
Are you doing well? in Basque	Ondo zaude?	[ˈon̺do̞ ˈs̺au̯ð̞e̞]

If you are asked how you feel, you can answer with the following phrases:

English	Basque	IPA
Thank you for asking, I am fine.	Galdetzeagatik eskerrik asko, ondo nago.	[ɡal̺det͡se̞aɡatik es̺k̺e̞rik as̺k̺o̞ on̺do̞ naɡo̞]
Thank you, I am fine.	Eskerrik asko, ondo nago.	[es̺k̺e̞rik as̺k̺o̞ on̺do̞ naɡo̞]
Thank you, I am not doing so well.	Eskerrik asko, ez nago hain ondo.	[es̺k̺e̞rik as̺k̺o̞ es̺ naɡo̞ ain̺ on̺do̞]
Thanks, I’m fine. How are you doing?	Eskerrik asko, ondo nago. Eta zu?	[es̺k̺e̞rik as̺k̺o̞ on̺do̞ naɡo̞ e̞t̪a s̺u]

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How do I say goodbye to someone in Basque?

Saying goodbye to a friend or stranger in Basque is not that difficult. Just use the following phrases:

English	Basque	IPA
Goodbye! in Basque	Agur!	[aˈɡur]
Take care of yourself! in Basque	Zaindu zaitez!	[s̺ain̺du s̺ai̯t̪es̺]
Goodbye in Basque	Adio	[aˈdio]
See you tomorrow in Basque	Bihar arte	[biˈhaɾ aɾˈte]
See you soon in Basque	Laster arte	[las̺ˈteɾ aɾˈte]
See you later in Basque	Gero arte	[ɡe̞ˈɾo̞ aɾˈte]
Good night in Basque	Gabon	[ɡaˈbon]
Sleep well in Basque	Ondo lo egin	[on̺do̞ lo̞ e̞ˈɡin]
Talk to you later. in Basque	Geroago hitz egingo dugu	[ɡe̞ɾo̞ˈaɡo̞ hits̺ e̞ɡin̺ɡo̞ ˈðuɡu]
Nice to have met you! in Basque	Pozgarria izan da zuri ezagutzea!	[pos̺ɡar̺i.a iˈs̺an̺ ða s̺uɾi es̺aɡut̪ˈs̺e̞.a]

How do I introduce myself in Basque?

When travelling in Spain, sooner or later you will come into contact with local people. Naturally, you’ll want to introduce yourself in Basque and know who you’re talking to.

English	Basque	IPA
My name is Jonas.	Nire izena Jonas da.	[niˈɾe iˈs̺e̞na ˈjonas̺ ða]
What is your name?	Zein da zure izena?	[s̺ein̺ ða ˈsuɾe iˈs̺e̞na]
What is your surname?	Zein da zure abizena?	[s̺ein̺ ða ˈsuɾe aβiˈs̺e̞na]
What is your first name?	Zein da zure izen propioa?	[s̺ein̺ ða ˈsuɾe iˈs̺en̺ pɾo̞ˈpio̞a]
What is your surname?	Zein da zure abizena?	[s̺ein̺ ða ˈsuɾe aβiˈs̺e̞na]

If you want to tell people where you come from, the following sentences are useful:

English	Basque	IPA
Where do you come from?	Nongoa zara?	[no̞n̺ɡo̞.a ˈs̺aɾa]
I am from London.	Londresekoa naiz.	[lon̺d̪ɾes̺e̞ˈkoa nai̯s̺]
Are you from Birmingham?	Birminghamekoa zara?	[biɾmin̺ɡam̺e̞ˈkoa ˈs̺aɾa]
No, I’m from Madrid.	Ez, ni Madrilekoa naiz.	[es̺ ni mað̞ɾile̞ˈkoa nai̯s̺]
Great, I’m from Madrid too.	Primeran, ni ere Madrilekoa naiz.	[pɾime̞ˈɾan̺ ni e̞ɾe̞ mað̞ɾile̞ˈkoa nai̯s̺]
Where do you live?	Non bizi zara?	[non̺ ˈbis̺i ˈs̺aɾa]
I live in Berlin.	Berlinen bizi naiz.	[berliˈnen̺ ˈbis̺i nai̯s̺]

If you have problems with your Basque, it is good to know which languages are still spoken:

English	Basque	IPA
Do you speak English?	Ingeleses hitz egiten duzu?	[in̺ɡe̞les̺es̺ hits̺ e̞ɡiˈten̺ ðuˈsu]
Yes, I speak English.	Bai, ingelesez hitz egiten dut.	[bai̯ in̺ɡe̞les̺es̺ hits̺ e̞ɡiˈten̺ ðut̪]
Yes, I speak some English.	Bai, pixka bat ingelesez hitz egiten dut.	[bai̯ piʃka bat̪ in̺ɡe̞les̺es̺ hits̺ e̞ɡiˈten̺ ðut̪]
No, I do not speak any English.	Ez, ez dut ingelesez hitz egiten.	[es̺ es̺ ðut̪ in̺ɡe̞les̺es̺ hits̺ e̞ɡiˈten̺]
I only speak English.	Ingelesez bakarrik hitz egiten dut.	[in̺ɡe̞les̺es̺ bɑkɑˈrik̺ hits̺ e̞ɡiˈten̺ ðut̪]
I understand some Basque.	Euskaraz pixka bat ulertzen dut.	[eus̺kɑɾɑs̺ piʃka bat̪ u̞le̞ɾt̪s̺en̺ ðut̪]

Useful sentences with ‘I am…’

The following sentences will help you orientate yourself in Basque and express your wishes and concerns:

English	Basque	IPA
I am English. in Basque	Inglesa naiz.	[in̺ɡle̞s̺a nai̯s̺]
I am injured. in Basque	Zaurituta nago.	[s̺au̯ɾitu̞t̪a naɡo̞]
I am here. in Basque	Hemen nago.	[e̞men naɡo̞]
I am hungry. in Basque	Gose naiz.	[ɡo̞se̞ nai̯s̺]
I am thirsty. in Basque	Egarri naiz.	[e̞ɡari nai̯s̺]
I am a single person. in Basque	Bakarra naiz.	[bɑkɑr̺a nai̯s̺]
I need help! in Basque	Laguntza behar dut!	[laɡun̺t͡s̺a be̞aɾ ðut̪]
I am tired. in Basque	Nekatuta nago.	[ne̞kɑtu̞t̪a naɡo̞]
I am happy. in Basque	Poza daukat.	[po̞s̺a ðau̯kɑt̪]
I am sad. in Basque	Triste nago.	[t̪ɾis̺t̪e̞ naɡo̞]
I am in love. in Basque	Maiteminduta nago.	[mai̯t̪emin̺ðut̪a naɡo̞]
I am ill. in Basque	Gaixo nago.	[ɡai̯ʃo̞ naɡo̞]
I am ready. in Basque	Prest nago.	[pɾes̺t̪ naɡo̞]
I am busy. in Basque	Lanetakoan nabil.	[lan̺et̪ako̞an̺ nabil]
I am lost. in Basque	Galduta nago.	[ɡal̺ðu̞t̪a naɡo̞]
I am a tourist. in Basque	Turista naiz.	[t̪uɾis̺t̪a nai̯s̺]
I am new here. in Basque	Hemen berria naiz.	[e̞men̺ be̞ri.a nai̯s̺]
I am confident. in Basque	Konfiantza dut.	[k̺on̺fian̺t̪s̺a ðut̪]
I am proud. in Basque	Harro nago.	[ɑr̺o̞ naɡo̞]
I am a teacher. in Basque	Irakaslea naiz.	[iɾɑkɑs̺le̞a nai̯s̺]
I am late. in Basque	Berandu nator.	[be̞ɾan̺ðu̞ nɑt̪o̞ɾ]
I am 30 years old. in Basque	Hogei eta hamar urte ditut.	[o̞ɣei̯ e̞t̪a aˈmaɾ uɾt̪e̞ dit̪ut̪]
I am in a hurry. in Basque	Presaka nago.	[pɾes̺ak̺a naɡo̞]
I am happy. in Basque	Poza daukat.	[po̞s̺a ðau̯kɑt̪]
I am surprised. in Basque	Harrituta nago.	[ɑr̺it̪u̞t̪a naɡo̞]
I am angry. in Basque	Haserre nago.	[ɑs̺e̞re̞ naɡo̞]

Apologising in Basque

Here’s how to apologise to a Basque speaker:

English	Basque	IPA
I apologise.	Barkamena eskatzen dut.	[barkame̞na eskats̺en ðut̪]
Sorry, that was not the intention.	Barkatu, ez zen nire asmoa hori.	[barkatu es̺ sen niɾe̞ as̺mo̞.a o̞ɾi]
Sorry, I did not do it on purpose.	Barkatu, ez dut nahita egin.	[barkatu es̺ ðut̪ nai̯t̪a eɡin]
Sorry, that was very clumsy of me.	Barkatu, oso traketsa izan naiz.	[barkatu o̞s̺o̞ t̪ɾakets̺a is̺an nai̯s̺]

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Useful signs and notices in Basque

Useful signs and messages in Basque that you will often see.

English	Basque	IPA
Entrance in Basque	Sarrera	[s̺are̞ɾa]
Toilet in Basque	Komuna	[komuna]
Exit in Basque	Irteera	[iɾte̞e̞ɾa]
Attention! in Basque	Adi!	[adi]
Police in Basque	Ertzaintza	[eɾt̪s̺ain̺t̪s̺a]
Emergency services in Basque	Larrialdi zerbitzuak	[lɑriɑl̺di s̺e̞ɾβit̪s̺u.ak]
Fire brigade in Basque	Suhiltzaileak	[s̺uhil̺t̪s̺ail̺eak]
Passage forbidden. in Basque	Sarbidea debekatuta dago.	[s̺ɑɾβiɾe̞ɑ ðe̞βekɑt̪ut̪a ðɑɡo̞]
Caution! in Basque	Kontuz!	[kont̪us̺]
This building is under video surveillance. in Basque	Eraikin hau bideo zaintzapean dago.	[eɾɑikin̺ ɑu̯ βiɾeo̞ s̺ain̺t̪s̺ape̞ɑn̺ ðɑɡo̞]

Numbers to 25 in Basque

Counting in Basque is not that difficult. Here are the numbers in Basque from 1 to 25.

English	Basque	IPA
1 in Basque	bat	[bat̪]
2 in Basque	bi	[bi]
3 in Basque	hiru	[iɾu]
4 in Basque	lau	[lau̯]
5 in Basque	bost	[bos̺t̪]
6 in Basque	sei	[ʃei̯]
7 in Basque	zazpi	[s̺as̺pi]
8 in Basque	zortzi	[s̺o̞ɾt̪s̺i]
9 in Basque	bederatzi	[be̞ðe̞ɾat̪s̺i]
10 in Basque	hamar	[amar]
11 in Basque	hamaika	[amaika]
12 in Basque	hamabi	[amabi]
13 in Basque	hamahiru	[amahiru]
14 in Basque	hamalau	[amalau̯]
15 in Basque	hamabost	[amabos̺t̪]
16 in Basque	hamasei	[amasei̯]
17 in Basque	hamazazpi	[amas̺as̺pi]
18 in Basque	hamazortzi	[amas̺o̞ɾt̪s̺i]
19 in Basque	hemeretzi	[emeɾet̪s̺i]
20 in Basque	hogei	[o̞ɣei̯]
21 in Basque	hogeita bat	[o̞ɣei̯t̪a bat̪]
22 in Basque	hogeita bi	[o̞ɣei̯t̪a bi]
23 in Basque	hogeita hiru	[o̞ɣei̯t̪a iɾu]
24 in Basque	hogeita lau	[o̞ɣei̯t̪a lau̯]
25 in Basque	hogeita bost	[o̞ɣei̯t̪a bos̺t̪]

The colours in Basque

The most common colours in Basque with phonetic transcription for pronunciation.

English	Basque	IPA
Red in Basque	Gorria	[ɡori.a]
Blue in Basque	Urdina	[uɾðina]
Yellow in Basque	Horia	[oɾia]
Green in Basque	Berdea	[beɾðea]
Black in Basque	Beltza	[belt̪sa]
White in Basque	Zuria	[suɾia]
Orange in Basque	Laranja	[laɾan̺ʒa]
Pink in Basque	Arrosa	[aɾosa]
Brown in Basque	Marroia	[mar̺roi̯a]
Purple in Basque	Morea	[moɾea]

Days of the week, months and seasons in Basque

Of course, you will also need the days of the week in Basque and the pronunciation of the months and seasons in dialogues and daily communication in Basque.

English	Basque	IPA
Monday in Basque	astelehena	[as̺t̪ele̞ena]
Tuesday in Basque	asteartea	[as̺t̪eaɾte̞a]
Wednesday in Basque	asteazkena	[as̺t̪eas̺kena]
Thursday in Basque	osteguna	[os̺te̞ɣuna]
Friday in Basque	ostirala	[os̺tiɾala]
Saturday in Basque	larunbata	[laɾunbata]
Sunday in Basque	igandea	[iɡande̞a]
January in Basque	urtarrila	[uɾt̪ar̺ila]
February in Basque	otsaila	[ot̪s̺aila]
March in Basque	martxoa	[martʃoa]
April in Basque	apirila	[apiɾila]
May in Basque	maiatza	[majat̪s̺a]
June in Basque	ekaina	[ekaina]
July in Basque	uztaila	[us̺t̪aila]
August in Basque	abuztua	[abust̪ua]
September in Basque	iraila	[iɾaila]
October in Basque	urria	[uɾia]
November in Basque	azaroa	[asaɾoa]
December in Basque	abendua	[abendu.a]
Spring in Basque	udaberria	[uðaber̺ia]
Summer in Basque	uda	[uða]
Autumn in Basque	udazkena	[uðas̺kena]
Winter in Basque	negua	[neɣua]

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Additional links

• The different ways of learning languages
• Learning vocabulary successfully
• Motivated language learning
• It is so easy to train your understanding of a language at the same time
• Learning languages quickly? – Is it possible?
• The different types of learners when learning languages

More information about the Basque Course for Children.