Do you know basque?

The Royal Academy of the Basque Language – Euskaltzaindia, founded in 1919, is the official academic institution that watches over Basque language.

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October 2023

Euskera, Basque or vascuence is a genetically isolated European language,that is, it has no relationship or connection with any other known language.

Basque language is spoken on both sides of the western end of the Pyrenees, which means that it covers territories belonging to both Spain and France. The latest figures indicate that some 900,000 people understand or are able to speak Basque.

The Royal Academy of the Basque Language – Euskaltzaindia, founded in 1919, is the official academic institution that watches over Basque language.

It is an institution whose mission is to research and formulate the grammatical laws of Basque language, promote its use and watch over the rights of the language, among others.

www.euskaltzaindia.eus

Dictionary

Logela: Bedroom
Mahaia: Table
Aulkia: Chair
Hau: This
Dirua: Money
Txartela: Card
Txanponak: Coins
Emakumea: Woman
Gizona: Man
Komuna: Toilet, restroom
Ados!: Ok!
Pixka bat: Some
Gutxi: Little
Asko: Much
Denda: Store
Antzokia: Theater
Autobus geltokia: Bus station
Tren geltokia: Train station
Erakusketa: Exhibition
Botika: Pharmacy
Ospitalea: Hospital
Azoka: Fair
Kafetegia: Coffe shop
Egun on: Good morning
Arratsalde on: Good afternoon
Gabon: Good evening – good night
Kaixo!: Hello!
Agur!: Goodbye!
Mesedez: Please
Eskerrik asko: Thank you very much – thank you
Jatetxea: Restaurant
Taberna: Pub
Aparkalekua: Parking lot
Bat: One
Bi: Two
Hiru: Three
Geltokia: stop (train, bus)
Autobusa: Bus
Trena: Train
Aireportua: Airport
Hondartza: Beach
Udaletxea: Town hall
Irteerak: Departures
Iritsierak: Arrivals
Bai: Yes
Ez: No
Asko: Much
Gutxi: Little
Ura: Water
Ardoa: Wine
Kreditu Tzartela: Credit card
Hondartza: Beach
Museoa: Museum
Turismo Bulegoa: Tourist office
Kalea: Street
Kafe hutsa: Black coffee
Esnea: Milk
Kafesnea: Latte
Ebakia: Macchiato
Edaria: Drink
Ogia: Bread
Ogitartekoa: Sandwich
Sarrera: Entrance
Irteera: Exit

Common expressions

Bikain!: Excellent!
Leku ederra da: It’s an amazing place
Oso polita da: It’s beautiful
Ez dut ulertzen: I don’t get it
Oporretan nago: I’m on vacation
Aulki hau libre dago?: May I use this chair?
Tori!: Here you have it
Kobratu, mesedez: The bill, please
Zer moduz?: How are you?
Egun ona izan!: Have a good day!
Laster arte!: See you soon!
Mila esker!: Thank you so much!
Ez horregatik!: You are welcome!
Hau nahi dut: I’d like to have this
Hori nahi dugu: We’d like to have that
Non dago?: Where is it?
Pintxo hau, mesedez: I’d like to have this pintxo, please
Beste bat, mesedez: Another one, please
Sagardoa: Cider
Ardo beltza: Red wine
Ardo gorria: Light red wine
Ardo zuria: White wine
Urteko ardoa: Nouveau wine, cosechero
Topa!: Cheers!
Kafe bat, mesedez: A coffee, please
Garagardo bat, mesedez: A beer, please
Zenbat da?: How much is it?
Kontua, mesedez: The bill, please
Oso ondo, eskerrik asko: Okay, thank you
Ongi etorri!: Welcome
On egin!: Enjoy your meal!
Gero arte!: See you
Barkatu!: Sorry
Non Dago?: Where is it?
Hemen: Here
Heman zaude: You are here
Bihar ate!: See you tomorrow!
Eguneko menua: Daily menu
Plater konbinatua: Combination plate
Lehenengo platera: First course
Bigarren platera: Main course

WILHELM VON HUMBOLDT (Potsdam, 1767- Berlín, 1835)

Philosopher, linguist and one of the founders of the University of Berlin:
“Basque is one of the most perfectly formed languages, surprising for its rigour, the structure of its words, its brevity and the boldness of its expression”