Yes, no and the essentials in Basque
The small words that carry half of every conversation, and the ones that rescue it. Play the ten Basque words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 10 Basque phrases in this lesson
- Baibye
- Yes
- Ezez
- No
- Adosa-DOS
- Okay
- Ez dut ulertzenez doot oo-LER-tsen
- I don't understand
- Ingelesez hitz egiten duzu?in-ge-LE-ses hits e-GI-ten DOO-zoo
- Do you speak English?
- Errepikatu, mesedeze-rre-pee-KA-too me-SE-des
- Can you repeat that?
- Poliki, mesedezpo-LEE-kee me-SE-des
- Slowly, please
- Zer da hau?ser da HOW
- What is this?
- ... behar dutbe-HAR doot
- I need...
- Lagundu ahal didazu?la-GOON-doo a-HAL dee-DA-soo
- Can you help me?
Pronounced exactly like the English word "bye." One of the most satisfying words to know because it sounds so familiar yet is entirely unique to Basque.
Short and soft, rhymes with "says." Repeating it gently, "ez, ez," is a friendly way to say "no need" or "don't worry about it."
Borrowed from Spanish "de acuerdo" and universally understood. You will also hear the Spanish "vale" used interchangeably in the southern Basque Country.
Use this when someone speaks too fast or switches into deeper Basque. Most Basques will then switch to Spanish or slow down considerably.
English is fairly widely spoken in tourist areas, especially among younger people. In rural villages, Spanish is the safer fallback after Basque.
Everyone also speaks Spanish or French, so switching is always possible.
The question for every pintxo on the bar.
"Medikua behar dut", I need a doctor.