Greetings and politeness in Basque
Hello, please, thank you, sorry: the ten openers everything else builds on. 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 11 Basque phrases in this lesson
- Kaixokai-SHO
- Hello
- Egun onEH-goon on
- Good morning
- Arratsalde ona-rrat-SAL-de ON
- Good evening
- Agura-GOOR
- Goodbye
- Gero arteGEH-roh AR-teh
- See you
- Mesedezme-SE-des
- Please
- Eskerrik askoes-KER-ik AS-ko
- Thank you
- Ez horregatikez or-re-GA-tik
- You're welcome
- Sentitzen dutsen-TEE-tsen doot
- Sorry
- Barkatubar-KA-too
- Excuse me
- Pozten naiz zu ezagutzeazpos-ten NAIS soo e-za-goot-SE-as
- Nice to meet you
The universal Basque greeting, used at any time of day. Locals light up when they hear a visitor use it. The "x" in Basque is pronounced like the English "sh".
Used from morning until around midday. Basques appreciate the effort of using time-specific greetings rather than the all-purpose "kaixo".
Used from early afternoon until dark. After dark, "gabon" (GA-bon) is the greeting.
The standard farewell at any time of day. Interestingly, the same word is used in some other languages as a borrowing from Basque via trade routes. Roll the "r" lightly.
Literally "until later". Agur works anywhere, but between friends gero arte is warmer.
Added at the end of a request, not the beginning. Stress falls on the second syllable. The final "z" is soft, almost like an "s".
The everyday thank-you, used constantly. Both "mila esker" and "eskerrik asko" mean the same thing in practice; either will be received with a smile.
Literally "it is nothing for that." A slightly formal but very natural response to thanks. In casual settings you may also hear "ez, ez" (no, no, don't mention it).
Literally "I feel it", the real apology.
Used to get someone's attention or to ask to pass. For an apology that matters, sentitzen dut.
A mouthful, but worth the effort for a first meeting. If it feels too long, a warm smile and "ondo" combined with a handshake communicates the same feeling.