Kaixo!

The Basque language, known as Euskara, is a very old language and has no known living relatives. You'll enjoy learning a few words and being able to use them while you're here.

Words to get by in basque

 
 Anterior
 Siguiente

Kaixo

This is the most common word used to greet people. Basically, 'hello'. More colloquial expressions include 'Epa', 'Apa', 'Iepa', and 'Aupa'.

Ongi Etorri

Expression used to welcome someone. 'Ongi' means 'well', and 'etorri' means 'to come'.

Agur

This word is used to say goodbye. A more colloquial term would be 'Aio'.

Gero arte

And if you don't like goodbyes, how about 'see you later'?

Egun on, arratsalde on, gabon

A greeting for every time of the day: good morning, good afternoon and good night.

Mesedez

'Please'. Used to politely ask for something.

Eskerrik asko

'Thank you'.

Barkatu

This word is used to say you're sorry.

Zer moduz?

'How are you' or 'How's it going?'. The most common answers are: 'ondo' (well) or 'gaizki' (not well).

Etxea

'House' or 'home'.

Zorionak

This word is used to congratulate someone. You can also say 'Urte askotarako', which means 'for many years to come'.

Gosaria, Bazkaria, Afaria

These are the three meals of the day: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

On Egin

Gipuzkoa loves to eat. 'On egin!' means 'bon appétit' or 'enjoy your meal'.

Pintxos

A carefully prepared bite-sized morsel, a cornerstone of Basque gastronomy.

Sagardotegi

Cider house, a place to drink apple cider ('sagardoa' in Basque), and enjoy a meal of cod, steak, cheese and walnuts.

Txakolindegi

Winery where Txakoli is made, a fresh Basque white wine.

Txikito

A short, stemless glass generally used for red wine in a 'txikiteo' or bar crawl.

Goxoa

A word he used define something that is delicious.

Azoka

Traditional farmers market where locals sell their fruits, vegetables and other natural products.

Xirimiri

Fine constant drizzle, typical in the Basque Country.

Hondartza

Beach. The word comes from 'hondar', meaning 'sand'.

Zenbakia

Number. Here are the numbers from 1 to 10: Bat, bi, hiru, lau, bost, sei, zazpi, zortzi, bederatzi, hamar. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.

Maite

Declaration of love, 'I love you'.

Musu

Kiss. The 's' in 'musu' is pronounced like an 'sh' (mooshoo).

Polita

A word used to refer to something pretty or cute.