Language/Basque/Grammar/Conjunctions

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Basque → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Conjunctions

Welcome to our lesson on conjunctions in the Basque language! Conjunctions are essential tools that help us connect words, phrases, and clauses, allowing us to construct more complex and meaningful sentences. In Basque, just as in English, conjunctions play a crucial role in linking ideas, expressing relationships, and enhancing the flow of language.

In this lesson, we will explore the different types of conjunctions used in Basque, how they function within sentences, and provide plenty of examples to illustrate their use. We will also include exercises to practice what you've learned. By the end of this lesson, you will have a solid understanding of conjunctions in Basque and how to use them effectively in your conversations.

What are Conjunctions?

Conjunctions are words that connect other words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence. They help us to express relationships between ideas and to build more complex sentences. In Basque, conjunctions can be classified into two main categories: coordinating conjunctions and subordinating conjunctions.

Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions connect words, phrases, or independent clauses that are of equal importance. In Basque, the most common coordinating conjunction is "eta", which means "and." Other examples include "baina" (but), "edo" (or), and "eta" (and).

Here’s a quick look at some common coordinating conjunctions in Basque:

Basque	Pronunciation	English
eta	/ˈeta/	and
baina	/ˈbaina/	but
edo	/ˈedo/	or
eta / edo	/ˈeta/ /ˈedo/	and/or

Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions connect an independent clause with a dependent clause. They help to express relationships such as time, cause, condition, and contrast. Common subordinating conjunctions in Basque include "baldin" (if), "non" (where), and "denbora" (when).

Here’s a table of some commonly used subordinating conjunctions in Basque:

Basque	Pronunciation	English
baldintza	/balˈdin̪tsa/	if
non	/non/	where
noiz	/noiz/	when
zergatik	/zerˈɡatik/	because

Examples of Conjunctions in Sentences

Now that we understand the types of conjunctions, let’s look at how they can be used in sentences. Here are some practical examples that demonstrate their use:

Coordinating Conjunctions Examples

1. "Ni eta zu etorri gara."

• Pronunciation: /ni eta zu eˈtorri ɡaɾa/

• Translation: I and you came.

2. "Gaur eguraldi ona da, baina hotza da."

• Pronunciation: /ɡauɾ eɡuˈɾaldi ˈona ða, ˈbaina ˈot͡sa ða/

• Translation: The weather is nice today, but it is cold.

3. "Kafea edo tea nahi dut."

• Pronunciation: /kaˈfe.a ˈe.ðo te.a nai ðut/

• Translation: I want coffee or tea.

4. "Iraupena laburra da, eta entretenigarria."

• Pronunciation: /iraʊˈpe.na laˈβur.ɾa ða, eta e.t͡ɾen̪teˈni.ɡa.ɾia/

• Translation: The duration is short and entertaining.

5. "Gaur ikastaroa hasi da, eta ikasleak etorri dira."

• Pronunciation: /ɡauɾ i.kasˈta.ɾoa haˈsi ða, eta i.kasˈle.ak eˈtoɾi ði.ɾa/

• Translation: The course started today, and the students have come.

6. "Etxean nago, baina lan egiten ari naiz."

• Pronunciation: /et͡ʃean ˈna.ɡo, ˈbaina lan eɡiˈten aˈɾi naiz/

• Translation: I am at home, but I am working.

7. "Zuhaitza altua da, eta adarrak handiak ditu."

• Pronunciation: /zuˈai̯t͡sa alˈtua ða, eta aˈdaɾ.aks anˈdiaks ˈditu/

• Translation: The tree is tall, and it has big branches.

8. "Haurrek jolasten dute, eta gurasoek begiratzen dute."

• Pronunciation: /hau̯ɾek xolaˈsten ˈdute, eta ɡuɾaˈsoek beɡiˈɾatzen ˈdute/

• Translation: The children play, and the parents watch.

9. "Egoera zaila da, baina irtenbideak aurkitu ditugu."

• Pronunciation: /eɡoˈeɾa ˈzaila ða, ˈbaina iɾten̪ˈbi.ðe.ak au̯ɾˈkitu diˈtuɡu/

• Translation: The situation is difficult, but we have found solutions.

10. "Liburua irakurri nuen, eta ondo pasatu nuen."

• Pronunciation: /liˈbu.ɾua iɾaˈkuɾi nuˈen, eta ˈondo pasaˈtu nuen/

• Translation: I read the book, and I had a good time.

Subordinating Conjunctions Examples

1. "Baldin eguraldi ona bada, irten egingo gara."

• Pronunciation: /balˈdin eɡuˈraldi ˈona ˈβa.ða, iɾˈten eɡinˈɡo ɡaɾa/

• Translation: If the weather is nice, we will go out.

2. "Noiz etorriko zara?"

• Pronunciation: /noiz eˈtoɾi.ko ˈzaɾa/

• Translation: When will you come?

3. "Zergatik ez duzu etorri?"

• Pronunciation: /zerˈɡatik ez ˈdu.zu eˈtoɾi/

• Translation: Why didn't you come?

4. "Non bizi zara?"

• Pronunciation: /non ˈbi.zi ˈzaɾa/

• Translation: Where do you live?

5. "Ez badakizu, galdetu dezakezu."

• Pronunciation: /ez βaˈðakizu, ɡalˈde.tu ðeˈza.ke.zu/

• Translation: If you don't know, you can ask.

6. "Egun bat igarota, hemen izango gara."

• Pronunciation: /eˈɡun bat iɡaˈɾota, ˈhe.men iˈza.ŋɡo ɡaɾa/

• Translation: After one day passes, we will be here.

7. "Haurrek ez badute jolasten, triste egongo dira."

• Pronunciation: /hau̯ɾek ez baˈðute xolaˈsten, ˈtɾiste eˈɡonɡo ˈdiɾa/

• Translation: If the children don’t play, they will be sad.

8. "Gaur noiz iritsiko da?"

• Pronunciation: /ɡauɾ noiz iˈɾi.t͡ʃi.ko ða/

• Translation: When will he/she arrive today?

9. "Zer izan daiteke, etorriz gero?"

• Pronunciation: /zeɾ iˈzan ˈʣait͡e.ɡe, eˈtoɾiz ˈɡe.ɾo/

• Translation: What could it be, after coming?

10. "Hemen egoteko, joan beharko zara."

• Pronunciation: /heˈmen eɡoˈteko, xoan βeaɾˈko ˈzaɾa/

• Translation: To be here, you must go.

Practice Exercises

Now that we've covered some theory and examples, it’s time to put your knowledge to the test! Below are some exercises designed to help you apply what you’ve learned about conjunctions in Basque.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate conjunction (eta, baina, or edo).

1. "Gaur eguraldi ona da, ____ hotza da."

2. "Zu etorri zara, ____ ni ez."

3. "Kafea ____ tea nahi dut."

4. "Ura edan nahi dut, ____ janari ez."

5. "Mutila ikusten dut, ____ neskak ez."

Solutions:

1. eta

2. baina

3. edo

4. baina

5. baina

Exercise 2: Sentence Construction

Construct sentences using the following conjunctions:

1. eta

2. baina

3. edo

4. non

5. noiz

Sample Answers:

1. "Ni eta nire lagunak etorri gara." (I and my friends came.)

2. "Gaur ikastaroa hasi da, baina ez dakit nolakoa den." (The course started today, but I don't know what it's like.)

3. "Etxean gelditu nahi dut edo kalera joan." (I want to stay at home or go out.)

4. "Non bizi zara?" (Where do you live?)

5. "Noiz etorriko zara?" (When will you come?)

Exercise 3: Translation Practice

Translate the following sentences into Basque using the correct conjunctions:

1. "If it rains, we will stay home."

2. "I want to eat, but I am not hungry."

3. "Do you want coffee or tea?"

4. "I will go if you come."

5. "I saw him, and he was happy."

Solutions:

1. "Euri egiten badu, etxean geratuko gara."

2. "Janari nahi dut, baina gose ez naiz."

3. "Kafea edo tea nahi duzu?"

4. "Etorri bazara, joango naiz."

5. "Berra ikusi nuen, eta pozik zegoen."

Exercise 4: Identify the Conjunctions

Read the following sentences and identify the conjunctions used:

1. "Ni eta nire ahizpa etorri gara."

2. "Etorri nahi dut, baina ez dut denborarik."

3. "Etxean gelditu naiz, non lagunak daude."

Solutions:

1. eta

2. baina

3. non

Exercise 5: Create Your Own Sentences

Using the conjunctions learned, create your own sentences that include at least one coordinating and one subordinating conjunction. Share with your classmates!

Sample Sentences:

1. "Gaur etorri naiz, eta lagunekin afalduko dut." (I came today, and I will have dinner with my friends.)

2. "Etxean nago, non liburuak irakurtzen ditut." (I am at home, where I read books.)

Conclusion

Congratulations! You've just taken a significant step in your journey to mastering Basque by learning about conjunctions. Remember, conjunctions are not just words; they are the glue that holds our sentences together. They help us express complex ideas and connect thoughts in a fluid manner. Keep practicing, and soon you will be using conjunctions effortlessly in your conversations.

Feel free to revisit this lesson whenever you need a refresher, and don’t forget to move on to the next lesson about Prepositions. Happy learning!

Table of Contents - Basque Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to Basque Language

• Alphabet and Pronunciation
• Basic Sentence Structure

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Common Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

  ---

Nouns and Articles

• Definite and Indefinite Articles
• Noun Gender and Number

  ---

Numbers and Counting

• Numbers 1-20
• Ordinal Numbers

  ---

Pronouns and Verb Conjugation

• Subject Pronouns
• Regular Verb Conjugation

  ---

Days, Months, and Seasons

• Days of the Week
• Months and Seasons

  ---

Questions and Negation

• Interrogative Words
• Forming Questions
• Negation

  ---

Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Describing Relationships

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Descriptive Adjectives
• Comparatives and Superlatives
• Adverbs

  ---

Food and Dining

• Common Foods
• Eating Out

  ---

Prepositions and Conjunctions

• Common Prepositions
• Conjunctions

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Travel Vocabulary

  ---

Basque Culture and Traditions

• History and Geography
• Festivals and Celebrations

Sources

• A Grammar of Basque
• Basque Grammar - Negation
• Is Basque an S. O. V. language?

Other Lessons

• Questions
• Possessive Case in Basque
• 0 to A1 Course
• Definite and Indefinite Articles
• Noun Gender and Number
• Conditional Mood
• Regular Verb Conjugation
• Basic elements of the sentence
• Indefinite Articles in Basque

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