Language/Basque/Vocabulary/Common-Greetings
| ◀️ Basic Sentence Structure — Previous Lesson | Next Lesson — Introducing Yourself ▶️ |
Basque is a unique and fascinating language with a rich history and culture. In this lesson, we will focus on the basic of Basque greetings for daily use, including different times of the day and occasions. You will learn how to use them in different social settings and get an insight into the Basque culture.
Basque Greetings
Greetings are an essential part of communication in any language. They show respect, build rapport, and create a positive first impression. In Basque, the way you greet someone depends on the time of the day and your relationship with the person you are addressing. Let's explore some popular Basque greetings.
Greetings for Different Times of the Day
In Basque, different greetings are used depending on the time of day. Here are some common Basque greetings for different times of the day:
- Good morning - "Egun on"
- Good afternoon/evening - "Arratsaldeon"
- Good night - "Gabon"
It's essential to note that Basque people follow a different time convention compared to the rest of Spain. The day starts at 00:00 am and ends at 23:59 pm. So, when a Basque person says "good afternoon," it means any time after 13:00 pm.
Greetings for Different Occasions
In Basque culture, greetings also vary in different settings or occasions. Here are some examples:
- Formal business meeting - "Agur, Adiskideak" (Greetings, friends)
- Large gathering - "Kaixo, denoi" (Hello, everyone)
- Meeting someone for the first time- "Ez dakizu nola deitzen naiz" (Do you know how to pronounce my name?)
Other Essential Phrases
Here are some other basic Phrases in Basque to help you greet people:
- How are you? - "Zer moduz zaude?"
- I'm fine, thank you - "Ondo nago, eskerrik asko"
- And you? - "Eta zu?"
- Nice to meet you - "Plazer handia izan da zurekin ezagutzea"
It's essential to note that Basque is an endangered language, and people in the Basque country appreciate anyone that is trying to learn their language. So, don't be hesitant to practice your greetings with the locals. They will be delighted to help and appreciate the effort.
Examples of Basque Greetings
Let's see some examples of Basque greetings in tabular format:
| Basque | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Egun on | 'e-gun on' | Good morning |
| Arratsaldeo | 'ar-rats-al-de-o' | Good afternoon |
| Gabon | 'ga-bon' | Goodnight |
| Agur, Adiskideak | 'a-gur, a-dis-ki-de-ak' | Greetings, friends |
| Kaixo, denoi | 'kai-cho, de-noi' | Hello, everyone |
| Ez dakizu nola deitzen naiz | 'ez da-ki-zu no-la dei-tzen naiz' | Do you know how to pronounce my name? |
Conclusion
This lesson has given you an insight into the Basque greetings and introduced you to some essential phrases that will help you to communicate effectively in Basque. Remember that practice makes perfect, and the more you use these greetings, the more comfortable you will become. Don't be afraid to make mistakes; it's all part of the learning process!
Videos
Common Questions about Learning Euskera, the Basque Language ...
Other Lessons
- House
- Feelings
- Count to 10
- Animals
- Health
- Describing Relationships
- Numbers
- Greetings
- Dinner Table
- Body parts
Sources
- Basque Phrases & More: An Introduction to Europe's Most ...
- Try out your Basque - Tourism in the Basque Country
- 99 Essential Basque (Euskara) Phrases for Your Trip to the Basque ...
| ◀️ Basic Sentence Structure — Previous Lesson | Next Lesson — Introducing Yourself ▶️ |