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buber.net > Basque > Euskara > Useful Basque Phrases
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Useful Basque Phrases


Greetings to start with:

  1. In any moment & familiar:
    • Eup!
      (Sometimes, yeup! eepa! yepa! &c., it depends according to area and the people itself)
      It's the common way to greet somebody as passing along the street.
    • Kaixo!
      It's used to greet a friend before starting to talk with her/him. Its origin is probably Spanish "Que hay, 'zu'?" How are you?
    • [Kaixo] aspaldiko!
      This add something like it's long from tha last time. The tonic uses to be on the -di-.
    • Kaixo, motel [neska] [lagunok] [adiskide]!
      The word after the 'kaixo' is referred to the recipient of the greetings: a closer male friend [motel], a female friend [neska], a group of people, friends or colleagues [lagunok] and a friend in general [adiskide].
  2. More formal, including the part of the day:
    • Egunon!
      Good morning!
    • Arratsaldeon!
      This could vary according to area to 'Arrastion!' &c.
      Good evening!
    • Gabon!
      Good night!
      From 'gau on' where 'gau' means night
    • Egunon denoi!
      Good morning you all!
    • Egunon degizula [degizuela] Jainkoak!
      God provide you [you all] a good day.
      Not much used
  3. Answers to B
    • Baita zuri [hiri] [zuei] ere!
      I (hope) the same to you [a relative or close friend] [you all]
    • Berdin!
      Lit. in the same way (to you).
    • Gauza bera!
      Lit. the same thing.
    • Hala zuri ere!
      Lit. in the same way (to you).

(To be continued)
All corrections are highly encouraged.
This series is selected and translated without permission from:
"Esamoldeak- Euskalduntzeko ariketak"
(Idioms- Exercices to become a Basque speaker)
written by Maizpide Euskaltegiko Irakasleak, Gerriko Argitaletxea, Lazkao 1989.
Translated by F. Javier Herrera

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