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).

This page is part of Buber's Basque Page and is maintained by Blas Uberuaga. Please report any problems or suggestions to Blas. Eskerrik asko!