Present Tense

Basque Lesson 13 (Present Tense & Survival)

Duration: 30 mins

Lessons Basque Lessons
Linguistic Basque Vocabulary
Culture Basque Phrases
Structure Basque Grammar

This 13th lesson deals with the present tense in Basque. In addition I included a vocabulary list about survival and emergencies. I will try to give examples using both vocabulary and grammar. That way it will be easy for you to see the words when they are separate and when they are in a sentence. Going through the whole page should take about 30 min. Make sure to read the pronunciation and hear the audio as well. If you have any question about this course, please email me directly at Basque Classes.

Present

The present is one of the 3 tenses (past, present, and future) we will be discussing in the next 3 lessons. So it is recommended not to skip any of them because they are all related.

Below is a list of 15 sentences conjugated into the present tense. I focused on the examples you might come across or use very often. The table contains 3 columns (English, Basque, and Audio). Make sure you repeat each word after hearing it by either clicking on the audio button or by reading the pronunciation. That should help with memorization as well as improving your pronunciation.

Present Tense in Basque

Present Basque Audio
I see youIkusten zaitut.
I write with a penBoligrafoarekin idazten dut.
You love applesSagarrak gogoko dituzu.
You give moneyDirua ematen duzu.
You play tennisTenisean jolasten duzu.
He reads a bookBerak libruak irakurtzen ditu.
He understands meBerak ulertzen nau.
She has a catBerak katu bat dauka.
She knows my friendBerak nire laguna ezagutzen dau.
We want to learnGuk ikastea nahi dugu.
We think Spanish is easyEspainola erraza dela uste dugu guk.
You (plural) work hereZuek hemen egiten duzue lan.
You (plural) speak FrenchZuek frantsesez hitz egiten duzue.
They drive a carBeraiek autoa gidatzen dute.
They smileBeraiek barre egiten dute.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact me using the Basque contact form on the header above.

Survival Expressions

Below is a list of 28 words related to survival expressions such as emergencies, and calling for help. If you can memorize them by heart, you will be able to communicate better when in distress or when providing help to someone else who is in need.

Survival Expressions in Basque

Accidentistripua
AllergyAlergia.
Ambulanceanbulantzia
AsthmaAsma.
Dangerarriskua
Doctorosagilea/medikua.
Headacheburuko mina
Heart attackBihotzekoa.
Help melagundu iezadazu
Hospitalospitalea
Medicinessendagaiak
Pharmacyfarmazia
Poisonpozoia
Policepolizia
Stomach acheurdaileko mina/ tripetako mina.
StrokeKolpea.

Daily Conversation in Basque

Finally, here are some common sentences to strengthen your conversation skills. For a complete list of commonly used sentences, please visit our Basque Phrases page. Enjoy!

Common Expressions in Basque

Are you okay?ondo al zaude?
Call a doctor!Deitu osagileari/medikuari!
Call the ambulance!deitu anbulantziari!
Call the police!deitu ertzaintzari!
Calm down!Lasai!
Fire!Sua!
I feel sickGaixo sentitzen naiz.
It hurts hereHemen ematen dit mina.
It's urgent!Larria da!
Stop!Geldi!
Thief!Lapurra!
Where is the closest pharmacy?non dago farmazia hurbilena?
You look beautiful! (to a woman)Zein polita zauden!
You have a beautiful nameZein izen polita daukazun.
This is my wifeHau nire emaztea da.
This is my husbandHau neure senarra da.

Fun Facts

Language Quote: ❝To have another language is to possess a second soul.❞ ‒Charlemagne

Congratulations! You finished your 13th lesson in Basque about the present tense, and survival expressions. Are you ready for the next lesson? We recommend Basque Lesson 14. You can also simply click on one of the links below or go back to our Learn Basque homepage.

Lessons Basque Lessons
Linguistic Basque Vocabulary
Culture Basque Phrases
Structure Basque Grammar