Past Tense

Basque Lesson 14 (Past Tense & Colors)

Duration: 30 mins

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

This 14th lesson deals with the past tense in Basque. In addition I included a vocabulary list about colors, as well as some basic phrases. 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.

Past

The past is one of the 3 tenses (present, past, 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 past 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.

Past Tense in Basque

Past Basque Audio
I saw youIkusi zintudan.
I wrote with a penBoligrafoarekin idatzi nuen.
You loved applesSagarrak maite zenituen.
You gave moneyDirua eman zenuen.
You played tennisTenisean jokatu zenuen.
He read (past tense) a bookBerak liburua irakurri zuen.
He understood meBerak ulertu ninduen.
She had a catBerak katua zeukan/zuen.
She knew my friendNire laguna ezagutzen zuen.
We wanted to learnIkastea nahi genuen.
We thought Spanish is easyEspainola erreza zela uste genuen.
You (plural) worked hereZuek hemen egin zenuten lan.
You (plural) spoke FrenchZuek frantsesez hitz egiten zenuten.
They drove a carEurak kotxea gidatu zuten.
They smiledEurak barre egin.

Questions?

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

List of Colors in Basque

Below is a list of 18 words and expressions related to colors.

Colors in Basque

Colors Basque Audio
Blackbeltza
Blueurdina
Brownmarroia
ColorsKoloreak
Dark colorIluna
Graygrisa
Greenberdea
Light colorArgia
Orangelaranja
Redgorria
Whitezuria
Yellowhoria

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

English Basque Audio
Black is his favorite colorBere kolore gogokoena beltza da.
I have black hairIle beltza daukat.
Red is not his favorite colorGorria ez da bere kolore gogokoena.
She drives a yellow carBerak auto horia gidatzen du.
The sky is blueZerua urdina da
Your cat is whiteZure katua zuria da
I enjoyed myself very muchOso ondo pasa dut.
I agree with youZurekin bat nator. Zurekin ados nago.
Are you sure?Ziur zaude?
Be careful!Kontuz!
Cheers!Osasuna!
Would you like to go for a walk?Paseatzera joatea nahiko zenuke?

Fun Facts

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

Congratulations! You finished your 14th lesson in Basque about the past tense, and a vocabulary list about colors. Are you ready for the next lesson? We recommend Basque Lesson 15. 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