The 3rd lesson is about the plural in Basque and how to create it from the singular form. In addition, I will include a list of vocabulary about languages, nationalities, and countries. Finally, you will find some common everyday sentences. 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.
Plural
Knowing how to create the plural from the singular word can double the vocabulary you already know. It can make it easy to have a conversation about different topics by simply knowing some grammatical rules. For example how to change the word "book" to "books" or "woman" to "women".
Below is a list of singular words and their plural equivalent. I included examples about nature as well as about humans. 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.
Singular vs. Plural in Basque
English
Basque
Audio
Country
herrialdea
Countries
Herrialdeak.
Lake
lakua
Lakes
Lakuak.
Language
Hizkuntza.
Languages
Hizkuntzak.
Woman
emakumea
Women
emakumeak
Man
gizona
Men
gizonak
Boy
mutila
Boys
Mutilak.
Girl
neska
Girls
Neskak.
Now we will try to implement some of the words above into full Basque sentences. That way you will be able to see how both forms are used when embedded in a structure.
Singular vs. Plural in a Sentence
English
Basque
Audio
We speak two languages
Guk bi huzkuntza hitz egiten ditugu.
They speak four languages
Lau hizkuntza hitz egiten ditut.
I visited one country
Herrialde bat bisitatu dut.
She visited three countries
Berak hiru herrilde bisitatu ditu.
She has one sister
Ahizpa bat dauka.
He has two sisters
Berak bi arreba ditu.
Questions?
If you have any questions, please contact me using the Basque contact form on the header above.
Vocabulary List about Languages, Nationalities, and Countries
Below is a list of 50 words related to languages, nationalities, and countries. If you can memorize them by heart, you will be able to have a good conversation about how many languages you speak or where you came from.
Languages Nationalities and Countries List in Basque
English
Basque
Audio
Arabic (language)
arabiera
Moroccan (nationality)
Marokoarra.
Morocco (country)
maroko
Brazilian (language)
Brasilera.
Brazilian (nationality)
Brasildarra.
Brazil (country)
Brazil.
Chinese (language)
txinera
Chinese (nationality)
Txinoa.
China (country)
txina
English (language)
Basque
British (nationality)
Ingelesa.
Britain (country)
Erresuma Batuak.
American (nationality)
Amerikarra.
America (country)
Amerika.
French (language)
frantsesa
French (nationality)
Frantsesa.
France (country)
frantzia
German (language)
alemana
German (nationality)
Alemana. Alemaniarra.
Germany (country)
alemania
Greek (language)
greziera
Greek (nationality)
Grekoa.
Greece (country)
grezia
Hindi (language)
hindi
Indian (nationality)
Indiarra.
India (country)
india
Irish (language)
Irlandera.
Irish (nationality)
Irlandarra.
Ireland (country)
Irlanda.
Italian (language)
italiera
Italian (nationality)
Italianoa.
Italy (country)
italia
Japanese (language)
japoniera
Japanese (nationality)
Japoniarra.
Japan (country)
japonia
Korean (language)
Korearra
Korean (nationality)
Korearra.
Korea (country)
Korea.
Persian (language)
Persiera.
Iranian (nationality)
Iraniarra.
Iran (country)
Iran.
Portuguese (language)
Portugalera.
Portuguese (nationality)
Portugaldarra.
Portugal (country)
Portugal.
Russian (language)
errusiera
Russian (nationality)
Errusiarra.
Russia (country)
errusia
Spanish (language)
gaztelania
Spanish (nationality)
Espainola.
Spain (country)
espainia
Daily Conversation in Basque
Finally, a list of sentences about languages, nationalities, and countries plus some bonus phrases. For a complete list of commonly used sentences, please visit our Basque Phrases page. Enjoy!
Common Expressions in Basque
English
Basque
Audio
Languages
I don't speak Korean
Ez dut korearrez hitz egiten.
I love the Japanese language
Japoniera maite dut. Japoniera dut gogoko.
I speak Italian
Italiarrez hitz egiten dut.
I want to learn Spanish
Erdera ikasi nahi dut.
My mother tongue is German
Nire ama hizkuntza alemaniarra da.
Spanish is easy to learn
Erdera erraza da ikasteko.
Origins
He has a Moroccan rug
Manta hau marokoarra da.
I have an American car
Nire autoa amerikarra da.
I love French cheese
Gazta frantsesa dut gogoko.
I'm Italian
Italiarra naiz.
My father is Greek
Nire aita grekoa da.
My wife is Korean
Nire emaztea korearra da.
Countries
Have you ever been to India?
Noiz bait Indian egon zara?
I came from Spain
Espainiakoa naiz.
I live in America
Ameriketan bizi naiz.
I want to go to Germany
Alemaniara joatea nahi dut.
I was born in Italy
Italian jaioa naiz.
Japan is a beautiful country
Japon herrialde polita da.
Phrases
Long time no see
Aspaldi elkar ikusi gabe.
I missed you
Faltan bota zaitut.
What's new?
Zer berri?
Nothing new
Ezer berririk ez.
Make yourself at home!
Xure etxean egongo bazina bezela!
Have a good trip
Bidai ona izan!
Fun Facts
Language Quote that by simply knowing how to form the plural, you can double the number of nouns in your vocabulary, without having to memorize all the plural form.
Congratulations! You finished your third lesson in Basque about singular, plural, languages, nationalities, and countries. Are you ready for the next lesson? We recommend Basque Lesson 4. You can also simply click on one of the links below or go back to our Learn Basque homepage.
