Prepositions

Basque Lesson 4 (Prepositions and Directions)

Duration: 30 mins

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

This first lesson teaches many important aspect of Basque like prepositions, vocabulary list about directions and finally common phrases about how to introduce yourself. 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.

Prepositions

Prepositions are used in almost every sentence. They can be a great tool to link words with each other. For example by simply knowing how to use "to", "with", "from", "after" you can expand your conversation scope. In short, a preposition describes a relationship between words in a sentence, for example: I agree with you.

Below is a list of 27 prepositions that 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.

Prepositions List in Basque

Prepositions Basque Audio
In front ofaurrean
Behindatzean
Beforeaurretik
Afterondoren
Insidebarruan
With-(a)rekin, -ekin
Withoutgabe
Outsidekanpoan
On top of…aren gainean
Underazpian
About (in regards to)buruzko
Againstaurka
Andeta
As (similar to)bezala
Betweenartean
Butbaina
For-(a)rentzat
From-(e)tik
In-(e)an
Instead ofordez
NearGertu.
Of…rena
OrEdo.
Since…(e)tik
SoBeraz.
ToPropina. Ordainsaria.
Untilarte

Now we will try to implement some of the prepositions above into full Basque sentences. That way you will be able to use the word not only by itself but embedded in a structure.

Basque Prepositions in a Sentence

English Basque Audio
Can I practice Italian with you?Zurekin italiera praktikatu dezaket/nezake?
I speak French but with an accentFrantsesez hitz egiten dut, baina azentuaz.
I was born in MiamiMiamin jaio nintzen.
I'm from JapanJaponekoa naiz.
The letter is inside the bookEskutitza liburu barruan dago.
The pen is under the deskBoligrafoa mahai azpian dago.
Directions
Can I help you?Lagundu diezaizuket?

Questions?

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

Vocabulary List about Directions

Below is a list of 28 words and sentences related to directions that you might need when lost or asking for help. If you can memorize them by heart, you will be able to travel from point A to point B by following directions.

Giving Directions in Basque

Directions Basque Audio
Can you help me?Lagundu diezadakezu?
Can you show me?Erakutsi diezadakezu?
Come with me!Etor zaitez nirekin!
Downtown (city center)Hiri erdigunea.
Excuse me! (to ask someone)Barkatu!
Go straightZuzen joan.
How can I get to the museum? Nola heldu nahiteke museora?
How long does it take to get there?Zenbat denbora behar da hara heltzeko?
I'm lostGalduta nago.
I'm not from hereEz naiz hemengoa.
It's far from hereHemendik urrun dago.
It's near hereHemendik gertu dago.
One moment please!Itxon pixka bat, mesedez!
Turn leftEzkerretara biratu.
Turn rightEskumatara biratu.
FarUrrun.
Herehemen
LeftEzker.
RightEskuin.
Neargertu
StraightZuzen.
Therehor
To drive-(e)ra
To turnBiratu.
To walkOinez.
Traffic lightSemaforoa.
TransportationIbilgailuak.

Daily Conversation in Basque

Finally, a couple sentences to help you know how to introduce yourself in Basque. For a complete list of commonly used sentences, please visit our Basque Phrases page. Enjoy!

Common Expressions in Basque

English Basque Audio
Do you speak English?Ingelesez hitz egiten duzu? Ingelesez badakizu?
Just a littlePixka bat bakarrik.
What's your name?Zein da zure izena?
My name is (John Doe)Nire izena (John Doe) da.
Mr... / Mrs. ... / Miss...Jauna (Mr)/ Anderea(Mrs/Mss).
Nice to meet you!Plazer bat zu ezagutzea!
You're very kind!Oso jatorra zara!

Fun Facts

Language Quote: The language of a society changes slowly but steadily with the result that an educated person will not be able to read or understand words in his language written 500 years ago. Do you feel like you can't talk to your parents? Maybe it's because you belong to the Niger-Congo family. More than 1,400 languages are spoken by different members of this family from Africa..

Congratulations! You finished your 4th lesson in Basque about prepositions, and directions. Are you ready for the next lesson? We recommend Basque Lesson 5. 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