Questions

Basque Lesson 9 (Questions and Misunderstanding)

Duration: 30 mins

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

This 9th lesson teaches an important aspect in Basque which is the interrogative form also called questions. In addition, there is a list of vocabulary terms about misunderstanding and finally some commonly used 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.

Questions

Being able to ask questions is what makes us curious beings, which in turns broadens our knowledge. It is no different when it comes to learning Basque. You will always be asking questions, and the following are some tools to help you in that quest.

The following are the 5 Ws + "how" commonly used adverbs to express the interrogative form. Most likely, whenever a question needs to be asked, one of them should be used. 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.

Interrogative Form in Basque

Questions Basque Audio
How?Nola?
What?Zer?
When?Noiz?
Where?Non?
Who?Nor?
Why?Zergatik?

Now we will try to implement the adverbs 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 Questions in a Sentence

Can I come?Joan naiteke? Etor naiteke?
Can I help you?Lagundu diezaizuket?
Can you help me?Lagundu diezadakezu?
Do you know her?Ezagutzen duzu bera?
Do you speak English?Ingelesez hitz egiten duzu? Ingelesez badakizu?
How difficult is it?Zenbateko zailtasuna dauka? Zaila da?
How far is this?Urrun dago?
How much is this?Zenbat balio du honek?
How would you like to pay?Nola nahiko zenuke ordaintzea?
What is this called?Nola deitzen da?
What is your name?Zein da zure izena? nola deitzen zara?
What time is it?Zer ordu da?
When can we meet?Noiz gera gintezke?
Where do you live?Non bizi zara?
Who is knocking at the door?Nor dabil ate joka?
Why is it expensive?Zergatik hori da garestia?

Questions?

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

Vocabulary List about Misunderstanding

There are times when you will not understand what a person said in Basque, or simply that you want them to repeat a word. The following are 24 expressions used to clear misunderstandings. Very essential to any conversation!

Misunderstanding in Basque

Misunderstanding Basque Audio
Can you repeat?Errepika dezakezu?
Can you speak slowly?Astiroago hitz egin dezakezu?
Did you understand what I said?Esan dudana ulertu duzu?
Don't worry!Lasai!
Excuse me? (i.e. I beg your pardon?)Barkatuko?
How do you say "OK" in French?Nola esango zenuke ""OK"" frantsesez?
I don't know!Ez dakit!
I don't understand!Ez dut ulertzen!
I need to practice my FrenchFrantsesa praktikatzeko beharra daukat.
Is that right?Hori ondo dago?
Is that wrong?Hori txarto dago?
MistakeAkatsa.
My French is badNire frantsesa txarra da.
No problem!Ez dago arazorik!
QuicklyAzkarrago.
SlowlyAstiro. Motel.
Sorry (to apologize)Barkatu.
To speakHitz egin.
What does that word mean in English?Zer esan nahi du hitz horrek ingelesez?
What is this?Zer da hori?
What should I say?Zer esan beharko nuke?
What?Zer?
What's that called in French?Nola esaten da hori frantsesez?
Write it down please!Idatz ezazu mesedez!

Daily Conversation in Basque

Finally, a list of some common phrases that you might come across from time to time. For a complete list of commonly used sentences, please visit our Basque Phrases page. Enjoy!

Common Expressions in Basque

English Basque Audio
ThisHau.
ThatHori.
HereHemen.
ThereHan.
In The MorningGoizean.
In the eveningArratsaldean.
At NightGauean.
Really!Benetan!
Look!Begiratu!
Hurry up!Azkar!

Fun Facts

Language Quote: The oldest written language was believed to be written in about 4500 BC.

Congratulations! You finished your 9th lesson in Basque about questions, and misunderstanding. Are you ready for the next lesson? We recommend Basque Lesson 10. 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