Basque is a fascinating and unique language spoken in the Basque Country and surrounding regions. Despite its age and uniqueness, Basque is often overshadowed by other more widely spoken languages in the region, such as Spanish and French. However, learning Basque can be a rewarding and enriching experience, as it allows you to immerse yourself in the culture and history of the Basque people.
The origin and characteristics of Basque
One of the most outstanding characteristics of Basque is that it is an agglutinative language. This means that it is constructed by adding suffixes to words to qualify their meaning. Unlike Indo-European languages, such as Spanish, French or English, Basque does not have a common root with other European languages. It is considered a language isolate, meaning that it is not related to any other known language family.
Basque is one of the oldest languages in Europe and is believed to have existed long before the arrival of other languages in the region. It is estimated that Basque has been spoken for over 2,000 years, making it the oldest and most authentic language in Europe. Its antiquity and uniqueness make it a linguistic treasure worth exploring and preserving.
Batua Basque: a unified language
Over the years, Basque has experienced great dialectal diversity due to geographical features and communication barriers in the Basque Country. This made the different variants of Basque difficult to understand each other. To facilitate communication between Basque speakers, Batua Basque was developed, a unified form of the language that is taught and used in most formal contexts.
Batua Basque is the result of efforts to standardize Basque and reduce dialectal variation. Although some purists may prefer local variants of the language, Batua Basque has become the predominant form of teaching and communication today. Learning Batua Basque will allow you to communicate with Basque speakers from different regions and better understand the linguistic richness of the Basque community.
Learning Basque: tips and resources
If you are interested in learning Basque, there are several strategies and resources you can use to facilitate your learning process. Here are some useful tips:
Immersion in Basque culture
Immersing yourself in Basque culture can be an excellent way to learn Basque. Participating in festivals, cultural events and community activities will help you become familiar with the Basque language and way of life. In addition, you can take advantage of online resources such as television programs, music and movies in Basque to practice and improve your language skills.
Basque language courses and classes
There are several options of Basque courses and classes that you can consider to learn the language. You can look for educational institutions, language academies or cultural centers that offer Basque programs. You can also look for online classes, as there are platforms and websites that offer interactive lessons and resources to learn Basque from the comfort of your home.
Apps and online resources
Mobile apps and online resources can be of great help in learning Basque. There are apps such as “Duolingo” and “Memrise” that offer structured Basque lessons and interactive exercises. You can also find websites with free lessons, videos, grammar and vocabulary exercises to supplement your learning.
Language exchange and study groups
Finding native speakers or Basque speakers with whom you can practice the language is a great way to improve your skills. You can look for language exchange groups in your area or online, where you can practice Basque with native speakers in exchange for helping them with your native language. You can also join study groups or online communities where Basque learners share resources and support each other’s learning.
Immerse yourself in the daily use of Basque.
Try to incorporate Basque into your daily life as much as possible. You can label objects in your home with Basque words, listen to music in Basque, read books or newspapers in Basque, and practice conversing in the language whenever you have the opportunity.
30 Basque words for travel
If you are planning a trip to Euskal Herria, it is useful to have some Basque words in your repertoire. Euskera is the Basque language and is spoken in parts of Spain and France. In this list, you’ll find 30 key Basque words to help you communicate and immerse yourself in the local culture. From basic greetings and polite phrases to place names and typical food, these words will come in very handy during your adventures.
Kaixo! – Hello!
Agur! – Goodbye!
Egun on! – Good morning!
Arratsaldeon! – Good afternoon!
Gabon! – Good evening!
Eskerrik asko! – Thank you!
Mesedez! – Please!
Barkatu! – Excuse me!
Onartu al duzu kreditu txartela? – Do you accept credit cards?
Zer da prezioa? – What is the price?
Non dago estazioa? – Where is the station?
Nola heldu ahal naiz…? – How can I get to…?
Hiri-garren mendearen zaharbidea bisitatzeko etorri naiz. – I’ve come to visit the old town of the city.
Zer gomendatzen duzu ikusgai dagoeneko? – What do you recommend to see?
Hurrengo autobusa noiz da? – When is the next bus?
Zer ordu da? – What time is it?
Zenbat da…? – How much is…?
Zer janaririk dago? – What food do you have?
Ezin dut glutenik jan. – I cannot eat gluten.
Eskerrik asko laguntzagatik! – Thank you for your help!
Aupa! – Cheers!
Zer moduz dago zure eguna? – How is your day going?
Zer moduz dago zure oporrak? – How are your holidays going?
Zer moduz dago zure bidaiak? – How are your travels going?
Nola zaude? – How are you?
Ondo ibili! – Take care!
Hona hemen! – Here you go!
Ez dago arazorik! – No problem!
Agian hurrengo aldiz ikusiko gara! – Maybe we’ll see each other again!
Ondo pasatu! – Have a good time!
Remember that learning a language takes time and effort, so be consistent and patient. Enjoy the process of discovering Basque and Basque culture as you progress in your learning. Good luck!
Irene was born and raised in Bilbao. She has a deep rooted passion for her country and culture. She has a Bachelors degree in education and has traveled to over 85 countries throughout the world.
List of professional guides in the Basque Country
