Basic Basque Dictionary
English/Euskara
Euskara/English
Learning Euskara
One Word at a Time
¿Euskaraz badakizu? Do you speak Basque?
The Basic Basque Dicionary is perfect for beginners just starting to learn the language. Simply stated, it is an introduction to Euskara, a good pocket beginners guide you handily can carry on your travels in your back pocket or backpack.
For English Speakers New to the Basque Language
Intended for English speakers, this English/Euskara dictionary shares common slang words and phrases that will help you communicate in everyday situations like ordering dinner in a restaurant, shopping at the mercado for bacalao or fresh produce, flirting, getting street directions, or hiring a taxi.
No matter whether traveling to the Basque Country as a tourist, or with the intention of moving there as an expatriate, this guide will serve you well.
That said, be advised this little book is neither a complete course in learning the Basque or Spanish Languages.
Neither is it a textbook.
Learn Euskara One Word at Time
No matter whether traveling to the Basque country as a tourist, an exchange student, or with the intention of moving there as an expatriate, this guide will serve you well. Euskara is a distinct and unique idiom, rich with words and phrases. Intended for English speakers, this book shares common slang words and phrases that will help you communicate in everyday situations like ordering dinner in a restaurant, shopping at the market for fresh produce, flirting, getting street directions, or hiring a taxi.
That said, be advised this little book is neither a complete course in learning the Basque Language, neither is it a textbook. Instead, it is a basic introduction to the Basque language, a good pocket beginners guide you can handily carry on your travels either in your back pocket or tucked away in a backpack.
As an eBook, it is even more portable. Before you go, consider taking the time to learn a few Basque words and phrases so you can speak street Euskara like a local. This guide contains a wealth of words and expressions that you can look up when you hear, or read them, in order to know what is going on around you. Even better, spend a night curled up with the book gaining familiarity with the wisdom it contains. That way, when you hear a vaguely familiar word on the street, you will know which page to consult in order to refresh your memory. Knowing at least some street talk will pay big dividends. Instead of being seen as some soul-less gringo tourist, the locals will hold you in much higher esteem. As a result, you may make new friends, and as a bonus perhaps get a better hotel room or lower prices while shopping.
A Sampling of Basque Vocabulary/Hitztegia
Streets - Kaleak
Shops - Dendak
Beaches - Hondartzak
Restaurants - Jatetxeak
Dance clubs - Dantza klubak
Hotels - Hotelak
Grocery stores – Janari-denda
Market - Merkatua
Tapas: - Pintxos
Seafood – Itsaski
Fish - Arrainak
Part One, from A to Z, lists words in English along with their Basque translation. Then in part two, vocabulary is listed in groups to make them easy to find, ie: Colours, animals, places, food, flavours, days of the week, weather and people, and so on. Know that modern Basque is spoken by about a half million people in Euskal Herria, a region spanning the Spanish/French border, that encompasses four provinces in Spain and three in France. In Bilbao, because of the city’s size and diversity, one mainly hears Spanish. That said, some Basque words and phrases like, Kaixo, Agur, and Eskerrik asko, are more frequently spoken than their Spanish counterparts. But mere miles away in smaller villages, Basque/Euskara is the first language.
Top Twenty Basque Words You Should Know
Agur – Goodbye
Aita – Dad
Ama - Mom
Arratsalde on - Good afternoon
Aupa – Howdy/hey
Bai – Yes
Bai ote? - Really?
Barkatu – Excuse me
Egun on – Good morning
Erdera - Any language other than Basque
Eskerrik asko – Thank you
Euskara - Basque
Ez – No Gabon – Good evening/Good night
Geldi! - Stop
Hementxe! - Over / right here!
Kaixo – Hello
Lasai - Take it easy
Mesedez – Please
Ongi etorri – Welcome
Osaba - Uncle
Topa! - Cheers!
Zorte on! - Good luck
Besides a basic, Get-You-Started dictionary, in this book you will also find categories of word groups including but not limited to:
The Days of the Week
Telling the Time of Day
Food
Colours
Flavours
Sizes
The Animal World
Weather
We welcome you to visit our channelBasque Vocabulary: Seafood
Basque Vocabulary: Basque words for kids
Basque Vocabulary: The Basque ABCs
Basque Vocabulary: Counting from 1 to 20 in Basque
Basque Vocabulary: Colours of the rainbow in Basque
About the Author
Travel writer Tim Banse was introduced to El Pais Vasco/Euskaldun, during a pilgrimage to Camino de Santiago. During the first days of this trek in the Basque Country, he came to know the people, places, food and culture. Smitten, he has come back numerous times to immerse himself in the language and lifestyle.
Book Details
Trade Paperback: 30 pagesISBN-13: 978-0934523-45-5
Language: English/Euskara/Spanish
Book Dimensions: 6 x 9 inches
Shipping Weight: 3.4 ounces
Price $7.99
Intended for travelers, as opposed to academicians, this beginners guide can be stuffed in a back pocket or backpack. Finally, we use a large font to make the text eminently more readable.
Consider investing in your future happiness by reading this dictionary before you travel to the Basque Country. Click the Buy This Book button and a minute from now you can begin exploring the language and culture of this charismatic land and its people.
