Basic Basque Dictionary: Learning Euskara One Word at a Time

Basic Basque DictionaryEnglish/EuskaraEuskara/EnglishLearning Euskara One Word at a TimeEuskaraz badakizu?Do you speak Basque?The Basic Basque Dictionary is perfect for beginners just starting to learn the language.Simply stated, it is an introduction to Euskara.Suffice it to say, this is 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 LanguageIntended 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.Pintxos is the Euskara word for TapasIn Part One, from A to Z, this handy, little dictionary 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.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.The Basque word for seafood: ItsaskiThe Basque word for fish: ArrainakBasque, the language of the Basques is the only remnant of the languages spoken in southwestern Europe before the region was Romanized in the 2nd through 1st century BCE.Linguistically Basque is unrelated any other languages in Europe, or elsewhere in the world.It is also important to note that Basque is not a Spanish dialect. In fact, it's a completely different language with no ties to Spanish besides a handful of loan words. One reason for the continued revival of the Basque language is its widening use in media, including television and radio.Which means you can watch Basque language TV and read Euskara language newspapers online.Which further means, when you hear or read an unfamiliar Basque word you can look it up in this dictionary.Learning at least some of the language provides a glimpse into Basque social and family life.A Sampling of Basque Vocabulary BasicsAgur – GoodbyeAita – DadAma - MomArratsalde on - Good afternoonAupa – Howdy/heyBai – YesBai ote? - Really?Barkatu – Excuse meEgun on – Good morningErdera - Any language other than BasqueEskerrik asko – Thank youEuskara - BasqueEz – NoGabon – Good evening/Good nightGeldi! - StopHementxe! - Over / right here!Kaixo – HelloLasai - Take it easyMesedez – PleaseOngi etorri – WelcomeOsaba - UncleTopa! - Cheers!Zorte on! - Good luckBesides a basic get-you-started dictionary, this book includes certain categories of word groups including but not limited to:The Days of the WeekTelling TimeFoodColoursFlavoursSizesThe Animal WorldWeatherFinally, we use a large font to make the text eminently more readable.