English

Where things stand: atzean, eskuinaldean, mahai gainean

Kitchen place words go after -aren: hozkailuaren atzean — behind the fridge, word for word "of-the-fridge behind". Right and left are eskuinaldean and ezkerrealdean — "on the right side", "on the left side". (eskuin — right, ezker — left, alde — side.) For example: “Salda hozkailuaren atzean dago” — The broth is behind the refrigerator. A rule from the Basque course: worked out on examples, not memorized as a…

Updated September 1, 2026 · Lingofly

How it works

Kitchen place words go after -aren: hozkailuaren atzean — behind the fridge, word for word "of-the-fridge behind". Right and left are eskuinaldean and ezkerrealdean — "on the right side", "on the left side". (eskuin — right, ezker — left, alde — side.)

"On something" is gainean: mahai gainean — on the table, mahaiaren gainean — the same with the owner ending. The rest go by the same pattern: pitxerraren barruan — inside the jug, mahaiaren azpian — under the table.

Table

Where things stand: atzean, eskuinaldean, mahai gainean
wherethe formthe example
behind…aren atzeanhozkailuaren atzean — behind the refrigerator
on the right / lefteskuinaldean / ezkerrealdeaneskuinaldean dago — it stands on the right
on(…aren) gaineanmahai gainean — on the table

By example

  • Salda hozkailuaren atzean dago
    The broth is behind the refrigerator
  • Azukre ontzia eskuinaldean dago
    The sugar bowl is on the right
  • Ura mahai gainean dago
    The water is on the table

How the rule settles in your head

A rule is not memorized from an explanation. It is memorized from an attempt to use it and a mistake — that is why the app delivers it mixed in with words, not as a separate lesson: it resurfaces exactly where you forgot it.

Frequently asked

Where things stand: how does it work in Basque?

Kitchen place words go after -aren: hozkailuaren atzean — behind the fridge, word for word "of-the-fridge behind". Right and left are eskuinaldean and ezkerrealdean — "on the right side", "on the left side". (eskuin — right, ezker — left, alde — side.)

What does it look like in an example sentence Basque?

“Salda hozkailuaren atzean dago” — The broth is behind the refrigerator. A rule is easier to test on sentences like this than to memorize as a wording: what surfaces in conversation is the sentence.

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Test the rule on examplesPractice