Questions of measure: Zenbat pisu?, Xerraren prezioa?
The measure at the market is asked through zenbat — how much: zenbat pisu? — what weight?, zenbat balio du kilo batek? — how much does a kilo cost? After a number the article falls off: erdi kilo gatzagi — half a kilo of cod, not "gatzagia". For example: “Zenbat pisu behar duzu, erdi kilo ala kilo bat?” — What weight do you need, half a kilo or a kilo?. A rule from the Basque course: worked out on examples, not…
How it works
The measure at the market is asked through zenbat — how much: zenbat pisu? — what weight?, zenbat balio du kilo batek? — how much does a kilo cost? After a number the article falls off: erdi kilo gatzagi — half a kilo of cod, not "gatzagia".
Fractions and measures hold as a pair with a word: xerra bat — one slice, puskatxo bat — one little piece, esku bete — a handful (literally "a hand full"). Enough is nahikoa da: the seller keeps sprinkling, and you calmly repeat. The payment is asked by the same zenbat grid: zenbat ordaindu behar dut? — how much must I pay?
Table
| the question | the answer | the example |
|---|---|---|
| Zenbat pisu? | a measure of weight | erdi kilo, kilo bat |
| Zenbat balio du…? | the price | bost euro kilo batek |
| Nahikoa da? | is it enough | bai, nahikoa da |
By example
- Zenbat pisu behar duzu, erdi kilo ala kilo bat?What weight do you need, half a kilo or a kilo?
- Xerra bat gehiago, mesedez, oso ona daOne more slice, please, it is very good
- Nahikoa da, eskerrik asko: esku bete besterik ezThat is enough, thanks: only a handful
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
Questions of measure: how does it work in Basque?
The measure at the market is asked through zenbat — how much: zenbat pisu? — what weight?, zenbat balio du kilo batek? — how much does a kilo cost? After a number the article falls off: erdi kilo gatzagi — half a kilo of cod, not "gatzagia".
What does it look like in an example sentence Basque?
“Zenbat pisu behar duzu, erdi kilo ala kilo bat?” — What weight do you need, half a kilo or a kilo?. A rule is easier to test on sentences like this than to memorize as a wording: what surfaces in conversation is the sentence.