If: ba- and …bada
The condition is built by the particle ba- grown onto the front of the verb: badator — if he comes, badago — if there is, badu — if he has it. The other way round is possible too: the verb form plus -ba at the back — etortzen bada, dena ondo badago — if everything is fine. Both ways say the same. For example: “Badator, hitz egingo dut berarekin” — If he comes, I will talk with him. A rule from the Basque course…
How it works
The condition is built by the particle ba- grown onto the front of the verb: badator — if he comes, badago — if there is, badu — if he has it. The other way round is possible too: the verb form plus -ba at the back — etortzen bada, dena ondo badago — if everything is fine. Both ways say the same.
After the condition the verb is more often in the future: Badator, hitz egingo dut berarekin — if he comes, I will talk with him. The negation of the condition is "ez bada": Dirurik ez badago, atzeratuko dugu bidaia — if there is no money, we will postpone the trip.
Table
| the verb | ba- in front | …bada at the back |
|---|---|---|
| comes (dator) | badator | etortzen bada |
| there is (dago) | badago | ondo badago |
| has (du) | badu | dirurik badu |
By example
- Badator, hitz egingo dut berarekinIf he comes, I will talk with him
- Euria egiten badu, etxean geratuko garaIf it rains, we will stay home
- Dirurik ez badago, atzeratuko dugu bidaiaIf there is no money, we will postpone the trip
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
If: how does it work in Basque?
The condition is built by the particle ba- grown onto the front of the verb: badator — if he comes, badago — if there is, badu — if he has it. The other way round is possible too: the verb form plus -ba at the back — etortzen bada, dena ondo badago — if everything is fine. Both ways say the same.
What does it look like in an example sentence Basque?
“Badator, hitz egingo dut berarekin” — If he comes, I will talk with him. A rule is easier to test on sentences like this than to memorize as a wording: what surfaces in conversation is the sentence.