LingoflyFood and drink in Basque
254 words in Basque on the topic “food and drink”: kafea — coffee, tea — tea, ura — water, ogia — bread. 254 words can be played from recordings.
254 words on the topic
- kafeacoffeeThe article -a has grown onto the end: kafe+a. You order without it: kafe bat — one coffee
- urawaterA two-letter word, ur — and even it wears the article: ur+a. In Bilbao you ask for it just as short: ur bat
- ogiabreadOgi + a. The bakery in Basque is okindegia — a native word, not the Spanish one
- gaztacheeseThe famous Idiazabal sheep cheese — Idiazabalgo gazta: the same word in the name
- haragiameatCuts are built descriptively: behi-haragia — beef, literally 'cow meat'
- arrainafishA fisherfolk's land: arrantzale — 'fisher', arrain saltzailea — 'fishmonger'. Fish in the sea and on the plate is one word
- frutakfruitA collective in the plural: fruta + ak. One piece of fruit is fruta bat
- sagarraappleSagar + the article, and the r doubles at the seam: sagar+a → sagarra. That's not a general rule: ogia (from ogi) and ura (from ur) take the same -a with no doubling at all
- laranjaorangeBoth the fruit and the color: soineko laranja — an orange dress. The word arrived from Valencia through Spanish
- tomateatomatoIt came from the Americas with Spanish. A Basque classic: piperrak eta tomatea — peppers with tomatoes
- entsaladasaladThe opening e- is a Basque signature: a borrowed word that can't start the way it wants gets an e in front
- zopasoupAs for dinner: the verb is afaldu and the meal is afaria — the evening meal has a name of its own
- gatzasaltThe salt of the Basques — gatzaren bideak, the 'salt roads' of the Pyrenees: the same word in the region's history
- goxoatastyWith the article: goxo+a. Basque doesn't split 'tasty right now' from 'tasty always' — goxoa is just goxoa
- esneamilkes-ne-a. Esne-gozokia — milk desserts: a word from every bakery window
- janeatFood is janari — same root. Having lunch is bazkaldu: lunch has a name of its own, bazkaria
- edandrinkDrinking, the literal sense. Zerbait hartuko dugu? — 'shall we have something?': the soft invitation goes through hartu — 'take'
- gosariabreakfastBoth the meal and the verb's root: gosaltzen dut zortzietan — I breakfast at eight. The Basque breakfast is ogia tomatearekin — bread with tomato, on the go
- bazkarialunchThe main meal of the day, at two o'clock. The verb: bazkaltzen — bazkaldu dezakegu bi eta erdietan? — shall we lunch at half past two?
- afariadinnerBoth the meal and the verb's root: afaltzen dugu bederatzietan — we dine at nine. Dinner in the Basque Country comes later than you're used to
- murtxikatuchewmoor-chee-ka-too. Ondo murtxikatu, presarik gabe — chew properly, no rush
- irentsiswallowee-ren-tsee. Ezin dut irentsi — I can't swallow: said about a throat and about the news alike
- apetituaappetiteA borrowing, as elsewhere. On egin! — 'eat well!' — is what they say instead of 'enjoy your meal'
- zatiapieceA piece of bread, a slice of cake, a share of the whole: ogi-zati bat. The same word is 'part' in grammar
- usainasmelloo-sigh-na. Sukaldeak usain ona du — the kitchen smells good: the smell is 'had'
- olioaoilRelated to «oil» and «olive» through Latin «oleum»: olive oil is «oliba-olioa». Sunflower oil is «ekilore-olioa»
- patatapotatoA borrowing, as elsewhere: the word left the Americas through Spanish. Patata frijituak — fried potatoes, the bars' national food
- irinaflourIrin plus -a: the article is glued to the end. «Gari-irina» — wheat flour, literally «flour of wheat»
- eztiahoneyWith an s before the t: es-tee-a. Basque hives stand in the mountains, and ezti beltza — chestnut honey — is dark and thick
- fruitu lehorraknutsLiterally 'dry fruits': fruitu + lehor. Only in the plural, like English 'nuts'
- tipulaonionA loan from Latin through the neighbors. Only experience saves you from onion tears: tipulak negarrazten gaitu — the onion makes us cry
- azenarioacarrotAzenario plus -a: the article is glued to the end. «Azenario-zukua» — carrot juice
- piperrapepperA borrowing, as elsewhere. The Basque Country is not about heat, and piperra here is usually the sweet one: piperra gorria
- babarrunakbeansPlural, since beans come many at a time. «Babarrunak» with black pudding is a winter dish
- espeziakspicesA borrowing, as elsewhere. Only in the plural: spices here are a 'set', not one thing
- kozinatucookKozinatu — to cook a meal. The kitchen as a room is sukaldea, and the cook is sukaldaria
- garbituwashBoth wash and clean: garbi — 'clean'. Ontziak garbitu — to wash the dishes: the daily phrase
- labanaknifeBoth a kitchen and a table knife. Labana zorrotza — a sharp knife: the first safety rule
- irakinboilBoth to boil (cooking) and to boil (water): the water boils by itself, no cook needed. Urak irakiten du — the water boils, auxiliary like the weather's
- frijitufryA loan from Spanish freír, as elsewhere. Frijituta — fried: the -ta form divides feelings and food alike
- labean eginbakeLiterally 'to do in the oven': labe — 'oven' + -ean, the local case. Bread and fish here are 'done in the oven', no separate verb
- moztucutBoth to cut and to shorten: from motz — 'short'. Moztu behar da — needs a cut or a trim: context tells
- lapikoapotA native word, old and homely. Lapiko — the iron pot and the kettle alike: in the village one vessel cooked everything
- zartaginafrying panA native word, not the Spanish sartén. The dictionaries also keep zartagin: both forms, same thing
- plakastoveA loan from Spanish placa: a stove here is a 'plate'. The fire on it is sua: sua piztu — turn on the stove
- plateraplateRelated to Spanish «plato». The same word will come back as a dish: a plate and a course are one
- katiluacupBoth the cup and the bowl: soup is eaten from katilua too. No handle — bowl, with handle — cup: context tells
- edalontziaglassLiterally «vessel for drinking»: edan, to drink, plus ontzi, vessel. The same «ontzi» as in «zakarrontzia»
- koilaraspoonA spoon, from Latin «cochlear». «Koilara-handia» is a tablespoon, literally «big spoon»
- sardexkaforkA diminutive of «sarde», a pitchfork: a fork here is a «little pitchfork». A trace of the village in the kitchen
- botilabottleA borrowing, as elsewhere. Ur botila bat — a bottle of water: the request for any heat wave
- hozkailuafridgeLiterally 'the cold device': hotz + -gailu. Like igogailua — the lift: -gailu makes machines out of words
- ezpainzapianapkinLiterally 'lip cloth': ezpain — lip, zapi — cloth, kerchief. Plain zapia is a rag or a kerchief; the napkin at the table is for the lips
- teontziateapotLiterally 'tea vessel': te + ontzi. The same ontzi is in ontziratu — boarding a ship: a vessel and a ship are one word
- erretiluatrayStandard Basque: erretilu; the Spanish bandeja didn't make it into the norm. Erretiluan ekarri — to bring on a tray
- beroahotThe same word as 'it's hot': bero dago — it's hot (weather, no article), zopa beroa da — the soup is hot. Weather and food share one thermometer
- hotzacoldPartner of beroa: hotz dago — it's cold (weather, no article), ura hotza da — the water is cold. From it, hozkailua — the fridge
- gosehungryA native word: gose — hungry; gose naiz — I'm hungry, with no article, like egarri naiz — I'm thirsty. With the article, gosea is hunger itself
- zaporeatasteBoth the taste of food and of a person: zapore ona du — tasty and 'in good taste'. Careful: zopa is soup, don't mix
- gaziasaltyFrom gatz — 'salt': gazi — 'salty', gazitu — 'to salt'. Gaziegia — too salty
- garratzasourA native word with a trill. Garratz — both sour and acrid: vinegar is ozpina, but they'd also say ardo garratza
- mingotsabitterBitter, about taste and about words. «Kafe mingotsa» — bitter coffee, no sugar
- pikanteaspicyA loan from Spanish picante, from picar — 'to sting'. The spicy here 'stings', like the mosquito
- aseafull (fed)The form 'being fed': Asea nago — I'm full. The proverb says ase arte jan — eat till full: 'till the brim'
- probatutaste (try)The same verb as 'try on': you try clothes and soup alike. Taste here is checked like a size
- menuamenuA borrowing, as elsewhere. Menua is also the set lunch of the day: gaurko menua — today's menu, the best value
- zerbitzariawaiterFrom zerbitzu — 'service': the waiter here is 'the serving one'. Basque has no gender: a waitress is zerbitzaria too
- eskaerathe orderFrom eska — 'request': an order here is a 'request' dressed as a document. Eskaera egin — to place an order and file an application at once
- eskatuto orderTo ask, to order and to ask permission: one verb for all things polite. Eskatzen duzu? — 'are you ordering?' — the waiter's question
- plateradishThe same word as 'plate': the dish is what's on the plate. Gaurko platera — the dish of the day
- errazioaportionFrom Spanish ración, but with e-: a Basque word does not begin with r. In bars you order errazioak — portions to share. Errazio erdia — half a portion
- bi pertsonentzako mahaiatable for twoLiterally 'a table for-two people': pertsona + -entzako, 'for'. The request of the first minute in a restaurant
- postreadessertA loan from Spanish postre. To the question postrea? — 'dessert?' — the honest answer is often frutak, eskerrik asko
- haragirik gabewithout meatLiterally 'without any meat': -rik — 'any meat at all' + gabe. The restaurant phrase; the same build works for 'sugar-free' — azukrerik gabe
- propinatipA loan from Spanish propina, said honestly so. There is no native word — in the Basque Country they leave the same as the neighbors do
- makarroiakmacaroniA loan from the Spanish macarrones, openly admitted. Macaroni here always comes in the plural: makarroiak
- jogurtayogurtA loan from the Spanish yogur, openly admitted. On the breakfast table — with fruit
- esne-gainacreamLiterally 'the milk's top': esnea — 'milk' + gaina — 'top', written with a hyphen. Cream here is what floats up — a picture of a word
- izozkiaice creamLiterally 'the frozen thing': izotz — 'ice' + -ki. Named by the technology, no poetry
- txokolateachocolateA loan from the Spanish chocolate, openly admitted. Dark chocolate here is txokolate beltza — 'black'
- gailetacookieA loan from the Spanish galleta, openly admitted. Cookies here go with tea — tearekin
- behi-haragiabeefLiterally 'cow's meat': behi — 'cow' + haragia — 'meat'. Meat names here are honest: whose it is, you hear at once
- ardi-haragialambLiterally 'sheep's meat': ardia — 'sheep' + haragia. The same sheep gives the famous cheese — ardi-gazta
- ganbakshrimpsA loan from the Spanish gamba, openly admitted; spelled with n: ganba. Shrimps here always come in the plural: ganbak
- mahatsagrapesA native word, old: mahats — grapes; the harvest is mahats-bilketa. In autumn the whole farm waits for it
- pepinoacucumberA loan from the Spanish pepino, openly admitted. The cucumber here crunches summer-style
- azacabbageA native word, short: aza; the head of it is aza-buru — 'cabbage-head'. The winter vegetable of these latitudes
- baratxuriagarlicLiterally «garden white»: baratz, vegetable garden, plus zuri, white. A clove is «ale bat» — «a grain»
- kuiapumpkinA native word, botanical: kuia; its soup is kuia-zopa. In autumn it replaces the whole decoration scene here
- berenjenaeggplantA loan from the Spanish berenjena, openly admitted. Baked in the oven here — labean
- limoialemonA loan (related to our 'lemon'), openly admitted. Lemonade here is limoi-ura — 'lemon water'
- angurriawatermelonA native word: angurri — watermelon, a relative of the melon (meloia). Kept in the fridge here — hozkailuan
- marrubiastrawberryA native word, old: marrubi; the berries go in the plural — marrubiak. The first berry of the season
- udareapearA native word: udare; ripeness here is helduta — 'ripened'. It falls to the floor with the same word as autumn
- mertxikapeachA native word: mertxika; also said muxika. Fuzzy, sweet, July — a word as soft as the fruit
- errezetarecipeA loan from the Spanish receta, openly admitted. Mom's is amaren errezeta
- barazkiak zuritupeel the vegetablesLiterally 'to whiten the vegetables': barazkiak — 'vegetables' + zuritu — 'to peel', from zuri — 'white'. Peeling here is 'making white'
- irakinboil (water)The same word as 'to cook by boiling' — context splits them: irakin is both to boil and to boil (of water). Ura irakiten du — the water boils
- nahastumixA native word: to mix, stir — and to confuse. The dough and the plans get mixed up identically here
- gazituadd saltFrom gatz — 'salt' + -itu: to salt is 'to make salty'. The advice is the same in every language: little — you can always add
- berotuheat upFrom bero — 'hot' + -tu: to heat up is 'to make hot'. Yesterday's soup lives thanks to it
- hoztucool downFrom hotz — 'cold' + -tu: to cool is 'to make cold'. Partner of berotu — the same formula, two poles
- arrautzak irabiatubeat the eggsLiterally «eggs beat»: irabiatu, to beat, stir. An egg is «arrautza», plural «arrautzak»
- ura gehituadd waterLiterally 'to add the water': gehitu — 'to add', the same as in gehigarria — 'the additive'. The water goes in last — so they teach
- parrillan erreto grill«Parrillan» — on the grill: parrilla, borrowed from Spanish, plus -n, «on»; erre is to roast. Fish on the coast is often cooked this way
- labeaovenA native word: labe — the oven; the bakery is labitegia — 'the oven's place'. Bread and tarts live there
- mikrouhin-labeamicrowaveLiterally «micro-wave oven»: borrowed «mikro» plus «uhin», wave, plus «labe», oven. A physics lesson in two words
- birringailuagraterFrom birrin — 'grated' + -gailu, 'device', like garbigailua. Grated cheese here is gazta birrindua
- burruntzalialadleA native word: as round as the thing itself. The soup is served with exactly it
- tapalidA loan from the Spanish tapa, openly admitted. Tapa-rekin estalita — 'covered with the lid': it comes to the boil faster so
- mozteko taulacutting boardLiterally 'the for-cutting board': moztu — 'to cut' + -teko, 'for' + taula — 'board'. The name is an instruction for use
- mantalaapronMantal — an apron, worn over clothes to keep them clean. The same word names a doctor's coat
- mahai-zapiatableclothLiterally 'table cloth': mahai — 'table' + zapi — 'cloth, kerchief'. The tablecloth here is the 'table's kerchief'
- irabiagailuablenderLiterally 'the whipper': irabiatu — 'to whisk' + -gailu, 'device', as in garbigailua. Smoothies are its business
- janari-kutxafood containerLiterally 'food's box': janaria — 'food' + kutxa — 'box'. The lunch box, named without brands
- kontsumitze-datause-by dateLiterally «consumption date»: kontsumitu, to consume (borrowed), plus data, date. Check it on the pack before you buy
- hondatu dait has gone offFrom «hondatu», to spoil or break: the same word as «hondatuta» — spoiled. Said of milk and of broken things
- latacan (tin)A loan from the Spanish lata — 'a tin', openly admitted. Canned goods here are latak: beans, tuna, tomatoes
- paketeapacketThe same word as 'parcel' — context tells: the shop packet is also a paketea. Coffee, pasta, cookies — all in packets
- gehigarriaadditiveFrom «gehitu», to add, plus -garri: an additive is an «addition». On labels look for «gehigarririk gabe» — no additives
- eramatekoto take awayLiterally 'for-the-carrying': eraman — 'to carry' + -teko, 'for'. Takeaway here is simply the purpose of the verb
- azukrerik gabesugar-freeLiterally 'sugar-without': azukrea — 'sugar' + -rik + gabe — the construction. Tea, coffee and life — all possible this way
- Begetarianoa naizI'm a vegetarianBorrowed, as in many languages. A ready phrase: a woman says it the same way, no change needed
- Alergia dut fruitu lehorrekikoI'm allergic to nutsLiterally 'allergy I-have to-dry-fruits': alergia — a loan (admitted), fruitu lehorrak — nuts, literally 'dry fruits'. The obligatory restaurant phrase
- On egin!enjoy your mealLiterally «may it do good»: on, good, benefit, plus egin, to do. A table formula, like French «bon appétit»
- gordinunripeThe same word as 'raw' — context splits them: unripe here is fruit that hasn't ripened. Pair with heldu — 'ripe'
- ustelarottenFrom ustel — 'rot': rotten here is fruit that has gone off. Such things head for the bin: ustela dago — it has spoiled
- gazitastes saltyFrom gatz — 'salt': salty to the taste, steeped in salt. Gaziegi — too salty: the -egi of 'too'
- gezablandA native word: geza — 'bland, unsalted'. The pair of gazi — 'salty': ur geza — fresh water
- pikanteahot (spicy)The same word as 'sharp' — context splits them: spicy to the taste covers peppers and sauces. When it burns, min ematen du — it gives pain
- koipetsuafattyLiterally 'full of fat': koipe — 'fat' + -tsu, abundance. Fatty here is about meat and broth, not people
- koipegabealeanLiterally 'fat-less': koipe + gabe. Lean here is a skinny cut, flesh alone
- txerrikiaporkFrom txerri — 'pig' + -ki, 'meat': pork here is literally 'pig meat'. Built the same way: oilaskoa — chicken, ahatea — duck
- oilaskoachicken (meat)From «oilo», hen, plus the diminutive -sko: a chick. On the plate it is always «oilaskoa»; the live bird in the yard is «oiloa»
- ahateaduckA native word: ahate, the live bird and the dish alike. The quack is 'kuak': ahatea ku-ku egiten du
- haragi xehatuaminced meatLiterally 'chopped meat': haragia — 'meat' + xehatu — 'to mince'. Minced meat here is for cutlets and pasta
- urdaiazpikoahamLiterally «what is under the bacon»: urdai, bacon fat, plus azpi, underside, plus -ko. Ham here is the famous leg cured for years
- atunatunaA loan from Spanish atún, openly admitted. Tuna here is the pride of the Biscay coast: they fish it from May on
- izokinasalmonA native word: izokin, the salmon that runs up the region's rivers. Red at the cut: barrutik gorria
- ganbaprawnA loan from Spanish gamba, openly admitted. A prawn here — pink and on the plate: ganbak gorriak
- itsaskiakseafoodFrom «itsas-», sea, plus -ki: «things of the sea». Seafood is always plural here
- aranaplumA plum; a dried one is «aran pasa», a prune. «Aran» also means «valley»: context decides
- mugurdiaraspberryA native word: mugurdi — 'raspberry'. Don't mix it with marrubia — 'strawberry'
- granadapomegranateA loan from Spanish granada, openly admitted. A pomegranate is full of seeds: hazi betea — 'full of seeds'
- ananapineappleBorrowed: the word came from the Tupi language of South America. A treat from far away
- mandarinamandarinA loan from Spanish mandarina, openly admitted. The mandarin is the winter smell of home: neguko usaina
- kiwiakiwiA loan from English kiwi, openly admitted. Grey outside, green inside: kanpotik grisa, barrutik berdea
- ahuakateaavocadoA loan from Spanish aguacate, openly admitted. Avocado goes on bread and into salad: ogi gainean
- mahats pasakraisinsLiterally 'dried grapes': mahatsa — 'grapes' + pasa — 'dried'. Raisins go in the pie and in the porridge
- pikuafigA native word: piku, both the tree and the fruit. Dried, it is the winter sweet: piku pasiak gabonetan — dried figs at Christmas
- piperrabell pepperThe same word as 'pepper' — context splits them: bell pepper here is the fleshy one, for salad and roasting. The hot one is piper mina
- kalabazinazucchiniBorrowed from Spanish «calabacín», «little pumpkin». A courgette is the pumpkin’s young relative
- erremolatxabeetA loan from Spanish remolacha, openly admitted. A beet stains everything it can reach: the salad, and your hands
- errefauaradishAn old loan from Latin raphanus, openly admitted. The radish is the early bird of the garden: lehenengoa lorategian
- belarrakherbsLiterally 'grasses': related to belarra — 'grass'. Herbs here are a bunch for the soup: belar onak — 'good herbs'
- perrexilaparsleyA loan from Spanish perejil, openly admitted. Parsley goes into every pot: denetan sartzen da
- artoacornA native word: before the Americas, arto meant millet. From it, arto puztua — 'puffed corn', popcorn
- espinakakspinachA loan from Spanish espinaca, openly admitted; plural, like grass in a bunch. Spinach here is green and quick
- pastelapieThe same word as 'cake' — context splits them: a pie here is a baked slab with a filling, fish or meat
- gozokiapastryLiterally 'sweet thing': gozo — 'sweet' + -ki. A pastry here is a single one, with coffee: gozoki bat kafearekin
- kauserakdoughnutsA northern word: kausera — a ball of dough fried in oil. Doughnuts here are fair food: jaietan saltzen dira — sold at festivals
- labekoabaked goodsLiterally 'of the oven': labe — 'oven'. Baked goods is everything that came out of it: buns, pies, doughnuts
- marmeladajamA loan from Spanish mermelada, openly admitted. Jam goes with the morning bun: opilarekin goizean
- ziropasyrupBorrowed, related to French «sirop». Syrup is sweet and thick: «urarekin nahasten da» — it is mixed with water
- arto puztuapopcornLiterally 'puffed corn': artoa — 'corn' + puztu — 'to puff up'. A grain that popped from the heat
- patata frijituakchipsLiterally 'fried potatoes': patata + frijitu — 'to fry'; plural — nobody eats chips one at a time. They crunch: krak-krak
- txikleachewing gumA loan from Spanish chicle, openly admitted. Gum lives in the mouth, not on the plate: ahoan du — he has it in his mouth
- limonadalemonadeA loan from Spanish limonada, openly admitted. A summer drink: hotza udan — cold in summer
- ur mineralamineral waterLiterally 'mineral water': ura — 'water'. Mineral here means from the spring: iturburutik dator
- gasdun urasparkling waterLiterally «water with gas»: -dun means «having». The pair to «gasik gabeko ura» — still water
- koktelacocktailA loan from English cocktail, openly admitted. With umbrella or without: fruit or alcohol
- kakaoacocoaA loan from Spanish cacao, openly admitted. The evening cocoa is thick and hot: beroa eta lodia
- kafe disolbagarriainstant coffeeLiterally 'soluble coffee': disolbatu — 'to dissolve'. Instant here is a spoon and boiling water: ready with hot water
- te poltsatxoatea bagLiterally 'tea little bag': poltsa — 'bag' + -txo. A bag with a string, one per cup
- ur irakinaboiling waterLiterally 'water boiling': irakin — 'to boil', and it comes after ur. Boiling water is for tea, not for hands: ez ukitu! — don't touch!
- alkoholaalcoholA loan from Arabic, openly admitted. On the label: alkoholik gabe — alcohol-free
- edariabeverageFrom edan — 'to drink': a beverage is any 'drinking thing'. Edari hotzak — cold drinks
- gosalduhave breakfastFrom gosaria — 'breakfast': literally 'to feed on breakfast'. Present: gosaltzen dut, like bazkaldu — bazkaltzen
- bazkalduhave lunchFrom bazkaria — 'lunch': the main meal, at two o'clock. Present: bazkaltzen dugu
- afalduhave dinnerFrom afaria — 'dinner': dinner here is late, at nine. Present: afaltzen dugu
- hamaiketakoamid-morning snackLiterally 'the eleven-o'clock thing': hamaika — 'eleven'. A snack between breakfast and lunch, school-style
- goseahungerA native word: gose — hunger; with the article it is the feeling itself, the one you 'have'. Gose handia dut — 'I have a big hunger'. With no article, gose naiz — I'm hungry
- egarriathirstA native word: egarri. Egarri naiz — 'I am thirsty'. Partner of gosea — 'hunger': one for food, one for water
- bazkari atsedenaldialunch breakLiterally 'lunch's rest': atsedenaldia — 'break', the rest hour. The lunch break runs from two to three, a sacred hour
- Gosea dut.I'm hungryLiterally 'I have hunger': Basque doesn't feel hunger, it HAS it. Same for women and men — the verb doesn't change
- Egarri naiz.I'm thirstyLiterally 'I am thirst': egarri behaves like an adjective. Egarri naiz, ura mesedez — I'm thirsty, water please
- Aseta nago.I'm fullLiterally 'I find myself sated': ase — 'to be sated' + -ta. 'I'm full' here is the polite refusal of seconds
- Menua, mesedez?the menu, please?Literally 'menu, please?': menua is a loan from French. You can also ask: menua ekarriko didazu? — will you bring me the menu?
- Zer gomendatzen didazue?what do you recommend?Literally 'what do you recommend to me?': gomendatu is a loan from Latin. The to-whom ending -t shows it is ME they are advising
- Berdina niretzat.the same for meLiterally 'the same for me': berdin — 'the same' + niretzat, 'for me'. Said second, without even opening the menu
- Bi kafe, mesedez.two coffees, pleaseAfter a number the article drops: bi kafe, not kafeak — just like berrehun euro. The number and the politeness stand side by side
- Ur gehiago, mesedez?more water, pleaseLiterally 'more water, please?': gehiago — 'more', from gehi. You ask for a refill with one word
- Ez dut hau eskatu.I didn't order thisLiterally 'I didn't have this ordered': eskatu — 'to ask, order'. Here the past has its own auxiliary: nuen
- Hemen ala eramateko?for here or to go?Literally 'here or for carrying?': eramateko — 'in order to carry it' (the -tzeko). The two answers are hemen or eramateko
- izotzik gabeno iceLiterally 'without an ice cube': izotz — 'ice' + -ik + gabe. The -(r)ik particle leaves not a single cube
- esnearekinwith milkLiterally 'with the milk': esnea — 'milk' + -rekin, the 'together-with' marker. Partner of izotzik gabe: 'with' and 'without', both as tails
- mahaia erreserbatubook a tableLiterally 'to reserve the table': erreserbatu is a loan from Spanish reservar, openly admitted. The table is the same mahaia as 'table'
- izozkailuafreezer (compartment)The same word as 'freezer' — context splits them: here it's the fridge's frosty compartment. From izoztu — 'to freeze'
- kafe makinacoffee machineLiterally 'coffee machine': kafea + makina. The morning starts with it
- edukiontziacontainerLiterally 'the containing vessel': eduki — 'to contain' + -ontzi, 'vessel'. Food is kept in them: elikagaiak edukiontzietan
- goporbowlA native word: wider than katilua — 'the cup'. You stir and whisk in it: zopa nahasteko
- platertxoasaucerThe diminutive of platera — 'plate': a saucer is a 'little plate'. The cat's milk goes into it
- kikaramugA loan from Spanish jícara, openly admitted. In a mug the coffee is wider and cozier than in a cup
- kopagobletA native word: a goblet (and the trophy — sport, by the same token). For wine: ardo kopa bat
- esponjaspongeA loan from Spanish esponja, openly admitted. The sponge washes the dishes and drinks the water
- pintzaclothespinBorrowed from Spanish «pinza». A clothes peg holds the washing on the line: «sokan»
- te ontzia jarriput the kettle onLiterally 'to put the tea vessel': tea — 'tea' + ontzia. Guests arrive — the first thing is putting the kettle on
- fideoaknoodlesA loan from Spanish fideos, openly admitted. Noodles are flour's threads: thrown into the soup at the last minute
- gurinabutterA native word: made from milk. Spread on warm bread: gurina zabaltzen diot ogiari
- landare olioavegetable oilLiterally 'plants' oil': landarea — 'plant' + olioa. You fry on it: zartaginera botatzen dut
- oreadoughA native word: flour, water and salt. To knead is orea oratu: hands to work
- ahiaporridgePorridge of flour boiled in milk or water: thick, eaten with a spoon. A first dish for children and the old
- zerealakcerealA loan from Spanish cereales, openly admitted. Cereal is breakfast with milk: zerealak esnearekin
- dilistaklentilsA native word: dilista. It cooks in half an hour: ordu erdiz egosi — and a hearty soup is ready
- garbantzuakchickpeasA native word: garbantzu — chickpea. Not to be confused with ilar — the pea, a different legume. Grandma adds it to the broth with vegetables
- arbendolaalmondThe dictionary word arbendol, a distant relative of French «amande». The almond is the star of sweet baking: on top of the cake
- kakahueteapeanutA borrowing, openly admitted. Peanuts are for the cinema and the party: salted, in a little bag
- espeziaspice (single)The same word as 'spices' — context splits them: a spice here is one jar: cinnamon, black pepper
- ongailuaseasoningA seasoning makes a dish tastier — «zaporea ematen du». Ongailu is what brings a dish to taste: «ongailurik gabe» — unseasoned
- ozpinavinegarA native word: made from wine. A salad isn't itself without it: olioa eta ozpina — oil and vinegar
- saltsasauceA loan from Spanish salsa, spelled saltsa in Basque. The sauce dresses the dish: tomato, hot, for fish
- ketchupaketchupA borrowing, openly admitted. Ketchup is sweet tomato sauce: with fries — a classic
- maionesamayonnaiseA loan from Spanish mayonesa, openly admitted. Mayo is a sauce of eggs and oil: salads are dressed with it
- mostazamustardA loan from Spanish mostaza, openly admitted. Mustard is hot and yellow: for sausage and meat
- kanelacinnamonA loan from Spanish canela, openly admitted. Cinnamon is sweet baking's friend: sprinkled on top of rice pudding
- piper beltzablack pepperLiterally 'pepper black': piperra + beltza. Grind it just before eating: the aroma doesn't last
- saldabrothA native word: the water where meat or vegetables cooked. The soup's soul — nothing without it
- pitxerrajugA native word: pitxer — water, wine or juice live in it. It stands on the table: mahai gainean
- termoathermosA borrowing, openly admitted. In the thermos the tea stays hot even in the mountains
- azukre ontziasugar bowlLiterally 'sugar's vessel': azukrea + -ontzi. It lives next to the coffee: kafe kikararen ondoan
- mahai tresnakcutleryLiterally 'the table's tools': mahaia + tresna — 'tool'. Spoon, fork, knife — all at once
- koilaratxoateaspoonThe diminutive of koilara — 'spoon': a 'spoonlet'. Sugar and coffee are measured with it: bat ala bi? — one or two?
- zopa koilaratablespoonLiterally 'soup's spoon': the tablespoon is for soup; the spoonlet (koilaratxoa) is for coffee. A pair by size
- lastotxoadrinking strawA native word: lastotxo — lasto, 'straw', + -txo. The straw is how you drink juice: colored ones at children's parties
- parrillagrillA loan from Spanish parrilla, openly admitted. The grill is a grate over coals: fish and meat smell of summer
- hasierakoaappetizerLiterally 'the one at the start': hasiera — 'beginning' + -ko. At the restaurant, the first dish while you wait for the main. Hamaiketakoa is something else: the eleven o'clock snack
- hornigaiagarnishA native word: hornigai (from hornitu, 'to supply'). The garnish accompanies the main: potatoes, vegetables, rice
- erretaroastedFrom «erre», to roast, bake: roasted, with a crust. «Piper erreak» — roasted peppers, a salad classic
- egosiaboiledFrom egosi — 'to boil, to cook in water'. Boiled is cooked in boiling water: an egg, a potato, vegetables
- lehortuadriedThe same word as 'withered' — context splits them: dried here is on purpose, for keeping: dried fruit, dried vegetables
- izoztutafrozenLiterally 'finds itself frozen': izoztu + -ta. Frozen comes from the freezer: fish, vegetables, pizza
- prestready (dish)A native word: prest — ready: bazkaria prest dago — lunch is ready. All that's left is serving
- naturalanaturalA loan from Spanish natural, openly admitted. Natural means no additives: juice from fresh apples, farm produce
- gogorrastrong (tea)The same word as 'hard' — context splits them: strong here is tea and coffee: long brewed, strength in the cup
- etxekoahomemadeLiterally 'of the house': etxea + -ko. Homemade is like mom's: etxeko bazkaria — a home lunch
- azalapeelThe same word as 'skin' and 'cover' — context splits them: the peel here is the fruit's or potato's outer layer
- hezurtxoapit (of fruit)The diminutive of hezur — 'bone': the pit of a cherry, plum, apricot. Don't swallow it: ez jan!
Download the word set (CSV) · Open the printable sheet
The CSV contains spelling, reading guides, translations and links to word pages. Use the browser menu to save the printable sheet as a PDF.
How it sounds in a sentence
A word list is a blank. Conversation is made of sentences, and these are the ones the words fit into most often.
What is worth knowing about these words
kafea — coffee. The article -a has grown onto the end: kafe+a. You order without it: kafe bat — one coffee.
tea — tea. Te plus the article -a gives «tea». To order one, drop the article: «te bat» — one tea.
ura — water. A two-letter word, ur — and even it wears the article: ur+a. In Bilbao you ask for it just as short: ur bat.
ogia — bread. Ogi + a. The bakery in Basque is okindegia — a native word, not the Spanish one.
Test yourself
First by ear — the way you will meet the word in conversation. Click the speaker and pick the translation.
- What is this word?
It is kafea — coffee.
- What is this word?
It is frutak — fruit.
- What is this word?
It is goxoa — tasty.
- What is this word?
It is afaria — dinner.
- What is this word?
It is patata — potato.
Now the other way around: recall the spelling from the meaning. That is harder, and therefore more useful.
- How do you say “coffee” in Basque?
The article -a has grown onto the end: kafe+a. You order without it: kafe bat — one coffee
- How do you say “fruit” in Basque?
A collective in the plural: fruta + ak. One piece of fruit is fruta bat
- How do you say “tasty” in Basque?
With the article: goxo+a. Basque doesn't split 'tasty right now' from 'tasty always' — goxoa is just goxoa
- How do you say “dinner” in Basque?
Both the meal and the verb's root: afaltzen dugu bederatzietan — we dine at nine. Dinner in the Basque Country comes later than you're used to
- How do you say “potato” in Basque?
A borrowing, as elsewhere: the word left the Americas through Spanish. Patata frijituak — fried potatoes, the bars' national food
How to learn the set instead of just reading it
A menu, a market, a shop sign, the question “what is this?”. Food is the most frequent subject of the first weeks and the safest excuse to start talking.
A list is read in a minute and forgotten in a day. What works: hide the translation, try to recall, get it wrong — and come back to the same words tomorrow.
- Recalling beats re-reading. Covering the translation and trying to remember it does more than reading it ten more times.checked many timesAdesope, Trevisan & Sundararajan, 2017, Review of Educational Research 87(3) · 188 experiments, 272 comparisons. g = 0.61; against plain re-reading 0.51, against passive review 0.93.
- Study spread over days wins not only in experiments but in ordinary classrooms, with real students.checked many timesMawson & Kang, 2025, Behavioral Sciences 15(6):771 · 22 studies, d = 0.54 (confidence interval 0.31–0.77). The authors warn that individual studies disagree widely.
Frequently asked
How do you say “coffee” in Basque?
«kafea». The article -a has grown onto the end: kafe+a. You order without it: kafe bat — one coffee. It is one of 254 words in the set “food and drink” — the rest are in the table above.
How many food words do you need to start?
The whole set on this page is 254 words, but there is no need to start with all of it: the words you will need in the next few days are enough. Take them a few at a time — five to seven new ones per session.
Is there audio?
Yes, 254 words on this page can be played — click the speaker next to the word. The sound works on any phone, and nothing needs to be installed.