Being able to say a few words in Basque will go a long way when speaking to locals during your time in Bilbao.
What is Basque?
Euskera (the Basque term for Basque) is Europe’s oldest living language, a language isolate and the only remaining pre-indo-European tongue on the continent. Despite the numerous theories, nobody is quite sure where Basque originates from. What they do know is that Euskera has been spoken in the Basque Country for thousands of years.
Euskera is hugely important to Basque culture and is an important part of the nation’s identity. For example, in Basque the denonym to describe a person from the Basque Country and a Basque speaker is the same: ‘Euskaldun’.
For the last few centuries, the language has suffered systemic repression, especially during the Franco dictatorship, when public use of Euskera was almost entirely prohibited. However, since the 1960’s the language has experienced a revival, and with Spain’s transition into democracy, its use has gradually increased.
It’s compulsory for children to learn Basque in the public education system and some schools teach exclusively in Euskera. According to a Bizkaia government website, around 37% of the Basque population can speak it.
Basque in Bilbao
Basque is extremely complicated, with a grammar structure unlike any other European language, so learning it before you’re time in Bilbao would be difficult.
Everybody here also knows Spanish (Castellano) and will be more than happy to speak to you in it. There are a few words, however, that are generally said in Basque rather than Spanish (see table below).
If you’re really struggling and you need help, our advice is to find a younger person, as they’re much more likely to be able to speak a higher level of English.
Whilst nobody in Bilbao will expect a foreigner to speak Basque with any degree of fluency, and certainly nobody will force you to speak it, knowing a few simple words and expressions will certainly come in handy.
Here are some everyday terms and phrases you can use whilst on holiday in Bilbao:
| Kaixo | Hello |
| Agur | Goodbye |
| Eskerrik asko | Thank you |
| Mesedez | Please |
| Bai | Yes |
| Ez | No |
| Barkatu | Sorry |
| Zer moduz? | How are you? |
| Ingelesez badakizu? | Do you speak English? |
| Bat | One |
| Bi | Two |
| Hiru | Three |
Click here if you want to see a more extensive list of essential Basque words to know when you visit Bilbao.
