ba-

Before a Basque verb there is a place for the focus, the most important information. See focus (galdegaia) before the verb. Sometimes nothing in the sentence is news except that the statement is true. Then a one-word verb, such as dakit, dago, dut, daukat or noa, takes the prefix ba-, which comes from bai (yes). It is written as part of the verb:

• Badakit. I know.
• Badago kafea. There is coffee.
• Badator autobusa. The bus is coming.
• Bai, badut. Yes, I have it.

No ba- when another word is the focus. If a question word or an answer stands before the verb, that word fills the place: Non dago kafea? — Hemen dago. Zer dakizu? See question word before the verb.

No ba- in negatives. ez fills the place instead: Ez dakit (I do not know), Ez dago etxean (He is not at home). See negation with ez.

In questions and answers. Use ba- in both: Ba al zoaz etxera? — Bai, banoa. (Are you going home? — Yes, I am.) Before al, ba is written as a separate word. See yes-no questions with al. After ere the verb also needs ba-, because ere is never the focus: Nik ere badakit. See ere.

Two-part verbs do not take ba-. In standard Basque, a verb with an auxiliary, such as etorri da, does not add ba-. The participle before the auxiliary already fills the place: Bai, ikusi dut (Yes, I have seen it). When a two-part verb is itself the news, it moves to the front: Etorri da Ane (Ane has come).

Not the same as if. The same ba- also means if at the start of a clause: Denbora baduzu, etorri! (If you have time, come!). That is why ez badakit means if I do not know. See if clause ba-.