arren / nahiz eta
Although
Basque has two main ways to say although: arren after the verb (nekatuta egon arren) or nahiz eta at the start of the clause (nahiz eta nekatuta egon).
How It Works
The four patterns.
- participle + arren: Nekatuta egon arren, lanera joan zen.
- verb in -(e)n + arren: Nekatuta nagoen arren, lagunduko dizut.
- nahiz eta + participle: Nahiz eta euria egin, kalera atera gara.
- nahiz eta + verb in -(e)n: Nahiz eta euria ari duen, kalera aterako gara.
The -(e)n forms. nago → nagoen, da → den, du → duen, dut → dudan; past forms already end in -n: zen, zegoen.
One or the other. nahiz eta opens its clause, and arren closes it. Popular speech and old verse sometimes use both at once (nahiz eta ... arren), but careful modern Basque uses only one.
Negatives. Put ez before the verb inside the clause: Nahiz eta euskaraz ez jakin, dena ulertu zuen (Although he did not speak Basque, he understood everything).
Related ideas. For even if, use ba- ... ere. To link two separate sentences, use hala ere (even so) or baina (but).
Examples (6)
- Nekatuta egon arren, lanera joan zen.
Although she was tired, she went to work.
arren closes the clause; joan zen shows the past.
- Nahiz eta euria egin, kalera atera gara.
Although it rained, we went out.
nahiz eta opens the clause.
- Nekatuta nagoen arren, lagunduko dizut.
Although I am tired, I will help you.
nagoen is nago + -(e)n.
- Nahiz eta euskaraz ez jakin, dena ulertu zuen.
Although he did not speak Basque, he understood everything.
- Garestia den arren, erosi egingo dut.
Although it is expensive, I am going to buy it.
- Nahiz eta goiz atera, berandu iritsi ginen.
Although we left early, we arrived late.
Common Mistakes
Using -(e)la before arren.
Nekatuta nagoela arren, lagunduko dizut.Nekatuta nagoen arren, lagunduko dizut.A full verb before arren takes -(e)n, not -(e)la: nagoen arren.
Leaving the verb bare after nahiz eta.
Nahiz eta euria ari du, kalera aterako gara.Nahiz eta euria ari duen, kalera aterako gara.After nahiz eta, a full verb takes -(e)n (duen). Or use the participle: nahiz eta euria egin.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Concession builds on contrast connectors and the finite -(e)n form used in relevant subordinate variants.
Related Patterns
- ba- ... ereEven if
A related concession: even if.
Level 4 - beraz / hala ere / ordeaSo, Even So, However
hala ere (even so) links two separate sentences with a similar meaning.
Level 3 - -lakoBecause: -lako
Gives a reason, where although gives an obstacle.
Level 2 - -ta / -rikDescribing States: Nekatuta Nago
States like nekatuta, which often appear in although clauses.
Level 2
Practice arren / nahiz eta in Bubblegum
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