-(r)i dagokionez
As Regards
Prezioari dagokionez, ez dago arazorik. (As regards the price, there is no problem.) It puts the topic up front.
How It Works
1. The forms. Match the verb to the dative before it:
- niri dagokidanez (as for me), zuri dagokizunez (as for you), prezioari dagokionez (as for the price)
- guri dagokigunez (as for us), zuei dagokizuenez (as for you all), ikasleei dagokienez (as for the students)
- In a past story: zegokionez, zegokienez
2. The verb on its own. dagokio is also a normal verb: Hori zuri dagokizu. (That is up to you.) The topic phrase is this verb plus -(e)nez, the ending of since: -(e)nez.
3. dagokionez or dagokionean? They are different words. dagokionean is about time: "when it is his or her turn". Dagokionean hasiko da kantuan. (She will start singing when it is her turn.) For "as regards", always use dagokionez.
4. Where it goes. It usually opens the sentence and sets the topic, as in topic and focus. It is common in reports, news and meetings, often next to formal connectors.
Examples (6)
- Prezioari dagokionez, ez dago arazorik.
As regards the price, there is no problem.
- Ikasleei dagokienez, azterketa ekainean izango da.
As for the students, the exam will be in June.
ikasleei is plural, so the form is dagokienez.
- Niri dagokidanez, ados nago.
As far as I am concerned, I agree.
- Osasunari dagokionez, dena ondo dago.
As for health, everything is fine.
- Lanari zegokionez, ez zegoen kexarik.
As regards the work, there were no complaints.
zegokionez is the past form.
- Hori zuri dagokizu.
That is up to you.
The same verb used on its own.
Common Mistakes
Not matching a plural dative.
Ikasleei dagokionez, azterketa ekainean izango da.Ikasleei dagokienez, azterketa ekainean izango da.ikasleei is plural, so the verb must agree with it: dagokienez.
Using the time word dagokionean.
Prezioari dagokionean, ez dago arazorik.Prezioari dagokionez, ez dago arazorik.dagokionean means "when it is his or her turn". For "as regards", use dagokionez.
How It Connects
Learn This First
This topic expression combines a dative-related verb with the subordinate ending -(e)nez.
Related Patterns
- -(r)iTo Someone: -(r)i
The topic always takes the dative: prezioari.
Level 2 - -(r)i buruz / -zAbout
-(r)i buruz is a simpler everyday way to name a topic.
Level 3 - The Topic Comes First
dagokionez puts a new topic at the start of the sentence.
Level 5 - hortaz / halaber / dena denFormal Connectors
Other phrases common in formal speech and writing.
Level 5 - -(r)en araberaAccording to
Another formal phrase that frames a statement: "according to".
Level 4
Words in This Pattern
Practice -(r)i dagokionez in Bubblegum
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