zeren (eta)
Because: Zeren
Ez dut erosi, zeren eta garestiegia baitzen. I did not buy it, because it was too expensive. The zeren part comes after the main sentence and explains it.
How It Works
1. The pattern. Main sentence, comma, zeren or zeren eta, and the reason. The verb of the reason usually takes bait-:
- Ez dut erosi, zeren eta garestiegia baitzen. I did not buy it, because it was too expensive.
Older texts also have zeren ... -(e)n. Without any ending on the verb, zeren links two sentences side by side, which is needed before a question or a quotation: Presta zaitezte ondo, zeren nork irabazten du prestatu gabe?
2. An explanation after the main sentence. A zeren clause comments on what you have just said, so it comes after it. When the reason is the new, important part of the sentence, use -lako right before the verb instead: Garestiegia zelako ez dut erosi. To answer Zergatik?, the everyday answer is also -lako: Gaixorik nengoelako.
3. Register and history. zeren is the old genitive of zer (what). The forms zeren ... -(e)n and zeren ... bait- come from the eastern tradition. In the 20th century many writers avoided them, thinking they copied Spanish, but today some writers use zeren ... bait- again for explanations. In everyday Basque, a plain bait- clause, -(e)la eta or eta at the end is more common: Goazen etxera, berandu da eta.
Tip: zeren eta is a signpost for formal writing. When you see it, look for the bait- verb that carries the reason.
Examples (6)
- Ez dut erosi, zeren eta garestiegia baitzen.
I did not buy it, because it was too expensive.
bait + zen = baitzen.
- Ez daude inon, zeren ihes egin baitute.
They are nowhere to be found, for they have run away.
- Lasai egon zaitezke, zeren eta dena prest baitago.
You can relax, because everything is ready.
- Ez naiz joango, zeren eta bihar goiz jaiki behar baitut.
I will not go, because I have to get up early tomorrow.
- Etxean geratu ginen, zeren eta euria ari baitzuen.
We stayed at home, because it was raining.
- Presta zaitezte ondo, zeren nork irabazten du prestatu gabe?
Prepare well, for who wins without preparing?
Before a question, zeren links the sentences without bait-.
Common Mistakes
Stacking zeren eta and -lako.
Ez dut erosi, zeren eta garestiegia zelako.Ez dut erosi, zeren eta garestiegia baitzen.zeren eta already introduces the reason, and its verb takes bait-. If you prefer -lako, drop zeren eta: Garestiegia zelako ez dut erosi.
Writing bait- apart from the verb.
Ez dut erosi, zeren eta garestiegia bait zen.Ez dut erosi, zeren eta garestiegia baitzen.bait- is always written joined to the verb: baitzen, baitute, bainaiz.
How It Connects
Learn This First
zeren follows bait-.
Related Patterns
- -lakoBecause: -lako
The everyday reason clause, used to answer zergatik.
Level 2 - -(e)la etaBecause: -(e)la Eta
Another way to give a reason, common in speech.
Level 4 - zergatikWhy (Zergatik)
The question word why; the everyday answer uses -lako.
Level 1 - ezenThat, So That (Literary): Ezen
Another literary linking word from the same tradition.
Level 6
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice zeren (eta) in Bubblegum
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