-z
By and in a Language: -z
-z tells how: trenez (by train), euskaraz (in Basque).
How It Works
Getting around. autoz (by car), trenez (by train), autobusez (by bus), hegazkinez (by plane), bizikletaz (by bike). The question is nola? (how?): Nola etorri zara? — Trenez. On foot is oinez. See manner with -z.
Languages. euskaraz (in Basque), gaztelaniaz (in Spanish), frantsesez (in French), ingelesez (in English). The -a of euskara is part of the word, so it just adds -z. Add -ko to describe a noun: euskarazko liburua (the book in Basque).
Speaking and learning. With hitz egin (to speak), the language usually takes -z: euskaraz hitz egin. This is by far the most common choice in written Basque. With ikasi (to learn) and irakatsi (to teach), the language is more often the object: Euskara ikasten dut (I am learning Basque). Euskaraz ikasten dut means I study in Basque.
About. -z can also mean about: Zertaz hitz egin duzue? (What did you talk about?) See about.
Travelling autobusarekin means together with the bus, so it does not say how you travelled. Say autobusez, or autobusean (on the bus). For company or a tool, use -(r)ekin instead: lagunarekin (with the friend).
Examples (6)
- Trenez etorri naiz.
I came by train.
Word by Word: Train-by come I-am.
- Egunero autobusez joaten naiz lanera.
Every day I go to work by bus.
Word by Word: Every-day bus-by going I-am work-to.
- Euskaraz hitz egiten duzu?
Do you speak Basque?
Word by Word: Basque-in word doing you-have?
- Mezua ingelesez idatzi dut.
I have written the message in English.
Word by Word: The-message English-in written I-have.
- Nola joango zarete Donostiara? — Autoz.
How will you all get to Donostia? — By car.
Word by Word: How go-will you-all-are Donostia-to? — Car-by.
- Euskarazko liburu bat erosi dut.
I have bought a book in Basque.
Word by Word: Basque-in-of book a bought I-have.
Common Mistakes
Adding a bare -z after a consonant.
Ingelesz hitz egiten dut.Ingelesez hitz egiten dut.After a consonant the ending is -ez: ingelesez, frantsesez.
Using -(r)ekin for the means of transport (intended meaning: I came by bus).
Autobusarekin etorri naiz.Autobusez etorri naiz.autobusarekin means together with the bus. To say how you travelled, use -z: autobusez.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The instrumental follows the case overview.
Related Patterns
- oinez / eginezManner with -z
The same ending for manner: oinez, negarrez.
Level 3 - -(r)i buruz / -zAbout
The same ending meaning about: horretaz.
Level 3 - Noun + eginVerbs with Egin
hitz egin is the verb most often used with euskaraz.
Level 1 - -(r)ekinWith: -(r)ekin
The ending for with someone or with a tool.
Level 1 - -ko / -zkoSize, Length and Material
The related -zko ending in euskarazko and urrezko.
Level 4
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice -z in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Basque lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
