izan / egon

Standard Basque uses two verbs where English uses one "be". The split is close to Spanish ser and estar.

izan: what something is. Use izan for identity, jobs, nationality, lasting qualities, days and times:

• Mikel irakaslea da. (Mikel is a teacher.)
• Ane oso alaia da. (Ane is a very cheerful person.)
• Gaur asteartea da. (Today is Tuesday.)

A describing word after izan takes the article -a: alaia da, altua da.

egon: where and how. Use egon for location and for a state at the moment:

• Mikel etxean dago. (Mikel is at home.)
• Bilbo Bizkaian dago. (Bilbao is in Biscay.)
• Mikel ondo dago. (Mikel is fine.)

Words for a state usually come without the article: ondo dago, pozik dago, hotz dago, haserre dago. Later you will add forms like nekatuta.

Events use izan. Where an event takes place is not a location in this sense, so it keeps izan, just as Spanish says la fiesta es en la plaza: Kontzertua plazan izango da. (The concert will be in the square.) Noiz da festa? (When is the party?)

Same word, two meanings. Ane alaia da describes her character. Ane pozik dago describes how she feels now. In the same way, izotza hotza da (ice is cold) is a lasting fact, while kafea hotz dago (the coffee is cold) is its state right now.

Regional note. egon as a second "be" belongs to the Western and Central dialects and to Standard Basque. In the Northern Basque Country, speakers often use izan for location and for states too, so you may hear etxean da or ongi naiz. In Standard Basque as taught here, use egon for both, except for events.