zaitez / ezazu
Commands with Zaitez and Ezazu
Give a command with the radical plus an auxiliary: Eser zaitez (Sit down) for verbs that take naiz, and Ireki ezazu (Open it) for verbs that take dut.
How It Works
Two kinds of verbs. A verb that takes naiz in the past or perfect (etorri, joan, eseri, sartu, isildu) uses zaitez. A verb that takes dut (ireki, ekarri, idatzi, hartu) uses ezazu. See Who Does What: nor and nork.
The forms.
- To one person (zu): zaitez, ezazu, and itzazu with a plural object.
- To several people (zuek): zaitezte, ezazue, and itzazue with a plural object.
The verb before the auxiliary is the verb radical: Etor zaitez, Idatz ezazu, Har itzazu. Many Southern speakers use the full participle instead (Etorri zaitez), which is also accepted.
Other ways to give a command. A few common verbs have their own short command forms, such as zatoz (come) and zoaz (go); see Simple Commands. In everyday speech a bare participle also works: Itxi atea! (Close the door!). To tell someone not to do something, see Don't.
Being polite. A command can sound blunt. Add mesedez (please), or ask a question instead: Leihoa irekiko al duzu? (Will you open the window?).
Examples (6)
- Isil zaitez, mesedez.
Be quiet, please.
isildu takes naiz, so the command uses zaitez.
- Ireki ezazu leihoa.
Open the window.
ireki takes dut, so the command uses ezazu.
- Ekar itzazu liburuak.
Bring the books.
liburuak is plural, so ezazu becomes itzazu.
- Sar zaitezte!
Come in, all of you!
zaitezte is for several people.
- Irakur ezazue testua.
Read the text, all of you.
- Idatz ezazu zure izena hemen.
Write your name here.
Common Mistakes
Using ezazu with a verb that takes naiz.
Eser ezazu, mesedez.Eser zaitez, mesedez.eseri takes naiz (eseri naiz), so its command uses zaitez. ezazu is for verbs that take dut.
Keeping ezazu with a plural object.
Ekar ezazu liburuak.Ekar itzazu liburuak.When the thing is plural, the auxiliary changes to itzazu, just as dut changes to ditut.
Using the one-person form for a group.
Umeak, sar zaitez!Umeak, sar zaitezte!When you speak to several people, use zaitezte, ezazue or itzazue.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Formal commands combine the radical with command auxiliaries chosen from the ordinary auxiliary families.
Related Patterns
- Don't
How to tell someone not to do something.
Level 3 - goazen / dezagunLet's
The same kind of form for we: let's do something.
Level 3 - iezadazuCommands with a Receiver
Commands that also name who receives something, such as Eman iezadazu.
Level 4 - bedi / bezaLet It Be: Bedi, Beza
Formal commands and wishes about a third person.
Level 5
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice zaitez / ezazu in Bubblegum
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