-ta / -rik
Describing States: Nekatuta Nago
To say how someone or something is right now, put a state word before egon: Nekatuta nago (I am tired), Pozik nago (I am happy), Denda itxita dago (The shop is closed).
How It Works
This builds on the izan and egon split: egon tells you how something is at the moment.
Participle + -ta. Take the participle and add -ta:
- nekatu → nekatuta (tired)
- lanpetu → lanpetuta (busy)
- itxi → itxita (closed)
- ireki → irekita (open)
- bukatu → bukatuta (finished)
After a participle that ends in n or l, the ending is -da: egin → eginda (done), hil → hilda (dead).
Words with -rik. Some state words end in -rik after a vowel and -ik after a consonant: gaixorik (ill), bizirik (alive), pozik (happy), isilik (quiet), zutik (standing), bakarrik (alone). Participles can take -rik too, especially in writing: nekaturik means the same as nekatuta.
They never change. These forms work like adverbs, so they do not take a plural: Nekatuta gaude (We are tired).
Another standard option. Standard Basque also accepts the participle with the article: Nekatua nago means the same as nekatuta nago. With izan, that article form is the one to use: Nekatua naiz. The -ta form goes with egon, not with izan.
Some feelings use a different pattern. Hunger and fear use izan with a bare noun: gose naiz, beldur naiz. You will meet other uses of -ta later, as in clauses with -ta and -rik.
Examples (6)
- Nekatuta nago.
I am tired.
- Gaur lanpetuta dago.
She is busy today.
- Denda itxita dago.
The shop is closed.
- Pozik gaude zuekin.
We are happy with you.
pozik stays the same with a plural subject.
- Amona gaixorik dago.
Grandma is ill.
- Lana eginda dago.
The work is done.
egin ends in n, so the ending is -da.
Common Mistakes
Making the -ta form plural.
Nekatutak gaude.Nekatuta gaude.The -ta form works like an adverb and never takes the plural -k.
Using a -ta form with izan.
Nekatuta naiz.Nekatuta nago.The -ta form goes with egon. With izan, Standard Basque uses the article form instead: Nekatua naiz.
Using -da after a vowel.
Denda itxida dago.Denda itxita dago.The ending is -da only after n or l (eginda, hilda). After a vowel it is -ta.
How It Connects
Learn This First
States need egon and the participle.
Related Patterns
- izan / egonChoosing Izan or Egon
Explains why states like these use egon.
Level 1 - Having Done: -ta / -rikHaving Done: -ta, -rik
Uses the same endings to mean "having done".
Level 4 - egina dut / eginda daukatHaving It Done
Combines the -ta form with eduki to show a finished result.
Level 5 - gose / egarri / beldur izanHungry, Thirsty, Afraid
Some feelings use izan with a bare noun instead of this pattern.
Level 2
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice -ta / -rik in Bubblegum
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