Adjective + -a + izan
Describing with Izan
To describe something with izan, put the article on the adjective: Etxea handia da (The house is big). With a plural subject, use -ak: Etxeak handiak dira (The houses are big).
How It Works
Singular and plural
- Etxea handia da. The house is big.
- Etxeak handiak dira. The houses are big.
- Liburu hau interesgarria da. This book is interesting.
- Mendi horiek altuak dira. Those mountains are high.
With the personal pronouns
- Ni altua naiz. I am tall.
- Zu altua zara. You are tall (one person).
- Gu altuak gara. We are tall.
- Zuek altuak zarete. You are tall (more than one).
Zu always means one person, so its adjective is singular, even though zara looks like the plural gara. See The Verb izan (to Be).
A phrase or a sentence?
Etxe handia (no verb) is a phrase: "the big house". Etxea handia da is a sentence: "The house is big". See Adjective, Then Article.
Negative and questions
Etxea ez da handia. The house is not big. Etxea handia da? Is the house big?
How something is right now
For a passing state, Standard Basque often uses egon instead: Nekatuta nago (I am tired). See The Verb egon (to Be Somewhere) and Describing States: nekatuta nago.
Examples (6)
- Etxea handia da.
The house is big.
Word by Word: House-the big-the is.
- Etxeak handiak dira.
The houses are big.
Word by Word: Houses-the big-the(pl) are.
Plural subject, plural adjective, plural verb.
- Zu oso jatorra zara.
You are very nice.
Word by Word: You very nice-the are.
Zu is one person, so the adjective is singular.
- Liburu hau interesgarria da.
This book is interesting.
Word by Word: Book this interesting-the is.
- Mendi horiek altuak dira.
Those mountains are high.
Word by Word: Mountain those high-the(pl) are.
- Kafea ez da ona.
The coffee is not good.
Word by Word: Coffee-the not is good-the.
Common Mistakes
Leaving the adjective singular with a plural subject.
Etxeak handia dira.Etxeak handiak dira.The adjective agrees with the subject, so a plural subject needs -ak on the adjective.
Making the adjective plural with zu.
Zu altuak zara.Zu altua zara.Zu means one person, so the adjective stays singular. Use altuak only with zuek: Zuek altuak zarete.
Using a singular verb with a plural subject.
Mendiak altuak da.Mendiak altuak dira.The verb must be plural too: dira.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Predicate adjectives combine izan with the article on adjectives.
Related Patterns
- -aThe Definite Article -a
The adjective takes the same article -a as a noun.
Level 1 - -akThe Plural Article -ak
With a plural subject, the adjective takes -ak.
Level 1 - egon: nago / zaude / dagoThe Verb Egon (To Be Somewhere)
For passing states, egon is often used instead of izan.
Level 1 - -ta / -rikDescribing States: Nekatuta Nago
Forms like nekatuta describe a state with egon.
Level 2
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice Adjective + -a + izan in Bubblegum
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