-rako

For and by: -rako

Level 3

-rako = for, bound for: Bilborako trena (the train to Bilbao), zertarako? (what for?), ostiralerako (by Friday).

How It Works

1. Where it is built from. -rako is the allative -ra plus the local genitive -ko. It keeps the idea of "toward" and adds the ability to describe a noun.

2. Destination. Bilborako trena (the train to Bilbao), etxerako bidean (on the way home). Compare Bilboko trena (the Bilbao train, the train of Bilbao).

3. Purpose with nouns. Zertarako? (What for?), horretarako (for that), mendirako botak (boots for the mountains), afarirako (for dinner). With a verb, use -tzeko or -tzeko with a noun: afaltzeko (to have dinner).

4. Time.

  • a deadline: ostiralerako (by Friday), bostetarako (by five o'clock)
  • a planned length of time: bi asterako (for two weeks)

For clauses meaning "by the time", see -(e)nerako.

5. People. For a person who receives or benefits, use -(r)entzat: Hau zuretzat da. (This is for you.)

Tip: Plural and indefinite forms add -eta- or -ta-: mendietarako (for the mountains, plural), zertarako.

Examples (6)

  1. Bilborako trena bostetan ateratzen da.

    The train to Bilbao leaves at five.

  2. Zertarako behar duzu hori?

    What do you need that for?

  3. Lana ostiralerako bukatu behar dut.

    I have to finish the work by Friday.

    ostiral ends in a consonant, so it takes -erako.

  4. Mendirako botak erosi ditut.

    I have bought boots for the mountains.

  5. Etxerako bidean ogia erosiko dut.

    I will buy bread on the way home.

  6. Bi asterako joan da Parisera.

    She has gone to Paris for two weeks.

    It can also mean "He has gone". -rako gives the planned length of the stay.

Common Mistakes

  • Using -ra to describe a noun.

    Bilbora trena bostetan ateratzen da.
    Bilborako trena bostetan ateratzen da.

    -ra alone cannot describe a noun. Add -ko: Bilborako trena.

  • Using -rako for a person.

    Hau Mikelerako da.
    Hau Mikelentzat da.

    For a person who receives or benefits, use -(r)entzat.

  • Using -n when you mean "by" a day.

    Lana ostiralean bukatu behar dut.
    Lana ostiralerako bukatu behar dut.

    Both sentences are grammatical, but ostiralean means "on Friday". To say "by Friday at the latest", use ostiralerako.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

-rakoLevel 3For and by: -rako

Learn This First

-rako combines -ra and -ko.