ditut / dituzu / ditu
Having Several Things
When you have more than one thing, dut becomes ditut: Bi katu ditugu (We have two cats).
How It Works
A Basque verb shows who has something and whether that thing is one or many. Put -it- after the d- and the verb now has a plural object:
- (nik) dut → ditut (I have them)
- (zuk) duzu → dituzu (you have them)
- (hark) du → ditu (he or she has them)
- (guk) dugu → ditugu (we have them)
- (zuek) duzue → dituzue (you all have them)
- (haiek) dute → dituzte (they have them)
Watch the last one: dute becomes dituzte, with a z before -te.
What counts as plural. A noun with the plural article -ak is plural: Liburuak ditut. So is a noun after a number from two up, even though that noun takes no article: Bi katu ditugu. See numbers and nouns. Quantity words such as asko (many) also take the plural: Lagun asko dituzu. But bat is singular, so Katu bat dugu (We have a cat).
As an auxiliary. The same forms follow a main verb whose object is plural: Giltzak mahaian utzi ditut (I have left the keys on the table). The one who has or does takes the ergative -k: Anek bi ahizpa ditu.
With -rik. In a negative sentence an indefinite noun with -(r)ik counts as singular, so the verb stays dut: Ez dut anaiarik (I have no brothers).
Examples (6)
- Bi katu ditugu.
We have two cats.
Word by Word: Two cat we-have-them.
- Liburu asko dituzu.
You have a lot of books.
Word by Word: Book many you-have-them.
- Anek bi ahizpa ditu.
Ane has two sisters.
Word by Word: Ane-ERG two sister has-them.
ahizpa is a sister of a woman or girl.
- Giltzak mahaian utzi ditut.
I have left the keys on the table.
Word by Word: The-keys table-on left I-have-them.
Here ditut is the auxiliary of utzi, because the keys are plural.
- Zenbat urte dituzu?
How old are you?
Word by Word: How-many year you-have-them?
Basque gives age with ukan: you have years.
- Ez dituzte sarrerak erosi.
They have not bought the tickets.
Word by Word: Not they-have-them the-tickets bought.
Common Mistakes
Keeping dut when the object is plural.
Liburuak dut.Liburuak ditut.Liburuak (the books) is plural, so the verb needs the plural form ditut.
Using the singular after a number because the noun has no plural ending.
Bi anaia dut.Bi anaia ditut.After a number the noun takes no article, but two brothers are still plural, so the verb is ditut.
Using the plural verb with a -rik noun in a negative sentence.
Ez ditut anaiarik.Ez dut anaiarik.A noun with -rik counts as singular, so the verb stays dut. The Basque Academy's standard requires this.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Plural-object ukan builds on ukan and the plural article.
Related Patterns
- Numbers and Nouns
After a number the noun is bare but the verb is plural.
Level 1 - -(r)ikAny: -(r)ik
A -rik object keeps the verb singular: Ez dut dirurik.
Level 2 - -kThe Ergative Case -k
The one who has the things takes -k: Anek, nik, zuk.
Level 1 - Number + urteSaying Your Age
Age uses this verb: Hogei urte ditut.
Level 2
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice ditut / dituzu / ditu in Bubblegum
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