-(e)z gero

If, Given That: -z Gero

Level 5

Participle + -(e)z gero = if: nahi izanez gero (if you want), etorriz gero (if you come).

How It Works

1. The form. Participle + -z (after a vowel) or -ez (after a consonant) + gero. The ending is the instrumental -z:

  • etorri → etorriz gero
  • hartu → hartuz gero
  • jo → joz gero
  • egin → eginez gero
  • izan → izanez gero
  • nahi izan → nahi izanez gero

2. "If". Nahi izanez gero means the same as nahi baduzu from ba-: Nahi izanez gero, etor zaitez. (If you want, come.) It is common with nahi izan, behar izan and ahal izan: Behar izanez gero, deitu iezadazu. (If you need to, call me.) It also states general rules: Gehiegi janez gero, gaixotu egingo zara. (If you eat too much, you will get sick.)

3. Limits. It cannot describe something already finished or happening right now. Bart elurra egin badu... (If it snowed last night...) needs ba-. It is also mostly used in positive clauses; for "if not", use ezean.

4. After a conjugated verb: "since". A conjugated verb with -(e)n plus -ez gero gives a reason: Zuk esan duzunez gero, sinetsiko dut. (Since you have said it, I will believe it.) This is the same as -(e)nez.

5. Spelling. With verbs, always write -(e)z gero: etorriz gero, not etorri ezkero. The one-word ezkero goes only with times: atzo ezkero (since yesterday). Keep the whole nahi izan: nahi izanez gero, never nahiez gero.

Regional note: In the North, -z geroz usually means "after" or "since" in time.

Examples (6)

  1. Nahi izanez gero, etor zaitez.

    If you want, come.

    izan ends in a consonant, so it takes -ez.

  2. Hala izanez gero, deituko dizut.

    If that is the case, I will call you.

  3. Behar izanez gero, deitu iezadazu.

    If you need to, call me.

  4. Autobusa hartuz gero, ordu erdian iritsiko zara.

    If you take the bus, you will get there in half an hour.

    hartu ends in a vowel, so it takes -z.

  5. Gehiegi janez gero, gaixotu egingo zara.

    If you eat too much, you will get sick.

  6. Zuk esan duzunez gero, sinetsiko dut.

    Since you have said it, I will believe it.

    With a conjugated verb (duzun), it gives a reason.

Common Mistakes

  • Shortening nahi izan.

    Nahiez gero, etor zaitez.
    Nahi izanez gero, etor zaitez.

    The participle nahi izan must stay whole. Nahiez gero and nahi ezkero are not correct forms.

  • Writing ezkero after a verb.

    Etorri ezkero, deitu.
    Etorriz gero, deitu.

    With verbs, the standard spelling is always -(e)z gero. ezkero is only for times, as in atzo ezkero.

  • Using it for something already finished.

    Bart elurra eginez gero, ez gara joango.
    Bart elurra egin badu, ez gara joango.

    Last night is already over. -(e)z gero looks at possible events, so use the conjugated ba- form here.

How It Connects

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

-(e)z geroLevel 5If, Given That: -z Gero

Learn This First

-(e)z gero follows if and -z.