baizik

Not X but Y: Baizik

Level 3

To correct something, say what it is not with ez, then give the right thing followed by baizik: Ez da Mikel, Jon baizik. (It is not Mikel but Jon.)

How It Works

1. The pattern. Ez + wrong idea, right idea + baizik: Ez naiz irakaslea, ikaslea baizik. The first part must really contain ez, as in negation. A sentence that only feels negative is not enough.

2. Same ending on both sides. The right idea takes the same ending as the wrong one: Lehiaketa ez du Josuk irabazi, Mirenek baizik. Ez goaz Bilbora, Donostiara baizik. Ez naiz zurekin joango, Anerekin baizik.

3. Long phrases: baizik eta. When the right idea is long, baizik eta can go in front of it: Ez naiz lan egitera etorri, baizik eta zu ikustera. With a short word, put baizik after it.

4. baina or baizik? baina adds a contrast between two true things: Txikia da, baina polita. (It is small, but pretty.) baizik replaces a wrong idea with the right one. In Northern Basque, baina can also do this job: Ez da Mikel, baina Jon. In the standard language taught here, use baizik.

5. Meaning "only". With a single element, ez ... baizik means "only": Bi baizik ez dira etorri. (Only two have come.) Here baizik goes right after the word it limits. See ways to say only.

Examples (6)

  1. Ez da Mikel, Jon baizik.

    It is not Mikel but Jon.

  2. Ez naiz irakaslea, ikaslea baizik.

    I am not a teacher but a student.

  3. Ez goaz Bilbora, Donostiara baizik.

    We are not going to Bilbao but to Donostia.

    Both places take -ra.

  4. Ez dut kafea nahi, tea baizik.

    I don't want coffee, but tea.

  5. Ez naiz lan egitera etorri, zu ikustera baizik.

    I did not come to work, but to see you.

    Both parts use the -tzera form.

  6. Lehiaketa ez du Josuk irabazi, Mirenek baizik.

    Josu did not win the contest; Miren did.

    Both people keep the ergative -k: Josuk, Mirenek.

Common Mistakes

  • Using baizik without ez in the first part.

    Bilbora goaz, Donostiara baizik.
    Ez goaz Bilbora, Donostiara baizik.

    baizik corrects something that was denied, so the first part must contain ez.

  • Using baizik for a plain contrast.

    Txikia da, polita baizik.
    Txikia da, baina polita.

    Both things are true, so join them with baina. baizik only follows a sentence with ez, to replace what was denied.

  • Putting the right idea first.

    Mirenek irabazi du, ez Josuk baizik.
    Ez du Josuk irabazi, Mirenek baizik.

    The negative part comes first and the part with baizik comes second. Without baizik, Mirenek irabazi du, ez Josuk is also correct.

How It Connects

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

baizikLevel 3Not X but Y: Baizik

Learn This First

baizik needs negation and baina.

Words in This Pattern

baizik