-tzekotan

On Condition That

Level 5

Add -tzekotan to a verb to say if we are going to or on condition that: Joatekotan, goiz irten behar dugu (If we are going, we have to leave early).

How It Works

1. The form. Take the -tze or -te form of the verb, the same one used in the verbal noun -tzea, and add -kotan:

  • lagundu → laguntze- → laguntzekotan
  • etorri → etortze- → etortzekotan
  • erosi → eroste- → erostekotan
  • joan → joate- → joatekotan
  • egin → egite- → egitekotan
  • izan → izate- → izatekotan

It is the -tzeko of purpose -tzeko plus -tan. Northern writing uses -tzekotz with the same meaning.

2. "If the plan is to". The -tzekotan clause names a goal or a plan. The main clause says what is needed for it, often with behar, nahi or hobe: Azterketa gainditzekotan, gehiago ikasi beharko duzu. (If you are going to pass the exam, you will have to study more.)

3. "On condition that". It often comes after the main clause and adds a condition: Liburua utziko dizut, bihar itzultzekotan. (I will lend you the book, on condition that you return it tomorrow.)

4. "If at all". With words like inor or zerbait it narrows down a choice: Inori deitzekotan, amari deituko diot. (If I call anyone, I will call my mother.)

5. What it cannot do. -tzekotan always looks ahead to a possible event. It cannot say that one thing causes another, and it is not used for general truths or habits. For those, use -(e)z gero, ba- or -(e)nean:

  • Gehiago saiatuz gero, lortuko duzu. (If you try harder, you will manage it.)
  • Euria egiten duenean, kaleak busti egiten dira. (When it rains, the streets get wet.)

Tip: Compare joateko (in order to go) with joatekotan (if we are going). The first gives a purpose; the second sets a condition.

Examples (6)

  1. Laguntzekotan etorriko naiz.

    I will come if it is to help.

    laguntzeko (to help) plus -tan. The condition is the purpose of coming.

  2. Joatekotan, goiz irten behar dugu.

    If we are going, we have to leave early.

    joan uses joate-, not joatze-.

  3. Azterketa gainditzekotan, gehiago ikasi beharko duzu.

    If you are going to pass the exam, you will have to study more.

    The main clause says what the plan needs, with behar.

  4. Liburua utziko dizut, bihar itzultzekotan.

    I will lend you the book, on condition that you return it tomorrow.

    Placed after the main clause, it adds a condition.

  5. Autoa erostekotan, txiki bat erosiko dut.

    If I buy a car at all, I will buy a small one.

  6. Inori deitzekotan, amari deituko diot.

    If I call anyone, I will call my mother.

    inor (anyone) narrows the choice down to one person.

Common Mistakes

  • Using -tzekotan for cause and result.

    Gehiago saiatzekotan, lortuko duzu.
    Gehiago saiatuz gero, lortuko duzu.

    Trying harder is what makes you succeed, so this is cause and result. -tzekotan cannot say that; use -(e)z gero or saiatzen bazara.

  • Using -tzekotan for a general truth.

    Euria egitekotan, kaleak busti egiten dira.
    Euria egiten duenean, kaleak busti egiten dira.

    Rain is what makes the streets wet, and it happens every time. -tzekotan cannot express cause and result or a general truth, so use -(e)nean or ba- instead.

  • Building it on the wrong verb form.

    Hori egintzekotan, ondo egin behar da.
    Hori egitekotan, ondo egin behar da.

    The verbal noun of egin is egite-, so the form is egitekotan.

How It Connects

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

-tzekotanLevel 5On Condition That

Learn This First

-tzekotan follows -tzeko and if.