baietz / ezetz

Saying So or Not

Level 3

baietz and ezetz are the forms of bai and ez that stand for a whole clause: Baietz uste dut (I think so), Ezetz esan du (She has said no).

How It Works

1. A short way to say a whole clause. Instead of repeating the clause with -(e)la, say baietz or ezetz:

  • Etorriko dela uste dut. → Baietz uste dut. (I think so.)
  • Ez dela etorriko uste dut. → Ezetz uste dut. (I don't think so.)

2. Common verbs. uste izan (think), esan (say), erantzun (answer), ziur egon (be sure): Anek baietz erantzun dit. (Ane has answered yes.) Ziur nago ezetz. (I am sure it is not.) This is also how you report an answer, as in reported speech.

3. Repeating or insisting. A plain answer is bai or ez. When you say it again, it often becomes baietz or ezetz: —Etorriko al zara? —Bai. —Zer? —Baietz!

4. As nouns. With the article, they mean "a yes" and "a no": Baietza eman digu. (She has given us a yes.)

Tip: In casual speech, baietz can also mark a bet: Irabazi baietz! (I bet we win!)

Examples (6)

  1. Baietz uste dut.

    I think so.

  2. Ezetz uste dut.

    I don't think so.

  3. Ezetz esan du.

    She has said no.

    It can also mean "He has said no".

  4. Anek baietz erantzun dit.

    Ane has answered yes.

    erantzun takes a receiver, so the auxiliary is dit (to me).

  5. —Etorriko al zara? —Bai. —Zer? —Baietz!

    —Are you coming? —Yes. —What? —Yes, I said!

    Repeated yes becomes baietz.

  6. Ziur nago ezetz.

    I am sure it is not.

Common Mistakes

  • Using plain bai before uste dut.

    Bai uste dut.
    Baietz uste dut.

    bai alone answers a question. When it stands for a whole clause before uste dut, it becomes baietz.

  • Using plain ez to report a no.

    Ez esan du.
    Ezetz esan du.

    ez before a verb makes the verb negative: Ez du esan means "She has not said it". To report that someone said no, use ezetz.

How It Connects

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

baietz / ezetzLevel 3Saying So or Not

Learn This First

baietz follows the that clause and yes-no questions.

Words in This Pattern

baietzbaietzezetz