Word Stress

Level 1

Say every syllable with about the same length and strength. If you want a model, lift the second syllable a little: e-TXE-a, men-DI-a.

How It Works

Stress works differently in Basque than in English or Spanish:

  • Even syllables. Natural Basque rhythm comes from giving every syllable about the same length and strength. No syllable is punched hard.
  • A lift on the second syllable. In the widely heard standard pattern, the second syllable is slightly higher: e-TXE-a (the house), i-KAS-to-la (the school), ba-TA-su-na (unity).
  • Some exceptions. Words built on a one-syllable root, or starting with a diphthong, often lift the first syllable instead: O-ne-na (the best), AU-rre-ko-a (the previous one).
  • Whole phrases. The stress unit is often a short phrase rather than a single word, so the lift can fall on the second syllable of the phrase.
  • Calling someone. When you call out a name, the last syllable stands out: Mi-KEL!

In some Western and central speech, stress can even tell a few words apart: basoa (the forest) and basoa (the glass) are spelled the same but stressed differently. Such pairs are rare, and the context makes the meaning clear.

Stress is never written. Basque has no accent marks. See Basque alphabet. Stress patterns differ most across regions, and the Souletin dialect has a strong stress of its own. See Basque dialect groups.

Examples (4)

  1. Gure ikastola berria da.

    Our school is new.

    Word by Word: Our school new-the is.

    Say i-KAS-to-la, with a slight lift on the second syllable, not ikas-TO-la as in Spanish.

  2. Mendia oso polita da.

    The mountain is very pretty.

    Word by Word: Mountain-the very pretty-the is.

    Men-DI-a: a small lift on the second syllable, with every syllable clear.

  3. Mikel, etorri hona!

    Mikel, come here!

    Word by Word: Mikel, come here-to!

    When you call someone, the last syllable of the name stands out: Mi-KEL.

  4. Nire ama irakaslea da.

    My mother is a teacher.

    Word by Word: My mother teacher-the is.

    Keep the syllables even. A heavy stress on the first syllable of ama makes Basque sound Spanish.

Common Mistakes

  • Stressing the next-to-last syllable, as in Spanish.

    ikas-TO-la
    i-KAS-to-la

    In standard speech the lift goes on the second syllable. Stress on the next-to-last syllable is a Spanish habit that Basque style guides ask speakers to avoid.

  • Writing accent marks to show stress.

    Gure ikastóla berria da.
    Gure ikastola berria da.

    Basque spelling never marks stress.

  • Punching one syllable hard.

    ba-ta-SU-na
    ba-TA-su-na

    Keep the syllables even, with only a slight lift on the second one.

How It Connects

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

Word StressLevel 1

Learn This First

Word stress needs the vowels first.