hitz egin

Basque

Etymology

From hitz (“word”) +‎ egin (“to do”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): (Southern) /it͡s̻ eɡin/, [it͡s̻ e̞.ɣ̞ĩn]
• IPA^(key): (Northern) /hit͡s̻ eɡin/, [ɦit͡s̻ e̞.ɣ̞ĩn]

Verb

hitz egin du (imperfect participle hitz egiten, future participle hitz egingo or hitz eginen, short form hitz egin, verbal noun hitz egite)

1. to speak, to talk

   Synonyms: mintzatu, berba egin, solas egin

   1. [+instrumental] to speak a language

      Euskaraz hitz egin dezaket. ― I can speak Basque.

   2. [+instrumental] to talk about something

      Zure lagunaz hitz egin nahi dut. ― I want to talk about your friend.

Usage notes

• In the sense "to speak a language" the absolutive case can also be used, but it is much rarer.
• When using an adjective to describe the language, the innessive case is used instead:

  Frantses dotorean hitz egiten du. ― He speaks excellent French.

Further reading

• “hitz egin”, in Euskaltzaindiaren Hiztegia [Dictionary of the Basque Academy], Euskaltzaindia
• “hitz egin”, in Orotariko Euskal Hiztegia [General Basque Dictionary], Euskaltzaindia, 1987–2005