Euskal Herria
/eu̯s̺kal heria/
The English phrase "basque country" is translated into Basque as Euskal Herria.
Euskal Herria is the name for the geographical region in Spain and France where the Basque language is traditionally spoken.
Meaning: geographical region in Spain and France where the Basque language is traditionally spoken (name)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of Euskal (Basque) and Herria (country, land or people).
How does it change in a sentence?
As a proper noun, Euskal Herria does not require a definite article (such as "the") to be used in a sentence.
Did you know?
- While Euskal Herria means 'Basque Country', the word euskara is used specifically for the Basque language. It is one of the few languages in the world that is a language isolate, meaning it has no known relationship to any other living language.
- In the Basque Country, you will often see the phrase Euskadi used alongside Euskal Herria. While Euskal Herria refers to the entire cultural region, Euskadi specifically refers to the autonomous community within Spain.
- The name Euskal Herria literally translates to 'the land of the Basque people' rather than just a political territory. This reflects the idea that the nation is defined by its people and language rather than by borders.
Examples in context
- Euskal Herrian bizi naiz.I live in the Basque Country.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their travel plans.
- AmaiaNola joan da zuren bidaia Euskal Herriara?How was your trip to the Basque Country?
- IkerOso ona izan da, Amaia.It was very good, Amaia.
- AmaiaZer hiru herri bisitatu dituzuen?Which three towns did you visit?
- IkerEuskal Herriko hiri txikiak gustoko dut.I like the small towns of the Basque Country.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “basque country” translations and entries Euskal Herria, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
