aita
/ai̯ta/
The English word "dad" is translated into Basque as aita.
aita is the noun used to refer to a father.
Meaning: informal: a father (noun)
Which one should you use?
While aita is the standard term, aitatxo is a more informal way to say "dad".
How does it change in a sentence?
The word changes depending on its role in a sentence. Use aitari when the dad is the indirect object, such as when speaking to him or giving something to him. Use aitaren to indicate possession or a relationship to the dad, such as saying "dad's".
How do you pronounce it?
/ai̯ta/
Did you know?
- The root of aita is a distant cousin to the Proto-Kartvelian word ded-, which actually means 'mother' rather than 'father'.
- The term aita is sometimes used metaphorically in Basque to describe a founder or a primary source of a tradition.
- The word aita is likely an onomatopoeic nursery word, meaning it was originally created by mimicking the natural sounds a human infant makes when attempting to speak.
Examples in context
- Eta horrelaxe ezagutu zuen gura amak gure aita.And that's how my mom met my dad.This sentence shows how to use aita to refer to a father.Tatoeba #3091812 by gorkaazk, translation #2721810 by Hybrid
- Nire Aita dela gutxi euki du paralisi zerebrala.My dad has recently got a cerebral palsy.This sentence uses aita to refer to a father.Tatoeba #6326929 by 2013ik50, translation #6326926 by 2013ik50
- Nira Aitari dela gutxi paralisi zerebrala diagnostikatu diote.My dad has recently been diagnosed with cerebral palsy.This sentence uses the form aitari to refer to the dad as the indirect object.Tatoeba #6326931 by 2013ik50, translation #6326928 by 2013ik50
Example conversation
Amaia and Iker are talking at home about their parents.
- AmaiaNire aita etxean dago.My dad is at home.
- IkerZure aita nola dago?How is your dad?
- AmaiaOso ondo dago, eskerrik asko.He is very well, thank you.
- IkerKaskada, salutatu baina nire alde.Great, say hello to him for me.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry aita, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aita, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
