Kaixo, zer moduz?
The English phrase "hello how are you" is translated into Basque as Kaixo, zer moduz?
The phrase is a common greeting used to start a conversation and ask about someone's well-being. It functions as a way to say "Hi, how's it going?" in an informal context.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of Kaixo, which means "hello" and zer moduz, which literally translates to "what manner/way?", meaning "what manner [are you]?"
How does it change in a sentence?
The expression zer moduz? is an elliptical construction where the verb "to be" is omitted, which is a common feature in Basque greetings.
When do people say it?
When someone asks zer moduz?, a common response is Ondo, mila esker, which means "Well, thanks a lot."
Did you know?
- Basque is a language isolate, meaning it has no known relationship to any other living language family in the world. When you say Kaixo, you are speaking a language that stands entirely alone in European linguistics.
- The greeting Kaixo is actually quite young in the history of the language. In many traditional Basque-speaking communities, older or more traditional greetings like Agur were used instead to say both 'hello' and 'goodbye'.
- In some Basque regions, it is common to respond to zer moduz? by describing the weather or a current state of activity rather than just saying 'well'.
Examples in context
- Kaixo, zer moduz?Hello, how are you?
