Subordinate Clauses in Basque

Overview

Subordinate clauses are clauses that depend on a main clause to form a complete thought. At the B1 level, mastering subordination is essential for expressing complex ideas: reasons, conditions, concessions, and reported thoughts. Basque forms subordinate clauses primarily through suffixes added to the auxiliary verb, making the system quite different from English.

The key subordinating suffixes are: -la (that), -lako/-delako (because), -nez (since/given that), -arren/-n arren (although), and -(e)nean (when). The subordinate clause typically precedes the main clause, consistent with Basque's head-final structure.

These suffixes transform what would be independent sentences into dependent clauses that connect seamlessly with main clauses, enabling sophisticated discourse.

How It Works

Suffix	Meaning	Attaches to	Example
-la	that	auxiliary	Badakit zaila dela. (I know that it is difficult.)
-lako / -delako	because	auxiliary	Gaixorik dagoelako. (Because he/she is sick.)
-nez	since, given that	auxiliary	Berandu denez. (Since it is late.)
-(e)n arren	although	auxiliary	Zaila den arren. (Although it is difficult.)
-(e)nean	when	auxiliary	Etorri denean. (When he/she came.)
-la/-ala	while (simultaneous)	auxiliary	Ibiltzen ari zela. (While he/she was walking.)

Subordinate clause position: typically before the main clause

Subordinate clause	Main clause	Translation
Gaixorik dagoelako	ez da etorri.	Because he/she is sick, he/she didn't come.
Euria egiten duen arren	joango gara.	Although it rains, we will go.
Iritsi naizenean	deitu dizut.	When I arrived, I called you.

Examples in Context

Basque	English	Note
Badakit euskara zaila dela.	I know that Basque is difficult.	-la (that)
Gaixorik dagoelako ez da etorri.	He/She didn't come because he/she is sick.	-lako (because)
Euria egiten duen arren, joango gara.	Although it rains, we will go.	-n arren (although)
Iritsi naizenean, deitu dizut.	When I arrived, I called you.	-nean (when)
Berandu denez, joango gara.	Since it is late, we will go.	-nez (since)
Uste dut arrazoi duzula.	I think you are right.	-la in opinion clause
Esan du bihar etorriko dela.	He/She said he/she will come tomorrow.	Reported speech -la
Nahiz eta zaila izan, saiatuko naiz.	Even though it is difficult, I will try.	Concessive
Ez dakit nor den.	I don't know who he/she is.	Indirect question
Jakin nahi dut zer gertatu den.	I want to know what happened.	Indirect question

Common Mistakes

Forgetting -la in "that" clauses

• Wrong: Badakit zaila da.
• Right: Badakit zaila dela.
• Why: After verbs like jakin (know), uste (think), esan (say), the subordinate clause needs the -la suffix on the auxiliary.

Wrong clause order

• Wrong: Ez da etorri gaixorik dagoelako. (not wrong but less natural)
• Right: Gaixorik dagoelako ez da etorri. (more natural)
• Why: The subordinate clause typically precedes the main clause in Basque. The reverse order is possible but marked.

Mixing up -lako and -nez

• Wrong: Using them without understanding the nuance
• Right: -lako gives the reason/cause; -nez presents a known fact as background
• Why: Gaixorik dagoelako (because he/she is sick — explaining why). Gaixorik dagoenez (since/given that he/she is sick — presenting a fact before drawing a conclusion).

Usage Notes

Subordinate clauses are the backbone of complex Basque discourse. In formal and literary Basque, multiple subordinate clauses may be nested, creating long sentences that are perfectly normal in written registers. Spoken Basque tends to use shorter subordinations and more parataxis (juxtaposition without explicit linking). The -la suffix is probably the most frequent subordinator in the language, appearing in every reported speech, belief, and knowledge statement. Regional preferences exist: nahiz eta (even though) is more common in some areas than -n arren (although).

Practice Tips

1. Practice each subordinating suffix with the same base sentence: Hura etorri da → ...dela (that), ...delako (because), ...denez (since), ...den arren (although), ...denean (when).
2. Combine pairs of simple sentences using appropriate subordinators: "It rained. We stayed home." → Euria egin zuelako, etxean geratu ginen.
3. Practice reported speech: "He said X" → Esan du X dela/duela.

Related Concepts

• Relative Clauses
• Purpose and Result Clauses
• Subjunctive Mood
• Reported Speech
• Verbal Nouns and Nominalization
• Cause, Result, and Concessive Clauses
• Complex Sentence Structures
• Sequence of Tenses