Verb 'To Be Located' (egon) in Basque

Overview

Basque splits the concept of "to be" into two verbs, and egon is the second one you need to master at the A1 level. While izan expresses permanent qualities and identity ("I am a student"), egon expresses location ("I am at home") and temporary states ("I am tired," "I am sick"). This distinction is somewhat similar to Spanish ser vs. estar, though the details differ.

Egon has its own set of synthetic auxiliary forms that must be memorized: nago (I am), zaude (you are), dago (he/she/it is), gaude (we are), zaudete (you all are), daude (they are). These look nothing like the izan forms, so there is no risk of confusing them once you learn both sets.

You will use egon constantly for everyday situations: saying where things are, how you feel, and describing temporary conditions.

How It Works

Person	Singular	Plural
1st	nago (I am)	gaude (we are)
2nd familiar	hago (you are)	—
2nd standard	zaude (you are)	zaudete (you all are)
3rd	dago (he/she/it is)	daude (they are)

When to use egon vs. izan:

Use egon for	Example	Translation
Location	Etxean nago.	I am at home.
Temporary state	Gaixorik dago.	He/She is sick.
Mood/feeling	Pozik nago.	I am happy (right now).
Weather-related	Beroa dago.	It is hot.

Use izan for	Example	Translation
Identity	Irakaslea naiz.	I am a teacher.
Permanent quality	Altua da.	He/She is tall.
Nationality	Euskalduna naiz.	I am Basque.
Classification	Hau liburua da.	This is a book.

Examples in Context

Basque	English	Note
Non zaude?	Where are you?	Location question
Etxean nago.	I am at home.	Location answer
Gaixorik dago.	He/She is sick.	Temporary state
Bilbon daude.	They are in Bilbao.	Location, plural
Pozik gaude.	We are happy.	Mood/feeling
Nekatuta nago.	I am tired.	Temporary state
Liburua mahai gainean dago.	The book is on the table.	Object location
Nola zaude?	How are you?	Common greeting
Oso ondo nago, eskerrik asko.	I am very well, thank you.	Greeting response
Kafetegian daude.	They are at the café.	Location with -n

Common Mistakes

Using izan for location

• Wrong: Etxean naiz.
• Right: Etxean nago.
• Why: Location requires egon. Use izan for identity and permanent characteristics, egon for "being somewhere."

Confusing temporary and permanent states

• Wrong: Altua nago. (meaning he/she is tall)
• Right: Altua da. (using izan for a permanent physical trait)
• Why: Height is a permanent quality → izan. Being sick, tired, or happy are temporary → egon. Ask yourself: "Is this likely to change soon?"

Mixing up dago and daude

• Wrong: Liburuak mahai gainean dago.
• Right: Liburuak mahai gainean daude.
• Why: Dago is singular, daude is plural. The auxiliary must agree with the subject's number.

Practice Tips

1. Describe where five objects in your room are located, using dago (singular) and daude (plural): Liburua mahai gainean dago. Giltzak poltsikoan daude.
2. Every morning, describe how you feel using egon: Pozik nago. Nekatuta nago. Ondo nago. This builds the habit of choosing egon for temporary states.

Related Concepts

• Verb 'To Be' (izan) - Present
• Weather and Feelings
• Places and Directions
• Body and Health