Weather and Feelings in Basque

Overview

Talking about the weather and expressing how you feel are essential A1 conversation skills. In the Basque Country, weather is a frequent topic — the Atlantic coast brings plenty of rain, and conditions can change quickly. Knowing weather vocabulary lets you participate in this everyday small talk.

Weather expressions in Basque typically use the verb egin (to do/make) in impersonal constructions: euria egiten du (it rains, literally "rain does"). Feelings and temporary states use the verb egon (to be located/in a state): pozik nago (I am happy). Some feelings use izan with an adjective that describes a more inherent state.

This topic naturally combines weather vocabulary, feeling adjectives, and the important distinction between izan and egon that you are developing at this level.

How It Works

Weather expressions:

Basque	English	Structure
Euria egiten du.	It is raining.	euria + egin
Elurra egiten du.	It is snowing.	elurra + egin
Haizea egiten du.	It is windy.	haizea + egin
Beroa egiten du.	It is hot.	beroa + egin
Hotza egiten du.	It is cold.	hotza + egin
Eguzkia ateratzen da.	The sun is coming out.	eguzkia + atera
Laino dago.	It is cloudy/foggy.	With egon
Ekaitza dator.	A storm is coming.	With etorri

Feeling expressions:

Basque	English	Verb used
Pozik nago.	I am happy.	egon (temporary)
Triste nago.	I am sad.	egon (temporary)
Nekatuta nago.	I am tired.	egon (temporary)
Haserre nago.	I am angry.	egon (temporary)
Gose naiz.	I am hungry.	izan (state)
Egarri naiz.	I am thirsty.	izan (state)
Beldur naiz.	I am afraid.	izan (state)
Ondo nago.	I am well.	egon (temporary)

Examples in Context

Basque	English	Note
Gaur euria egiten du.	Today it is raining.	Weather with egin
Beroa egiten du.	It is hot.	Temperature
Pozik nago.	I am happy.	Feeling with egon
Gose naiz.	I am hungry.	State with izan
Zer eguraldi egiten du?	What is the weather like?	Asking about weather
Gaur eguzkitsua da.	Today is sunny.	With izan for description
Bihar elurra egingo du.	Tomorrow it will snow.	Future weather
Nekatuta zaude?	Are you tired?	Asking about feelings
Hotza dago kanpoan.	It is cold outside.	With egon
Oso triste nago gaur.	I am very sad today.	Intensified feeling

Common Mistakes

Using izan instead of egon for temporary feelings

• Wrong: Pozik naiz.
• Right: Pozik nago.
• Why: Happiness is a temporary state, so it uses egon (nago). But note that hunger (gose) and thirst (egarri) traditionally use izan (naiz) — these are considered more basic physical states.

Forgetting the verb egin in weather expressions

• Wrong: Euria du. (for "it is raining")
• Right: Euria egiten du.
• Why: Weather expressions use egin (to make/do). The pattern is: weather noun + egiten + du.

Mixing up beroa (hot) and hotza (cold)

• Wrong: Hotza egiten du (meaning it is hot)
• Right: Beroa egiten du (it is hot) vs. Hotza egiten du (it is cold)
• Why: Simple vocabulary confusion. Beroa = hot/heat, hotza = cold. Memorize them as a pair.

Practice Tips

1. Check the weather each morning and describe it in Basque: Gaur euria egiten du. Hotza dago. This builds a daily habit.
2. Throughout the day, check in with yourself emotionally and express it in Basque: Pozik nago. Nekatuta nago. Gose naiz. Practice choosing between egon and izan.

Related Concepts

• Verb 'To Be Located' (egon)