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Compound Verbs 1-1

30 Compound Verbs 1-1

30.1 Compound Verbs Grammar

  • A few verbs, like ahal izan(can/be able to), behar izan(have to/must), ezin(cannot), nahi izan(want to), behar, and balio are "compound" verbs
  • (aditz elkartuak in Basque) because they use an auxilary verb izan/ukan to show tense.
  • Ahal Izan is used with verbs to give the meaning of “To be able” or “can” to a particular action.
  • Behar Izan is used with verbs to give the meaning of “have to” or “must” do a particular action.
  • Ezin is used with verbs to give the meaning of “cannot”.
  • These verbs use the conjugated form of either the verb Izan or Ukan, depending on if the verb is intransitive (does not take an object)
  • or transitive (takes an object). This section will cover the use compound verbs with intransitive verbs.
  • The use of compound verbs with transitive verbs will be covered later.

Ahal Izan, Behar Izan and Ezin in the past tense

  • Ahal Izan, Behar Izan and Ezin in the remote and near past.
  • In the past form, the dictionary form of the verb is used, with ahal izan. behar izan or ezin,
  • and the past(for far past) or present (for near past) form of the verb “izan”.
  • As with normal non-declined verbs, far past is normally prior to that day and the near past is earlier that day.
  • Remote Past: Atzo joan ahal izan nintzen. I could/was able to go yesterday.
  • Near Past: Gaur joan ahal izan naiz. I could/was able to go today.
  • Remote Past: Atzo joan behar izan nintzen. I had to go yesterday.
  • Near Past: Gaur joan behar izan naiz. I had to go today.
  • Remote Past: Atzo ezin nintzen joan. I could not go yesterday.
  • Near Past: Gaur ezin naiz joan. I could not go today.
  • (Note, that for ezin, just like with “ez” the word order changes, and the verb goes to the end.)

Compound Verbs 1-1

  • ahal izan: was able to/could
  • behar izan: had to
  • ezin: Was not able to/could not
  • azken urtean: last year
  • azken hilabetean: last month
  • Paris: Paris

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