Compound Verbs 1-1

30 Compound Verbs 1-1

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 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.)