Below are are the ways to form the NORAZ case, but in this lesson we will just use the Indefinite
Indefinite
-(e)z
oinez(by foot)
Single definite
-az
oinaz(by the foot)
Plural definite
-(e)z,(e)taz
oinez (by the feet)
Proper names
-az
espainieraz (by/in Spanish)
Note : if a plural noun ends in a vowel, add -ez/etaz/ if a consonant, add -z/taz
The instrumental can be widely used to describe objects, people or ideas that do something, but in normal speech, not literary usage,
it is mostly used to describe means of transportation (Trenez joaten naiz. I go by train.),
to change nouns to adverbs(arreta care - arretaz carefully) and languages (euskaraz - in Basque).
The indefinite form of the instrumental is used in numerous expressions, such as:
Gauez ibiltzen naiz. I walk at night.
Oinez joaten naiz. I go by foot.
Liburua ingelesez dago. The book is in English.
Seinaleak euskaraz daude. The signs are in Basque
Note: Remember, the conjugated form of verbs, such as Etorri (nator, zatoz, dator, gatoz, zatozte, datoz)
is the equivalent of the present continuous form in English, that being something you are in the process of doing, now or around now.
“I am coming from school by bus.” (now) (Ni eskolatik autobusez nator.),
while the non-conjugated form is used for things done habitually “I come from school every day by bus.” (Ni egunero etortzen naiz eskolatik autobusez.).
Similarly, the past form of conjugated verbs represents the past continuous, “I was coming from school by bus.”(Eskolatik autobusez nentorren.).
vs non-conjugated I came home from school by bus every day.(Egunero etortzen nintzen eskolatik autobusez.)