etxea

etxea is the Basque noun meaning "the house" or "the home." It is the definite form of etxe, which means house. In Basque, the definite article is attached to nouns, so etxea literally corresponds to "the house." The base word etxe can appear in other forms and compounds, depending on context.

Etymology and form: etxe derives from Basque roots for dwelling, and the suffix -a marks definiteness. This creates the specific noun etxea to refer to a particular house rather than to houses in general.

Usage: In everyday Basque, etxea refers to a specific building or the concept of home. The term also shows up in Basque place names and in family names, where it signals a connection to a house or home. Derived forms include etxera (to the house/home) and etxeko (of the house/household).

In culture and geography: The idea of the house is central in Basque-speaking regions, where rural farmhouses are common. Etxea appears in descriptions of homes, architecture, and local identity, reflecting the importance of the home as a social and spatial unit in Basque life.