Learn Latvian

Latvian

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100+ Basic Latvian Words And Phrases You Should Know

Latvian is the official language of Latvia, spoken by around 1.3 million people. It belongs to the Baltic branch of the Indo-European language family and shares similarities with Lithuanian. Latvian has been influenced by German, Russian, and Swedish throughout its history. Its complex grammar system involves extensive inflection. The Latin-based alphabet with diacritical marks is used for writing, and the language has a phonetic orthography. Latvian vocabulary includes borrowings from various languages while also retaining ancient Baltic roots. Latvian is integral to Latvian culture and plays a significant role in literature, music, and artistic expression. Efforts have been made to preserve and promote the language since Latvia's independence.

Basic Words and Phrases

Learning a foreign language opens up a world of opportunities, allowing you to connect with people from different cultures and expand your horizons. Whether you're planning a trip or simply curious about a new language, mastering some basic words and phrases is a great place to start.

Yes
No
Please
Lūdzu
Thanks
Paldies
Thank you
Paldies
Thank you very much
Liels paldies
You're welcome
Nav par ko
Ņem par labu
No problem
Nav problēmu
Nekādu problēmu
Yes, please
Jā, lūdzu
No, thank you
Nē, paldies
Excuse me
Atvainojiet (frm)
I’m sorry
Man ir žēl
Sorry
Atvainojiet (frm)
Cheers!
Priekā!

Greetings

Greetings are an essential part of any language. Saying "hello" and "goodbye" can create an instant connection with native speakers. In many languages, "hello" is a universal term, but learning the specific greeting for the language you're interested in can show respect and appreciation. Similarly, learning how to say "goodbye" will help you leave a positive impression.

Hi
Sveiki
Hello
Labdien
Good morning
Labrīt
Good afternoon
Labdien
Good evening
Labvakar
Good night
Arlabunakti
Goodbye
Uz redzēšanos
Bye
Atā
See you later!
Lidz vēlākam!
Have a nice day!
Jauku dienu!

Conversations

Next, let's explore basic conversation starters. Asking "how are you?" or "what's your name?" in another language is a friendly way to engage with others. These simple phrases can pave the way for more meaningful conversations and help you build rapport.

How are you?
Kā jums klājas? (frm)
Kā tev iet? (inf)
I'm fine
Man klājas labi
Good, thank you!
Labi, paldies!
And you?
Un jums? (frm)
Un tu? (inf)
It's nice to meet you
Prieks iepazīties
What is your name?
Kā jūs sauc? (frm)
Kāds ir tavs vārds? (inf)
My name is …
Mani sauc … (frm)
Mans vārds ir … (inf)
Where are you from?
No kurienes jūs esat? (frm)
No kurienes tu esi? (inf)
I am from …
Es esmu no ...
I don't speak Latvian
Es nerunāju latviski
Do you speak English?
Vai jūs runājat angliski? (frm)
Vai tu runā angliski? (inf)
I understand
Es saprotu
I do not understand
Es nesaprotu

Hotel

When staying at a hotel in a foreign country, it's helpful to be familiar with some phrases that can assist you during your stay. Here are a few key phrases you can use in a hotel.

Hotel
Viesnīca
Reception
Uzņemšanā
Reservation
Rezervācija
Room
Istaba
Key
Atslēga
Breakfast
Brokastis

Restaurant

When dining at restaurants in a foreign country, it's helpful to know phrases that can assist you during your meal. Being able to request a table, order food and drinks, and ask for the bill are important for a pleasant dining experience.

Restaurant
Restorāns
Menu
Ēdienkarte
A table for one, please
Galdu vienai personai, lūdzu
A table for two, please
Galdu diviem cilvēkiem, lūdzu
I would like a coffee, please
Es gribētu kafiju, lūdzu
Can I have the bill, please?
Vai varu saņemt rēķinu, lūdzu?
Can you bring me the bill, please?
Vai jūs varat, lūdzu, atnest man rēķinu?
I would like to pay, please
Es gribētu maksāt, lūdzu
The bill, please
Rēķins, lūdzu
Can I pay with cash?
Vai es varu maksāt skaidrā naudā?
Can I pay with card?
Vai es varu maksāt ar karti?
Can I pay with credit card?
Vai es varu maksāt ar kredītkarti?

Food and drinks

Being able to order food and drinks, ask for recommendations, and express preferences or dietary restrictions will enhance your dining experience and allow you to explore the local cuisine.

Food
Ēdieni
Drinks
Dzērieni
Bread
Maize
Sandwich
Sviestmaize
Cheese
Siers
Meat
Gaļa
Fish
Zivis
Vegetables
Dārzeņi
Fruit
Augļi
Vegetarian
Veģetārietis
I am a vegetarian
Es esmu veģetārietis
Coffee
Kafija
Tea
Tēja
Beer
Alus
Wine
Vīns
Water
Ūdens
Milk
Piens

Places and Services

Just like how saying hello helps you connect with others, exploring phrases related to locations and services can greatly enhance your travel experience. Whether you're looking for important places like banks or post offices, these expressions can open up doors to immersing yourself in the local culture.

ATM
Bankomāts
Bank
Banka
Beach
Pludmale
Library
Bibliotēka
Park
Parks
Pharmacy
Aptieka
Post Office
Pasts

Shopping

Knowing how to ask for the price, request a different size or color, or simply say "I'm just looking" can be useful when shopping in local markets or stores.

Store
Veikals
Supermarket
Lielveikals
Market
Tirgus
Bakery
Maiznīca
How much does this cost?
Cik tas maksā, lūdzu?
I'm just looking
Es tikai skatos

Directions

Learning phrases related to asking for directions, understanding common landmarks, and getting around the city will help you navigate unfamiliar places with ease.

Where is the toilet?
Kur ir tualete, lūdzu?
Where is the beach?
Kur ir pludmale, lūdzu?
How do I get to the airport?
Kā nokļūt lidostā?
Left
Pa kreisi
Right
Pa labi
Straight ahead
Taisni uz priekšu

Travel

Familiarizing yourself with phrases for using public transportation, such as asking for a ticket, stating your destination, or inquiring about schedules, will make your travel experience smoother and more efficient.

Airport
Lidosta
Plane
Lidmašīna
Train station
Dzelzceļa stacija
Train
Vilciens
Bus station
Autoosta
Bus
Autobuss
Taxi
Taksometrs
Ticket
Biļete
Can I get a ticket to Riga?
Vai es varu dabūt biļeti uz Rīgu?
I would like a ticket to Riga
Es gribētu biļeti uz Rīgu
I need a ticket to Riga
Man vajadzīga biļete uz Rīgu
A ticket to Riga, please
Biļeti uz Rīgu, lūdzu
What time is the next train to Riga?
Cikos ir nākamais vilciens uz Rīgu?
When is the next train to Riga?
Kad ir nākamais vilciens uz Rīgu?
When does the next train to Riga leave?
Kad atiet nākamais vilciens uz Rīgu?

Emergencies

When you're in a different country, it's really important to be aware of emergency phrases such as 'help,' 'hospital,' and 'police.' Using expressions like 'emergency' and 'I need help' can help you overcome language barriers and make sure you're ready for any unexpected situations that might occur. Having a good grasp of these phrases will help keep you safe and give you peace of mind while traveling.

Help!
Palīdzība!
Help me!
Palīdziet man!
I need help
Man vajag palīdzību
Police
Policija
Hospital
Slimnīca
Ambulance
Ātrās palīdzības auto
Doctor
Ārsts
Fire department
Ugunsdzēsības dienests
Fire!
Uguns!

Question Words

Understanding basic question words like who, what, where, when, why, and how will enable you to ask for information or clarification in various situations.

What?
Kas?
What is that?
Kas tas ir?
What do you like?
Kas tev patīk?
Where?
Kur?
Where is the toilet?
Kur ir tualete?
When?
Kad?
When is the next train?
Kad ir nākamais vilciens?
When can we meet?
Kad mēs varam tikties?
Why?
Kāpēc?
Why is it expensive?
Kāpēc tas ir dārgi?
How?
Kā?
How are you doing?
Kā tev iet?
How would you like to pay?
Kā vēlaties maksāt?
Which?
Kāds?
Which museums did you visit?
Kādus muzejus jūs apmeklējāt? (pl)
Which sandwich is yours?
Kāds sendvičs ir tavs?
Which local dish do you want to try?
Kādu vietējo ēdienu tu vēlies izmēģināt?
Which one?
Kurš?
Which one of you is the tour leader?
Kurš no jums ir ceļojuma vadītājs?
Who?
Kas? (When asking about an unidentified individual)
Kurš? (When asking about a particular person among a known group)
Who of you is the tour leader?
Kurš no jums ir ceļojuma vadītājs?
Who is your travel companion?
Kas ir tavs ceļojuma biedrs?
Kurš ir tavs ceļojuma biedrs?
Whose?
Kura?
Whose keys are these?
Kura atslēgas ir šīs?
Whose phone is ringing?
Kura telefons zvana?
Whose book is this?
Kura grāmata ir tava?
How many?
Cik?
How many people were at the concert?
Cik daudz cilvēku bija uz koncertu?
How many books have you read?
Cik grāmatu tu esi izlasījis?
How many apples do you want to buy?
Cik daudz ābolu tu vēlies nopirkt?
How much?
Cik?
How much does this cost?
Cik daudz maksā?
How much does this product cost?
Cik maksā šis produkts?

Numbers

Learning numbers is essential for tasks like counting, ordering quantities, or understanding prices.

Zero
Nulle
One
Viens
Two
Divi
Three
Trīs
Four
Četri
Five
Pieci
Six
Seši
Seven
Septiņi
Eight
Astoņi
Nine
Deviņi
Ten
Desmit
Eleven
Vienpadsmit
Twelve
Divpadsmit
Thirteen
Trīspadsmit
Fourteen
Četrpadsmit
Fifteen
Piecpadsmit
Sixteen
Sešpadsmit
Seventeen
Septiņpadsmit
Eighteen
Astoņpadsmit
Nineteen
Deviņpadsmit
Twenty
Divdesmit
Twenty-one
Divdesmit viens
Twenty-two
Divdesmit divi
Twenty-three
Divdesmit trīs
Twenty-four
Divdesmit četri
Twenty-five
Divdesmit pieci
Twenty-six
Divdesmit seši
Twenty-seven
Divdesmit septiņi
Twenty-eight
Divdesmit astoņi
Twenty-nine
Divdesmit deviņi
Thirty
Trīsdesmit
Forty
Četrdesmit
Fifty
Piecdesmit
Sixty
Sešdesmit
Seventy
Septiņdesmit
Eighty
Astoņdesmit
Ninety
Deviņdesmit
Hundred
Simts

Days of the week

Knowing the names of the days of the week will help you schedule activities, make appointments, or plan your itinerary.

Monday
Pirmdiena
Tuesday
Otrdiena
Wednesday
Trešdiena
Thursday
Ceturtdiena
Friday
Piektdiena
Saturday
Sestdiena
Sunday
Svētdiena

Months

Being familiar with the names of the months will allow you to discuss dates, make reservations, or talk about specific time frames.

January
Janvārīs
February
Februāris
March
Marts
April
Aprīlis
May
Maijā
June
Jūnijs
July
Jūlijā
August
Augusts
September
Septembris
Oktober
Oktobris
November
Novembris
December
Decembris

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Abbreviations used

infInformal
frmFormal
fFeminine
mMasculine
sgSingular
plPlural

About Me

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Hey there! I'm Rainier and I'm the person behind Roaming with Rainier. I've always been really into traveling and photography. I've been fortunate enough to visit incredible destinations and there are still so many more on my bucket list. My plan is to explore breathtaking places around the world and share my experiences through articles and reviews.

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