Basic Words and Phrases in Latvian
Reinier van der Windt
About Latvian
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 | Jā |
|---|---|
| No | Nē |
| Please | Lūdzu |
| Yes, please | Jā, lūdzu |
| No, thank you | Nē, 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 |
| Excuse me | Atvainojiet (frm) |
| I’m sorry | Man ir žēl |
| Sorry | Piedodiet |
| Cheers! | Priekā! |
| Okay | Labi |
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 | Sveika (f) Sveiki (pl) Sveiks (m) |
|---|---|
| Hello | Labdien |
| Good morning | Labrīt |
| Good afternoon | Labdien |
| Good evening | Labvakar |
| Good night | Arlabunakti |
| Goodbye | Uz redzēšanos |
| See you later! | Lidz vēlākam! |
| Have a nice day! | Jauku dienu! |
| Bye | Atā |
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) |
| Nice to meet you! | Prieks iepazīties! |
| Pleased to meet you! | Ļoti patīkami! |
| What is your name? | Kā jūs sauc? (frm) Kāds ir jūsu vārds? (frm) Kā tevi sauc? (inf) Kāds ir tavs vārds? (inf) |
| My name is … | Mani sauc … Mans vārds ir … |
| 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 |
| I like it | Man tas patīk |
| I don't like it | Man tas nepatīk |
| How is the weather today? | Kāds šodien ir laiks? |
| Can you recommend any local attractions? | Vai jūs varat ieteikt kādas vietējās apskates vietas? |
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 |
| Hotel room | Viesnīcas numurs |
| Key | Atslēga |
| Breakfast | Brokastis |
| I have a reservation | Man ir rezervācija |
| I would like to book a room | Es vēlētos rezervēt numuru |
| Do you have any rooms available? | Vai jums ir pieejami numuri? |
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 |
| Enjoy your meal! | Labu apetīti! Labu ēstgribu! |
| 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? |
| Could you suggest something for me? | Vai jūs varētu ieteikt kaut ko man? |
| Can I have a glass of water, please? | Vai es varu iedzert glāzi ūdens, lūdzu? |
| Do you have any local specialties? | Vai jums ir kādas vietējās īpatnības? (frm) |
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.
| Breakfast | Brokastis |
|---|---|
| Lunch | Pusdienas |
| Dinner | Vakariņas |
| 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 |
| Juice | Sula |
| Water | Ūdens |
| Milk | Piens |
| Dessert | Deserts |
| Salad | Salāti |
| Soup | Zupa |
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 |
| Tourist Information | Tūrisma informācija |
| Museum | Muzejs |
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 |
| Grocery store | Pārtikas veikals |
| Market | Tirgus |
| Bakery | Maiznīca |
| Bookstore | Grāmatu veikals |
| How much does this cost? | Cik tas maksā, lūdzu? |
| Can I get a receipt? | Vai es varu saņemt kvīti? |
| I'm just looking | Es tikai skatos |
| Sunglasses | Saulesbrilles |
| Umbrella | Lietussargs |
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 |
| Is it far from here? | Vai tas ir tālu no šejienes? |
| Can you show it on the map? | Vai jūs varat to parādīt kartē? |
| How long does it take to walk there? | Cik ilgi tas aizņem iet tur kājām? |
Transport
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! | Palīgā! |
|---|---|
| Help me! | Palīdziet man! |
| I need help | Man vajag palīdzību |
| I need assistance | Man vajag palīdzību |
| I need a doctor | Man vajag ārstu |
| Police | Policija |
| Police Station | Policijas iecirknis |
| Hospital | Slimnīca |
| Ambulance | Ātrās palīdzības auto |
| Doctor | Ārsts |
| Fire department | Ugunsdzēsības dienests |
| Fire! | Uguns! |
Time
Effortlessly asking and telling the time enhances your travel experience, from coordinating schedules to catching transportation, adding a valuable layer to your linguistic toolkit for effective communication during your stay.
| What time is it? | Cik ir pulkstenis? |
|---|---|
| It is one o'clock | Pulkstenis ir viens |
| It is half past two | Pulkstenis ir pustrīs |
| Morning | Rīts |
| Afternoon | Pēcpusdiena |
| Evening | Vakars |
| Night | Nakts |
| Today | Šodien |
| Tomorrow | Rīt |
| Yesterday | Vakar |
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 |
| Two hundred | Divi simti |
| One thousand | Tūkstotis |
| Two thousand | Divi tūkstoši |
| Three thousand | Trīs tūkstoši |
| Hundred thousand | Simts tūkstoši |
| Million | Miljons |
Ordinal Numbers
Ordinal numbers play a crucial role in conveying sequence and order. Whether you're navigating travel itineraries, selecting seats, or exploring historical sites, understanding expressions like 'first,' 'second,' and so on is essential.
| First | Pirmais |
|---|---|
| Second | Otrais |
| Third | Trešais |
| Fourth | Ceturtais |
| Fifth | Piektais |
| Sixth | Sestais |
| Seventh | Septītais |
| Eighth | Astotais |
| Ninth | Devītais |
| Tenth | Desmitais |
| Eleventh | Vienpadsmitais |
| Twelfth | Divpadsmitais |
| Thirteenth | Trīspadsmitais |
| Fourteenth | Četrpadsmitais |
| Fifteenth | Piecpadsmitais |
| Sixteenth | Sešpadsmitais |
| Seventeenth | Septiņpadsmitais |
| Eighteenth | Astoņpadsmitais |
| Nineteenth | Deviņpadsmitais |
| Twentieth | Divdesmitais |
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 | Janvāris |
|---|---|
| February | Februāris |
| March | Marts |
| April | Aprīlis |
| May | Maijs |
| June | Jūnijs |
| July | Jūlijs |
| August | Augusts |
| September | Septembris |
| Oktober | Oktobris |
| November | Novembris |
| December | Decembris |
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 time is it? | Cik ir pulkstenis? |
| 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? |
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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