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Lesson 3 of 10
Yes, no and the essentials in Latvian
The small words that carry half of every conversation, and the ones that rescue it. Play the ten Latvian words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 10 Latvian phrases in this lesson
- Jāyah
- Yes
- Nēneh
- No
- LabiLA-bee
- Okay
- Es nesaprotues neh-sa-PRO-too
- I don't understand
- Vai jūs runājat angliski?vai yoos roo-NAH-yat ANG-lees-kee
- Do you speak English?
- Vai varat atkārtot?vai VA-rat at-KAHR-tot
- Can you repeat that?
- Lēnāk, lūdzuLEH-nahk, LOO-dzu
- Slowly, please
- Kas tas ir?kas tas eer
- What is this?
- Man vajag...man VA-yag
- I need...
- Vai varat man palīdzēt?vai VA-rat man PA-lee-dzeht
- Can you help me?
The long ā makes this distinct from a short exclamation. Nod slightly when saying it.
The long ē gives a slight emphasis. Latvians may say it softly so listen carefully.
Literally means "good." Used widely to mean okay, alright, or understood.
Saprotu comes from saprast, meaning "to understand." Useful when speech is too fast.
Uses the formal jūs form. Many young Latvians speak English well, especially in Riga.
Literally "slower, please".
Literally "to me is needed".