Latvian phrasebook

Pronunciation guide

Stress In Latvian, the stress is almost always on the first syllable.

Vowels Notice that there are long and short vowel sounds in Latvian.

a as in 'u' in "cup" ā as in 'a' in "bark", a long sound e as in 'e' in "pet" and 'a' in "fat" ē as in 'ai' in "fair" and 'a' in "spar", but longer i as in 'i' in "pin" ī as in 'ee' in "speed", a long sound o as in 'o' in "pot" and 'oa' in "oats" or 'aw' in "law" u as in 'u' in "put" ū as in 'oo' in "pool", a long sound

Consonants b as 'b' in "ball" c as 'ts' in "bits" č as 'ch' in "chest" d as 'd' in "dog" dz as 'ds' in "beds" dž as 'j' in "job" f as 'f' in "fish" g as 'g' in "grass" [hard g sound] ģ as 'ju' in "judge" h as 'h' in "hot" j as 'y' in "yes" k as 'k' in "kite" ķ as 'c' in "cute" l as 'l' in "lid" ļ as 'li' in "million" m as 'm' in "money" n as 'n' in "noise" ņ as 'ny' in "new" p as 'p' in "pet" r trilled as Spanish 'r' s as 's' in "sand" š as 'sh' in "ship" t as 't' in "top" v as 'v' in "vest" z as z' in "zebra" ž as 'su' in "pleasure"

Common diphthongs ai as 'i' in "dive" au as 'ow' in "now" ei as 'ay' in "may" ie as 'ea' in "fear" oi as 'oy' in "toy" ui as 'ui' in "Luis"

Phrase list

Basics

Hello. (genderized) Sveika! [f](SVEH-ee-kah), Sveiks! [m] (SVEH-eeks) Hello. (generally speaking) Sveiki! (SVEK-kee), Sveicināti! (SVYEH-tsee-NAH-tee) How are you? Kā jums klājas?(kahh yooms KLAHH-yuhs?) Fine, thank you. Labi, paldies. (LAH-bee, PUHL-dyehs) What is your name? Kā jūs sauc? (kaah yoos sowts?) My name is ______ . Mani sauc______ . (MAH-nee sowts_____ .) I'm pleased to meet you. Prieks iepazīties. (pryehks EA-puh-zee-tyehs) Please Lūdzu. (LOO-dzoo) Thank you Paldies. (PUHL-dyehs) You're welcome. Lūdzu. (LOO-dzoo) Yes. Jā.(yahh) No. Nē. (neh) Excuse me. Atvainojiet. (UHT-vay-noh-yeht) I'm sorry. Piedodiet.(pyeh-DOH-dyeht) Goodbye Uz redzēšanos. (ooz REHD-zehh-shuh-nohs) Goodbye (informal) Atā. (UH-tahh) I can't speak Latvian [well]. Es nemāku latviešu valodu [labi]. (ehs neh-MAA-koo luht-VYEH-shoo vuh-LOH-doo [luh-bee]) Do you speak English? Vai Jūs runājat angliski? (VUH-ee yoos ROO-nyaaht UHN-glys-kee?) Is there someone here who speaks English? Vai te ir kāds, kurš runā angliski? (VUH-ee teh eer kaads, kursh ROO-naa AHN-glys-kee?) Help! Palīgā! (PUH-lee-gaah!) Look out! Uzmanies! (OOZ-mah-nyehs!) Good morning Labrīt (luh-BREET) Good day Labdien (luhb-DYEHN) Good evening Labvakar (luhd-VUH-kuhr) Good night (to sleep) Ar labu nakti. (uhr LUH-boo NUHK-tee) I don't understand. Es nesaprotu. (ehs NEH-suh-proh-too) Where is the toilet? Kur ir tualete? (koor eer TWAH-leh-teh?)

Problems Leave me alone. Ej prom. (ey prohm) Don't touch me! Neaizskar mani! (neh-AYZS-kahr MAH-nee) I'll call the police. Es izsaukšu policiju. (ehs EEZ-sowk-shoo poh-LEE-tsyoo) Police! Policija! (poh-LEE-tsyah) Stop! Thief! Ķeriet zagli! (KYEH-ryeht ZAH-glee) Help! Palīgā! (Pah-lee-gaa) I need your help. Man vajag jūsu palīdzību. (mahn VAY-ahg YOO-soo pah-LEE-jee-boo) It's an emergency. Ir avārijas situācija. (ihr ah-VAA-ryahs see-TWAA-tsyah) I'm lost. Esmu apmaldījies (male)/apmaldījusies (female). (EHS-moo ahp-MAHL-dee-yehs/ ahp-MAHL-dee-yoo-syehs) I lost my bag. Es pazaudēju savu somu. (ehs pah-ZOW-dehh-yoo SAH-voo SOH-moo) I lost my wallet. Es pazaudēju savu maku. (ehs pah-ZOW-dehh-yoo SAH-voo MAH-koo) I'm sick. Esmu slims (male)/slima (female). (EHS-moo sleems/