Language Tips!

With a mere 1.5 million native speakers and only 3.2 total speakers you have to be a pretty dedicated linguist to want to get to grips with the tricky Latvian language. Still, if you're desperate to be a member of this elite club (ie. you got hitched to a Latvian wife and can't understand what she's shouting at you) then read on for a few pointers!

The Latvian language is one of two Baltic languages, the other being Lithuanian, that evolved from Indo-European. Latvian boasts a hearty 35 letters, 22 of which you will find in the English language and 13 of which look suspiciously familiar except for the curious dots and dashes floating above and below. Clever people refer to these 'extras' as diacritical marks, but no need to tax yourself - just know that they affect the pronunciation of the letter in question.

Here are a few handy phrases that are sure to see you through ninety nine percent of situations you might encounter in Riga... Remember the stress always falls on the first syllable!

Es nesaprotu
I don’t understand

Vai Jus runajat angliski?
Do you speak English?

Vienu alu, ludzu
One beer, please

Es tevi milu
I love you

Cik jums gadu?
How old are you?

Kolosāls
Terrific

Jūs esat brīnisķīgs dejotājs!
You’re wonderful at dancing!

Cik tas maksa
How much does it cost?

Ludzu, rekinu
The bill please

When it comes to grammar there's more than enough to keep you busy for a decade or two. Nouns boast a healthy six declensions and six cases (just think of the permutations!) and whereas verbs only come in three simple and perfect tenses there's always the five moods to consider. Probably you can feel a thin film of perspiration on your forehead by now, but no need to panic just yet. Take a peak at our simple words and phrases and you'll have plenty to help you through a long weekend!

If you've got some good ideas on how to make our language section better, let us know!

Click to listen

Yes
Please
How much does this cost?
Do you speak English?
How much does beer cost?

No
How are you?
Cheers!
Two beers please!
I lost my passport - can you help me?

Hello
Goodbye
Thank you
Do you have a sister?
Drop by tonight and I'll show you my stamp collection


Riga language tips

I speak perfect German. Is this language still used in Riga as a spoken or even commercial language

reviewed by ALESSANDRO ZULLO from Italy on Oct.21.2011

I just moved to Riga and I need to take a Latvian language course, preferably intensive. I appreciate any information and a good apartment rental hint too.

reviewed by Cesar from Mexico on Jun.02.2011

how you say , sweetheart to your latvian girlfriend ? or baby ? or anything nice !!

reviewed by seb from United States on Oct.10.2010

"tev ir skaistas acis" means "you have very beautiful eyes"

reviewed by Sofija from United States on Apr.03.2010

there is nowhere to click for listening???

reviewed by Dissapointed from Estonia on Jul.23.2008

All I know is that I like this language very much. My wife (latvian) tells me I have it easy for I am spanish speaker, compared to english-spoken people that seem to have so much problems to get the concepts of latvieđu valoda...I don† think it's in extinction: the identity of this country is such so strong... :)

reviewed by Vic from Latvia on Jun.18.2008

Hi
I moving to Latvia-Riga and I wanna know where can I go for to learn me this languages ///not body know???

reviewed by latin from Latvia on Jun.15.2008

Btw, Latvian language is the most similar language to old Sanskrit.. our nation has very deep roots and interesting history.

reviewed by Elsipelis from Latvia on May.16.2008

All languages are beautiful including Latvian.It's good for each individual to extend themselves either by language or other skills, for their own self esteem.For those comments against the Latvian language "have you learnt another language" you believe to be more useful to improve yourself? Or can you ONLY write disparing comments?

reviewed by Aivars Klavins from Australia on Apr.25.2008

click and listen does not work

reviewed by Michele dollfuss from Sweden on Apr.12.2008

one of the most interesting languages of europe, not of the dying kind, I think baltic languages will have a revival in the near future. It is a key to many questions in linguastics. Besides its a cool language, spoken by few, but so cool!!

reviewed by andyrias from Sweden on Mar.28.2008

Latvian language is really a great language i knows this language bcoz of my best friend who is from latvia

reviewed by Raj from India on Mar.16.2008

Latvians have their own language, kept for ages and closely realted to original Indo-European. Americans and Australians do not even have a self language nor culture, and some of them cant even be aware of other different people existing all arround. Latvian language is useful and hard to learn as well. Surely not as extended as other languages, but handy to interact with Latvians (as you ignorants, cant speak Russian either).

They say learning hard (inflected) languages keeps your brain younger for longer, so there might be a cure for you.

reviewed by Javier from Spain on Feb.29.2008

can you give us the latvian equivalant of 'do you have a single brother' "would you like to live with me in australia", and 'can we take our clothes off now'

reviewed by angela from Australia on Jan.20.2008

Who would want to learn a dying language, spoken only by 2 mil people? :)) that's a good joke

reviewed by my name is ... from Australia on Dec.09.2007

Latvian has 11, not 13, "special" letters (with diacritics). "R with cedilla" is used only in diaspora, and even with this that would be only 12. Writing examples without diacritics is totally senseless, at least not without a pronunciationguide.

reviewed by Iļja from Latvia on Sep.24.2007

I like Latvian
I was in Riga Jan 2007 to meet a friend
she became ill so I didn't get to see her much (10 Min the day I had to go home) I didn't have a hard time talking to Latvians as for a lot of them also
speak some English and if not they were steel willing to try to help me and understand what I needed or help.

reviewed by John Murphy from United States on Jul.28.2007

I think it is good to know a second language fluently. Having travelled abroad, I feel lost not knowing the language.

reviewed by Jim from United States on Jul.23.2007

it's a beautiful language! y'all must be some sweethearts over there! i would love to see riga and ride my bike.

reviewed by Victoria from Benin on Jul.21.2007

It's a beautiful language! I have spoken and understood it all of my life. No one should pay any attention to the low-class, non-cultured comments of some of these people.

reviewed by Larisa from United States on Jul.09.2007

I think it's a terrible language to learn. Nobody needs it anyhow, except Latvians.

reviewed by Eliana from United States on May.29.2007

Eden
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