Adjectives Used as Nouns
A definite adjective can replace a noun: Ņem sarkano! (Take the red one!) Mazais jau guļ. (The little one is already asleep.)
How It Works
1. Choosing between known things. When the noun is already clear, drop it and keep the definite adjective:
- Kuru kleitu tu ņemsi? — Zaļo. (Which dress will you take? — The green one.)
- Ņem sarkano! (Take the red one!)
The adjective keeps the gender and case of the missing noun. Here zaļo is feminine accusative, like kleitu.
2. People. Many definite adjectives name people:
- mazais, mazā (the little one), jaunais (the young man, the new one), vecie (the old people)
- slimie (the sick), bagātie (the rich)
- mīļais to a man and mīļā to a woman (darling). See forms of address.
3. They decline. Use the definite case forms: Iedod mazajam ābolu. (Give the little one an apple.) Jāpalīdz vecajiem un slimajiem. (We must help the old and the sick.)
4. Fixed phrases. Viss labākais! (All the best!) uses a superlative in the same way.
Examples (6)
- Ņem sarkano!
Take the red one!
Word by Word: Take red-the!
- Kuru kleitu tu ņemsi? — Zaļo.
Which dress will you take? — The green one.
Word by Word: Which dress you will-take? — Green-the.
Zaļo is feminine accusative, like kleitu.
- Mazais jau guļ.
The little one is already asleep.
Word by Word: Little-the already sleeps.
- Mīļā, kur tu esi?
Darling, where are you?
Word by Word: Dear-the, where you are?
Said to a woman. To a man it is mīļais.
- Jāpalīdz vecajiem un slimajiem.
We must help the old and the sick.
Word by Word: Must-help to-old-the and to-sick-the.
- Viss labākais!
All the best!
Word by Word: All best-the!
Common Mistakes
Translating English "one".
Ņem sarkano vienu!Ņem sarkano!Latvian has no word for this "one". The definite adjective stands alone.
Using the indefinite form for a known item.
Kuru kleitu tu ņemsi? — Zaļu.Kuru kleitu tu ņemsi? — Zaļo.You are choosing one of the dresses you both can see, so the adjective needs the definite ending.
Using the masculine form when speaking to a woman.
Mīļais, kur tu esi?Mīļā, kur tu esi?The adjective agrees with the person: mīļā for a woman, mīļais for a man.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Adjectives can be used as nouns.
Related Patterns
- Definite Adjectives -ais / -āDefinite Adjective Endings
Adjectives used as nouns take these definite endings.
Level 3 - Definite Adjectives After My and This
After šis or mans the adjective is definite too: šis sarkanais.
Level 3 - Superlative vis- and -ākaisThe Most: Vis- and -ākais
Superlatives are also used as nouns: Viss labākais!
Level 3 - Addressing Someone Warmly or Formally
Mīļais and mīļā are common warm ways to address someone.
Level 3 - Calling Someone
Mīļā and mīļais are used when calling to someone.
Level 3
Practice Adjectives Used as Nouns in Bubblegum
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