tiklīdz
As Soon as: Tiklīdz
Tiklīdz means as soon as. The main action follows right after the tiklīdz action: Tiklīdz es atnākšu, es piezvanīšu (As soon as I arrive, I will call).
How It Works
1. One action right after another. The tiklīdz clause names what happens first. The main clause names what follows at once.
2. Tense follows the time.
- Future: Tiklīdz es atnākšu, es piezvanīšu. (As soon as I arrive, I will call.) English uses the present after as soon as, but standard Latvian uses the future.
- Past: Tiklīdz viņš ienāca, sāka līt. (As soon as he came in, it started to rain.)
- Habit or general truth: Tiklīdz saule noriet, kļūst vēss. (As soon as the sun sets, it gets cool.)
The main clause can also be a command: Piezvani man, tiklīdz būsi mājās (Call me as soon as you are home).
3. Order and commas. The clause can come first or second. Either way, a comma separates the two clauses: Mēs izbrauksim, tiklīdz lietus beigsies (We will set off as soon as the rain stops).
4. Words with the same meaning. Kolīdz and līdzko also mean as soon as, and so can tikko when it starts a clause: Līdzko viņš mani ieraudzīja, viņš pasmaidīja (As soon as he saw me, he smiled).
Tip: tiklīdz needs a clause with a verb. Before a noun, say tūlīt pēc: tūlīt pēc pusdienām (right after lunch). Tiklīdz never means just, a moment ago. For that, use tikko: Viņš tikko aizgāja (He has just left).
Examples (5)
- Tiklīdz es atnākšu, es piezvanīšu.
As soon as I arrive, I will call.
Word by Word: As-soon-as I will-arrive, I will-call.
The arrival is still to come, so both clauses use the future.
- Tiklīdz viņš ienāca, sāka līt.
As soon as he came in, it started to rain.
- Piezvani man, tiklīdz būsi mājās.
Call me as soon as you are home.
Word by Word: Call me, as-soon-as you-will-be at-home.
- Tiklīdz saule noriet, kļūst vēss.
As soon as the sun sets, it gets cool.
The present describes something that happens every time.
- Mēs izbrauksim, tiklīdz lietus beigsies.
We will set off as soon as the rain stops.
Here the tiklīdz clause comes second, after a comma.
Common Mistakes
Leaving out the comma between the two clauses.
Tiklīdz es atnākšu es piezvanīšu.Tiklīdz es atnākšu, es piezvanīšu.Tiklīdz starts a subordinate clause, and Latvian separates it from the main clause with a comma.
Using tiklīdz before a noun.
Tiklīdz pusdienām es aizbraukšu.Tūlīt pēc pusdienām es aizbraukšu.Tiklīdz joins clauses, so it needs a verb after it. With a noun, say tūlīt pēc (right after), or make a clause: Tiklīdz paēdīšu, es aizbraukšu.
Using tiklīdz to mean just, a moment ago.
Viņš tiklīdz aizgāja.Viņš tikko aizgāja.The sentence is meant to say He has just left. Tiklīdz only means as soon as and must start a clause. The word for just is tikko.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Tiklīdz means as soon as.
Related Patterns
- kadWhen: Kad
Kad (when) is the general time word; tiklīdz stresses that the main action follows at once.
Level 2 - kamērWhile: Kamēr
Kamēr (while) is another time conjunction, for two actions at the same time.
Level 3 - tikkoJust Now: Tikko
Tikko usually means just, a moment ago, which tiklīdz never means. As a joining word, tikko can also mean as soon as.
Level 3 - pirms / pēc tam, kadBefore and After a Clause
Other ways to order two actions in time: before and after.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice tiklīdz in Bubblegum
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