Definite Adjectives After My and This
A word such as mans, šis or tēva already points to one particular thing, so the adjective takes the definite ending: mans jaunais dators, šī lielā māja, tēva vecā mašīna.
How It Works
1. Words that point.
- Possessives: mans jaunais dators (my new computer), tava mīļākā dziesma (your favourite song)
- Demonstratives: šī lielā māja (this big house), tie vecie zābaki (those old boots)
- Viss and visi: visi jaunie studenti (all the new students)
- A genitive noun: Annas jaunā kleita (Anna's new dress), Latvijas lielākā pilsēta (Latvia's biggest city)
2. In every case. The adjective keeps its definite endings in other cases (see definite adjectives in every case): ar manu jauno datoru (with my new computer), šajā vecajā mājā (in this old house).
3. After ir. An ordinary adjective after ir says what something is like, so it stays indefinite: Annas jaunā kleita ir zila (Anna's new dress is blue). Superlatives keep the definite ending: Šī kleita ir visskaistākā (This dress is the most beautiful).
4. When the adjective stays indefinite.
- Words like kāds (some), viens (one) and numbers do not single out one thing: kāds jauns cilvēks (some young person), divi lieli suņi (two big dogs).
- You will also hear the indefinite in a few set phrases, such as mans labs draugs (a good friend of mine), where the adjective and noun work as one unit.
Examples (5)
- Mans jaunais dators strādā ļoti ātri.
My new computer works very fast.
- Šī lielā māja pieder manam tēvam.
This big house belongs to my father.
- Annas jaunā kleita ir zila.
Anna's new dress is blue.
Jaunā is definite after the genitive Annas. Zila, after ir, stays indefinite.
- Es dzīvoju šajā vecajā mājā jau desmit gadus.
I have lived in this old house for ten years.
In the locative, the definite ending is -ajā: vecajā mājā.
- Vai tu redzēji manu jauno velosipēdu?
Did you see my new bike?
As an object, the definite adjective takes -o: jauno.
Common Mistakes
Using the indefinite ending after a demonstrative.
Šī liela māja ir ļoti veca.Šī lielā māja ir ļoti veca.Šī points to one particular house, so the adjective before the noun is definite: lielā. Veca, after ir, stays indefinite.
Using the indefinite ending after a possessive.
Mans jauns dators ir ļoti ātrs.Mans jaunais dators ir ļoti ātrs.After mans, the adjective in front of the noun takes the definite ending: jaunais.
Using the indefinite ending in another case.
Vai tu redzēji manu jaunu velosipēdu?Vai tu redzēji manu jauno velosipēdu?The rule works in every case. The definite accusative ending is -o: jauno.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Adjectives after possessives, demonstratives and genitive determiners are usually definite.
- Definite Adjectives -ais / -āDefinite Adjective Endings
The definite endings come first.
Level 3 - mans / tavsMy and Your
After mans or tavs an adjective is usually definite; set phrases such as mans labs draugs can remain indefinite.
Level 1 - šis / šī, tas / tāThis and That
Demonstratives such as šis and tas usually identify a known noun and accompany a definite adjective.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- Definite Adjectives in Every Case
The definite endings in every case: manā jaunajā dzīvoklī.
Level 3 - Possession With the Genitive
A genitive owner before the noun also makes the adjective definite: tēva vecā mašīna.
Level 2 - Adjectives in Every Case
Indefinite adjectives in other cases, for comparison.
Level 2
Practice Definite Adjectives After My and This in Bubblegum
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