Genitive + labad
For the Sake of: Labad
Labad means "for the sake of", and it comes after a genitive: bērnu labad (for the children's sake), drošības labad (for safety's sake).
How It Works
1. Word order. Labad follows its noun, which is in the genitive, singular or plural:
- drošības labad: for safety's sake
- bērnu labad: for the children's sake
- naudas labad: for the money
Pronouns use their genitive forms (see manis tevis viņa after prepositions): manis labad, tevis labad, viņas labad, mūsu labad.
2. Fixed phrases. Dieva labad! (For God's sake!) Patiesības labad jāsaka, ka... (To be honest, I must say that...) Kārtības labad (for the sake of order).
3. Labad or dēļ? Both follow a genitive. Dēļ usually gives a cause: lietus dēļ (because of the rain). Labad gives a purpose or a person who benefits. Dēļ can also name a purpose or a person who benefits, as in drošības dēļ or tevis dēļ. Labad sounds a little more careful.
4. Close relatives. bērnu labā means "in the children's favour", and lai expresses a purpose with a whole clause.
Examples (6)
- Viņi palika kopā bērnu labad.
They stayed together for the children's sake.
Word by Word: They stayed together children's sake.
- Drošības labad aizslēdz durvis!
For safety's sake, lock the door!
Word by Word: Safety's sake lock doors!
Durvis is a plural-only noun.
- Es to daru tevis labad.
I am doing it for your sake.
Word by Word: I it do your sake.
- Dieva labad, esi uzmanīgs!
For God's sake, be careful!
Word by Word: God's sake, be careful!
- Patiesības labad jāsaka, ka viņam bija taisnība.
To be honest, I have to say that he was right.
Word by Word: Truth's sake must-say, that to-him was truth.
- Viņš to darīja naudas labad.
He did it for the money.
Word by Word: He it did money's sake.
Common Mistakes
Putting labad before the noun.
Viņi palika kopā labad bērnu.Viņi palika kopā bērnu labad.Labad is a postposition. It always comes after its noun.
Using the dative pronoun before labad.
Es to daru tev labad.Es to daru tevis labad.Labad takes the genitive, and the genitive of tu is tevis.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Labad means for the sake of.
Related Patterns
- Genitive Plural -uGenitive Plural in -u
Plural nouns before labad are in the genitive plural: bērnu labad.
Level 2 - Genitive Singular Endings
Singular nouns before labad are in the genitive: drošības labad.
Level 2 - Preposition + manis / tevis / viņaPronouns After Prepositions
Pronouns before labad use these genitive forms: tevis labad.
Level 3 - Dative Instead of priekšFor Someone: The Dative, Not Priekš
The dative says who something is for, while labad says whose sake it is done for.
Level 4 - lai + Conditional (Purpose)In Order to: Lai
Lai with a clause expresses a purpose, like labad with a noun.
Level 4
Practice Genitive + labad in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Latvian lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
