kaut + Conditional
If Only: Kaut
Start a wish with kaut and use a conditional verb ending in -tu: Kaut būtu vasara! (If only it were summer!), Kaut tu būtu šeit! (I wish you were here!).
How It Works
1. The pattern. Kaut + subject + conditional verb, usually ending with an exclamation mark. The conditional ends in -tu for every person (see conditional -tu).
- Kaut būtu vasara! (If only it were summer!)
- Kaut viņš drīz piezvanītu! (If only he would call soon!)
2. Wishes about the past. Use the past conditional būtu + -is (see past conditional būtu + -is): Kaut es to būtu zinājis agrāk! (If only I had known earlier!). A woman says zinājusi.
3. Stronger wishes. Kaut jel, kaut nu and kaut tikai make the longing stronger: Kaut jel lietus beigtos! (If only the rain would stop!)
4. Kaut or lai? Lai + present gives everyday good wishes that can easily come true: Lai veicas! (Good luck!), see Lai veicas. Kaut + conditional expresses a longing, often for something unlikely.
Watch out: kaut has other jobs too. Kaut gan means although (see lai gan and kaut gan), kaut kas means something, and kaut vai means even if only (see kaut vai). Only kaut + conditional at the start of a wish means if only.
Examples (5)
- Kaut būtu vasara!
If only it were summer!
Word by Word: If-only would-be summer!
- Kaut tu būtu šeit!
I wish you were here!
Word by Word: If-only you would-be here!
- Kaut viņš drīz piezvanītu!
If only he would call soon!
Word by Word: If-only he soon would-call!
- Kaut es to būtu zinājis agrāk!
If only I had known earlier!
Word by Word: If-only I that would-have known earlier!
A wish about the past uses būtu + past participle. A woman says zinājusi.
- Kaut jel lietus beigtos!
If only the rain would stop!
Word by Word: If-only oh rain would-stop!
Jel makes the wish stronger.
Common Mistakes
Using the present tense in a kaut wish.
Kaut ir vasara!Kaut būtu vasara!A kaut wish needs the conditional: būtu, not ir.
Using the simple past for a wish about the past.
Kaut es to zināju!Kaut es to būtu zinājis!For a wish about the past, use the past conditional: būtu + past participle.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Kaut + conditional expresses a wish.
Related Patterns
- būtu + -isWould Have
Wishes about the past use būtu + past participle.
Level 4 - Lai veicas!Good Wishes with Lai
Lai + present gives everyday good wishes; kaut + conditional expresses a longing.
Level 2 - lai gan / kaut ganAlthough
Kaut gan uses the same word kaut but means although.
Level 3 - kaut vaiEven if Only: Kaut Vai
Kaut vai is another use of kaut, meaning even if only.
Level 6
Words in This Pattern
Practice kaut + Conditional in Bubblegum
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