lai + Present (Let)

1. The form. Take the third-person present form of the verb and put lai in front of it. The subject can come before or after the verb, or be left out when it is clear:

• nākt → viņš nāk → Lai viņš nāk! (Let him come!)
• izlemt → viņi izlemj → Lai viņi paši izlemj! (Let them decide for themselves!)
• spēlēties → bērni spēlējas → Lai bērni spēlējas! (Let the children play!)

The verb is not changed in any way, so it is always the plain present: lai nāk, never lai nāc (that is the tu form) or lai nākt (that is the infinitive).

2. Orders and permission. You use it to pass an instruction to someone who is not in the conversation: Lai viņš man piezvana rīt! (Have him call me tomorrow!). With a shrug, it gives permission: Lai iet, ja grib. (Let him go if he wants.). Add ne- to the verb for a negative wish: Lai viņš vairs nezvana! (He should not call anymore!).

3. Wishes and toasts. The same form carries wishes: Lai dzīvo Latvija! (Long live Latvia!), Lai notiek! (So be it! / Let it happen!). Everyday good wishes like Lai veicas! (Good luck!) are built the same way (see good wishes with lai).

4. Shall I? In speech, lai with es and a first-person present verb makes an offer as a question: Lai es tev palīdzu? (Shall I help you?).

5. Not the same as English "let". English "let" has three different jobs, and Latvian uses a different tool for each:

• a wish or order about someone else: lai + present (this entry)
• "let us": the future mēs form, Iesim! (Let's go!) (see let's)
• "allow": ļaut + dative + infinitive, Ļauj man palīdzēt! (Let me help!) (see ļaut and laist)

Do not confuse this lai with lai meaning "so that", which takes the conditional: ..., lai varētu strādāt (see in order to).