proti

Namely: Proti

Level 6

Proti means namely or that is: divas valstis, proti, Latvija un Lietuva (two countries, namely Latvia and Lithuania).

How It Works

1. Inside a sentence. Proti introduces a more exact name for something just mentioned:

  • Sanāksmē piedalījās divas valstis, proti, Latvija un Lietuva. (Two countries took part in the meeting, namely Latvia and Lithuania.)
  • Viņš atnāca vēlu, proti, pēc pusnakts. (He came late, that is, after midnight.)

2. Same case. The explaining words copy the case of the word they explain:

  • Es palīdzēju kaimiņiem, proti, Jānim un Annai. (dative)
  • Es runāju ar abiem vecākiem, proti, ar māti un tēvu. The preposition may be repeated.

3. Commas. Commas go before and after proti. If the explanation ends before the sentence does, a comma closes it too.

4. At the start of a sentence. Proti can also open a sentence that explains the one before: Problēma ir vienkārša. Proti, mums nepietiek naudas.

5. Style. Proti is formal and bookish. In conversation people more often say tas ir (that is). Compare jeb (or, in other words), which gives a second name for the same thing.

Examples (5)

  1. Sanāksmē piedalījās divas valstis, proti, Latvija un Lietuva.

    Two countries took part in the meeting, namely Latvia and Lithuania.

    Word by Word: In-meeting took-part two countries, namely, Latvia and Lithuania.

  2. Viņam jāapgūst valsts valoda, proti, latviešu valoda.

    He has to learn the state language, namely Latvian.

    Word by Word: To-him must-learn state language, namely, of-Latvians language.

  3. Es palīdzēju kaimiņiem, proti, Jānim un Annai.

    I helped the neighbours, namely Jānis and Anna.

    Word by Word: I helped neighbours, namely, to-Jānis and to-Anna.

    Jānim and Annai are dative, like kaimiņiem.

  4. Viņš atnāca vēlu, proti, pēc pusnakts.

    He came late, that is, after midnight.

    Word by Word: He came late, namely, after midnight.

  5. Problēma ir vienkārša. Proti, mums nepietiek naudas.

    The problem is simple. Namely, we do not have enough money.

    Word by Word: Problem is simple. Namely, to-us not-suffices of-money.

Common Mistakes

  • Leaving out the commas.

    Piedalījās divas valstis proti Latvija un Lietuva.
    Piedalījās divas valstis, proti, Latvija un Lietuva.

    Proti is an introductory word and is set off with commas on both sides.

  • Putting the explanation in the nominative.

    Es palīdzēju kaimiņiem, proti, Jānis un Anna.
    Es palīdzēju kaimiņiem, proti, Jānim un Annai.

    The explanation takes the case of the word it explains. Kaimiņiem is dative, so Jānis and Anna become Jānim and Annai.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

protiLevel 6Namely: Proti

Learn This First

Proti means namely.