lai cik / lai kur
No Matter How or Where
Put lai before a question word to mean no matter: lai cik (however much), lai kā (however), lai kur (wherever), lai kas (whatever), lai kad (whenever). Lai kur tu būtu, es tevi atradīšu (Wherever you are, I will find you).
How It Works
1. The family. Any question word from kas kur kad kā kāpēc cik can follow lai:
- Lai cik tas maksātu, es to nopirkšu. (Whatever it costs, I will buy it.)
- Lai kur tu būtu, es tevi atradīšu. (Wherever you are, I will find you.)
- Lai kad tu atnāktu, durvis būs vaļā. (Whenever you come, the door will be open.)
- Lai kas arī notiktu, es būšu tev blakus. (Whatever happens, I will be by your side.)
2. Which verb form? For open or general cases, the conditional is the usual choice (see conditional -tu). For something that really happened, use the past: Lai kā es centos, nekas neizdevās (However hard I tried, nothing worked).
3. Short forms. With cik and an adverb the verb is often left out: Lai cik grūti, mēs turpināsim (However hard it is, we will continue).
4. Emphasis. Arī, nu or vai can be added: lai arī kā, lai nu kā, lai kas arī notiktu.
5. Commas. The lai clause is separated by a comma from the main clause.
Watch out: lai alone means so that (see lai + conditional purpose), and lai gan means although (see lai gan and kaut gan). The no matter meaning needs a question word after lai, sometimes with arī, nu or vai in between: lai kur, lai arī kur.
Examples (6)
- Lai cik grūti, mēs turpināsim.
However hard it is, we will continue.
Word by Word: Let how-much hard, we will-continue.
- Lai kur tu būtu, es tevi atradīšu.
Wherever you are, I will find you.
Word by Word: Let where you would-be, I you will-find.
- Lai kā es centos, nekas neizdevās.
However hard I tried, nothing worked.
Word by Word: Let how I tried, nothing succeeded.
The trying really happened, so the past tense is used.
- Lai kas arī notiktu, es būšu tev blakus.
Whatever happens, I will be by your side.
Word by Word: Let what also would-happen, I will-be to-you beside.
- Lai kad tu atnāktu, durvis būs vaļā.
Whenever you come, the door will be open.
Word by Word: Let when you would-come, door will-be open.
- Lai cik tas maksātu, es to nopirkšu.
Whatever it costs, I will buy it.
Word by Word: Let how-much it would-cost, I it will-buy.
Common Mistakes
Leaving out lai.
Kur tu būtu, es tevi atradīšu.Lai kur tu būtu, es tevi atradīšu.Without lai, kur is just where. The meaning wherever needs lai kur.
Leaving out the comma after the lai clause.
Lai cik grūti mēs turpināsim.Lai cik grūti, mēs turpināsim.The lai clause is a subordinate clause, so a comma separates it from the main clause.
Using lai gan with a question word.
Lai gan kur tu būtu, es tevi atradīšu.Lai kur tu būtu, es tevi atradīšu.Lai gan means although and is not followed by a question word. No matter where is lai kur.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Lai cik and lai kur mean no matter.
Related Patterns
- lai + Conditional (Purpose)In Order to: Lai
Lai alone means so that; with a question word it means no matter.
Level 4 - Conditional -tuThe Conditional
The lai clause usually has a conditional verb.
Level 4 - cik vienAs Much as Possible: Cik Vien
Cik vien (as much as possible) is another emphatic pattern with cik.
Level 6 - kaut vaiEven if Only: Kaut Vai
Kaut vai (even if only) is another concessive pattern: kaut vai uz stundu.
Level 6
Words in This Pattern
Practice lai cik / lai kur in Bubblegum
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