jeb
Or, In Other Words: Jeb
Jeb joins two names for the same thing, so it works like also called or in other words. Oftalmologs jeb acu ārsts means an ophthalmologist, that is, an eye doctor.
How It Works
1. Two names, one thing. Jeb gives a second name, often a plainer one or a better-known one:
- Jāņus jeb Līgo svētkus svin jūnija beigās. (Jāņi, also called the Līgo festival, is celebrated at the end of June.)
- Oftalmologs jeb acu ārsts pārbaudīs jūsu redzi. (An ophthalmologist, that is, an eye doctor, will check your eyesight.)
2. Explaining a term. It is very common in textbooks, notices and news, where a formal or foreign word is followed by an everyday one:
- Būvgruži jeb celtniecības atkritumi jāved uz poligonu. (Construction waste, that is, building rubbish, must be taken to the landfill.)
3. Same form. Both names fill the same slot, so they take the same case: Jāņus jeb Līgo svētkus are both accusative objects of svin.
4. Jeb or vai? For a real choice, use vai: Tiksimies februārī vai martā! (Let's meet in February or March!) People sometimes use jeb for a simple choice in speech, but dictionaries and language advisers mark that use as undesirable. Literary texts also use jeb vai after a vai question: Vai viņš tikai joko, jeb vai viņš runā no tiesas? (Is he only joking, or is he serious?) For an everyday choice, use vai.
Not the prefix jeb-. The jeb- in jebkas (anything) and jebkur (anywhere) is a different word part; see jeb- pronouns.
Examples (5)
- Jāņus jeb Līgo svētkus svin jūnija beigās.
Jāņi, also called the Līgo festival, is celebrated at the end of June.
Word by Word: Jāņi or Līgo festival they-celebrate of-June at-end.
Both names are accusative objects of svin.
- Oftalmologs jeb acu ārsts pārbaudīs jūsu redzi.
An ophthalmologist, that is, an eye doctor, will check your eyesight.
Word by Word: Ophthalmologist or eyes' doctor will-check your eyesight.
- Paeglis jeb kadiķis ir mūžzaļš krūms.
The juniper, known as paeglis or kadiķis, is an evergreen shrub.
Word by Word: Paeglis or kadiķis is evergreen shrub.
Paeglis and kadiķis are two Latvian names for the same plant.
- Vecrīga jeb Rīgas vecpilsēta vienmēr ir pilna ar tūristiem.
Vecrīga, the Old Town of Riga, is always full of tourists.
Word by Word: Vecrīga or Riga's old-town always is full with tourists.
- Būvgruži jeb celtniecības atkritumi jāved uz poligonu.
Construction waste, that is, building rubbish, must be taken to the landfill.
Word by Word: Construction-debris or building waste must-take to landfill.
Common Mistakes
Using jeb for a choice between different things.
Tu gribi tēju jeb kafiju?Tu gribi tēju vai kafiju?Tea and coffee are different drinks, so this is a choice. Use vai. Jeb only links two names for the same thing.
Using jeb to offer two different times.
Tiksimies februārī jeb martā!Tiksimies februārī vai martā!February and March are two different months, so the speaker offers a choice. That needs vai.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Jeb means or, in other words.
Related Patterns
- vai QuestionsYes-No Questions with Vai
Vai starts yes-no questions. Jeb cannot do this on its own; it gives a second name for the same thing.
Level 1 - protiNamely: Proti
Proti (namely) also explains what something means, but it introduces a fuller explanation.
Level 6 - jeb- PronounsAnyone and Anything
The prefix jeb- in jebkas and jebkur looks the same but means any.
Level 4
Words in This Pattern
Practice jeb in Bubblegum
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