kopš

Since: Kopš

Level 3

Kopš names the moment something began: kopš pirmdienas (since Monday), kopš bērnības (since childhood). For a state that is still true, Latvian usually uses the present where English uses have: Es dzīvoju Rīgā kopš 2020. gada (I have lived in Riga since 2020).

How It Works

1. Kopš with a noun.

  • A day or a date: kopš pirmdienas (since Monday), kopš 2010. gada (since 2010)
  • A stage of life: kopš bērnības (since childhood), jau kopš bērnības (ever since childhood)
  • A plural noun, in the dative: kopš Ziemassvētkiem (since Christmas)
  • A clock time: kopš diviem pēcpusdienā (since two in the afternoon)
  • A fixed phrase: kopš tā laika (since then)

2. Kopš starting a clause. Kopš can also begin a whole clause, followed by a comma: Kopš es dzīvoju Rīgā, es runāju latviski. For a single event in the past, the kopš clause is in the past tense: Kopš viņš aizbrauca, mājā ir ļoti kluss (Since he left, the house has been very quiet).

3. Tense in the main clause. English says I have lived, but Latvian usually keeps a state that is still true in the present: Es strādāju šeit kopš maija (I have worked here since May). The present perfect is also used, especially in negative sentences and when the result matters: Mēs neesam tikušies kopš Ziemassvētkiem (We have not met since Christmas).

4. Since vs. for. Kopš answers since when?. To answer how long?, use the accusative, often with jau: Es mācos latviski jau divus gadus (I have been learning Latvian for two years). To say ago, use pirms: pirms diviem gadiem (two years ago).

Examples (6)

  1. Es dzīvoju Rīgā kopš 2020. gada.

    I have lived in Riga since 2020.

    Gads becomes the genitive gada. The present dzīvoju covers a state that is still true.

  2. Kopš pirmdienas līst lietus.

    It has been raining since Monday.

  3. Jau kopš bērnības viņam patīk futbols.

    He has liked football ever since childhood.

    Jau kopš means ever since.

  4. Kopš es dzīvoju Rīgā, es runāju latviski.

    Since I have lived in Riga, I have spoken Latvian.

    Here kopš starts a whole clause, followed by a comma.

  5. Kopš viņš aizbrauca, mājā ir ļoti kluss.

    Since he left, the house has been very quiet.

  6. Mēs neesam tikušies kopš Ziemassvētkiem.

    We have not met since Christmas.

    Ziemassvētki is a plural noun, so it takes the dative Ziemassvētkiem.

Common Mistakes

  • Leaving the noun after kopš in the nominative.

    Es strādāju šeit kopš pirmdiena.
    Es strādāju šeit kopš pirmdienas.

    A singular noun after kopš takes the genitive: pirmdiena → kopš pirmdienas.

  • Using kopš with a length of time, as in French depuis or German seit.

    Es mācos latviski kopš diviem gadiem.
    Es mācos latviski jau divus gadus.

    The intended meaning is I have been learning Latvian for two years. Kopš needs a starting point, such as kopš 2024. gada. For a length of time, use the accusative, often with jau: jau divus gadus.

How It Connects

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

kopšLevel 3Since: Kopš

Learn This First

Kopš counts from a starting point.

Words in This Pattern

kopškopš