latviski
Speaking a Language: Latviski
Es runāju latviski. (I speak Latvian.) Language words are lowercase: latviski, angliski, vāciski.
How It Works
Common language words. latviski (Latvian), angliski (English), krieviski (Russian), vāciski (German), franciski (French), spāniski (Spanish), lietuviski (Lithuanian), igauniski (Estonian). They are written in lowercase, like all language names. See capital letters.
How they work. These words are adverbs made from adjectives in -isks (latvisks, typically Latvian), so they never change: Es runāju latviski. Viņa runā latviski. They follow the same pattern as other adverbs ending in -i. A useful question is Kā to saka latviski? (How do you say that in Latvian?)
The language as a noun. To talk about the language itself, say latviešu valoda: Man patīk latviešu valoda. (I like the Latvian language.) Latviešu means "of the Latvians". It is a genitive that works like an adjective: see nouns describing nouns. With a verb, you can also use the locative valodā: Es runāju angļu un vācu valodā. (I speak English and German.) One valodā is enough after a list.
People. The people have their own nouns: latvietis (a Latvian man), latviete (a Latvian woman). See nationalities.
Examples (6)
- Es runāju latviski.
I speak Latvian.
Word by Word: I speak Latvian-ly.
- Vai tu runā angliski?
Do you speak English?
Word by Word: Q you speak English-ly?
- Kā to saka latviski?
How do you say that in Latvian?
Word by Word: How that (they) say Latvian-ly?
A fixed question with no subject: people say.
- Mana māte runā krieviski un vāciski.
My mother speaks Russian and German.
Word by Word: My mother speaks Russian-ly and German-ly.
- Man patīk latviešu valoda.
I like the Latvian language.
Word by Word: To-me pleases Latvians' language.
- Es runāju angļu un vācu valodā.
I speak English and German.
Word by Word: I speak English and German in-language.
The noun pattern: the language names in the genitive, then one valodā.
Common Mistakes
Leaving out valodā after the language name.
Es runāju latviešu.Es runāju latviešu valodā.Latviešu alone only means of the Latvians, so add valodā. You can also simply say latviski.
Writing the language word with a capital letter.
Es runāju Latviski.Es runāju latviski.Language words are lowercase in Latvian, unlike in English.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Latviski is an adverb in -i.
Related Patterns
- Nouns Describing Nouns
Latviešu in latviešu valoda is a describing genitive.
Level 2 - Capital Letters
Languages and nationalities are written in lowercase.
Level 2 - Nationalities in -ietis / -ieteNationalities
The nouns for the people: latvietis, latviete.
Level 2 - What People Do
Kā to saka latviski? uses a verb with no subject.
Level 3 - Locative -ā, -ī, -ē, -ūThe Locative for in and at
Valodā is the locative of valoda: in a language.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
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