Locative -ā, -ī, -ē, -ū
The Locative for in and at
Latvian says in or at with an ending instead of a separate word: Rīga (Riga) → Rīgā (in Riga), skola → skolā (at school), upe → upē (in the river).
How It Works
Which ending?
- -s / -š → -ā: mežs → mežā (in the forest), ceļš → ceļā (on the way)
- -a → -ā: Rīga → Rīgā, skola → skolā, istaba → istabā
- -is → -ī: skapis → skapī (in the wardrobe), dzīvoklis → dzīvoklī (in the flat)
- feminine -s → -ī: pils → pilī (in the castle), Ventspils → Ventspilī
- -e → -ē: upe → upē (in the river), universitāte → universitātē
- -us → -ū: tirgus → tirgū (at the market)
The macron carries the meaning. Rīga is the name of the city, and Rīgā means in Riga. The singular locative never changes the consonant: skapī, dzīvoklī.
Where, not where to
The locative answers Kur? (Where?): Es esmu Rīgā. (I am in Riga.) For movement, use uz with the accusative: Es braucu uz Rīgu. (I am going to Riga.)
In, not on
The locative means inside or at. On top of something is uz with the genitive: uz galda (on the table). See On: Uz With the Genitive.
More uses
The same ending can name a time: naktī (at night), janvārī (in January); see In January and in the Evening. In the plural the endings are -os, -ās, -ēs and -īs, as in mājās (at home).
Examples (6)
- Es dzīvoju Rīgā.
I live in Riga.
Word by Word: I live in-Riga.
Rīga → Rīgā: nouns in -a take -ā.
- Mežā ir sēnes.
There are mushrooms in the forest.
Word by Word: In-forest is mushrooms.
Mežs → mežā: masculine nouns in -s also take -ā.
- Mana jaka ir skapī.
My jacket is in the wardrobe.
Word by Word: My jacket is in-wardrobe.
Skapis → skapī: nouns in -is take -ī.
- Puika peld upē.
The boy is swimming in the river.
Word by Word: Boy swims in-river.
Upe → upē: nouns in -e take -ē.
- Es strādāju tirgū.
I work at the market.
Word by Word: I work in-market.
Tirgus → tirgū: nouns in -us take -ū.
- Pilī ir muzejs.
There is a museum in the castle.
Word by Word: In-castle is museum.
Pils → pilī: feminine nouns in -s take -ī.
Common Mistakes
Leaving out the long vowel.
Es dzīvoju Rīga.Es dzīvoju Rīgā.Rīga is only the name. The long -ā adds the meaning in: Rīgā.
Using the locative for a destination.
Es braucu Rīgā. (meaning: I am going to Riga.)Es braucu uz Rīgu.Rīgā says where the driving happens, so Es braucu Rīgā means you are driving around inside Riga. For a destination, use uz with the accusative.
Using -ā for an -is noun.
Jaka ir skapā.Jaka ir skapī.Nouns in -is take -ī in the locative: skapis → skapī.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Locative endings replace the nominative endings of each declension.
Related Patterns
- mājāsAt Home: Mājās
The best-known plural locative: mājās means at home.
Level 1 - Locative Plural -os, -ās, -ēs, -īsLocative Plural
The plural locative endings, as in mežos and pilsētās.
Level 2 - Being in a Town
Place names use the same endings: Rīgā, Liepājā, Ventspilī.
Level 2 - uz + Accusative (Direction)Going to a Place
Uz with the accusative is for going to a place, while the locative is for being there.
Level 1 - uz + Genitive (Location)On: Uz with the Genitive
Uz with the genitive means on top of, where the locative means in.
Level 2 - In January and in the Evening
The same endings name times: naktī, janvārī.
Level 2
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice Locative -ā, -ī, -ē, -ū in Bubblegum
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