In this lesson you will learn five essential Latvian phrases for greeting people and saying goodbye. You will also hear them in a short polite conversation and practise choosing the right phrase for the time of day.
Objectives
- Greet someone in Latvian at different times of day.
- Say goodbye politely in Latvian.
- Recognize and use a short polite greeting exchange.
Phrases
Hello! / Hi!
A general greeting used with one or more people in most situations.Good morning!
Used in the morning.Good day! / Good afternoon!
Used during the day.Good evening!
Used in the evening.Goodbye!
Suitable for both casual and polite contexts.Explanations
Greetings for different times of day
Latvian has fixed greetings that match the time of day. Use "Labrīt!" in the morning, "Labdien!" during the day, and "Labvakar!" in the evening. These expressions do not change for different people, so the same form works whether you greet one person or several.
A general greeting and saying goodbye
"Sveiki!" is a general greeting that works in most situations with one or more people. To say goodbye, use "Uz redzēšanos!", which is suitable for both casual and polite contexts. You can use it when leaving a shop, a class, or a conversation with a friend.
A polite exchange
In the dialogue, "Kā jums klājas?" means 'How are you?' when speaking politely to one person or to several people. A common reply is "Paldies, labi." meaning 'Thanks, well.' You can then return the question with "Un jums?" meaning 'And you?'.
Dialogue
Good morning!
Good morning! How are you?
Thanks, well. And you?
Also well. Goodbye!
Pronunciation
Listen carefully to the recording and repeat each phrase aloud. Copy the speaker's rhythm and intonation. For longer words like "Uz redzēšanos", say it slowly first, then at normal speed.
Common mistake
Using "Labrīt!" in the evening or "Labvakar!" in the morning.
Match the greeting to the time of day: "Labrīt!" in the morning, "Labdien!" during the day, and "Labvakar!" in the evening.
Practice
You meet a friend in the morning. Greet them in Latvian.
Use the morning greeting from the phrases list.
Show answer
Labrīt!The correct answer is "Labrīt!" because it is the morning greeting.
You are leaving a shop in the afternoon. Say goodbye politely in Latvian.
Use the goodbye phrase from the phrases list.
Show answer
Uz redzēšanos!The correct answer is "Uz redzēšanos!" because it is the polite way to say goodbye.
You greet a group of people in the evening. What do you say in Latvian?
Use the evening greeting from the phrases list.
Show answer
Labvakar!The correct answer is "Labvakar!" because it is the evening greeting and works for one or more people.
Use "Sveiki!" as a general greeting, choose "Labrīt!", "Labdien!" or "Labvakar!" for the time of day, and say "Uz redzēšanos!" when leaving.
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