If you’re planning a trip to Latvia, I recommend learning at least a few simple Latvian phrases to help you get the most out of your time there.
While many Latvians (especially city dwellers and younger people) speak excellent English, speaking even a tiny bit of the language will enrich most interactions, showing respect and appreciation for the local culture.
It will also come in handy if you’re planning to visit some of the more rural and off-the-beaten-path areas of the country, where English isn’t as widely spoken.
That’s why, in this post, I’ll be guiding you through some essential Latvian words and phrases. It’s a fun language to learn and one that resonates with the history of the Latvian people and their deep connection to the land.
Basic Words in Latvian
Embark on your Latvian language journey with these basic words. They’re the perfect starting point for everyday conversations and connecting with locals in Latvia.
- Sveiki – Hello
- Uz redzēšanos – Goodbye
- Paldies – Thank you
- Lūdzu – Please / You’re welcome
- Jā – Yes
- Nē – No
- Labrīt – Good morning
- Labvakar – Good evening
- Labdien – Good afternoon
- Ēdiens – Food
- Ūdens – Water
- Tualete – Bathroom
- Vīns – Wine
- Ūdens – Water
- Pārtikas veikals – Grocery store
- Jūra – Sea
- Saule – Sun
Common Latvian Phrases
The Latvian language, with its complex grammatical structures and unique vocabulary, can seem daunting at first. However, mastering a few basic phrases is a sure-fire way to have a more authentic, memorable experience.
These common Latvian phrases are essential for navigating daily life. Ideal for casual chats, they’ll help you feel more integrated into Latvian culture.
- Kā jums klājas? – How are you?
- Man klājas labi, paldies – I’m good, thanks
- Prieks iepazīties – Nice to meet you
- Mani sauc… – My name is…
- Atvainojiet – I’m sorry / Excuse me
- Vai jūs varat man palīdzēt? – Can you help me?
- Cik skaisti! – How beautiful!
- Uz redzēšanos – See you
- Uz drīzu redzēšanos – See you later
- Veiksmi! – Good luck!
Basic Latvian Phrases for Travellers
Whether you’re walking the historic streets of Riga or hiking in the thickly forested countryside, this little repertoire will enhance your adventures.
- Man ir rezervācija – I have a reservation
- Kur ir tualete, lūdzu? – Where are the bathrooms, please?
- _Kā es varu tikt līdz __? – How do I get to ___?
- Cik tas maksā? – How much is this?
- Vai jūs runājat angļu valodā? – Do you speak English?
- Kur atrodas tuvākais viesnīca? – Where is the nearest hotel?
- Es esmu apmaldījies. Vai jūs varat man palīdzēt? – I’m lost. Can you help me?
- Vai šī teritorija ir droša? – Is this area safe?
- Vai šī teritorija ir droša naktī? – Is this area safe at night?
- Paldies par jūsu viesmīlību – Thank you for your hospitality
Useful Latvian Phrases for Information
When you need to know more, these Latvian phrases can be invaluable. Simple and effective, they make asking questions and getting answers easy.
- Man ir jautājums – I have a question
- Kā to sauc latviski? – What is this called in Latvian?
- Vai jūs varat runāt lēnāk, lūdzu? – Can you speak slower, please?
- Es nerunāju labi latviski – I do not speak Latvian very well
- Es nesaprotu – I do not understand
- Vai jūs varat to atkārtot, lūdzu? – Can you repeat that please?
- Man vajag informāciju – I need information
- Kur atrodas informācijas birojs? – Where is the information office?
- Ko tas nozīmē? – What does this mean?
- Cik ir pulkstenis? – What time is it?
- Kāds ir jūsu e-pasta adrese? – What’s your email address?
- _Kā latviski saka ___? – How do you say ____ in Latvian?
- Kas tas ir/šis ir? – What is this/that?
- Vai es varu izmantot jūsu telefonu? – Can I use your phone?
Useful Phrases for Directions in Latvian
Navigate Latvia’s charming cities and unspoilt countryside with the following phrases. Whether exploring ancient castles or modern streets, they’ll help you always find your way.
Plus, asking a real person is much more rewarding than being glued to a map on your phone!
- Kur atrodas…? – Where is the…?
- Kā es varu tikt līdz…? – How do I get to…?
- Vai jūs varat man parādīt kartē? – Can you show me on the map?
- Ejiet taisni uz priekšu – Go straight ahead
- Pagriezieties pa labi/pa kreisi – Turn right/left
- Tas ir tuvu/tālu – It’s near/far
- Tas ir aiz stūra – It’s around the corner
- Šis ir stūris – This is the corner
- Kurā virzienā ir…? – Which way is it to…?
- Vai es varu tur aiziet kājām vai man vajag taksometru? – Can I walk there or do I need a taxi?
Basic Latvian Phrases for Transportation
Travel around Latvia effortlessly with these transportation phrases. From buses to trains and taxis, they’ll ensure your journeys are smooth and enjoyable.
- Kur es varu saņemt taksometru? – Where can I get a taxi?
- Cik maksā brauciens uz…? – How much does it cost to go to…?
- Es gribu doties uz… – I want to go to…
- Kur atrodas autobusa pietura? – Where is the bus stop?
- Kur atrodas autobusu stacija? – Where is the bus station?
- Cikos izbrauc nākamais vilciens? – What time does the next train leave?
- Cik ilgi aizņem brauciens līdz…? – How long does it take to get to…?
- Kā es varu tikt līdz lidostai? – How do I get to the airport?
- Vai šis autobuss iet uz…? – Does this bus go to…?
- Man ir vajadzīga turp un atpakaļ biļete – I need a round trip ticket
- Kur es varu nopirkt biļetes? – Where do I buy tickets?
Basic Latvian Phrases About Accommodation
These phrases will help you find somewhere comfortable to stay during your time in Latvia. They’ll also help you communicate your needs and preferences, ask about amenities, and manage any housekeeping requests.
- Vai jums ir brīvas istabas? – Do you have any rooms available?
- Cik maksā par nakti? – How much does it cost per night?
- Vai brokastis iekļautas cenā? – Is breakfast included in the price?
- Man vajag divvietīgu istabu – I need a double room
- Vai ir istaba ar divām gultām? – Is there a room with two beds?
- Es gribu istabu ar skaistu skatu – I want a room with a nice view
- Vai ir bezmaksas Wi-Fi? – Is there free Wi-Fi?
- Vai ir gaisa kondicionētājs? – Is there air conditioning?
- Kur atrodas lifts? – Where is the elevator?
- Kur atrodas sporta zāle? – Where is the gym?
- Es gribētu rezervēt istabu – I would like to book a room
- Vai ir istabas apkalpošana? – Is there room service?
- Istaba ir netīra – The room is dirty
- Es būtu pateicīgs, ja jūs varētu iztīrīt manu numuru – I’d be grateful if you could clean my room
- Mans numurs ir pārāk trokšņains – My room is too noisy
- Es jūtos droši šajā viesnīcā – I feel safe in this hotel
- Vai jums ir kontaktligzdas adapteris? – Do you have a plug adaptor?
- Vai istabā ir seifs? – Is there a safe in the room?
- Vai jūs varat mani pamodināt (septiņos) no rīta? – Can you wake me up at (seven) a.m.?
- Man ir vajadzīga bērnu gultiņa – I need a crib for the baby
- Cikos ir jāizrakstās? – What’s the check-out time?
- Vai man varētu iedot vēl vienu dvieli? – Could I have an extra towel, please?
- Vai man varētu iedot vēl vienu spilvenu? – Could I have an extra pillow, please?
- Kā es varu saņemt papildu atslēgas? – How do I get an extra key?
- Man ir problēmas ar televizoru – I’m having trouble with the TV
Helpful Latvian Phrases for Shopping
Whether you’re browsing a bustling market, or a modern, chic shopping centre, it’s always useful to have a local phrase or two in your pocket.
Here are some of the most commonly used Latvian shopping phrases.
- Es meklēju… – I am looking for…
- Cik tas maksā? – How much does it cost?
- Vai ir kāda atlaide? – Is there any discount?
- Cik liela ir atlaide? – How much is the discount?
- Tas ir pārāk dārgi – That’s too expensive
- Vai jūs varat samazināt cenu? – Can you lower the price?
- Vai es varu maksāt ar kredītkarti? – Can I pay with a credit card?
- Tikai skaidrā naudā – Cash only
- Vai jums ir šis lielākā izmērā? – Do you have this in a larger size?
- Vai jums ir šis citā krāsā? – Do you have this in another colour?
- Es gribu to atgriezt – I want to return this
- Kur ir mēģinājumu kabīnes? – Where are the fitting rooms?
- Atvainojiet, kur atrodas lielveikals? – Excuse me, where’s the supermarket?
- Kur atrodas apģērbu veikals? – Where’s the clothing store?
- Man vajag somu – I need a bag
- Kur es varu atrast vietējos produktus? – Where can I find local products?
Helpful Phrases for Dining Out in Latvia
Tuck into Latvia’s rich culinary scene with these dining phrases. They help you navigate menus, order dishes, and enjoy the unique flavours of Latvian cuisine.
- Vai es varu dabūt galdu diviem? – Can I get a table for two?
- Vai jūs varat man parādīt ēdienkarti? – Can you please show me the menu?
- Kāds ir šodienas ēdiens? – What is the dish of the day?
- Es gribētu… – I would like…
- Vai jūs varat man kaut ko ieteikt? – Could you suggest something for me?
- Ko jūs ieteiktu ēst? – What do you recommend to eat?
- Es esmu alerģisks pret… – I’m allergic to…
- Vai šajā ēdienā ir…? – Does this dish contain…?
- Vai jums ir vegetārie/vegānie piedāvājumi? – Do you have vegetarian/vegan options?
- Es neēdu gaļu/zivis/piena produktus – I don’t eat meat/fish/dairy
- Vai tas ir piemērots vegetāriešiem? – Is this suitable for vegetarians?
- Kas tas ir? – What is this?
- Man tas patīk – I like it
- Vai es varu dabūt rēķinu, lūdzu? – Can I have the bill, please?
- Tas bija garšīgi! Paldies – It was delicious! Thank you
- Uz veselību! – Cheers!
Latvian Question Words
As with other languages, understanding the main Latvian question words can be useful in a wide range of scenarios. They’re also fundamental for engaging in day-to-day conversations.
- Kas? – What?
- Kur? – Where?
- Kad? – When?
- Kas? – Who?
- Kāpēc? – Why?
- Kā? – How?
- Kurš?/Kura? – Which?
- Cik daudz? – How much?
- Cik? – How many?
- Kam pieder? – Whose?
- Cik daudz?/Cik? – How much/How many?
- Vai tas ir…? – Is it…?
- Vai es varu…? – Can I…
- Vai jūs…? – Will…
- Kas tas ir? – What is this?
- Kas tas ir? – Who is that?
- Kā tas ir? – How is it?
- Kāpēc tas ir tā? – Why is it?
- Kāpēc šis? – Why this?
- Kas ir iekš…? – What is in …?
- Kur ir …? – Where is …?
- Vai tur ir …? – Is there a …?
Numbers in Latvian
Understanding the Latvian numbering system is also helpful, especially when it comes to transactions, discussing times, and navigating transportation.
Below is a list of simple numbers along with some larger ones:
- Nulle – 0
- Viens – 1 (masculine) / Vienu – 1 (neuter)
- Divi – 2 (masculine) / Divas – 2 (feminine)
- Trīs – 3
- Četri – 4
- Pieci – 5
- Seši – 6
- Septiņi – 7
- Astoņi – 8
- Deviņi – 9
- Desmit – 10
- Vienpadsmit – 11
- Divpadsmit – 12
- Trīspadsmit – 13
- Četrpadsmit – 14
- Piecpadsmit – 15
- Sešpadsmit – 16
- Septiņpadsmit – 17
- Astoņpadsmit – 18
- Deviņpadsmit – 19
- Divdesmit – 20
- Trīsdesmit – 30
- Četrdesmit – 40
- Piecdesmit – 50
- Sešdesmit – 60
- Septiņdesmit – 70
- Astoņdesmit – 80
- Deviņdesmit – 90
- Simts – 100
- Tūkstotis – 1,000
- Desmit tūkstoši – 10,000
- Simt tūkstoši – 100,000
- Miljons – 1,000,000
To form numbers in between these, combine the tens and units. For example:
- “Twenty-one” is Divdesmit viens (20 + 1)
- “Thirty-two” is Trīsdesmit divi (30 + 2)
For numbers in the hundreds, thousands, and beyond, combine the larger number with the smaller. For instance:
- “One hundred and twenty-three” is Simts divdesmit trīs
- “Two thousand and nineteen” is Divi tūkstoši deviņpadsmit
If you’re interested in learning another Baltic language, check out my post on Basic Estonian Phrases For Travel.
Final Thoughts
Latvian can be a challenging language to learn. However, with the right resources and a bit of motivation, you can quickly pick up some basic phrases to make your travels in this country easier.
So take the plunge and give some of these useful Latvian words and phrases a try — you won’t regret it!
Finally, if you want to take your Latvian learning to the next level, I can personally recommend LingoHut’s free Latvian lessons.
