Personal details, language and spelling
An infinitive is the dictionary verb form, ending in -t or -ties: , to play, , to sleep. Remove -t from to see its long-vowel stem. The regular present forms are .
The same model gives and . The third-person form is the same for he, she and they.
Put before the verb: . Early is a whole polite request. has the useful forms ; learn the sound change with the verb.
Say for German nationality and for speaking German. A profession is . , from Germany, is an early whole source phrase.
The Latvian alphabet has 33 letters: . Keep macrons and consonant marks. A foreign surname such as Becker keeps its passport spelling. asks for spelling.
| Form | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| I speak Latvian. | ||
| I speak Latvian. | ||
| You speak Latvian, familiar. | ||
| You speak Latvian, familiar. | ||
| She speaks Latvian. | ||
| She speaks Latvian. | ||
| We speak Latvian. | ||
| We speak Latvian. | ||
| You speak Latvian, polite. | ||
| You speak Latvian, polite. | ||
| They speak Latvian. | ||
| They speak Latvian. | ||
| · | · | I am German. |
| I am German. | ||
| · | · | I am an engineer. |
| I am an engineer. | ||
Es runāju latviski.I speak Latvian.
Tu runā latviski.You speak Latvian, familiar.
Viņa runā latviski.She speaks Latvian.
Mēs runājam latviski.We speak Latvian.
Jūs runājat latviski.You speak Latvian, polite.
Viņi runā latviski.They speak Latvian.
Es esmu vācietis.I am German.
Es esmu vāciete.I am German.
Es esmu inženieris.I am an engineer.
Es esmu inženiere.I am an engineer.
Practice 1/6 · Finding words
Notice the useful pattern
Tap the form practised in this unit.
.
I speak Latvian.
.
You speak Latvian, familiar.
.
She speaks Latvian.
.
We speak Latvian.
Practice 2/6 · The right form
Choose the form
Use the English meaning and the pattern in this unit.
Es latviski.
I speak Latvian.
Tu latviski.
You speak Latvian, familiar.
Viņa latviski.
She speaks Latvian.
Mēs latviski.
We speak Latvian.
Jūs latviski.
You speak Latvian, polite.
Viņi latviski.
They speak Latvian.
Es esmu .
I am German.
Es esmu .
I am German.
Es esmu .
I am an engineer.
Es esmu .
I am an engineer.
Practice 3/6 · Fill the gaps
Complete the messages
Fill the gaps with the words from the box.
Viņa latviski.
She speaks Latvian.
Mēs latviski.
We speak Latvian.
Jūs latviski.
You speak Latvian, polite.
Viņi latviski.
They speak Latvian.
Es esmu .
I am German.
Es esmu .
I am German.
Es esmu .
I am an engineer.
Es esmu .
I am an engineer.
Practice 4/6 · Building sentences
Build a sentence
Put the words in order.
I speak Latvian.
You speak Latvian, familiar.
She speaks Latvian.
We speak Latvian.
You speak Latvian, polite.
They speak Latvian.
Practice 5/6 · In situations
What would you say?
Choose the right words for the situation.
I speak Latvian.
You say:
Use the meaning and Latvian pattern explained in this unit.
I speak Latvian.
You say:
Use the meaning and Latvian pattern explained in this unit.
You speak Latvian, familiar.
You say:
Use the meaning and Latvian pattern explained in this unit.
You speak Latvian, familiar.
You say:
Use the meaning and Latvian pattern explained in this unit.
She speaks Latvian.
You say:
Use the meaning and Latvian pattern explained in this unit.
She speaks Latvian.
You say:
Use the meaning and Latvian pattern explained in this unit.
We speak Latvian.
You say:
Use the meaning and Latvian pattern explained in this unit.
We speak Latvian.
You say:
Use the meaning and Latvian pattern explained in this unit.
Practice 6/6 · Matching
Connect messages and meanings
Match the pairs.
Unit complete
