Compliments

1. Jūs runājat lieliski latviski

   jūs RU-nā-jat LIE-lis-ki LAT-vis-ki

   You speak Latvian excellently

   Usage

   Used to praise someone's Latvian language skills

   Grammar Note

   "lieliski" is the adverb of "lielisks" (excellent). "latviski" is the adverbial form meaning "in Latvian"

2. Latvija ir brīnišķīga valsts

   LAT-vi-ja ir BRĪ-niš-ķī-ga valsts

   Latvia is a wonderful country

   Usage

   Used to compliment Latvia as a country

   Grammar Note

   "valsts" is feminine, so the adjective takes feminine form "brīnišķīga". Latvians appreciate this compliment

3. Rīga ir skaistākā pilsēta

   RĪ-ga ir SKAIS-tā-kā PIL-sē-ta

   Riga is the most beautiful city

   Usage

   Used to praise the beauty of Riga

   Grammar Note

   "skaistākā" is the definite feminine of the comparative "skaistāks" (more beautiful); the definite comparative carries the meaning "most beautiful" (the true superlative adds vis-: "viskaistākā"), agreeing with feminine "pilsēta"

4. Jūs esat ļoti laipni

   jūs E-sat ĻO-ti LAIP-ni

   You are very kind

   Usage

   Used to compliment someone's kindness

   Grammar Note

   "laipni" is the plural of the adjective "laipns" (kind), a predicate agreeing with polite "jūs" (which takes plural agreement); it is not an adverb. "Jūs esat" is the formal form of "to be". Well-received by Latvians

5. Ēdiens bija izcils

   Ē-diens BI-ja IZ-cils

   The food was outstanding

   Usage

   Used to compliment outstanding food after a meal

   Grammar Note

   "izcils" means "outstanding" — a stronger compliment than "garšīgs" (delicious)

6. Tev ir lieliska gaume

   tev ir LIE-lis-ka GAU-me

   You have excellent taste

   Usage

   Used to praise someone's taste or style

   Grammar Note

   "gaume" is feminine, so adjective takes feminine "lieliska". Usable for fashion, interior, music, etc.

7. Latvijas daba ir apbrīnojama

   LAT-vi-jas DA-ba ir AP-brī-no-ja-ma

   Latvia's nature is admirable

   Usage

   Used to express admiration for Latvia's natural scenery

   Grammar Note

   "apbrīnojams" means "admirable" (from the verb "to admire"). Feminine form agrees with "daba"

8. Jūs esat ļoti profesionāls

   jūs E-sat ĻO-ti PRO-fe-si-o-nāls

   You are very professional

   Usage

   Used to compliment someone's professional skills

   Grammar Note

   "profesionāls" agrees in the singular with one person's gender (masculine); use "profesionāla" for a woman. With polite "jūs" the plural agreement ("profesionāli", as in "laipni" on the earlier card) is also standard. Useful in business settings

9. Tava māja ir ļoti skaista

   TA-va MĀ-ja ir ĻO-ti SKAIS-ta

   Your house is very beautiful

   Usage

   Used to compliment someone's home when visiting

   Grammar Note

   "māja" is feminine, so possessive takes feminine "tava" not "tavs" (masculine)

10. Jums ir labas zināšanas

    jums ir LA-bas ZI-nā-ša-nas

    You have extensive knowledge

    Usage

    Used to compliment someone's knowledge or expertise

    Grammar Note

    "zināšanas" is always used in plural. "labas" is the feminine plural adjective agreeing with it

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