Cooking & Markets

1. Vai varat dalīties ar recepti?

   vai VA-rat DA-lī-ties ar RE-cep-ti?

   Can you share the recipe?

   Usage

   Ask when you enjoy a dish and want to know how to make it

   Grammar Note

   "dalīties" is a reflexive verb (-ties ending). "recepti" is accusative of "recepte."

2. Kā gatavo šo ēdienu?

   kā GA-ta-vo šo Ē-die-nu?

   How do you make this dish?

   Usage

   Ask about the cooking method for a specific dish

   Grammar Note

   "ēdienu" is the accusative of "ēdiens" (food/dish). Direct objects take the accusative in Latvian.

3. Kur var nopirkt sastāvdaļas?

   kur var NO-pirkt SA-stāv-da-ļas?

   Where can I buy the ingredients?

   Usage

   Ask where to find specific cooking ingredients

   Grammar Note

   "var" is used impersonally here meaning "one can." "nopirkt" is the perfective of "pirkt" (to buy).

4. Cik ilgi tas jāvāra?

   cik IL-gi tas JĀ-vā-ra?

   How long do you cook it?

   Usage

   Ask about the required cooking time

   Grammar Note

   The "jā-" prefix expresses obligation/necessity. "jāvāra" = "must be cooked" from "vārīt" (to boil/cook).

5. Vai jums patīk pikants ēdiens?

   vai jums PA-tīk PI-kants Ē-diens?

   Do you like spicy food?

   Usage

   Ask about someone's preference for spicy dishes

   Grammar Note

   "patikt" uses a dative construction in Latvian. "jums patīk" = "it is pleasing to you."

6. Gatavosim kopā!

   GA-ta-vo-sim KO-pā!

   Let's cook together!

   Usage

   Invite a friend or family member to cook together

   Grammar Note

   The first-person plural future "-sim" ending also expresses "let's." Equivalent to "let's" in English.

7. Kā sauc šo garšvielu?

   kā sauc šo GARŠ-vie-lu?

   What is this spice called?

   Usage

   Ask the name of an unfamiliar spice

   Grammar Note

   "Kā sauc?" is an idiomatic expression meaning "What is it called?" Used broadly to ask names.

8. Vai ir veģetārie ēdieni?

   vai ir VE-ģe-tā-rie Ē-die-ni?

   Are there vegetarian options?

   Usage

   Ask for vegetarian food options

   Grammar Note

   "veģetārie" is the plural nominative of the adjective "veģetārs," agreeing with the noun "ēdieni."

9. Gribu iemācīties gatavot tradicionālos ēdienus

   GRI-bu IE-mā-cī-ties GA-ta-vot TRA-di-ci-o-nā-los Ē-die-nus

   I want to learn traditional cooking

   Usage

   Express desire to learn traditional recipes from locals

   Grammar Note

   "iemācīties" is the perfective of "mācīties" (to learn). Two infinitives follow "gribu": "to learn" + "to cook."

10. Kādu katlu jūs izmantojat?

    KĀ-du KAT-lu jūs IZ-man-to-jat?

    What type of pot do you use?

    Usage

    Ask what kind of pot or cookware is used

    Grammar Note

    "kādu katlu" is accusative, meaning "what kind of pot." Question pronouns in Latvian decline to match the noun's case.

11. Sāls

    Salt

    Usage

    Point at it to ask for salt at the table or in a kitchen

12. Cukurs

    Sugar

    Usage

    Say "bez cukura" to ask for it without sugar

13. Melnie pipari

    Black pepper

    Usage

    "Pipari" alone can also mean chillies or bell peppers, so "melnie" (black) is added

14. Eļļa

    EĻ-ļa

    Oil

    Usage

    Cooking oil in general; sunflower oil ("saulespuķu eļļa") is the local default

15. Etiķis

    E-ti-ķis

    Vinegar

    Usage

    Comes up with pickles and salads

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