Greetings

1. Labdien

   lab-DIEN

   Good day / Hello

   Usage

   Polite daytime greeting used with strangers and in shops

   Grammar Note

   Formal greeting meaning "good day". Use "Labrīt" for morning, "Labvakar" for evening

2. Sveiki

   SVEI-ki

   Hello / Hi

   Usage

   General greeting usable at any time of day

   Grammar Note

   Plural form of "Sveiks" (m) / "Sveika" (f). Used as plural or polite address

3. Uz redzēšanos

   uz RE-dzē-ša-nos

   Goodbye

   Usage

   Formal farewell

   Grammar Note

   Literally "until seeing each other again". Casual alternatives: "Atā" or "Čau"

4. Lūdzu

   LŪ-dzu

   Please / Here you go

   Usage

   Used when making a request or when handing something over

   Grammar Note

   First person present of "lūgt" (to ask/beg). As a response, "Lūdzu" also means "here you go"

5. Paldies

   pal-DIES

   Thank you

   Usage

   Standard expression of gratitude

   Grammar Note

   Derived from ancient Baltic "God be thanked". "Liels paldies" means "thank you very much"

6. Vai jūs runājat angliski?

   vai jūs RU-nā-jat AN-glis-ki?

   Do you speak English?

   Usage

   Used when asking a local if they speak English

   Grammar Note

   Questions starting with "Vai" are typical in Latvian. "Jūs" is the formal second person

7. Kā jums klājas?

   kā jums KLĀ-jas?

   How are you? (formal)

   Usage

   Formal way to ask how someone is doing

   Grammar Note

   "klāties" is an impersonal verb. Casual: "Kā tev klājas?" Answer: "Labi, paldies" (Fine, thank you)

8. Mani sauc...

   MA-ni sauc...

   My name is...

   Usage

   Used when introducing yourself by name

   Grammar Note

   Literally "one calls me...". Third person of "saukt" (to call). "Es esmu..." is an alternative

9. Laipni lūdzam Latvijā

   LAIP-ni LŪ-dzam LAT-vi-jā

   Welcome to Latvia

   Usage

   Used at tourist sites and official occasions to welcome visitors

   Grammar Note

   "Latvijā" uses the locative case. In Latvian, noun endings change to indicate location

10. Atvainojiet

    AT-vai-no-jiet

    Excuse me / I'm sorry

    Usage

    Used to get someone's attention or to apologize lightly

    Grammar Note

    Formal plural imperative of "atvainot" (to forgive/excuse). Casual: "Atvainojies"

11. Kur ir tualete?

    kur ir TU-a-le-te?

    Where is the toilet/bathroom?

    Usage

    Used to ask for the location of the toilet in public places or restaurants

    Grammar Note

    "Kur" is the Latvian question word for location. "Tualete" is a feminine noun

12. Es nerunāju latviski

    es NE-ru-nā-ju LAT-vis-ki

    I can't speak Latvian

    Usage

    Used to let someone know you don't speak Latvian

    Grammar Note

    "Nerunāju" is the negated first-person singular of "runāt" (to speak). "Latviski" is the adverb form

13. Es atnākšu vēlreiz.

    es AT-nāk-šu VĒL-reiz.

    I'll come again

    Usage

    Said when leaving a shop — a friendly way to signal you enjoyed it

14. Man bija ļoti jautri.

    man BI-ja ĻO-ti JAUT-ri.

    I had a great time

    Usage

    Said when parting, to share how much you enjoyed it

15. Paldies, atā!

    pal-DIES, A-tā!

    Thanks, see you

    Usage

    A casual farewell for someone you've become friendly with

16. Ar labu nakti.

    ar LA-bu NAK-ti.

    Good night

    Usage

    Said just before going to sleep — not a farewell, but a bedtime greeting

17. Es eju prom.

    es E-ju prom.

    I'm heading out

    Usage

    Said when leaving your lodging for a while

18. Es atgriezos.

    es AT-grie-zos.

    I'm back

    Usage

    Said upon returning to your lodging

19. Atvainojiet, man jāiet.

    AT-vai-no-jiet, man JĀ-iet.

    I'll be going now

    Usage

    A polite phrase for excusing yourself when leaving before others

20. Nav par ko.

    You're welcome

    Usage

    A reply when someone thanks you

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