Nature & Outdoors

1. Latvijā ir skaisti meži

   LAT-vi-jā ir SKAIS-ti ME-ži

   Latvia has beautiful forests

   Usage

   Used to describe Latvia's rich forested landscape to a traveler

   Grammar Note

   About 47% of Latvia is covered by forest. Pine, birch, and spruce dominate; berry picking and mushroom gathering are popular

2. Gaujas nacionālais parks ir brīnišķīgs

   GAU-jas NA-ci-o-nā-lais parks ir BRĪ-niš-ķīgs

   Gauja National Park is magnificent

   Usage

   Used to praise Gauja National Park, Latvia's largest and oldest national park

   Grammar Note

   Gauja National Park, established in 1973, is Latvia's oldest and largest. It features sandstone cliffs and medieval castle ruins

3. Baltijas jūra ir skaista

   BAL-ti-jas JŪ-ra ir SKAIS-ta

   The Baltic Sea is beautiful

   Usage

   Used to admire the beauty of the Baltic Sea coastline in Latvia

   Grammar Note

   Latvia's coastline stretches about 500 km. The white sand beaches of Jūrmala are famous summer destinations

4. Vai varu lasīt ogas mežā?

   vai VA-ru LA-sīt O-gas ME-žā?

   Can I pick berries in the forest?

   Usage

   Used to ask if it is permitted to pick berries in a forest

   Grammar Note

   Latvia also has "right of access" to nature, allowing berry and mushroom picking on public and private land

5. Tur ir aitas!

   tur ir AI-tas!

   There are sheep over there!

   Usage

   Used to excitedly point out sheep in Latvian rural areas

   Grammar Note

   Sheep, cattle, and horses are common in Latvian rural areas. Agricultural land covers about 62% of Latvia's territory

6. Šeit dzied putni

   šeit dzied PUT-ni

   Birds are singing here

   Usage

   Used to appreciate birdsong in Latvian nature

   Grammar Note

   Latvia's national bird is the white wagtail (baltā cielava). Millions of migratory birds pass through the Baltic coast in spring

7. Upe ir ļoti skaista

   U-pe ir ĻO-ti SKAIS-ta

   The river is very beautiful

   Usage

   Used to admire a beautiful Latvian river such as the Daugava

   Grammar Note

   The Daugava is Latvia's largest river, flowing through Riga. Its Russian/Belarusian name is Western Dvina (Западная Двина)

8. Vai šeit var peldēties?

   vai šeit var PEL-dē-ties?

   Can I swim here?

   Usage

   Used to ask if swimming is permitted or safe at a lake, river, or beach

   Grammar Note

   "Peldēties" is a reflexive verb (-ties) for swimming. Latvia's lakes and Baltic beaches are clean; swimming is popular in summer

9. Cik dziļš ir ezers?

   cik dziļš ir E-zers?

   How deep is the lake?

   Usage

   Used to ask a local or guide about the depth of a lake

   Grammar Note

   Latvia has about 2,000 lakes. The deepest is Lake Drīdzis (65m). Canoeing and boating are popular lake activities

10. Ziemā Latvijā ir daudz sniega

    ZIE-mā LAT-vi-jā ir daudz SNIE-ga

    In winter Latvia has a lot of snow

    Usage

    Used to describe Latvia's snowy winter climate to a traveler

    Grammar Note

    Locative season expressions: ziemā (winter), pavasarī (spring), vasarā (summer), rudenī (autumn). Latvia averages 12–30 cm of snow

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