Basic Nouns

1. Ūdens

   Water

   Usage

   The basic word for drinking water; works with pointing

   Grammar Note

   The listed form is the nominative. Latvian has seven cases: ūdeni (accusative), ūdens (genitive).

2. Ēdiens

   Food

   Usage

   The general word when you are looking for something to eat

3. Nauda

   Money

   Usage

   Comes up when paying or changing currency

   Grammar Note

   "Nauda" is a feminine singular noun and is not used in the plural.

4. Tualete

   Toilet

   Usage

   The word alone is enough to ask for directions

5. Salvetes

   Tissue

   Usage

   For asking at a shop or a diner

6. Zāles

   Medicine

   Usage

   The core word at a pharmacy, paired with your symptom

   Grammar Note

   "Zāles" is plural for medicine; the same spelling also means "grass", so context decides.

7. Bagāža

   Luggage

   Usage

   For checking in, picking up, or storing bags

8. Atslēga

   Key

   Usage

   For collecting or returning it at hotel reception

9. Biļete

   Ticket

   Usage

   The base word for transport and admission tickets

10. Pase

    Passport

    Usage

    Comes up at every check-in and border control

11. Telefons

    Phone

    Usage

    Refers to the device and to making a call

12. Lādētājs

    Charger

    Usage

    When you want to borrow one at a hotel or café

13. Stacija

    Station

    Usage

    The easiest landmark to name when asking directions

14. Slimnīca

    Hospital

    Usage

    The first word you need if you fall ill

15. Policija

    Police

    Usage

    For theft or accidents; the word alone gets help

16. Veikals

    Shop

    Usage

    The general word when hunting for somewhere to buy things

17. Istaba

    Room

    Usage

    For negotiating a stay or confirming a room number

18. Ceļš

    Road

    Usage

    Used when asking directions, often over a map

19. Ģimene

    Family

    Usage

    Comes up in small talk about who you are travelling with

20. Vārds

    Name

    Usage

    For confirming a booking or introducing yourself

21. Galva

    Head

    Usage

    Point at this word to show a doctor where it hurts

22. Acs

    Eye

    Usage

    Singular form; use "acis" for both eyes

23. Zobs

    Tooth

    Usage

    Point at the aching tooth at a dentist; plural "zobi"

24. Rīkle

    RĪK-le

    Throat

    Usage

    The pharynx itself; everyday speech also uses "kakls" for a sore throat

25. Kakls

    Neck

    Usage

    Ambiguous: means both neck and throat, so show "rīkle" for the pharynx

26. Plecs

    Shoulder

    Usage

    Singular; "pleci" for both shoulders

27. Roka

    Hand / arm

    Usage

    Covers both hand and arm; "plauksta" is the palm/hand only

28. Pirksts

    Finger

    Usage

    Covers fingers and toes; a toe is "kājas pirksts"

29. Krūšu kurvis

    KRŪ-šu KUR-vis

    Chest

    Usage

    The ribcage in clinical terms; "krūtis" alone can also mean breasts

30. Vēders

    VĒ-ders

    Stomach / belly

    Usage

    The belly area; the stomach organ is "kuņģis"

31. Mugura

    Back

    Usage

    The back as a whole

32. Muguras lejasdaļa

    MU-gu-ras LE-jas-da-ļa

    Lower back

    Usage

    Latvian has no single word for the Japanese "koshi"; this names the lower back

33. Kāja

    KĀ-ja

    Leg / foot

    Usage

    Covers leg and foot; "pēda" is the foot only

34. Pēda

    PĒ-da

    Foot

    Usage

    The foot below the ankle; the whole leg is "kāja"

35. Celis

    Knee

    Usage

    Singular; "ceļi" for both knees

36. Auss

    Ear

    Usage

    Singular; "ausis" for both ears

37. Deguns

    Nose

    Usage

    Point here for a blocked nose or a nosebleed

38. Āda

    Ā-da

    Skin

    Usage

    Also means leather; in a medical context it reads as skin

39. Viesnīca

    VIES-nī-ca

    Hotel

    Usage

    Show this as a destination in a taxi

40. Lidosta

    Airport

    Usage

    Show this as a destination

41. Autobusa pietura

    Bus stop

    Usage

    Point at this when asking where it is

42. Vēstniecība

    VĒST-nie-cī-ba

    Embassy

    Usage

    Show as a destination if you lose your passport

43. Bankomāts

    BAN-ko-māts

    ATM

    Usage

    Use to ask where to withdraw cash

44. Valūtas maiņas punkts

    VA-lū-tas MAI-ņas punkts

    Currency exchange

    Usage

    Signs often shorten this to "Valūtas maiņa"

45. Veļas mazgātava

    VE-ļas MAZ-gā-ta-va

    Laundromat

    Usage

    A self-service one is "pašapkalpošanās veļas mazgātava"

46. Konsulāts

    Consulate

    Usage

    The mission a country keeps abroad to protect its citizens' interests; an embassy is "vēstniecība"

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