Photography

1. Vai drīkstu fotografēt?

   vai DRĪK-stu FO-to-gra-fēt?

   May I take a photo?

   Usage

   Ask permission to take photos at a site or building

   Grammar Note

   "drīkstēt" expresses permission. "drīkstu" is the first-person singular present form.

2. Vai varat mani nofotografēt?

   vai VA-rat MA-ni NO-fo-to-gra-fēt?

   Could you take a photo for me?

   Usage

   Ask a passerby to take your photo at a tourist spot

   Grammar Note

   "nofotografēt" is perfective of "fotografēt." "mani" is the accusative of "es" (I).

3. Šeit ir aizliegts fotografēt

   šeit ir AIZ-liegts FO-to-gra-fēt

   No photography here

   Usage

   Inform someone that photography is prohibited here

   Grammar Note

   "aizliegts" is the past participle of "aizliegt" (to prohibit), used as a passive predicate.

4. Kur ir labas fotografēšanas vietas?

   kur ir LA-bas FO-to-gra-fē-ša-nas VIE-tas?

   Where are good photo spots?

   Usage

   Ask locals about good photography locations

   Grammar Note

   "fotografēšanas vietas" means "photography spots." The genitive "fotografēšanas" modifies the noun.

5. Uzņemsim kopbildi!

   UZ-ņem-sim KOP-bil-di!

   Let's take a photo together!

   Usage

   Suggest taking a group photo together

   Grammar Note

   "kopbilde" is a compound of "kop-" (together) and "bilde" (photo). "uzņemt" means to take/capture.

6. Vai drīkstu izmantot zibspuldzi?

   vai DRĪK-stu IZ-man-tot ZIB-spul-dzi?

   Can I use flash?

   Usage

   Ask permission to use camera flash indoors or in dark spaces

   Grammar Note

   "zibspuldzi" is accusative of "zibspuldze" (flash). "zib-" means flash, "spuldze" means light bulb.

7. Vai varu redzēt fotogrāfiju?

   vai VA-ru RE-dzēt FO-to-grā-fi-ju?

   Can I see the photo?

   Usage

   Ask to see a photo that was just taken

   Grammar Note

   "fotogrāfiju" is accusative of "fotogrāfija" (photo), as the direct object of "redzēt" (to see).

8. Kameras akumulators ir tukšs

   KA-me-ras A-ku-mu-la-tors ir tukšs

   My camera battery is dead

   Usage

   Tell someone your camera battery has run out

   Grammar Note

   "tukšs" means "empty." Latvian describes a dead battery as an "empty" battery.

9. Man vajag atmiņas karti

   man VA-jag AT-mi-ņas KAR-ti

   I need a memory card

   Usage

   Tell a shop clerk you need a memory card for your camera

   Grammar Note

   "man vajag" is a dative construction meaning "I need." "vajag" is impersonal meaning "it is needed."

10. Vai varat nosūtīt man fotogrāfiju?

    vai VA-rat NO-sū-tīt man FO-to-grā-fi-ju?

    Can you send me the photo?

    Usage

    Ask someone to send you a photo they took

    Grammar Note

    "nosūtīt" is perfective of "sūtīt" (to send). Dative "man" + accusative "fotogrāfiju" = double object structure.

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