School & Education

1. Kur ir tuvākā skola / universitāte?

   kur ir TU-vā-kā SKO-la / U-ni-ver-si-tā-te?

   Where is the nearest school / university?

   Usage

   Used to ask for the location of a nearby school or university

   Grammar Note

   In Latvian the definite comparative ("-ākais/-ākā") is used with superlative meaning. "tuvs" (near) → "tuvākā" (nearest, feminine)

2. Es vēlētos reģistrēties valodu kursos.

   es VĒ-lē-tos RE-ģis-trē-ties VA-lo-du KUR-sos.

   I'd like to enroll in a language course.

   Usage

   Expressing desire to enroll in a language course

   Grammar Note

   "vēlētos" is the conditional form meaning "would like". "valodu" is the genitive plural of "valoda"

3. Vai es varu apmeklēt skolu / universitāti?

   vai es VA-ru AP-mek-lēt SKO-lu / U-ni-ver-si-tā-ti?

   Can I visit the school / university?

   Usage

   Asking for permission to visit a school or campus

   Grammar Note

   "vai" introduces yes/no questions in Latvian. "varu" is the first-person present of "varēt" (can)

4. Kādi priekšmeti tiek mācīti šeit?

   KĀ-di PRIEKŠ-me-ti tiek MĀ-cī-ti šeit?

   What subjects are taught here?

   Usage

   Asking about the subjects taught at a school

   Grammar Note

   "tiek + passive participle" is the Latvian passive construction. "mācīti" is the passive past participle of "mācīt"

5. Cik maksā studiju maksa?

   cik MAK-sā STU-di-ju MAK-sa?

   How much is the tuition fee?

   Usage

   Asking about the cost of tuition

   Grammar Note

   "cik maksā" is the standard price question in Latvian. "studiju" is the genitive plural of "studija"

6. Es meklēju privātu pasniedzēju.

   es MEK-lē-ju PRI-vā-tu PAS-nie-dzē-ju.

   I'm looking for a private tutor.

   Usage

   Saying you are looking for a private tutor

   Grammar Note

   "pasniedzēju" is the accusative of "pasniedzējs" (teacher). Transitive verbs take accusative objects

7. Kur ir bibliotēka?

   kur ir BIB-li-o-tē-ka?

   Where is the library?

   Usage

   Asking for the location of the library

   Grammar Note

   "bibliotēka" is a feminine noun in Latvian ending in "-a", of Greek international origin

8. Vai jūs piedāvājat tiešsaistes kursus?

   vai jūs PIE-dā-vā-jat TIEŠ-sais-tes KUR-sus?

   Do you offer online courses?

   Usage

   Asking whether online courses are available

   Grammar Note

   "tiešsaiste" is the Latvian word for online/internet — combining "tiešs" (direct) and "saite" (link)

9. Man ir jāsaņem savas kvalifikācijas atzīšana.

   man ir JĀ-sa-ņem SA-vas KVA-li-fi-kā-ci-jas AT-zī-ša-na.

   I need to get my qualifications recognized.

   Usage

   Used when seeking official recognition of foreign qualifications

   Grammar Note

   "man ir jā-" expresses obligation in Latvian — the prefix "jā-" on the verb means "must/have to"

10. Vai ir studentu atlaide?

    vai ir STU-den-tu AT-lai-de?

    Is there a student discount available?

    Usage

    Asking if a student discount is available

    Grammar Note

    "studentu" is the genitive plural of "students". "atlaide" means discount or price reduction

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