Language/Standard-latvian/Grammar/Future-Tense
Hi Standard Latvian learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn about the future tense in Standard Latvian, which is used to talk about actions or events that will happen at a later time. We will explore the different forms of the future tense and how to use them in various contexts.
Take a moment to explore these relevant pages as you conclude this lesson: The genitive case and possession & The subjunctive mood and wishes.
Future Tense in Standard Latvian[edit | edit source]
The future tense in Standard Latvian is formed by adding the suffix "-s" to the end of the verb stem. For example, "lasīt" (to read) becomes "lasīs" (will read).
Irregular Future Tense Forms[edit | edit source]
Some verbs have irregular future tense forms. Here are a few examples:
| Standard Latvian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| būt | /buːt/ | will be |
| dot | /dot/ | will give |
| doties | /dotijes/ | will go |
| zināt | /zinaːt/ | will know |
Using the Future Tense[edit | edit source]
The future tense is used to talk about actions or events that will happen in the future. Here are some examples:
- Es lasīšu grāmatu rīt. (I will read a book tomorrow.)
- Tu pēc darba doties uz veikalu. (You will go to the store after work.)
- Viņš zinās atbildi. (He will know the answer.)
Note that in Standard Latvian, the context of a sentence can indicate the future tense without necessarily using the verb in the future form. For example:
- Vakarā skatīsimies filmu. (We will watch a movie tonight.)
In this sentence, "skatīsimies" is not in the future tense, but the context of the sentence indicates that the action will happen in the future.
Negative Future Tense[edit | edit source]
To form the negative future tense in Standard Latvian, use the negative particle "ne" before the verb in the future tense. For example:
- Es nesākšu darbu līdz pēdējam brīdim. (I will not start working until the last moment.)
Interrogative Future Tense[edit | edit source]
To form a question in the future tense, use the question particle "vai" before the subject of the sentence and use the verb in the future tense. For example:
- Vai tu sāksi sportot šonedēļ? (Will you start exercising this week?)
Conditional Future Tense[edit | edit source]
To express a condition for a future event, use the conditional mood in the future tense. The conditional future in Standard Latvian is formed by adding the verb "būtu" (would be) before the verb in the infinitive form. For example:
- Ja es būtu tad klāt, es palīdzētu. (If I were there, I would help.)
Practice Dialogues[edit | edit source]
Here are some practice dialogues to help you become more familiar with the future tense.
Dialogue 1:
- Person 1: Es braukšu uz Rīgu rīt. (I will drive to Riga tomorrow.)
- Person 2: Un cik laika būsi tur? (And how long will you be there?)
- Person 1: Es atgriezīšos nākamajā dienā. (I will come back the next day.)
Dialogue 2:
- Person 1: Vai tu nedomā sākt izskatīties citā darbā? (Don't you plan to start looking for another job?)
- Person 2: Nē, es mīlu savu darbu šeit un esmu pārliecināts, ka man ir laba nākotne. (No, I love my job here and I am confident that I have a good future.)
Dialogue 3:
- Person 1: Kāds ir tavs plāns šonedēļ? (What is your plan for this week?)
- Person 2: Es gribētu pabeigt šo projektu līdz piektdienai. (I would like to finish this project by Friday.)
Culture corner[edit | edit source]
Latvia is famous for its beautiful nature, including forests, lakes, and beaches. Many Latvians enjoy spending time in nature and taking part in outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and fishing. The country also has a rich cultural heritage with traditions such as folk songs and dances that have been passed down through generations. If you are interested in learning more about Latvian culture and language, you can find native speakers on Polyglot Club and ask them any questions.
Sources[edit | edit source]
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- How to Use Have
- Gender
- Conditional Mood
- Give your Opinion
- How to Use Be
- Negation
- Adjectives
- Questions
- Pronouns