Language/Standard-latvian/Vocabulary/Colors
Hi Standard Latvian learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn about colors in Standard Latvian. Colors can add descriptions, meanings, and emotions to any sentence or conversation. Knowing the words for colors in Standard Latvian can help you communicate more effectively and add depth to your interactions.
Take a moment to explore these relevant pages as you conclude this lesson:Standard Latvian Vocabulary: Going Shopping and Using Public ..., Standard Latvian Vocabulary → Health and wellness → Body parts ..., Means of transport and directions & Education.
Basic Colors[edit | edit source]
Let’s start with the basic colors in Standard Latvian:
| Standard Latvian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Zaļš | /zaːɫʃ/ | Green |
| Sarkans | /sarkans/ | Red |
| Dzeltena | /dzeɫtêna/ | Yellow |
| Rozā | /rozaː/ | Pink |
| Oranža | /oranʒa/ | Orange |
| Balta | /baɫta/ | White |
| Melna | /meɫna/ | Black |
| Zila | /ziɫa/ | Blue |
Examples:
- Person 1: Man patīk zaļš audiņš. (I like green towel.)
- Person 2: Es ieteiktu tev ņemt balto košeli uz pasākumu. (I would recommend you to wear white shirt to the event.)
Intermediate Colors[edit | edit source]
The intermediate colors are obtained by mixing the basic colors:
| Standard Latvian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Tumši zaļš | /tûmʃi zaːɫʃ/ | Dark green |
| Silti sarkans | /siɫti sarkans/ | Warm red |
| Rūķīgi dzeltena | /rûkiːgi dzeɫtêna/ | Mustard yellow |
| Gaiši rozā | /ɡaɪʃi rozaː/ | Light pink |
| Gaiši oranža | /ɡaɪʃi oranʒa/ | Light orange |
| Ārpusē balta | /aːrpusē baɫta/ | Off-white |
| Pelēks | /peɫěks/ | Gray |
| Gaiši zila | /ɡaɪʃi ziɫa/ | Light blue |
Examples:
- Person 1: Kur ir mana tumši zaļā cepure? (Where is my dark green hat?)
- Person 2: Es vēlos kafiju ar rūķīgi dzeltenām puķēm. (I would like a coffee with mustard yellow flowers.)
Advanced Colors[edit | edit source]
Advanced colors are created by combining basic and intermediate colors with words to create complex descriptions.
Here are some examples:
| Standard Latvian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Silti pērļu balti | /siɫti pērɫu baɫti/ | Warm pearl white |
| Vēsi tumši zilgani | /vēsi tûmʃi ziɫɡâni/ | Cool dark bluish |
| Metāla sērkociņš | /metāla sērkoitʃ/ | Metallic grey |
Examples:
- Person 1: Es nopirku silti pērļu baltas zābakes. (I bought warm pearl white shoes.)
- Person 2: Mana automašīna ir vēsi tumši zilgana, un tā izskatās ļoti elegantu. (My car is cool dark bluish, and it looks very elegant.)
Cultural References[edit | edit source]
Latvia has a long history of crafts, and many traditional Latvian textiles use the colors red, black, and white. The colors represent the three Latvian Gods, with red symbolizing Jumis, the God of fertility, and black symbolizing Velns, the God of the underworld. White represents Dievs, the supreme god of Latvian mythology.
Dialogue:
- Person 1: Tev ir skaistas sarkanas rokassprādzes. (You have beautiful red bracelets.)
- Person 2: Paldies, es tos iegādājos rīcības laikā. Sarkanā krāsa Latvijā simbolizē enerģiju un spēku. (Thank you, I got them during the sale. The color red in Latvia symbolizes energy and strength.)
To improve your Standard Latvian Vocabulary, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
➡ 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 Say Hello and Greetings
- Days of the Week
- How to say Good Bye?
- Health
- Education
- Food
- Clothes
- Count to 10
- Idiomatic Expressions
- Fruits