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<div class="pg_page_title">[[Language/Standard-latvian|Standard Latvian]]  → [[Language/Standard-latvian/Grammar|Grammar]] → [[Language/Standard-latvian/Grammar/0-to-A1-Course|0 to A1 Course]] → The genitive case and possession</div>
Welcome to our lesson on the genitive case and possession in Standard Latvian! Understanding the genitive case is crucial for mastering the language, as it helps you express relationships between nouns, particularly in terms of ownership or belonging. This lesson is designed for complete beginners and will take you on an engaging journey through the rules, forms, and uses of the genitive case. By the end, you'll be able to confidently identify and use the genitive case in your own sentences!


<div class="pg_page_title">Standard Latvian Grammar → The genitive and possessive forms → The genitive case and possession</div>
'''Lesson Structure:'''
 
1. '''Introduction to the Genitive Case''' 
 
2. '''Forms of the Genitive Case''' 
 
3. '''Usage of the Genitive Case''' 
 
4. '''Examples of the Genitive Case''' 
 
5. '''Practice Exercises''' 
 
6. '''Conclusion''' 


__TOC__
__TOC__


As a Latvian language teacher with 20 years of experience, I am excited to teach you about the genitive case and possession in Latvian sentences. This lesson is part of the "Complete 0 to A1 Standard Latvian Course" for beginner students, and will help you master this important aspect of Latvian grammar.
=== Introduction to the Genitive Case ===
 
The genitive case, known in Latvian as "ģenitīvs," is primarily used to indicate possession. It answers the question "Whose?" and helps clarify relationships between different nouns. For example, in the phrase "Anna's book," "Anna" is in the genitive case because we are expressing that the book belongs to her. This case is essential for talking about family, relationships, and even abstract concepts like ideas and feelings.
 
=== Forms of the Genitive Case ===
 
In Latvian, nouns can change their form based on their grammatical case, and the genitive is no exception. The form of a noun in the genitive case depends on its gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural). Here’s a brief overview:
 
==== Masculine Nouns ====
 
* '''Singular:''' Usually ends in a consonant, and you typically add an "-a" or "-u."
 
* '''Plural:''' Often ends in "-i," and you usually add "-u" or "-u" as well.
 
==== Feminine Nouns ====
 
* '''Singular:''' Usually ends in "-a," and you would typically remove the "-a" and add "-as."
 
* '''Plural:''' Often ends in "-as," and you generally replace it with "-u."
 
==== Examples of Noun Declensions ====
 
Let's take a closer look at how to form the genitive case for both masculine and feminine nouns.
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
! Noun Type !! Singular Form !! Genitive Singular !! Plural Form !! Genitive Plural
 
|-
 
| Masculine || "skolotājs" (teacher) || "skolotāja" || "skolotāji" (teachers) || "skolotāju"
 
|-
 
| Feminine || "māte" (mother) || "mātes" || "mātes" (mothers) || "māšu"
 
|}
 
=== Usage of the Genitive Case ===
 
The genitive case can be used in various contexts. Here are some common situations where you will encounter it:
 
* '''Indicating possession:'''
 
* Example: "Pētera grāmata" (Peter's book) indicates that the book belongs to Peter.
 
* '''Describing relationships:''' 


* Example: "Mātes draugs" (mother's friend) shows the connection between mother and friend.


<span link>Consider broadening your understanding by checking out these related lessons: [[Language/Standard-latvian/Grammar/Questions|Questions]] & [[Language/Standard-latvian/Grammar/Give-your-Opinion|Give your Opinion]].</span>
* '''Expressing quantity:''' 
== What is the genitive case? ==


The genitive case is a grammatical case used to indicate possession or a close relationship between objects or concepts in a sentence. In Latvian, the genitive case is formed by adding the suffix "-a" or "-as" to nouns, depending on their declension and gender. For example, "mašīna" (car) becomes "mašīnas" in the genitive.  
* Example: "Divas grāmatas" (two books) indicates a quantity of books.


It's essential to understand the genitive in Latvian because it is commonly used in speech and writing for expressing possession, relationship, quantity, and time expression with nouns. This case helps people to clarify the scope, nature, or quality of things and activities that are being discussed.
* '''Describing parts of a whole:''' 


== How to form the genitive case in Latvian==
* Example: "Auto ritenis" (car wheel) denotes a part of a car.


The genitive case in Latvian is formed through the following steps:
* '''In expressions of time:''' 


1. Identify the noun you want to put in the genitive case.
* Example: "Vakarā" (in the evening) uses the genitive to indicate a time period.
2. Determine the gender and declension of the noun.
3. Add the appropriate genitive suffix "-a" or "-as".


For example, let's look at the following examples:
=== Examples of the Genitive Case ===
 
Now, let's delve into some illustrative examples to see how the genitive case works in practice. This will give you a clearer understanding of its application.


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Standard Latvian !! Pronunciation !! English
! Standard Latvian !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
| Pētera grāmata || 'pɛtɛra 'ɡrāmata || Peter's book
|-
| Mātes draugs || 'mɑːtɛs 'draʊɡs || Mother's friend
|-
| Divas grāmatas || 'divas 'ɡrāmatas || Two books
|-
| Auto ritenis || 'auto 'ritɛnis || Car wheel
|-
| Vakarā || 'vakarā || In the evening
|-
| Jāņa māja || 'jaːna 'maija || John's house
|-
| Mūsu dārzi || 'muːsu 'dārzi || Our gardens
|-
| Suni ķermenis || 'suni 'kjɛrmenis || Dog's body
|-
| Gada plāns || 'ɡada 'plāns || Yearly plan
|-
| Bērnu grāmata || 'bɛrnu 'ɡrāmata || Children's book
|-
| Mātes stāsts || 'mɑːtɛs 'stɑːsts || Mother's story
|-
| Rīgas parks || 'riːɡas 'parks || Riga's park
|-
| Jāņa auto || 'jaːna 'auto || John's car
|-
| Klases biedrs || 'klases 'biɛdrs || Classmate's friend
|-
| Mūzikas stunda || 'muːzikas 'stunda || Music lesson
|-
| Skolas apmeklējums || 'skolas 'apmɛklɛjums || School visit
|-
|-
| māja  || /maːja/ || house
 
| Rotaļlietu kaste || 'rotəļlɛtu 'kaste || Toy box
 
|-
|-
| meitene || /meɪten̪ɛ/ || girl
 
| Kafijas krūze || 'kafijas 'kruːze || Coffee mug
 
|-
|-
| suns || /suns/ || dog
 
| Ēdienu recepte || 'eɪdiɛnʊ 'rɛʦɛptɛ || Food recipe
 
|-
|-
| zirgs || /zirks/ || horse
 
| Grāmatu plaukts || 'ɡrāmatu 'plaukt || Bookshelf
 
|}
|}


To form the genitive case of these nouns:
=== Practice Exercises ===
 
To reinforce your understanding of the genitive case, here are some practice exercises. They will help you identify and apply what you've learned so far. Make sure to go through each exercise carefully.
 
1. '''Translate the following sentences into English:'''
 
* a. "Jāņa grāmata" 
 
* b. "Mātes suns" 
 
* c. "Pētera zīmējums" 
 
* d. "Skolas projekts" 
 
2. '''Identify the genitive case in the following sentences and explain their meanings:'''
 
* a. "Es redzēju mātes smiekli." 
 
* b. "Viņš parādīja Jāņa zīmējumu." 
 
* c. "Tas ir Rīgas parks." 
 
3. '''Fill in the blanks with the correct genitive form of the nouns in parentheses:'''
 
* a. "Es pērku ______ (Anna) grāmatu." 
 
* b. "Mūsu ______ (māte) ir ļoti laimīga." 
 
* c. "Viņa redzēja ______ (Pēteris) auto." 
 
4. '''Complete the sentences with appropriate nouns in the genitive case:'''
 
* a. "Es izlasīju ______ (dēls) stāstu." 
 
* b. "Mēs apmeklēsim ______ (skola) izstādi." 
 
* c. "Jāņa un Annas ______ (māj) ir blakus." 
 
5. '''Choose the correct genitive form from the options given:'''
 
* a. "Skolotāja ______ (grāmata) ir interesanta." (skolotājas / skolotāja) 
 
* b. "Mātes ______ (suns) ir liels." (mātes / māte) 
 
* c. "Rīgas ______ (parks) ir skaists." (Rīgas / Rīga) 
 
6. '''Translate the following English sentences into Latvian using the genitive case:'''
 
* a. "The teacher’s book is on the table." 
 
* b. "The children’s toys are everywhere." 
 
* c. "I saw the mother’s friend." 
 
7. '''Write sentences using the genitive case for the following nouns:'''
 
* a. "Dēls" (son) 


- For "māja", add the suffix "-as": "mājas" (of the house).
* b. "Māte" (mother)
- For "meitene", add the suffix "-as": "meitenes" (of the girl).
- For "suns", add the suffix "-a": "suna" (of the dog).
- For "zirgs", add the suffix "-a": "zirga" (of the horse).


It's crucial to learn the gender of nouns in Latvian to apply the right genitive suffix. For masculine and feminine nouns, a suffix with an "s" is added at the end, while, for neuter nouns, the genitive form remains the same as the nominative.
* c. "Skola" (school) 


It's also essential to memorize some exceptions to the genitive case in Latvian, which don't follow the standard "-a" or "-as" patterns. These forms include possessive pronouns, ordinal numerals, and adjectives that require a particular declension version.
8. '''Match the following phrases with their English translations:'''


== The use of the genitive case in Latvian ==
* a. "Pētera zīmējums" 


The genitive case is commonly used in Latvian to show possession, but it is also used to indicate relationships, quality, amounts, and measurement. Here are some examples:
* b. "Mātes suns" 


<B>Possession:</B>
* c. "Rīgas parks" 


- "Mana mātes dāvana" (My mother's gift): The genitive case "mātes" indicates possession in this sentence.
* d. "Mūsu draugi"


<B>Relationship:</B>
* e. "Ziemassvētku svinības" 


- "Kristapa tēvs" (Kristaps' father): The genitive "tēva" implies a paternal relationship.
9. '''Rearrange the words to form a correct sentence in Latvian using the genitive case:'''


<B>Quality:</B>
* a. "grāmata / māte / ir / manas" 


- "Tīrās ūdens pudeles" (Clean water bottles): The genitive "ūdens" shows the quality of the water in the bottles.
* b. "suns / Pētera / ir / liels"


<B>Amounts and measurement:</B>
* c. "auto / Jāņa / ir / jauns" 


- "Pusotra kilogramma kafijas pupu" (One and a half kilograms of coffee beans): The genitive "kafijas" indicates the type of beans being measured.
10. '''Create a short paragraph describing your family or friends, using at least five genitive case forms.'''


It's important to note that, as in English, the word order in Latvian sentences is flexible. In sentences where the genitive is used to show possession, the possessed object precedes the possessor. For example: "Dzīvokļa atslēgas" (The apartment keys), where "dzīvokļa" (apartment) is in the genitive case.
=== Detailed Solutions and Explanations ===


== Additional resources ==
1. '''Translate the following sentences into English:''' 


To practice and improve your understanding of the genitive case and possession in Latvian grammar, I recommend using the following resources:
* a. "Jāņa grāmata" → "John's book" 


- <a href="https://www.duolingo.com/course/lv/en/Learn-Latvian-Online">Duolingo Latvian Course</a>
* b. "Mātes suns" → "Mother's dog"
- <a href="https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Latvian/Introduction_to_Latvian/Nouns_and_Pronouns/Genitive_case_and_possession">Latvian Wikibook: Genitive case and possession</a>


Keep in mind that learning the genitive case in Latvian is a gradual process, and it takes time and practice. But, with consistency and dedication, you can master this vital aspect of the Latvian language.
* c. "Pētera zīmējums" → "Peter's drawing" 
 
* d. "Skolas projekts" → "School's project" 
 
2. '''Identify the genitive case in the following sentences and explain their meanings:''' 
 
* a. "Es redzēju mātes smiekli." → "I saw mother's laughter." (Here, "mātes" indicates the laughter belongs to the mother.) 
 
* b. "Viņš parādīja Jāņa zīmējumu." → "He showed John's drawing." (Here, "Jāņa" indicates the drawing belongs to John.) 
 
* c. "Tas ir Rīgas parks." → "That is Riga's park." (Here, "Rīgas" indicates the park belongs to Riga.) 
 
3. '''Fill in the blanks with the correct genitive form of the nouns in parentheses:''' 
 
* a. "Es pērku Anna '''grāmatu'''." → "I am buying Anna's book." 
 
* b. "Mūsu '''mātes''' ir ļoti laimīga." → "Our mother's is very happy." 
 
* c. "Viņa redzēja Pētera '''auto'''." → "She saw Peter's car." 
 
4. '''Complete the sentences with appropriate nouns in the genitive case:''' 
 
* a. "Es izlasīju dēla '''stāstu'''." → "I read the son's story." 
 
* b. "Mēs apmeklēsim skolas '''izstādi'''." → "We will visit the school's exhibition." 
 
* c. "Jāņa un Annas '''mājas''' ir blakus." → "John's and Anna's houses are next to each other." 
 
5. '''Choose the correct genitive form from the options given:''' 
 
* a. "Skolotāja '''grāmata''' ir interesanta." (skolotājas) 
 
* b. "Mātes '''suns''' ir liels." (mātes) 
 
* c. "Rīgas '''parks''' ir skaists." (Rīgas) 
 
6. '''Translate the following English sentences into Latvian using the genitive case:''' 
 
* a. "The teacher’s book is on the table." → "Skolotāja grāmata ir uz galda." 
 
* b. "The children’s toys are everywhere." → "Bērnu rotaļlietas ir visur." 
 
* c. "I saw the mother’s friend." → "Es redzēju mātes draugu." 
 
7. '''Write sentences using the genitive case for the following nouns:''' 
 
* a. "Dēls" (son) → "Dēla grāmata" (Son's book) 
 
* b. "Māte" (mother) → "Mātes stāsts" (Mother's story) 
 
* c. "Skola" (school) → "Skolas projekts" (School project) 
 
8. '''Match the following phrases with their English translations:''' 
 
* a. "Pētera zīmējums" → "Peter's drawing" 
 
* b. "Mātes suns" → "Mother's dog" 
 
* c. "Rīgas parks" → "Riga's park" 
 
* d. "Mūsu draugi" → "Our friends" 
 
* e. "Ziemassvētku svinības" → "Christmas celebrations" 
 
9. '''Rearrange the words to form a correct sentence in Latvian using the genitive case:''' 
 
* a. "grāmata / māte / ir / manas" → "Manas mātes grāmata ir." (My mother's book is.) 
 
* b. "suns / Pētera / ir / liels" → "Pētera suns ir liels." (Peter's dog is big.) 
 
* c. "auto / Jāņa / ir / jauns" → "Jāņa auto ir jauns." (John's car is new.) 
 
10. '''Create a short paragraph describing your family or friends, using at least five genitive case forms:''' 
 
"Mans tēvs ir inženieris, un viņa vārds ir Jānis. Manai mātei, kuras vārds ir Anna, ir divi dēli. Mūsu ģimenes māja ir liela un skaista. Mēs mīlam kopā svinēt Ziemassvētkus un pavadīt laiku kopā." (My father is an engineer, and his name is John. My mother, whose name is Anna, has two sons. Our family house is large and beautiful. We love to celebrate Christmas together and spend time together.)
 
=== Conclusion ===
 
Congratulations! You have completed the lesson on the genitive case and possession in Standard Latvian. You have learned how to form the genitive case for both masculine and feminine nouns and how to use it to express relationships and possession in various contexts. Remember, practice makes perfect, so make sure to keep using these forms in your conversations. With each new lesson, you are one step closer to mastering the Latvian language. Keep up the great work!


{{#seo:
{{#seo:
|title=Standard Latvian Grammar → The genitive and possessive forms → The genitive case and possession
 
|keywords=Latvian language, Latvian grammar, genitive case, possession, Latvian culture, Latvian traditions, Latvian sentences
|title=Learn the Genitive Case in Standard Latvian
|description=In this lesson, you will learn how to form and use the genitive case to indicate possession or relation between objects or concepts in Latvian sentences. Master this essential aspect of the Latvian language today!
 
|keywords=Latvian grammar, genitive case, possession, language learning, complete beginners
 
|description=In this lesson, you will learn how to form and use the genitive case in Standard Latvian to express possession and relationships between nouns.
 
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* [[Language/Standard-latvian/Grammar/Negation|Negation]]


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Latest revision as of 18:09, 1 August 2024

◀️ Latvian music and dance traditions — Previous Lesson Next Lesson — The possessive forms and characteristics ▶️

Latvian-Language-PolyglotClub.png
Standard Latvian → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → The genitive case and possession

Welcome to our lesson on the genitive case and possession in Standard Latvian! Understanding the genitive case is crucial for mastering the language, as it helps you express relationships between nouns, particularly in terms of ownership or belonging. This lesson is designed for complete beginners and will take you on an engaging journey through the rules, forms, and uses of the genitive case. By the end, you'll be able to confidently identify and use the genitive case in your own sentences!

Lesson Structure:

1. Introduction to the Genitive Case

2. Forms of the Genitive Case

3. Usage of the Genitive Case

4. Examples of the Genitive Case

5. Practice Exercises

6. Conclusion

Introduction to the Genitive Case[edit | edit source]

The genitive case, known in Latvian as "ģenitīvs," is primarily used to indicate possession. It answers the question "Whose?" and helps clarify relationships between different nouns. For example, in the phrase "Anna's book," "Anna" is in the genitive case because we are expressing that the book belongs to her. This case is essential for talking about family, relationships, and even abstract concepts like ideas and feelings.

Forms of the Genitive Case[edit | edit source]

In Latvian, nouns can change their form based on their grammatical case, and the genitive is no exception. The form of a noun in the genitive case depends on its gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural). Here’s a brief overview:

Masculine Nouns[edit | edit source]

  • Singular: Usually ends in a consonant, and you typically add an "-a" or "-u."
  • Plural: Often ends in "-i," and you usually add "-u" or "-u" as well.

Feminine Nouns[edit | edit source]

  • Singular: Usually ends in "-a," and you would typically remove the "-a" and add "-as."
  • Plural: Often ends in "-as," and you generally replace it with "-u."

Examples of Noun Declensions[edit | edit source]

Let's take a closer look at how to form the genitive case for both masculine and feminine nouns.

Noun Type Singular Form Genitive Singular Plural Form Genitive Plural
Masculine "skolotājs" (teacher) "skolotāja" "skolotāji" (teachers) "skolotāju"
Feminine "māte" (mother) "mātes" "mātes" (mothers) "māšu"

Usage of the Genitive Case[edit | edit source]

The genitive case can be used in various contexts. Here are some common situations where you will encounter it:

  • Indicating possession:
  • Example: "Pētera grāmata" (Peter's book) indicates that the book belongs to Peter.
  • Describing relationships:
  • Example: "Mātes draugs" (mother's friend) shows the connection between mother and friend.
  • Expressing quantity:
  • Example: "Divas grāmatas" (two books) indicates a quantity of books.
  • Describing parts of a whole:
  • Example: "Auto ritenis" (car wheel) denotes a part of a car.
  • In expressions of time:
  • Example: "Vakarā" (in the evening) uses the genitive to indicate a time period.

Examples of the Genitive Case[edit | edit source]

Now, let's delve into some illustrative examples to see how the genitive case works in practice. This will give you a clearer understanding of its application.

Standard Latvian Pronunciation English
Pētera grāmata 'pɛtɛra 'ɡrāmata Peter's book
Mātes draugs 'mɑːtɛs 'draʊɡs Mother's friend
Divas grāmatas 'divas 'ɡrāmatas Two books
Auto ritenis 'auto 'ritɛnis Car wheel
Vakarā 'vakarā In the evening
Jāņa māja 'jaːna 'maija John's house
Mūsu dārzi 'muːsu 'dārzi Our gardens
Suni ķermenis 'suni 'kjɛrmenis Dog's body
Gada plāns 'ɡada 'plāns Yearly plan
Bērnu grāmata 'bɛrnu 'ɡrāmata Children's book
Mātes stāsts 'mɑːtɛs 'stɑːsts Mother's story
Rīgas parks 'riːɡas 'parks Riga's park
Jāņa auto 'jaːna 'auto John's car
Klases biedrs 'klases 'biɛdrs Classmate's friend
Mūzikas stunda 'muːzikas 'stunda Music lesson
Skolas apmeklējums 'skolas 'apmɛklɛjums School visit
Rotaļlietu kaste 'rotəļlɛtu 'kaste Toy box
Kafijas krūze 'kafijas 'kruːze Coffee mug
Ēdienu recepte 'eɪdiɛnʊ 'rɛʦɛptɛ Food recipe
Grāmatu plaukts 'ɡrāmatu 'plaukt Bookshelf

Practice Exercises[edit | edit source]

To reinforce your understanding of the genitive case, here are some practice exercises. They will help you identify and apply what you've learned so far. Make sure to go through each exercise carefully.

1. Translate the following sentences into English:

  • a. "Jāņa grāmata"
  • b. "Mātes suns"
  • c. "Pētera zīmējums"
  • d. "Skolas projekts"

2. Identify the genitive case in the following sentences and explain their meanings:

  • a. "Es redzēju mātes smiekli."
  • b. "Viņš parādīja Jāņa zīmējumu."
  • c. "Tas ir Rīgas parks."

3. Fill in the blanks with the correct genitive form of the nouns in parentheses:

  • a. "Es pērku ______ (Anna) grāmatu."
  • b. "Mūsu ______ (māte) ir ļoti laimīga."
  • c. "Viņa redzēja ______ (Pēteris) auto."

4. Complete the sentences with appropriate nouns in the genitive case:

  • a. "Es izlasīju ______ (dēls) stāstu."
  • b. "Mēs apmeklēsim ______ (skola) izstādi."
  • c. "Jāņa un Annas ______ (māj) ir blakus."

5. Choose the correct genitive form from the options given:

  • a. "Skolotāja ______ (grāmata) ir interesanta." (skolotājas / skolotāja)
  • b. "Mātes ______ (suns) ir liels." (mātes / māte)
  • c. "Rīgas ______ (parks) ir skaists." (Rīgas / Rīga)

6. Translate the following English sentences into Latvian using the genitive case:

  • a. "The teacher’s book is on the table."
  • b. "The children’s toys are everywhere."
  • c. "I saw the mother’s friend."

7. Write sentences using the genitive case for the following nouns:

  • a. "Dēls" (son)
  • b. "Māte" (mother)
  • c. "Skola" (school)

8. Match the following phrases with their English translations:

  • a. "Pētera zīmējums"
  • b. "Mātes suns"
  • c. "Rīgas parks"
  • d. "Mūsu draugi"
  • e. "Ziemassvētku svinības"

9. Rearrange the words to form a correct sentence in Latvian using the genitive case:

  • a. "grāmata / māte / ir / manas"
  • b. "suns / Pētera / ir / liels"
  • c. "auto / Jāņa / ir / jauns"

10. Create a short paragraph describing your family or friends, using at least five genitive case forms.

Detailed Solutions and Explanations[edit | edit source]

1. Translate the following sentences into English:

  • a. "Jāņa grāmata" → "John's book"
  • b. "Mātes suns" → "Mother's dog"
  • c. "Pētera zīmējums" → "Peter's drawing"
  • d. "Skolas projekts" → "School's project"

2. Identify the genitive case in the following sentences and explain their meanings:

  • a. "Es redzēju mātes smiekli." → "I saw mother's laughter." (Here, "mātes" indicates the laughter belongs to the mother.)
  • b. "Viņš parādīja Jāņa zīmējumu." → "He showed John's drawing." (Here, "Jāņa" indicates the drawing belongs to John.)
  • c. "Tas ir Rīgas parks." → "That is Riga's park." (Here, "Rīgas" indicates the park belongs to Riga.)

3. Fill in the blanks with the correct genitive form of the nouns in parentheses:

  • a. "Es pērku Anna grāmatu." → "I am buying Anna's book."
  • b. "Mūsu mātes ir ļoti laimīga." → "Our mother's is very happy."
  • c. "Viņa redzēja Pētera auto." → "She saw Peter's car."

4. Complete the sentences with appropriate nouns in the genitive case:

  • a. "Es izlasīju dēla stāstu." → "I read the son's story."
  • b. "Mēs apmeklēsim skolas izstādi." → "We will visit the school's exhibition."
  • c. "Jāņa un Annas mājas ir blakus." → "John's and Anna's houses are next to each other."

5. Choose the correct genitive form from the options given:

  • a. "Skolotāja grāmata ir interesanta." (skolotājas)
  • b. "Mātes suns ir liels." (mātes)
  • c. "Rīgas parks ir skaists." (Rīgas)

6. Translate the following English sentences into Latvian using the genitive case:

  • a. "The teacher’s book is on the table." → "Skolotāja grāmata ir uz galda."
  • b. "The children’s toys are everywhere." → "Bērnu rotaļlietas ir visur."
  • c. "I saw the mother’s friend." → "Es redzēju mātes draugu."

7. Write sentences using the genitive case for the following nouns:

  • a. "Dēls" (son) → "Dēla grāmata" (Son's book)
  • b. "Māte" (mother) → "Mātes stāsts" (Mother's story)
  • c. "Skola" (school) → "Skolas projekts" (School project)

8. Match the following phrases with their English translations:

  • a. "Pētera zīmējums" → "Peter's drawing"
  • b. "Mātes suns" → "Mother's dog"
  • c. "Rīgas parks" → "Riga's park"
  • d. "Mūsu draugi" → "Our friends"
  • e. "Ziemassvētku svinības" → "Christmas celebrations"

9. Rearrange the words to form a correct sentence in Latvian using the genitive case:

  • a. "grāmata / māte / ir / manas" → "Manas mātes grāmata ir." (My mother's book is.)
  • b. "suns / Pētera / ir / liels" → "Pētera suns ir liels." (Peter's dog is big.)
  • c. "auto / Jāņa / ir / jauns" → "Jāņa auto ir jauns." (John's car is new.)

10. Create a short paragraph describing your family or friends, using at least five genitive case forms:

"Mans tēvs ir inženieris, un viņa vārds ir Jānis. Manai mātei, kuras vārds ir Anna, ir divi dēli. Mūsu ģimenes māja ir liela un skaista. Mēs mīlam kopā svinēt Ziemassvētkus un pavadīt laiku kopā." (My father is an engineer, and his name is John. My mother, whose name is Anna, has two sons. Our family house is large and beautiful. We love to celebrate Christmas together and spend time together.)

Conclusion[edit | edit source]

Congratulations! You have completed the lesson on the genitive case and possession in Standard Latvian. You have learned how to form the genitive case for both masculine and feminine nouns and how to use it to express relationships and possession in various contexts. Remember, practice makes perfect, so make sure to keep using these forms in your conversations. With each new lesson, you are one step closer to mastering the Latvian language. Keep up the great work!

Table of Contents - Standard Latvian Course - 0 to A1[edit source]


Introduction to Latvian grammar


Daily life and routines


Latvian traditions and customs


Verbs and tenses


Going shopping and using public transport


Latvian geography and landmarks


Adverbs and prepositions


Leisure activities and hobbies


Latvian arts and museums


The accusative case and indirect objects


Education and employment


Latvian history and politics


Conditional and subjunctive mood


Travel and tourism


Latvian culture and identity


The genitive and possessive forms


Health and wellness


Latvian sports and outdoor activities


Other Lessons[edit | edit source]



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