Language/Standard-latvian/Vocabulary/Numbers-and-time
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Welcome to our lesson on Standard Latvian Vocabulary, where we will explore the essential topics of numbers and telling time. Mastering these concepts is crucial for everyday conversations, shopping, scheduling, and understanding the rhythm of daily life in Latvia. Whether you're planning a trip, making a new friend, or just want to expand your language skills, knowing how to use numbers and tell time in Latvian will serve you well.
In this lesson, we will break down the following topics:
Cardinal Numbers
We will start with cardinal numbers, which are the basic counting numbers we use in everyday situations.
Introduction to Cardinal Numbers
Cardinal numbers are used for counting (one, two, three, etc.). They are fundamental in various contexts, such as shopping, telling someone your age, or discussing quantities.
Cardinal Numbers in Standard Latvian
Let’s look at the cardinal numbers from one to ten, along with their pronunciation and English translations:
| Standard Latvian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| viens | viɛns | one |
| divi | diːvi | two |
| trīs | triːs | three |
| četri | t͡ʃɛtri | four |
| pieci | pjeːtsi | five |
| seši | sεʃi | six |
| septiņi | sεptiɲi | seven |
| astoņi | aːstoɲi | eight |
| deviņi | dεviɲi | nine |
| desmit | dɛsmit | ten |
As you move on, you'll notice a pattern in the formation of numbers. For instance, eleven to nineteen is formed by adding the suffix "-padsmit" (meaning "teen") to the base number.
Here are a few examples:
| Standard Latvian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| vienpadsmit | viɛn.pɑd.smɪt | eleven |
| divpadsmit | diːv.pɑd.smɪt | twelve |
| trīspadsmit | triːs.pɑd.smɪt | thirteen |
| četri padsmit | t͡ʃɛtri.pɑd.smɪt | fourteen |
| piecpadsmit | pjeːts.pɑd.smɪt | fifteen |
| sešpadsmit | sεʃ.pɑd.smɪt | sixteen |
| septiņpadsmit | sεptiɲ.pɑd.smɪt | seventeen |
| astoņpadsmit | aːstoɲ.pɑd.smɪt | eighteen |
| deviņpadsmit | dεviɲ.pɑd.smɪt | nineteen |
The number twenty is divdesmit (diːv.dɛs.mɪt), and you can build upon this to create higher numbers, for instance:
- Twenty-one: divdesmit viens (diːv.dɛs.mɪt viɛns)
- Twenty-two: divdesmit divi (diːv.dɛs.mɪt diːvi)
And so on, continuing this pattern for each decade.
Larger Numbers
When you reach hundreds and thousands, the structure is similar.
- One hundred: simts (sɪmts)
- Two hundred: divsimti (diːv.sɪm.ti)
- One thousand: tūkstotis (tuːk.sto.tis)
You can combine these numbers similarly to create larger ones.
Ordinal Numbers
Next, we’ll explore ordinal numbers, which are used to indicate position or order (first, second, third, etc.).
Introduction to Ordinal Numbers
Ordinal numbers are essential when you are discussing dates, rankings, or sequences.
Ordinal Numbers in Standard Latvian
Here are the first ten ordinal numbers in Latvian:
| Standard Latvian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| pirmais | pɪr.mɛjs | first |
| otrais | ɔ.trais | second |
| trešais | trɛ.ʃais | third |
| ceturtais | t͡sɛ.tur.tais | fourth |
| piektais | pjeːk.tais | fifth |
| sesto | sεs.tɔ | sixth |
| septītais | sεp.ti.tais | seventh |
| astotais | aːs.tɔ.tais | eighth |
| devītais | dε.vī.tais | ninth |
| desmitais | dɛs.mi.tais | tenth |
As you can see, the formation of ordinal numbers is relatively straightforward. For numbers beyond ten, you simply continue the pattern. For example:
- Eleventh: vienpadsmitais (viɛn.pɑd.smɪt.ais)
- Twelfth: divpadsmitais (diːv.pɑd.smɪt.ais)
You can use ordinal numbers when describing days of the month as well. For instance, the first of April would translate to pirmais aprīlis (pɪr.mɛjs a.priː.lis).
Telling Time
Now that we've covered numbers, let's tackle telling time in Latvian.
Introduction to Telling Time
Being able to tell the time is a vital skill for any language learner. It allows you to engage in conversations about plans, appointments, and routines.
How to Tell Time in Standard Latvian
In Latvian, the structure for telling time is quite straightforward. You typically start with "ir" (is) followed by the hour and then the minutes.
Examples of Telling Time:
| Standard Latvian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ir viens | ir viɛns | It is one o'clock |
| Ir divi | ir diːvi | It is two o'clock |
| Ir trīs | ir triːs | It is three o'clock |
| Ir četri | ir t͡ʃɛtri | It is four o'clock |
| Ir pieci | ir pjeːtsi | It is five o'clock |
| Ir seši | ir sεʃi | It is six o'clock |
| Ir septiņi | ir sεptiɲi | It is seven o'clock |
| Ir astoņi | ir aːstoɲi | It is eight o'clock |
| Ir deviņi | ir dεviɲi | It is nine o'clock |
| Ir desmit | ir dɛsmit | It is ten o'clock |
When it comes to minutes, you can add them after the hour.
For example:
- It is one fifteen would be Ir viens un piecpadsmit (ir viɛns un pjeːk.pɑd.smɪt).
- It is two thirty would be Ir divi un trīsdesmit (ir diːvi un triːs.dɛs.mɪt).
If you are telling time using the half-hour, you can use the phrase pusstundas (half an hour).
- It is one thirty: Ir viens un pusstundas (ir viɛns un pus.stun.das).
Asking for the Time
To ask for the time, you can simply say:
- Cik ir pulkstenis? (t͡sik ir pulk.ste.nis?) – What time is it?
Practice Exercises
Now that we've covered the basics, let’s put your new knowledge to the test with some exercises!
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with the correct cardinal number.
1. Man ir _____ gadi. (I am ___ years old.)
2. Mums ir _____ kaķi. (We have ___ cats.)
Answers:
1. viens (one)
2. divi (two)
Exercise 2: Translate the Numbers
Translate the following numbers from English to Latvian.
1. Seven
2. Eleven
3. Eighteen
Answers:
1. septiņi
2. vienpadsmit
3. astoņpadsmit
Exercise 3: Ordering the Days
Write out the following ordinal numbers in Latvian.
1. Fourth
2. Sixth
3. Tenth
Answers:
1. ceturtais
2. sestais
3. desmitais
Exercise 4: Telling Time
Translate the following sentences into Latvian.
1. It is three o'clock.
2. It is one thirty.
Answers:
1. Ir trīs.
2. Ir viens un pusstundas.
Exercise 5: Ask for the Time
Practice asking for the time in Latvian.
1. How do you say "What time is it?" in Latvian?
Answer:
Cik ir pulkstenis?
Exercise 6: Describe Your Day
Use the cardinal numbers to describe your daily schedule as follows:
- I wake up at seven.
- I eat breakfast at eight.
Example Answers:
- Es mostos septiņos.
- Es ēdu brokastis astoņos.
Exercise 7: Create a Dialogue
Write a short dialogue using numbers and telling time.
Example:
A: Cik ir pulkstenis? (What time is it?)
B: Ir pieci. (It is five.)
Exercise 8: Number Combinations
Combine the numbers to create larger numbers.
1. Twenty-three
2. Thirty-five
Answers:
1. divdesmit trīs
2. trīsdesmit pieci
Exercise 9: Arrange in Order
Put the following ordinal numbers in order:
1. Fifth
2. First
3. Third
Answers:
1. pirmais
2. trešais
3. piektais
Exercise 10: Time Practice
How would you say the following times in Latvian?
1. It is four fifteen.
2. It is seven thirty.
Answers:
1. Ir četri un piecpadsmit.
2. Ir septiņi un trīsdesmit.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You've just taken significant steps toward mastering the basic vocabulary of numbers and telling time in Standard Latvian. These skills will enrich your conversations and daily interactions as you continue on your language learning journey. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t hesitate to use numbers and time in your conversations as often as you can.
Keep challenging yourself, and soon you'll find that communicating in Latvian becomes second nature. Happy learning!
Other Lessons
- Means of transport and directions
- Health
- Free time activities and sports
- Family and relationships
- Jobs and professions
- School subjects and degrees
- Days of the Week
- Drinks
- Food
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