Language/Standard-latvian/Grammar/Prepositions-and-their-cases

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Standard Latvian → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Prepositions and their cases

Welcome to this exciting lesson on prepositions and their cases in Standard Latvian! Understanding how prepositions function within sentences is crucial for mastering the language, as they help us define relationships between words, indicate location, time, and much more. This lesson is designed for complete beginners and will guide you step-by-step through the essentials of using prepositions correctly in Latvian.

In this lesson, we will cover the following topics:

Introduction to Prepositions

Prepositions are words that link nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other words in a sentence. They can denote various relationships, such as direction, location, time, and manner. In Latvian, prepositions are particularly interesting because they require specific grammatical cases for the nouns that follow them.

Why is this important? Well, in English, the preposition often remains the same irrespective of the noun's role in the sentence. However, in Latvian, the preposition can change the form of the noun based on its grammatical case. This means that mastering prepositions is essential for forming accurate and meaningful sentences.

Types of Prepositions and Their Cases

Latvian prepositions can be categorized based on the cases they govern. Let's explore some common prepositions along with the corresponding cases:

Prepositions with the Accusative Case

Certain prepositions in Latvian require the use of the accusative case. Here’s a brief overview:

  • pa (along, through)
  • uz (to, onto)
  • ap (around)

Here are examples of how these prepositions are used:

Standard Latvian Pronunciation English
Es eju pa ielu. Es eju pa ielu. I walk along the street.
Mēs dodamies uz Rīgu. Mēs dodamies uz Rīgu. We are going to Riga.
Viņš skrien ap māju. Viņš skrien ap māju. He runs around the house.

Prepositions with the Genitive Case

Some prepositions require the genitive case. These include:

  • bez (without)
  • līdz (until, up to)
  • pēc (after)

Examples in sentences:

Standard Latvian Pronunciation English
Mēs ejam bez tevis. Mēs ejam bez tevis. We go without you.
Es strādāju līdz vakaram. Es strādāju līdz vakaram. I work until the evening.
Viņš nāk pēc manis. Viņš nāk pēc manis. He comes after me.

Prepositions with the Dative Case

A few prepositions govern the dative case, such as:

  • pret (against)
  • līdz (to, as far as)

For example:

Standard Latvian Pronunciation English
Es runāju pret viņu. Es runāju pret viņu. I speak against him.
Mēs ejam līdz upes. Mēs ejam līdz upei. We walk to the river.

Prepositions with the Locative Case

The locative case is used with prepositions that indicate location. Some are:

  • par (about, for)
  • uz (on, at)

Examples include:

Standard Latvian Pronunciation English
Viņa stāsta par savu darbu. Viņa stāsta par savu darbu. She tells about her work.
Mēs esam uz dīvāna. Mēs esam uz dīvāna. We are on the couch.

Using Prepositions in Sentences

When constructing sentences in Latvian, it’s essential to pair the correct preposition with the appropriate noun case. Let’s look at some examples that showcase how prepositions interact with nouns in various contexts:

1. Going to a Place

  • Latvian: Es dodos uz veikalu.
  • Pronunciation: Es dodos uz veikalu.
  • English: I am going to the store.

2. Describing Location

  • Latvian: Grāmata ir uz galda.
  • Pronunciation: Grāmata ir uz galda.
  • English: The book is on the table.

3. Talking About Time

  • Latvian: Mēs tiksimies pēc stundas.
  • Pronunciation: Mēs tiksimies pēc stundas.
  • English: We will meet after an hour.

4. Expressing Direction

  • Latvian: Viņš skrien pa parku.
  • Pronunciation: Viņš skrien pa parku.
  • English: He runs through the park.

5. Indicating Absence

  • Latvian: Mēs esam bez naudas.
  • Pronunciation: Mēs esam bez naudas.
  • English: We are without money.

Practice Exercises

Now that we’ve explored the theory behind prepositions and their cases, let’s put your knowledge to the test with some exercises!

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences with the correct preposition and form the noun in the correct case.

1. Es eju ____ veikalu. (to)

2. Viņš ir ____ mājās. (at)

3. Mēs runājam ____ viņu. (about)

4. Grāmata ir ____ galda. (on)

5. Viņa nāk ____ mani. (after)

Answers:

1. uz veikalu

2. mājās

3. par viņu

4. uz galda

5. pēc manis

Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Preposition

Select the appropriate preposition from the options provided.

1. Mēs ejam ____ Rīgu. (a) uz (b) pie

2. Viņš strādā ____ mājās. (a) uz (b) mājās

3. Grāmata ir ____ galda. (a) uz (b) ar

4. Mēs esam ____ bezdarbnieki. (a) bez (b) ar

5. Viņa nāk ____ viņa. (a) pēc (b) par

Answers:

1. (a) uz

2. (b) mājās

3. (a) uz

4. (a) bez

5. (a) pēc

Exercise 3: Translate the Sentences

Translate the following sentences from English to Latvian, using the correct preposition and case.

1. I walk through the park.

2. We are without money.

3. He comes after me.

4. The book is on the table.

5. She tells about her family.

Answers:

1. Es eju pa parku.

2. Mēs esam bez naudas.

3. Viņš nāk pēc manis.

4. Grāmata ir uz galda.

5. Viņa stāsta par savu ģimeni.

Exercise 4: Matching Prepositions with Cases

Match the prepositions with their corresponding cases.

1. bez (a) Genitive

2. uz (b) Accusative

3. par (c) Locative

4. līdz (d) Dative

Answers:

1 - (a) Genitive

2 - (b) Accusative

3 - (c) Locative

4 - (d) Dative

Exercise 5: Sentence Construction

Construct sentences using the following phrases. Use the correct preposition and noun case.

1. (at home) – "Es esmu ____."

2. (to the store) – "Viņa dodas ____."

3. (about the movie) – "Mēs runājam ____."

4. (after dinner) – "Mēs tiksimies ____."

5. (without you) – "Es eju ____."

Answers:

1. Es esmu mājās.

2. Viņa dodas uz veikalu.

3. Mēs runājam par filmu.

4. Mēs tiksimies pēc vakariņām.

5. Es eju bez tevis.

Conclusion

Congratulations on completing this lesson on prepositions and their cases in Standard Latvian! You’ve learned how vital prepositions are in forming coherent and meaningful sentences, and how their use changes based on the grammatical case of the nouns that follow them.

As you continue your journey in learning Latvian, remember to practice using prepositions in various contexts. This will help you solidify your understanding and enhance your conversational skills.

Keep up the great work, and happy learning!

Table of Contents - Standard Latvian Course - 0 to A1


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



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