Language/Standard-latvian/Vocabulary/Free-time-activities-and-sports
As a Latvian, I can tell you that we love both staying active and enjoying leisure time. In this lesson, we will learn some basic vocabulary related to free time activities and sports in Latvia.
Sports
Latvia has a rich sports culture, with a strong emphasis on ice hockey, basketball, football (soccer), and motorsports. Here are some words and phrases related to sports:
| Standard Latvian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| hokejs | [ho-keis] | hockey |
| basketbols | [bäs-ket-bols] | basketball |
| futbols | [foot-bols] | football (soccer) |
| autosacīkstes | [ou-to-sä-tšik-stes] | motorsports/races |
| sacensības | [sät-ten-see-bas] | competition |
| uzvarēt | [oos-va-reit] | to win |
| zaudēt | [zou-deit] | to lose |
Some popular sports events in Latvia include:
- Latvian Higher League (football/soccer competition)
- Latvian Hockey League
- European Rally Championship Round in Liepāja
Free time activities
Latvians enjoy a variety of leisure activities, both indoor and outdoor. Here are some words and phrases related to free time activities:
| Standard Latvian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| pastaiga | [päs-tai-ga] | walk, stroll |
| pikniks | [pik-niks] | picnic |
| lasīšana | [lä-see-sha-na] | reading |
| kino | [ki-no] | cinema, movies |
| muzejs | [mou-zeyjs] | museum |
| teātris | [te-aat-ris] | theater |
| koncerts | [kon-tserts] | concert |
| dejot | [dei-yot] | to dance |
Latvia also has many beautiful natural landmarks and outdoor recreational activities:
- Gauja National Park
- Cēsis Medieval Castle
- Sigulda bobsleigh and toboggan track
Now that you have learned some Latvian vocabulary related to leisure and sports, try using these words and phrases in sentences to practice your Latvian skills. Remember to have fun while you learn!