Our list of the thousand most common Latvian words comes from a statistical analysis we did on a big collection of Latvian texts.
We have extracted a selection of basic Latvian vocabulary words from the full list of a thousand terms.
Those who haven’t started learning Latvian may want to look at those simple words in the table below before moving on to the full vocabulary list further down the page.
Now, here is a full list of the 1000 most common Latvian words. It is sorted by frequency, so the most frequently used terms appear near the top.
-
būt
[verb]
(to be)
In languages that use them, articles (which correspond to the English words “the,” “a,” and “an”) are often the most frequently used words. Latvian doesn’t use articles.
-
un
[conjunction]
(and)
-
tas
[pronoun]
(that)
-
par
[preposition]
(about)
-
ar
[preposition]
(with)
-
ka
[conjunction]
(that)
-
kas
[pronoun]
(what)
-
arī
[particle]
(also)
-
no
[preposition]
(from)
-
varēt
[verb]
(to be able to)
-
kā
[conjunction]
(as)
-
uz
[preposition]
(to)
-
bet
[conjunction]
(but)
-
vai
[conjunction]
(or)
-
tā
[pronoun]
(that)
-
es
[pronoun]
(I)
-
gads
[noun]
(year)
-
mēs
[pronoun]
(we)
-
viņš
[pronoun]
(he)
-
šis
[pronoun]
(this one)
-
Latvija
[proper noun]
(Latvia)
-
lai
[conjunction]
(so that)
-
tikt
[verb]
-
ja
[conjunction]
(if)
-
viss
[pronoun]
(everything)
-
jau
[adverb]
(already)
-
laiks
[noun]
(time)
The Latvian word “laiks” and the Lithuanian word “laikas” are cognates.
-
gan
[conjunction]
(both)
-
savs
[pronoun]
(own)
-
darbs
[noun]
(work)
-
jo
[conjunction]
(because)
-
daudz
[adverb]
(a lot, much)
-
valsts
[noun]
(country)
-
tikai
[particle]
(only)
-
tad
[adverb]
(then)
-
kurš
[pronoun]
(who, which)
-
cilvēks
[noun]
(human being)
-
liels
[adjective]
(big)
-
pēc
[preposition]
(after)
-
jauns
[adjective]
(new)
-
viens
[numeral]
(one)
-
līdz
[preposition]
(till)
-
pie
[preposition]
(at)
-
vēl
[adverb]
(yet)
-
kāds
[pronoun]
(what)
-
ne
[conjunction]
(not)
-
kad
[adverb]
(when)
-
bērns
[noun]
(child)
-
pats
[pronoun]
(himself)
-
diena
[noun]
(day)
-
jūs
[pronoun]
(you)
-
viņa
[pronoun]
(she)
-
notikt
[verb]
(to happen)
-
šī
[pronoun]
(this)
-
labs
[adjective]
(good)
-
taču
[conjunction]
(but)
-
ļoti
[adverb]
(very)
-
vieta
[noun]
(place)
-
cits
[adjective]
(other)
-
tu
[pronoun]
(you)
-
iespēja
[noun]
(possibility)
-
kur
[adverb]
(where)
-
kaut
[particle]
-
projekts
[noun]
(project)
-
zināt
[verb]
(to know)
-
tik
[adverb]
-
Rīga
[proper noun]
Rīga is a beautiful and historic city located in the central part of Latvia, near the mouth of the Daugava River and the coast of the Baltic Sea. As the capital and largest city of Latvia, it is an important economic, cultural, and educational center. Rīga is known for its stunning architecture, including the medieval Old Town, Art Nouveau buildings, and Soviet-era structures.
-
pat
[particle]
(even)
-
pirmais
[adjective]
(first)
-
māja
[noun]
(house)
-
pa
[preposition]
-
skola
[noun]
(school)
-
saņemt
[verb]
(to receive)
-
cita
[pronoun]
-
pilsēta
[noun]
(city)
The Latvian word “pilsēta” means “city.” Related words include “lielpilsēta” (big city) and “galvaspilsēta” (capital city). The latter appears in this frequency dictionary.
-
iespēt
[verb]
(to be able to)
-
jautājums
[noun]
(question)
The Latvian word “jautājums” (which means “question”) comes from the verb “jautāt” (which means “to ask”).
-
tomēr
[conjunction]
-
tāds
[pronoun]
(such)
-
tāpēc
[adverb]
(therefore)
-
labi
[adverb]
(well)
-
nu
[particle]
(well)
-
nauda
[noun]
(money)
-
sacīt
[verb]
(to say)
-
visa
[adjective]
-
Liepāja
[proper noun]
-
tagad
[adverb]
(now)
-
sevis
[pronoun]
-
strādāt
[verb]
(to work)
-
darīt
[verb]
(to do)
-
redzēt
[verb]
(to see)
-
domāt
[verb]
(to think)
-
tur
[adverb]
(there)
-
kāda
[pronoun]
-
divi
[numeral]
(two)
-
bez
[preposition]
(without)
-
dzīve
[noun]
(life)
-
sākt
[verb]
(to start)
-
teikt
[verb]
(to say)
-
vajadzēt
[verb]
-
centrs
[noun]
(center)
-
cena
[noun]
(price)
-
lieta
[noun]
(thing)
-
Eiropa
[proper noun]
-
pasaule
[noun]
(world)
The Latvian word “pasaule” (which means “world”) is derived by adding the prefix “pa-” (which means “under”) to the word “saule” (which means “sun”).
-
pret
[preposition]
(against)
-
iela
[noun]
(street)
-
cik
[adverb]
(how much)
-
informācija
[noun]
(information)
-
ceļš
[noun]
(road)
-
vien
[adverb]
(only)
-
gribēt
[verb]
(to want)
-
veikt
[verb]
(to perform)
-
mazs
[adjective]
(small)
-
gadījums
[noun]
(occasion)
-
saprast
[verb]
(to understand)
-
nekā
[conjunction]
(than)
-
pirms
[preposition]
(before)
-
eiro
[noun]
(euro)
-
daļa
[noun]
(part)
-
kļūt
[verb]
(to become)
-
reize
[noun]
(time)
-
vārds
[noun]
(word, name)
-
piemērs
[noun]
(example)
-
iet
[verb]
(go)
-
vēlēties
[verb]
(to wish)
-
tieši
[adverb]
(directly)
-
paredzēt
[verb]
-
ģimene
[noun]
(family)
-
tirgus
[noun]
(market)
-
izglītība
[noun]
(education)
-
katrs
[pronoun]
(every)
-
daudzi
[adjective]
-
problēma
[noun]
(problem)
-
aicināt
[verb]
(to invite)
-
veids
[noun]
(mode)
-
policija
[noun]
(police)
-
nekas
[pronoun]
(nothing)
-
katra
[pronoun]
-
dzīvot
[verb]
(to live)
-
situācija
[noun]
(situation)
-
atrast
[verb]
(to find)
-
dot
[verb]
(to give)
-
lats
[noun]
(lats)
-
puse
[noun]
(half)
-
palikt
[verb]
(to stay)
-
kopā
[adverb]
(together)
-
tāpat
[adverb]
-
kultūra
[noun]
(culture)
-
protams
[participle]
(of course)
-
attīstība
[noun]
(development)
-
runāt
[verb]
(to speak)
-
darbinieks
[noun]
(employee)
-
jaunietis
[noun]
-
neviens
[pronoun]
(no one)
-
mēnesis
[noun]
(month)
-
vecs
[adjective]
(old)
-
nodoklis
[noun]
(tax)
-
trīs
[numeral]
(three)
-
dome
[noun]
(council)
-
gaidīt
[verb]
(to wait)
-
palīdzēt
[verb]
(to help)
-
likums
[noun]
(law)
-
šogad
[adverb]
(this year)
-
persona
[noun]
(person)
-
tāda
[pronoun]
-
spēt
[verb]
(to be able)
-
rezultāts
[noun]
(result)
-
banka
[noun]
(bank)
-
noteikt
[verb]
(to determine)
-
sieviete
[noun]
(woman)
-
nākt
[verb]
(to come)
-
grupa
[noun]
(group)
-
ņemt
[verb]
(to take)
-
atzīt
[verb]
-
nedēļa
[noun]
(week)
-
doties
[verb]
(to go)
-
vairs
[adverb]
(anymore)
-
mana
[pronoun]
(my)
-
patikt
[verb]
(to like)
-
nevis
[conjunction]
(not)
-
atbalsts
[noun]
(support)
-
ziņa
[noun]
(message)
-
brīdis
[noun]
(moment)
-
tiesa
[noun]
(court)
-
sports
[noun]
(sports)
-
tauta
[noun]
(nation)
-
klients
[noun]
(customer)
-
ministrs
[noun]
(minister)
-
Krievija
[proper noun]
-
sociāls
[adjective]
(social)
-
vide
[noun]
(environment)
-
mērķis
[noun]
(aim)
-
latvietis
[noun]
(a latvian)
-
dalībnieks
[noun]
(participant)
-
ministrija
[noun]
(ministry)
-
pieredze
[noun]
(experience)
-
veselība
[noun]
(health)
-
otrs
[adjective]
(the other)
-
noteikums
[noun]
(condition)
-
darbība
[noun]
(action)
-
iestāde
[noun]
(institution)
-
spēks
[noun]
(strength)
-
likt
[verb]
(to put)
-
braukt
[verb]
-
stāstīt
[verb]
(to tell)
-
mācība
[noun]
(lesson)
-
pati
[pronoun]
(herself)
-
turpināt
[verb]
(to continue)
-
valoda
[noun]
(language)
-
miljons
[numeral]
(million)
-
šobrīd
[adverb]
(currently)
-
varbūt
[particle]
(maybe)
-
bieži
[adverb]
(often)
-
maksāt
[verb]
(to pay)
-
skolēns
[noun]
(student)
-
nams
[noun]
(house)
-
zeme
[noun]
(land)
-
māksla
[noun]
(art)
-
augsts
[adjective]
(high)
-
vecāks
[adjective]
(older)
-
process
[noun]
(process)
-
pagasts
[noun]
(parish)
Pagasts is a common Latvian word because it refers to a territorial administrative unit in the country. In Latvia, a pagasts is a small rural district or civil parish.
-
vienmēr
[adverb]
(always)
-
rakstīt
[verb]
(to write)
-
te
[adverb]
(here)
-
izstāde
[noun]
(exhibition)
-
veikals
[noun]
(store)
-
īpaši
[adverb]
(especially)
-
maz
[adverb]
(few)
-
valdība
[noun]
(government)
-
kāpēc
[adverb]
(why)
-
attiecība
[noun]
(relation)
-
vismaz
[adverb]
(at least)
-
sistēma
[noun]
(system)
-
produkts
[noun]
(product)
-
dēļ
[preposition]
(because of)
-
atkal
[adverb]
(again)
-
meklēt
[verb]
(to look for)
-
pārstāvis
[noun]
(representative)
-
vīrietis
[noun]
(man)
-
ideja
[noun]
(idea)
-
roka
[noun]
(hand)
-
minēt
[verb]
-
teātris
[noun]
(theater)
-
starp
[preposition]
(between)
-
šeit
[adverb]
(here)
-
prece
[noun]
(goods)
-
pārvalde
[noun]
(administration)
-
dzīvoklis
[noun]
(apartment)
-
raksts
[noun]
(article)
-
vienkārši
[adverb]
(simply)
-
ļaut
[verb]
(to allow)
-
dienests
[noun]
(service)
-
gals
[noun]
(end)
-
lasīt
[verb]
(to read)
-
sākums
[noun]
(beginning)
-
šodien
[adverb]
(today)
-
lauks
[noun]
(field)
-
skatīties
[verb]
-
īpašums
[noun]
(ownership)
-
grāmata
[noun]
(book)
Many words are similar in Latvian and Lithuanian. But the Latvian word “grāmata” (which means “book”) is quite different from the corresponding Lithuanian term, which is “knyga”.
-
kārtība
[noun]
(order)
-
ap
[preposition]
(around)
-
vakars
[noun]
(evening)
-
stunda
[noun]
(hour)
The Latvian word “stunda” (which means “hour”) is similar to the corresponding German word “Stunde.” Latvian likely got this word from a Germanic language.
-
draugs
[noun]
(friend)
-
noteikti
[adverb]
(definitely)
-
viedoklis
[noun]
(viewpoint)
-
partija
[noun]
(party)
The Latvian word “partija” refers to a political party. The word “ballīte” refers to the other kind of party (a celebration).
-
tādēļ
[adverb]
(therefore)
-
nozīmēt
[verb]
(to mean)
-
ūdens
[noun]
(water)
-
Jānis
[proper noun]
-
mūzika
[noun]
(music)
-
spēle
[noun]
(game)
-
svarīgs
[adjective]
(important)
-
šķist
[verb]
(to seem, to appear)
-
deputāts
[noun]
(deputy)
-
vadīt
[verb]
(to lead, to drive)
-
septembris
[noun]
(September)
-
atcerēties
[verb]
(to remember)
-
akcija
[noun]
(action)
-
ēka
[noun]
(building)
-
ekonomika
[noun]
(economy)
-
vērtība
[noun]
(value)
-
prieks
[noun]
(pleasure)
-
izdarīt
[verb]
(to do)
-
klase
[noun]
(classroom)
-
vasara
[noun]
(summer)
-
īpašs
[adjective]
(special)
-
savienība
[noun]
(union)
-
oktobris
[noun]
(October)
-
notikums
[noun]
(event)
-
lietot
[verb]
(to use)
-
muzejs
[noun]
(museum)
The Latvian word Muzejs (meaning “museum”) is frequently used because Latvia has many famous museums, including the Latvian National Museum of Art, the Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum, the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia, and the Riga Motor Museum.
-
daba
[noun]
(nature)
-
gatavs
[adjective]
(ready)
-
doma
[noun]
(thought)
-
uzņēmējs
[noun]
(entrepreneur)
-
auto
[noun]
(car)
-
zāle
[noun]
(grass)
-
komanda
[noun]
(team)
-
vajadzīgs
[adjective]
(necessary)
-
vecums
[noun]
(age)
-
drošība
[noun]
(safety)
-
starptautisks
[adjective]
(international)
-
saruna
[noun]
(conversation)
-
beigas
[noun]
(end)
-
lapa
[noun]
(leaf, page)
-
maksa
[noun]
(fee)
-
alga
[noun]
(salary)
-
materiāls
[noun]
(material)
-
atbildēt
[verb]
(reply)
-
nākotne
[noun]
(future)
-
tiešām
[adverb]
(really)
-
meitene
[noun]
(girl)
-
skaidrs
[adjective]
(clear)
-
grūti
[adverb]
(difficult)
-
īpašnieks
[noun]
(owner)
-
kopums
[noun]
-
skaidrot
[verb]
(to explain)
-
plāns
[noun]
(plan)
-
iemesls
[noun]
(reason)
-
automašīna
[noun]
(car)
-
dokuments
[noun]
(document)
-
kvalitāte
[noun]
(quality)
-
dievs
[noun]
(god)
-
sirds
[noun]
(heart)
-
Saeima
[proper noun]
-
suns
[noun]
(dog)
-
decembris
[noun]
(December)
-
prezidents
[noun]
(president)
-
Daugavpils
[proper noun]
-
filma
[noun]
(movie)
-
izrāde
[noun]
(show)
-
cerēt
[verb]
(to hope)
-
censties
[verb]
-
joprojām
[adverb]
(still)
-
pilns
[adjective]
(full)
-
skolotājs
[noun]
(teacher)
-
apstāklis
[noun]
(circumstance)
-
valde
[noun]
-
pamats
[noun]
(basis)
-
konkrēts
[adjective]
(concrete)
-
nakts
[noun]
(night)
-
amats
[noun]
(position)
-
vidusskola
[noun]
(secondary school)
-
prasīt
[verb]
(to request)
The Latvian verb “prasīt” is similar to the Lithuanian verb “prašýti”.
-
nekad
[adverb]
(never)
-
četri
[numeral]
(four)
-
mācīties
[verb]
(to learn)
-
ārsts
[noun]
(doctor)
-
pulksten
[adverb]
-
nacionāls
[adjective]
(national)
-
mans
[pronoun]
(mine)
-
ikdiena
[noun]
-
students
[noun]
-
it
[particle]
-
jeb
[conjunction]
(or)
-
novembris
[noun]
(November)
-
vēlēšanas
[noun]
(election)
-
maijs
[noun]
(May)
-
mainīt
[verb]
(to change)
-
likties
[verb]
(to seem)
-
lūgt
[verb]
(to ask)
-
pieci
[numeral]
(five)
-
politika
[noun]
(politics)
-
ātri
[adverb]
(quickly)
-
brīvs
[adjective]
(free)
-
kopš
[preposition]
(since)
-
marts
[noun]
(March)
-
viegli
[adverb]
(easy)
-
augusts
[noun]
(August)
-
atstāt
[verb]
(to leave)
-
atvērt
[verb]
(to open)
-
dziesma
[noun]
(song)
-
deja
[noun]
(dance)
-
gandrīz
[adverb]
(almost)
-
krievs
[noun]
(Russian)
-
interesants
[adjective]
(interesting)
-
autors
[noun]
(author)
-
punkts
[noun]
(period)
-
jā
[particle]
(yes)
-
skaists
[adjective]
(beautiful)
-
nemaz
[adverb]
(not at all)
-
aprīlis
[noun]
(April)
-
atbilde
[noun]
(answer)
-
izmaksa
[noun]
-
apmērs
[noun]
-
acs
[noun]
(eye)
-
teritorija
[noun]
(territory)
-
jūnijs
[noun]
(June)
-
tūkstotis
[noun]
(thousand)
-
tapt
[verb]
-
saukt
[verb]
(to call)
-
uzdevums
[noun]
(task)
-
ierasties
[verb]
(to arrive)
-
vienīgs
[adjective]
(the only one)
-
aizsardzība
[noun]
(protection)
-
Ventspils
[proper noun]
-
aģentūra
[noun]
(agency)
-
tālu
[adverb]
(far)
-
stāsts
[noun]
(story)
-
dzirdēt
[verb]
(to hear)
-
organizēt
[verb]
(to organize)
-
ziema
[noun]
(winter)
-
tuvs
[adjective]
(close)
-
zināšana
[noun]
(knowledge)
-
sajūta
[noun]
(sensation)
-
vadība
[noun]
(leadership)
-
kurss
[noun]
(course)
-
ievērot
[verb]
(to observe)
-
plašs
[adjective]
(wide)
-
kamēr
[conjunction]
(while)
-
pāris
[noun]
(couple)
-
viesis
[noun]
(guest)
-
janvāris
[noun]
(January)
-
ilgi
[adverb]
(long)
-
rīts
[noun]
(morning)
-
abi
[adjective]
(both)
-
slimnīca
[noun]
(hospital)
-
aktivitāte
[noun]
(activity)
-
tirdzniecība
[noun]
(trade)
-
vēlu
[adverb]
(late)
-
pašlaik
[adverb]
(now)
-
sezona
[noun]
(season)
-
mežs
[noun]
(forest)
-
pilnīgi
[adverb]
(completely)
-
nedaudz
[adverb]
(a little)
-
augt
[verb]
(to grow)
-
parasti
[adverb]
(usually)
-
jūlijs
[noun]
(July)
-
pateikt
[verb]
(to tell)
-
birojs
[noun]
(office)
-
trešais
[adjective]
(third)
-
nekāds
[pronoun]
(none)
-
vēsture
[noun]
(history)
-
ražošana
[noun]
(production)
-
ražotājs
[noun]
(producer)
-
aiziet
[verb]
(to leave)
-
pērn
[adverb]
(last year)
-
līdzi
[adverb]
-
izvēle
[noun]
(option)
-
Lietuva
[proper noun]
(Lithuania)
-
drīkstēt
[verb]
(may)
-
paldies
[interjection]
(thank you)
-
reģistrēt
[verb]
(to register)
-
līdzīgs
[adjective]
(similar)
-
svarīgi
[adverb]
(important)
-
vidus
[noun]
(middle)
-
izskatīties
[verb]
-
diskusija
[noun]
(discussion)
-
īsti
[adverb]
(really)
-
koks
[noun]
(tree)
-
droši
[adjective]
(safely)
-
just
[verb]
(to feel)
-
lietotājs
[noun]
(user)
-
īsts
[adjective]
(real)
-
vēlēt
[verb]
-
zems
[adjective]
(low)
-
politisks
[adjective]
(political)
-
aktīvs
[adjective]
(active)
-
galva
[noun]
(head)
-
pārtika
[noun]
(food)
-
vīrs
[noun]
(man)
-
mīlestība
[noun]
(love)
-
solis
[noun]
(step)
-
vajadzība
[noun]
(need)
-
izteikt
[verb]
(to express)
-
slikts
[adjective]
(bad)
-
februāris
[noun]
(February)
-
tehnoloģija
[noun]
(technology)
-
būtisks
[adjective]
(essential)
-
patiesība
[noun]
(truth)
-
diezgan
[adverb]
-
desmit
[numeral]
(ten)
-
karte
[noun]
(map)
-
prāts
[noun]
(mind)
-
arvien
[adverb]
(always)
-
baznīca
[noun]
(church)
-
balva
[noun]
(award)
-
pirkt
[verb]
(to buy)
-
tīkls
[noun]
(net)
-
stāvoklis
[noun]
(condition)
-
kungs
[noun]
(gentleman)
The word “kungs” is frequently-used in Latvian, and it can translate to “mister” or “sir” in English. It is a common honorific term used to address or refer to a man, particularly in formal or polite situations.
-
piens
[noun]
(milk)
-
klubs
[noun]
(club)
-
atbildība
[noun]
(responsibility)
-
dāvana
[noun]
(gift)
-
īstenot
[verb]
(to realize)
-
biedrs
[noun]
(companion)
-
kārta
[noun]
(layer)
-
ticēt
[verb]
(to believe)
-
piederēt
[verb]
-
visai
[adverb]
-
lietošana
[noun]
(use)
-
Igaunija
[proper noun]
-
pārdot
[verb]
(to sell)
-
robeža
[noun]
(border)
-
zemnieks
[noun]
(farmer)
-
pārāk
[adverb]
(too)
-
apdrošināšana
[noun]
(insurance)
-
rādīt
[verb]
(to show)
-
laikam
[adverb]
(probably)
-
ieteikt
[verb]
(to advise)
-
loma
[noun]
(role)
-
pazīt
[verb]
(to know)
-
laikraksts
[noun]
(newspaper)
-
saimnieks
[noun]
-
mamma
[noun]
(mother)
-
ekonomisks
[adjective]
(economical)
-
Ziemassvētki
[proper noun]
(Christmas)
“Ziemassvētki” is a useful Latvian word because it is the Latvian name for the Christmas holiday season, which is widely celebrated in Latvia. The word itself is a combination of “ziema” (winter) and “svētki” (holiday, celebration).
-
sods
[noun]
(punishment)
-
direktors
[noun]
(director)
-
saraksts
[noun]
(list)
-
Talsi
[proper noun]
-
tātad
[particle]
-
ilgs
[adjective]
(long)
-
lielisks
[adjective]
(excellent)
-
pareizi
[adverb]
(right)
-
ik
[adverb]
(every)
-
pacients
[noun]
(patient)
-
rudens
[noun]
(autumn)
-
nekustēt
[verb]
-
zaudēt
[verb]
(to lose)
-
nopietns
[adjective]
(serious)
-
Vācija
[proper noun]
-
nozīme
[noun]
(meaning)
-
telefons
[noun]
(telephone)
-
slimība
[noun]
(disease)
-
konstatēt
[verb]
(to establish)
-
jūra
[noun]
(sea)
The frequent use of the Latvian word “jūra” (which means “sea”) makes sense given Latvia’s geographical location on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea.
-
atpakaļ
[adverb]
(back)
-
klāt
[verb]
-
runa
[noun]
(speech)
-
maksājums
[noun]
(payment)
-
zaļš
[adjective]
(green)
-
solīt
[verb]
(to bid)
-
smags
[adjective]
(heavy)
-
tēvs
[noun]
(father)
-
durvis
[noun]
(door, entrance)
-
vērot
[verb]
(to observe)
-
dārzs
[noun]
(garden)
-
dzīvnieks
[noun]
(animal)
“Dzīvnieks,” the Latvian word for “animal,” is related to the adjective “dzīvs,” which means “alive.”
-
aiz
[preposition]
(behind)
-
krīze
[noun]
(crisis)
-
Ukraina
[proper noun]
-
ēdiens
[noun]
(food)
-
mašīna
[noun]
(car)
-
loceklis
[noun]
(member)
-
ātrs
[adjective]
(fast)
-
vara
[noun]
(power)
-
zinātne
[noun]
(science)
-
mobils
[adjective]
(mobile)
-
pilnība
[noun]
(completeness)
-
ēst
[verb]
(to eat)
-
bilde
[noun]
(picture)
-
fakts
[noun]
(fact)
-
audzēknis
[noun]
(student)
-
vienkāršs
[adjective]
(simple)
-
vienīgi
[adjective]
(only)
-
tava
[pronoun]
-
ietekme
[noun]
(influence)
-
pavasaris
[noun]
(spring)
-
dators
[noun]
(computer)
-
brauciens
[noun]
(trip)
-
gāze
[noun]
(gas)
-
aizmirst
[verb]
-
parks
[noun]
(park)
-
mazliet
[adverb]
-
dizains
[noun]
(design)
-
gatavot
[verb]
(to cook)
-
sakars
[noun]
(relation)
-
gaita
[noun]
(course)
-
tavs
[pronoun]
(your)
-
turpmāk
[adverb]
-
tradīcija
[noun]
(tradition)
-
gods
[noun]
(honor)
-
parāds
[noun]
(debt)
-
risks
[noun]
(risk)
-
cīņa
[noun]
(fight)
-
enerģija
[noun]
(energy)
-
alkohols
[noun]
(alcohol)
-
garš
[adjective]
(long)
-
zīme
[noun]
(sign)
-
prast
[verb]
-
ārzemes
[noun]
(foreign countries)
-
nē
[particle]
(no)
-
fizisks
[adjective]
(physical)
-
sēdēt
[verb]
(to sit)
-
bibliotēka
[noun]
(library)
Not every language has the word for “library” among its thousand most common words. But Latvian does, and that word is “bibliotēka”. The reason is likely because the National Library of Latvia is a rather impressive modern building with thirteen floors known as the “Castle of Light” (“Gaismas pils” in Latvian).
-
mērs
[noun]
(measure)
-
būtiski
[adverb]
(significantly)
-
kāja
[noun]
(leg)
-
priekša
[noun]
-
ļaudis
[noun]
(people)
-
video
[noun]
(video)
-
agrāk
[adverb]
(earlier)
-
vienlaikus
[adverb]
(at the same time)
-
galds
[noun]
(table)
-
aktīvi
[adverb]
(active)
-
patlaban
[adverb]
(currently)
-
būtība
[noun]
(essence)
-
atmiņa
[noun]
(memory)
-
spēja
[noun]
(ability)
-
pircējs
[noun]
(buyer)
-
gaiss
[noun]
(air)
-
aprūpe
[noun]
(care)
-
brīvība
[noun]
(freedom)
-
produkcija
[noun]
(production)
-
sen
[adverb]
(long ago)
-
sieva
[noun]
(wife)
-
dabūt
[verb]
(to get)
-
miers
[noun]
(peace)
-
gluži
[adverb]
(quite)
-
atkarīgs
[adjective]
-
caur
[preposition]
(through)
-
skatīt
[verb]
(to see)
-
tehnika
[noun]
(technique)
-
variants
[noun]
(option)
-
lauksaimniecība
[noun]
(agriculture)
-
iekārta
[noun]
(equipment)
-
fotogrāfija
[noun]
(photography)
-
zem
[preposition]
(under)
-
stāvēt
[verb]
(to stand)
-
vēstule
[noun]
(letter)
-
interesanti
[adverb]
(interesting)
-
koris
[noun]
(choir)
-
mīlēt
[verb]
(to love)
-
gaisma
[noun]
(light)
-
reāls
[adjective]
(real)
-
sniegs
[noun]
(snow)
The Latvian word “sniegs” is commonly used due to the significant presence of snow in Latvia’s climate and landscape. Located in northern Europe, Latvia experiences prolonged, cold winters, characterized by frequent snowfall.
-
aizliegt
[verb]
(to prohibit)
-
puisis
[noun]
(boy)
-
reiz
[adverb]
(once)
-
politiķis
[noun]
(politician)
-
viesnīca
[noun]
(hotel)
-
pants
[noun]
(article)
-
tālrunis
[noun]
(phone)
-
skolotāja
[noun]
(teacher)
-
balts
[adjective]
(white)
-
patiešām
[adverb]
(really)
-
septiņi
[numeral]
(seven)
-
dziedāt
[verb]
(to sing)
-
dārgs
[adjective]
(expensive)
-
realizēt
[verb]
(to realize)
-
dzīvība
[noun]
(life)
-
seši
[numeral]
(six)
-
spriest
[verb]
(to judge)
-
lēts
[adjective]
(cheap)
-
skats
[noun]
(sight)
-
autobuss
[noun]
(bus)
-
dolārs
[noun]
(dollar)
-
pārstāvēt
[verb]
(to represent)
-
milzīgs
[adjective]
(huge)
-
māte
[noun]
(mother)
-
vēstīt
[verb]
-
kaimiņš
[noun]
(neighbour)
-
pāri
[adverb]
(over)
-
iziet
[verb]
(to exit)
-
nepieciešamība
[noun]
(necessity)
-
atpūta
[noun]
(rest)
-
tāls
[adjective]
(distant)
-
zelts
[noun]
(gold)
-
ražot
[verb]
(to produce)
-
minūte
[noun]
(minute)
-
Māris
[proper noun]
-
virziens
[noun]
(direction)
-
osta
[noun]
(port)
The frequent use of the Lativian word “osta” (which means “port” or “harbor”) can be explained by Latvia’s geographical location along the Baltic Sea and the fact that the country has several ports, including Riga Free Port (“Rīgas brīvosta” in Latvian).
-
dēls
[noun]
(son)
-
universitāte
[noun]
(university)
-
cīnīties
[verb]
(to fight)
-
manta
[noun]
(property)
-
krāsa
[noun]
(color)
-
uzdot
[verb]
-
rinda
[noun]
(row)
-
Andris
[proper noun]
-
abas
[pronoun]
-
karš
[noun]
(war)
-
televīzija
[noun]
(television)
-
cerība
[noun]
(hope)
-
ārā
[adverb]
(outside)
-
direktore
[noun]
(director)
-
centrāls
[adjective]
(central)
-
nometne
[noun]
(camp)
-
siltums
[noun]
(heat)
-
pareizs
[adjective]
(correct)
-
jautāt
[verb]
(to ask)
-
vienot
[verb]
(to unite)
-
vesels
[adjective]
(healthy)
-
proti
[verb]
(namely)
-
īstenošana
[noun]
(implementation)
-
valdīt
[verb]
(to rule)
-
pašreizējs
[adjective]
(current)
-
rādītājs
[noun]
(indicator)
-
īss
[adjective]
(short)
-
garums
[noun]
(length)
-
norma
[noun]
(norm)
-
kļūda
[noun]
(error)
-
tuvu
[adverb]
(close)
-
turēt
[verb]
(to hold)
-
patiess
[adjective]
(true)
-
zivs
[noun]
(fish)
You would expect the word for “fish” to be more common in countries by the sea compared to landlocked countries. In any case, the Latvian word “zivs” (fish) is a frequently used term and Latvia does have a long coastline along the Baltic Sea.
-
stiprs
[adjective]
(strong)
-
viegls
[adjective]
(light)
-
sens
[adjective]
(ancient)
-
dzimt
[verb]
(to be born)
-
alus
[noun]
(beer)
-
vakar
[adverb]
(yesterday)
-
tiešs
[adjective]
(direct)
-
logs
[noun]
(window)
-
sapnis
[noun]
(dream)
-
kādreiz
[adverb]
(once)
-
bagāts
[adjective]
(rich)
-
Dievs
[proper noun]
-
kampaņa
[noun]
(campaign)
-
apģērbs
[noun]
(clothing)
-
akts
[noun]
(act)
-
Valmiera
[proper noun]
-
balss
[noun]
(voice)
-
pils
[noun]
(castle)
“Pils” meaning “castle,” is a frequently-used Latvian word because Latvia has a rich history of castle-building. Some of the most famous castles in Latvia include Riga Castle, which is the official residence of the Latvian president, and Cesis Castle, which is a well-preserved medieval fortress that has become a popular tourist destination.
-
celt
[verb]
(to raise)
-
izpratne
[noun]
-
vest
[verb]
(carry)
-
meita
[noun]
(daughter)
-
mats
[noun]
(hair)
-
nest
[verb]
(to carry)
-
profesija
[noun]
(profession)
-
baidīties
[verb]
(to be afraid)
-
sportists
[noun]
(athlete)
-
dzeja
[noun]
(poetry)
The presence of the word “dzeja” (which means “poetry”) among the thousand most common Latvian words might seem surprising. But when you see the statue of Rainis (the famous Latvian poet) at the Esplanāde in Riga, it becomes a bit less surprising.
-
jaunums
[noun]
(novelty)
-
beigt
[verb]
(to finish)
-
izmantošana
[noun]
-
emocijas
[noun]
-
trūkt
[verb]
-
mala
[noun]
(edge)
-
nāve
[noun]
(death)
-
Mārtiņš
[proper noun]
-
saule
[noun]
(sun)
The Latvian word “saulė” means “sun.” It is almost the same as the corresponding Lithuanian word: “saulė.”
-
astoņi
[numeral]
(eight)
-
spēcīgs
[adjective]
(strong)
-
statuss
[noun]
(status)
-
tilts
[noun]
(bridge)
Riga, the capital of Latvia, is situated on the Daugava River. As a result, it has several bridges, including the Vanšu Bridge (“Vanšu tilts” in Latvian) and the Island Bridge (“Salu tilts”). It makes sense, therefore, that the Latvian word “tilts,” which means “bridge,” is frequently used.
-
laime
[noun]
(happiness)
-
seja
[noun]
(face)
-
strauji
[adverb]
(rapidly)
-
mācīt
[verb]
(to teach)
-
drīz
[adverb]
(soon)
-
baudīt
[verb]
(to enjoy)
-
daudzums
[noun]
(amount)
-
pildīt
[verb]
(to fill)
-
pasts
[noun]
(mail)
-
auglis
[noun]
(fruit)
-
ciems
[noun]
(village)
-
kustība
[noun]
(movement)
-
apvienot
[verb]
(to combine)
-
liepājnieks
[noun]
The word “Liepājnieks” refers to a man from Liepāja (a city in Latvia), just as a Parisian refers to someone from Paris and a New Yorker to someone from New York.
-
parlaments
[noun]
(parliament)
-
vējš
[noun]
(wind)
-
gaļa
[noun]
(meat)
-
medicīna
[noun]
(medicine)
-
mirt
[verb]
(to die)
-
āda
[noun]
(skin)
-
mīļš
[adjective]
(dear)
-
vaina
[noun]
(fault)
-
krava
[noun]
(cargo)
-
jaunatne
[noun]
(youth)
-
silts
[adjective]
(warm)
-
instruments
[noun]
(instrument)
-
zieds
[noun]
(flower)
-
laimīgs
[adjective]
(happy)
The Latvian word “laimīgs” and the Lithuanian word “laimingas” have the same origin and meaning. See here for a comparison of Latvian and Lithuanian.
-
Ķīna
[proper noun]
-
tūrists
[noun]
(tourist)
-
ticami
[adverb]
-
līderis
[noun]
(leader)
-
balsot
[verb]
(to vote)
-
priekšnieks
[noun]
(boss)
-
slikti
[adverb]
(bad)
-
tikko
[adverb]
-
traucēt
[verb]
(to disrupt)
-
jēga
[noun]
(meaning)
-
uzvara
[noun]
(victory)
-
režīms
[noun]
(regime)
-
dzert
[verb]
(to drink)
-
skart
[verb]
(to touch)
-
draudzīgs
[adjective]
(friendly)
-
izskatīt
[verb]
(to consider)
-
turpmāks
[adjective]
(further)
-
pelnīt
[verb]
(to earn)
-
kalns
[noun]
(hill)
-
pilsonis
[noun]
(citizen)
-
nelaime
[noun]
(misfortune)
-
kādēļ
[adverb]
(why)
-
funkcija
[noun]
(function)
-
skaidri
[adverb]
(clearly)
-
bāze
[noun]
(base)
-
ērti
[adverb]
(conveniently)
-
Ieva
[proper noun]
-
akadēmija
[noun]
(academy)
-
ātrums
[noun]
(speed)
-
metode
[noun]
(method)
-
maize
[noun]
(bread)
The Latvian word “maize” means “bread.” It is unrelated to the English word “maize,” which means “corn.” That English word comes from Spanish, which got it from a Caribbean language.
-
atlaide
[noun]
(discount)
-
karsts
[adjective]
(hot)
-
labklājība
[noun]
(welfare)
-
pozīcija
[noun]
(position)
-
iekšējs
[adjective]
(internal)
-
garīgs
[adjective]
(mental)
-
uzvarēt
[verb]
(to win, to defeat)
-
kāzas
[noun]
(wedding)
-
vērtīgs
[adjective]
(valuable)
-
bīstams
[adjective]
(dangerous)
-
klausīties
[verb]
(to listen)
-
rast
[verb]
(to find)
-
republika
[noun]
(republic)
-
virtuve
[noun]
(kitchen)
The Latvian word “virtuve” and the Lithuanian word “virtùvė” are cognates.
-
svētdiena
[noun]
(sunday)
-
nozagt
[verb]
(to steal)
-
papīrs
[noun]
(paper)
-
datums
[noun]
(date)
-
normāls
[adjective]
(normal)
-
zēns
[noun]
(boy)
-
nopietni
[adverb]
(seriously)
-
skanēt
[verb]
(to sound)
-
nākamgad
[adverb]
(next year)
-
Zviedrija
[proper noun]
-
siena
[noun]
(wall)
-
mūziķis
[noun]
(musician)
-
parasts
[adjective]
(ordinary)
-
pēkšņi
[adverb]
(suddenly)
-
Jūrmala
[proper noun]
-
simts
[numeral]
(hundred)
-
dzīvs
[adjective]
(alive)
-
istaba
[noun]
(room)
-
gabals
[noun]
(piece)
-
putns
[noun]
(bird)
-
cauri
[adverb]
(through)
-
gadsimts
[noun]
(century)
-
avīze
[noun]
(newspaper)
This Latvian vocabulary word comes from the French word “avis”.
-
dzimšana
[noun]
(birth)
-
dvēsele
[noun]
(soul)
-
labums
[noun]
(benefit)
-
viela
[noun]
(substance)
-
kaķis
[noun]
-
priekšā
[adverb]
(in front of)
-
ledus
[noun]
(ice)
The Latvian word “ledus” means “ice,” the kind that weather reports talk about —not ice cream; that word is “saldējums” in Latvian.
-
avots
[noun]
(source)
-
prom
[adverb]
(away)
-
patiesi
[adverb]
(truly)
-
Juris
[proper noun]
-
dzēriens
[noun]
(drink)
-
upe
[noun]
(river)
“Upe” is the Latvian word for “river.” It is not surprising that this word appears in this Latvian frequency dictionary, given that Latvia has several long rivers, including the Daugava, Gauja, and Lielupe rivers.
-
moderns
[adjective]
(modern)
-
vainīgs
[adjective]
(guilty)
-
izcils
[adjective]
(excellent)
-
raksturs
[noun]
(character)
-
glābšana
[noun]
(saving)
-
saņemšana
[noun]
(receiving)
-
stacija
[noun]
(station)
-
gudrs
[adjective]
(intelligent)
-
likumprojekts
[noun]
(bill)
-
Vidzeme
[noun]
(vidzeme)
-
gulēt
[verb]
(to sleep)
-
ezers
[noun]
(lake)
The Latvian word “ezers” means “lake”. The presence of that term in this Latvian frequency dictionary reflects the existence of several large lakes in Latvia, the largest of which are Lake Lubāns (“Lubāna ezers” in Latvian) with 31 square miles, followed by Lake Rāzna (“Rāznas ezers” in Latvian) with 22 square miles.
-
skriet
[verb]
(to run)
-
lūk
[interjection]
(here)
-
būve
[noun]
(building)
-
augs
[noun]
(plant)
-
vienība
[noun]
(unit)
-
uztvert
[verb]
(to perceive)
-
statistika
[noun]
(statistics)
-
ieteikums
[noun]
(recommendation)
-
svešs
[adjective]
(foreign)
-
medicīnisks
[adjective]
(medical)
-
jauks
[adjective]
(nice)
-
brālis
[noun]
(brother)
-
kuģis
[noun]
(ship)
“Kuģis” is a Latvian word that means “ship”. Its frequent use reflects the importance of ships in Latvia, a country with a long coastline along the Baltic Sea and several large rivers.
-
māsa
[noun]
(sister)
-
ērts
[adjective]
(convenient)
-
ugunsgrēks
[noun]
(fire)
Latvian has several words for “fire.” There’s “uguns” and “ugunsgrēks.” The latter refers to an uncontrolled fire.
-
sūdzība
[noun]
(complaint)
-
gars
[noun]
(spirit)
-
cietums
[noun]
(prison)
-
taisīt
[verb]
(to make)
-
šonedēļ
[adverb]
(this week)
-
velosipēds
[noun]
(bicycle)
-
versija
[noun]
(version)
-
rīt
[adverb]
(tomorrow)
-
virs
[preposition]
(above)
-
braukšana
[noun]
-
Ilze
[proper noun]
-
Rēzekne
[proper noun]
-
ķermenis
[noun]
(body)
-
pilnīgs
[adjective]
(complete)
-
slēpt
[verb]
(to hide)
-
apspriest
[verb]
(to discuss)
-
vietnieks
[noun]
(assistant)
-
vēsturisks
[adjective]
(historical)
-
raksturot
[verb]
(to characterize)
-
pagalms
[noun]
(yard)
-
režisors
[noun]
(director)
-
jumts
[noun]
(roof)
-
gājējs
[noun]
(pedestrian)
-
paskatīties
[verb]
-
adrese
[noun]
(address)
-
tukšs
[adjective]
(empty)
-
iekšā
[adverb]
(inside)
-
vilciens
[noun]
(train)
The Latvian word “vilciens” means “train.” It is easy to travel by train in Latvia because it’s a relatively small country, with an area of about 25 thousand square miles (about the size of West Virginia in the U.S.). From Riga (the capital of Latvia), you can also travel by train to Vilnius (the capital of Lithuania) and Tallinn (the capital of Estonia)
-
piektdiena
[noun]
(friday)
-
laiva
[noun]
(boat)
-
kundze
[noun]
(lady)
-
tīrs
[adjective]
(clean)
-
anglis
[noun]
(an Englishman)
-
laist
[verb]
(to let)
-
melns
[adjective]
(black)
-
veselīgs
[adjective]
(healthy)
-
Edgars
[proper noun]
-
zvans
[noun]
(bell)
-
diez
[particle]
-
atkarība
[noun]
-
vienalga
[adverb]
(no matter)
-
nekur
[verb]
(nowhere)
-
rūpīgi
[adverb]
(carefully)
-
stikls
[noun]
(glass)
-
svaigs
[adjective]
(fresh)
-
izslēgt
[verb]
-
precīzi
[adverb]
(precisely)
-
spriedums
[noun]
(judgment)
-
vilkt
[verb]
(to pull)
-
izaicinājums
[noun]
(challenge)
-
pludmale
[noun]
(beach)
-
piemineklis
[noun]
(monument)
-
akmens
[noun]
(rock)
-
iedot
[verb]
(to give)
-
sastāvs
[noun]
(composition)
-
iekļūt
[verb]
-
Francija
[proper noun]
-
faktiski
[adverb]
(actually)
-
lielākoties
[adverb]
(mostly)
-
reģistrācija
[noun]
(registration)
-
valūta
[noun]
(currency)
-
studija
[noun]
(studio)
-
pār
[preposition]
-
taisnība
[noun]
-
galvaspilsēta
[noun]
(capital city)
-
arhīvs
[noun]
(archive)
-
debess
[noun]
(sky)
The Latvian word “debess” (which means “sky”) is often used in its plural form: “debesis”.
-
apmaiņa
[noun]
(exchange)
-
Cēsis
[proper noun]
-
loks
[noun]
(circle)
-
svars
[noun]
(weight)
-
tirgotājs
[noun]
(merchant)
-
cukurs
[noun]
(sugar)
-
attēls
[noun]
(image)
-
vaļā
[adverb]
(open)
-
sekss
[noun]
(sex, gender)
-
svēts
[adjective]
(holy)
-
zirgs
[noun]
(horse)
-
noziegums
[noun]
(crime)
-
piedzīvojums
[noun]
(adventure)
-
pāreja
[noun]
(transition)
-
kafejnīca
[noun]
(coffee bar)
-
sestdiena
[noun]
(saturday)
-
bailes
[noun]
(fear)
-
lidosta
[noun]
(airport)
Just as the English word “airport” contains the word “port,” the corresponding Latvian word “lidosta” contains the Latvian word for “port,” which is “osta”.
-
vēlreiz
[adverb]
(again)
-
operācija
[noun]
(operation)
-
kafija
[noun]
(coffee)
-
varonis
[noun]
(hero)
“Varonis,” the Latvian word for “hero,” comes from the term “vara” (also in this vocabulary list), which means “power.”
-
lieliski
[adverb]
(great)
-
Uldis
[proper noun]
-
asinis
[noun]
(blood)
-
slavens
[adjective]
(famous)
“Slavens,” the Latvian word for “famous,” comes from the term “slava,” which means “fame,” and which is similar to its equivalents in many Slavic languages, for example, “sláva” in Czech and “sława” in Polish.
-
brīvprātīgs
[adjective]
(voluntary)
-
spējīgs
[adjective]
(able)
-
kartupelis
[noun]
(potato)
-
recepte
[noun]
(recipe)
-
straujš
[adjective]
(fast)
-
mākslinieks
[noun]
(artist)
-
noslēpums
[noun]
(secret)
-
Ivars
[proper noun]
-
sīks
[adjective]
(tiny)
-
aizstāvēt
[verb]
(to defend)
-
dziļš
[adjective]
(deep)
-
drošs
[adjective]
(safe)
-
meklēšana
[noun]
(searching)
-
zinātnisks
[adjective]
(scientific)
-
diskutēt
[verb]
(to discuss)
-
kritērijs
[noun]
(criterion)
-
vēlētājs
[noun]
(voter)
-
auksts
[adjective]
(cold)
The Latvian adjective “auksts” (which means “cold”) is a useful word to know if you visit Latvia during the winter when it is cold.
-
Lielbritānija
[proper noun]
-
studēt
[verb]
-
ziedot
[verb]
(to donate)
-
deviņi
[numeral]
(nine)
-
arodbiedrība
[noun]
(trade union)
-
grēks
[noun]
(sin)
-
zvaigzne
[noun]
(star)
The Latvian word “zvaigzne” means “star.” The corresponding Lithuanian term, “žvaigždė”, has the same origin but has many additional marks on its letters.
-
tūlīt
[adverb]
(immediately)
-
garām
[adverb]
(past)
-
ieeja
[noun]
(entrance)
-
diennakts
[noun]
(day)
The Latvian word “diennakts” combines the terms “diena” (day) and “nakts” (night). It refers to a day in the sense of the full 24-hour period.
-
neatkarīgs
[adjective]
(independent)
-
rūpniecība
[noun]
(industry)
-
reti
[adverb]
(rarely)
-
talants
[noun]
(talent)
-
upuris
[noun]
(victim)
-
ideāls
[adjective]
(perfect)
-
grūts
[adjective]
(difficult)
-
sarkans
[adjective]
(red)
-
divdesmit
[numeral]
(twenty)