How to Form and Place Adverbs in Latvian for English Speakers

Understanding Latvian Adverbs

Adverbs in Latvian are words that modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, providing additional information about how, when, where, or to what extent an action occurs. For English speakers learning Latvian, understanding how adverbs are formed and where they are placed in a sentence is crucial for effective communication.

Formation of Latvian Adverbs

Most Latvian adverbs are formed from adjectives by adding the suffix -i or -ā. The choice of suffix depends on the adjective's gender and ending.

From Adjectives Ending in -s (Masculine)

For masculine adjectives ending in -s, replace -s with -i to form the adverb.

Example:
"ātrs" (fast) → "ātri" (quickly)

From Adjectives Ending in -a (Feminine)

For feminine adjectives ending in -a, replace -a with -ā to form the adverb.

Example:
"skaista" (beautiful) → "skaistā" (beautifully)

Irregular Adverbs

Some adverbs do not follow these patterns and must be memorized separately. For example, "labs" (good) becomes "labi" (well).

Placement of Adverbs in Latvian Sentences

In Latvian, adverbs typically precede the verb they modify, but placement can vary depending on emphasis and sentence structure.

Here are some general rules:

1. Adverbs usually come before the verb: "Viņš ātri skrien." (He runs quickly.)
2. Adverbs modifying adjectives or other adverbs come before the word they modify: "Ļoti skaisti dzied." (Sings very beautifully.)
3. In negative sentences, adverbs often come after the negation word: "Viņš ne vienmēr nāk." (He does not always come.)

Common Latvian Adverbs and Their English Equivalents