Understanding Latvian Verb Voices: Active and Passive for English Speakers

What Are Verb Voices in Latvian?

In Latvian, verbs can be expressed in two main voices: active and passive. The voice of a verb shows whether the subject of the sentence is performing the action (active) or receiving the action (passive). Understanding these voices is essential for mastering Latvian verb usage.

The Active Voice in Latvian

The active voice is the most common verb voice in Latvian. It indicates that the subject of the sentence is the doer of the action. For example, in the sentence "Es lasu grāmatu" (I am reading a book), the subject "Es" (I) actively performs the action of reading.

Forming the Active Voice

Active voice verbs in Latvian are conjugated according to person, number, tense, and mood. The verb endings change to reflect these grammatical categories. For example, the verb lasīt (to read) in present tense active voice is conjugated as follows:

• Es lasu – I read
• Tu lasi – You read (singular)
• Viņš/Viņa lasa – He/She reads
• Mēs lasām – We read
• Jūs lasāt – You read (plural/formal)
• Viņi/Viņas lasa – They read

The Passive Voice in Latvian

The passive voice in Latvian is used when the subject is the receiver of the action rather than the doer. It is often used to emphasize the action or the object affected by the action rather than the subject performing it.

Forming the Passive Voice

Latvian forms the passive voice using the verb tikt (to get) combined with the past passive participle of the main verb. For example, the verb rakstīt (to write) in passive voice can be formed as:

• Grāmata tiek rakstīta – The book is being written
• Vēstule tika rakstīta – The letter was written
• Ziņas tiks rakstītas – The news will be written

Note that the passive voice in Latvian often uses the auxiliary verb tikt in different tenses, combined with the past passive participle of the main verb.

Differences Between Active and Passive Voices in Latvian

Here is a comparison to help you understand the difference between active and passive voices in Latvian:

• Active: Es ēdu ābolu. (I eat an apple.) – The subject performs the action.
• Passive: Ābols tiek ēsts. (The apple is being eaten.) – The subject receives the action.

Common Uses of Passive Voice in Latvian

The passive voice is commonly used in Latvian to:

• Focus on the action or the object rather than the doer.
• Describe processes or general truths.
• Avoid mentioning the subject when it is unknown or unimportant.

Practice Examples: Active vs Passive Voice