How to Use the Vocative Case When Addressing Someone in Latvian

Understanding the Vocative Case in Latvian

In Latvian, the vocative case is used specifically when addressing or calling someone directly. It is a unique grammatical case that changes the form of a noun or name to show that you are speaking to that person. This is different from English, where we usually use the same form of a name or noun regardless of how we address someone.

When Do You Use the Vocative Case?

The vocative case is used in direct speech or when calling someone's attention. For example, when saying "Hello, Anna!" or "Hey, friend!" the name or noun would be in the vocative case in Latvian.

Forming the Vocative Case

The vocative case endings vary depending on the gender and declension of the noun. Here are some common patterns:

• Masculine nouns ending in -s often change to -i (e.g., Jānis → Jāni)
• Feminine nouns ending in -a often change to -a (no change) or -e (e.g., Anna → Anna or sometimes Anne)
• Some masculine nouns ending in a consonant add -i (e.g., draugs → draugi)
• Irregular forms exist and should be learned individually

Examples of Vocative Case Usage

Important Notes About the Vocative Case