Understanding Latvian Prepositions with Genitive
In the Latvian language, prepositions are words that help us understand the relationship between things. When we use prepositions with the genitive case, it means we are talking about something that belongs to someone or something else, or we are describing a part of something.
Important Points
- bez (without)
- līdz (until)
- no (from, of)
- pēc (after)
- pirms (before)
- virs (above)
- zem (under)
These prepositions are used with the genitive case to show different kinds of relationships. Let's look at how each one is used.
The preposition 'bez' means 'without.' It shows that something is missing or not present.
Examples
- Es nevaru dzīvot bez ūdens.
- Viņa atnāca bez drauga.
- Mēs spēlējam bez noteikumiem.
The preposition 'līdz' means 'until.' It shows the time or point something continues up to.
Examples
- Paliec līdz vakarā.
- Darbs turpinās līdz pusdienlaikam.
- Gaidi līdz pavasarim.
The preposition 'no' can mean 'from' or 'of.' It shows origin or what something is made of.
Examples
- Es nāku no Latvijas.
- Dāvana ir no drauga.
- Gatavoju zupu no dārzeņiem.
The preposition 'pēc' means 'after.' It shows that something happens following another event.
Examples
- Mēs iesim mājās pēc koncerta.
- Viņš atnāca pēc pusdienām.
- Seko pēc manis.
The preposition 'pirms' means 'before.' It shows that something happens prior to another event.
Examples
- Mēs satiekamies pirms skolas.
- Viņš ieradās pirms pusnakts.
- Izdari to pirms ziemassvētkiem.
The preposition 'virs' means 'above.' It shows that something is higher than something else.
Examples
- Putns lido virs mākoņiem.
- Lampa ir virs galda.
- Zvaigznes ir virs galvas.
The preposition 'zem' means 'under.' It shows that something is lower than something else.
Examples
- Kaķis guļ zem gultas.
- Zivis peld zem ūdens.
- Grāmata ir zem spilvena.