Bedeutung
A large canine
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Latvian dainas, the dog is a sacred protector. A 'liels suns' is often depicted as having golden or silver fur, guarding the gates of the farmstead against evil spirits. In Riga, owning a large dog like a Golden Retriever or a German Shepherd is very popular, but owners must follow strict 'suņu turēšanas noteikumi' (dog keeping rules). On a 'viensēta', a big dog is often left to roam the fenced yard. It is a cultural norm to call out 'Saimniek!' (Owner!) from the gate rather than entering if you see a big dog. The phrase 'Liela brēka, maza vilna' (Big outcry, little wool) is a cousin to 'liels suns' in the sense of using 'liels' to describe something exaggerated.
Gender Check
Always remember 'suns' is masculine. If you use 'liela', you are talking about a big feminine object, not a dog.
The 'n' shift
When you say 'of a big dog' (no liela suņa), don't forget to change the 'n' to 'ņ'. It's a key part of sounding natural.
Bedeutung
A large canine
Gender Check
Always remember 'suns' is masculine. If you use 'liela', you are talking about a big feminine object, not a dog.
The 'n' shift
When you say 'of a big dog' (no liela suņa), don't forget to change the 'n' to 'ņ'. It's a key part of sounding natural.
Diminutives
If you want to sound like a local, call a big dog 'liels sunītis' if he is friendly. Latvians love diminutives!
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the correct form of the adjective 'liels'.
Manā dārzā ir ___ suns.
'Suns' is masculine nominative, so we use 'liels'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Select the correct description of a big dog.
'Liels suns' is the correct nominative singular form.
Match the Latvian phrase with its English translation.
Match the following:
Practicing singular and plural forms of big/small dogs.
Complete the dialogue at the vet.
Vet: Cik smags ir jūsu mājdzīvnieks? You: Tas ir ļoti ___ ___.
You are identifying the subject, so nominative is used.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Gender Agreement
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenManā dārzā ir ___ suns.
'Suns' is masculine nominative, so we use 'liels'.
Select the correct description of a big dog.
'Liels suns' is the correct nominative singular form.
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
Practicing singular and plural forms of big/small dogs.
Vet: Cik smags ir jūsu mājdzīvnieks? You: Tas ir ļoti ___ ___.
You are identifying the subject, so nominative is used.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenIt is masculine. Even though it doesn't end in -s like 'galds', it belongs to the 2nd declension.
You say 'ļoti liels suns'.
The plural is 'lieli suņi'. Note the 'n' becomes 'ņ'.
Yes, informally, to mean a 'big player' or someone important, but it can be slightly sarcastic.
It is neutral. You can use it in any situation to describe a dog's size.
No, Latvian does not have articles. 'Liels suns' can mean 'a big dog' or 'the big dog'.
You say 'Es redzu lielu suni'. This uses the accusative case.
Yes, 'milzīgs' means 'huge' and 'dižs' means 'grand' or 'great'.
Yes, very common, though they are more frequent in the suburbs and countryside.
It is a guard dog. Many 'lieli suņi' in Latvia are also 'sargsuņi'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Mazs suns
contrastSmall dog
Sargsuns
specialized formGuard dog
Kucēns
similarPuppy
Medību suns
specialized formHunting dog
Klēpja sunītis
contrastLap dog
