Signification
Asking for updates in someone's life.
Contexte culturel
Latvians are known for being reserved. 'Kas jauns?' is often answered with 'Nekas' not because they are rude, but because they don't want to bother you with trivial details unless they are very close to you. In business, 'Kas jauns?' is used only after a relationship has been established. Jumping into it too quickly can be seen as unprofessional. Younger Latvians are much more likely to use 'Kas notiek?' (What's happening?) as a direct influence from English 'What's up?'. In the Latgale region, you might hear variations influenced by the Latgalian language, but 'Kas jauns?' remains universally understood.
The 'Nekas' Rule
If someone says 'Nekas', don't stop talking! It's just a polite way to say 'nothing urgent'. You can follow up with a specific question.
Avoid 'Kas ir jauns?'
It makes you sound like a textbook. Drop the 'ir' for instant native vibes.
Signification
Asking for updates in someone's life.
The 'Nekas' Rule
If someone says 'Nekas', don't stop talking! It's just a polite way to say 'nothing urgent'. You can follow up with a specific question.
Avoid 'Kas ir jauns?'
It makes you sound like a textbook. Drop the 'ir' for instant native vibes.
Use the Diminutive
Using 'Kas jauniņš?' with a close friend or a child will make you sound incredibly natural and warm.
Eye Contact
When asking 'Kas jauns?', maintain brief but steady eye contact. Latvians value sincerity.
Teste-toi
Complete the greeting.
Sveiks, Jāni! ___ jauns?
'Kas' means 'what', which is the correct word for this idiom.
Which response is the most common and natural for a Latvian?
Kas jauns?
'Nekas īpašs' (Nothing special) is the standard, modest Latvian response.
Match the phrase with its register.
Match the following:
Understanding the register helps you use the phrase correctly with different people.
Complete the text message exchange.
A: Čau! Kas jauns? B: Čau! Tikko nopirku jaunu auto. A: O, ___!
If someone shares good news (like buying a car), 'apsveicu' (congratulations) is the natural response.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Kas jauns? vs Kā iet?
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesSveiks, Jāni! ___ jauns?
'Kas' means 'what', which is the correct word for this idiom.
Kas jauns?
'Nekas īpašs' (Nothing special) is the standard, modest Latvian response.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Understanding the register helps you use the phrase correctly with different people.
A: Čau! Kas jauns? B: Čau! Tikko nopirku jaunu auto. A: O, ___!
If someone shares good news (like buying a car), 'apsveicu' (congratulations) is the natural response.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsYes, if you have worked together for a while and the office culture is relaxed. If it's your first week, stick to 'Labdien'.
'Kas jauns?' asks for news/events. 'Kā iet?' asks for your mood/general state. Often people use both: 'Čau! Kā iet? Kas jauns?'
You can say 'Nekas labs' (Nothing good) or 'Iet grūti' (It's going hard). Latvians are actually quite open to hearing the truth if you are close friends.
Always 'Kas jauns'. The adjective doesn't change gender in this idiom.
Only in very informal emails to friends. In business emails, use 'Ceru, ka jums klājas labi' (I hope you are doing well).
It also means 'young'. A 'jauns vīrietis' is a young man.
No, it would be quite weird. It's a phrase for people you already know.
It's a diphthong, similar to the 'ou' in 'loud' or 'house'.
You could say 'Kādi jaunumi?' (What news? - plural), but 'Kas jauns?' is much more common as a greeting.
It's a cultural preference for modesty. Saying 'everything is great' can sometimes be seen as bragging.
No, it's standard informal Latvian. It's not 'street talk', just casual.
Only if the interviewer uses it first to break the ice. Otherwise, stay formal.
Probably 'Kas notiek?' or just a quick 'Kas jauns?' with a nod.
Yes, from Liepāja to Daugavpils, everyone uses 'Kas jauns?'.
Expressions liées
Kā iet?
similarHow's it going?
Kas notiek?
similarWhat's happening?
Kā klājas?
similarHow are you doing?
Nekas īpašs
builds onNothing special
Viss pa vecam
builds onEverything the same old
