Signification
A bus that moves at low speed.
Contexte culturel
Latvians are generally stoic. If a bus is slow, people will wait patiently without much outward emotion, but they will complain about it later to friends. The 'Rīgas Satiksme' network is the main provider. Their buses are modern, but traffic in the city center often makes them 'lēni'. In the countryside, the 'lēns autobuss' is often the only way to get to the nearest town. It serves as a vital lifeline for the elderly. Younger generations often prefer 'Bolt' scooters or car-sharing to avoid the 'lēnais autobuss' during rush hour.
Agreement is Key
Always check if the noun is plural. If it's 'autobusi', use 'lēni'.
Don't say 'Lēni' for 'Late'
If the bus is behind schedule, use 'kavējas'.
Signification
A bus that moves at low speed.
Agreement is Key
Always check if the noun is plural. If it's 'autobusi', use 'lēni'.
Don't say 'Lēni' for 'Late'
If the bus is behind schedule, use 'kavējas'.
Use the Locative
You will almost always use this phrase as 'lēnā autobusā' when complaining on the phone.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the adjective 'lēns'.
Šis ir ______ autobuss.
'Autobuss' is masculine singular nominative.
Which sentence means 'I am in a slow bus'?
Choose the correct sentence:
You need the locative case (-ā) to indicate location.
Match the Latvian phrase with its English meaning.
Match them up:
Matching basic transport adjectives.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Kāpēc tu kavē? B: Atvaino, man bija ______.
A slow bus is a logical reason for being late.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Transport Speed in Latvian
Common Bus Complaints
Time
- • Lēns
- • Kavējas
- • Nav atnācis
Comfort
- • Pilns
- • Karsts
- • Netīrs
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesŠis ir ______ autobuss.
'Autobuss' is masculine singular nominative.
Choose the correct sentence:
You need the locative case (-ā) to indicate location.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Matching basic transport adjectives.
A: Kāpēc tu kavē? B: Atvaino, man bija ______.
A slow bus is a logical reason for being late.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt's not a direct insult, but it's better to say it to a friend. Saying it to the driver might be seen as complaining about their work.
Yes, 'Viņš ir lēns' means 'He is slow'.
The opposite is 'ātrs' (fast).
Autobuss ir pārāk lēns.
Yes, but informally people say 'buss'.
Yes, it becomes 'lēna'. For example, 'lēna mašīna' (a slow car).
Latvian uses macrons (the line over the letter) to indicate vowel length, which can change the meaning of words.
Yes, 'lēns vilciens'.
Some might call it a 'gliemezis' (snail).
Es nokavēju lēno autobusu.
Expressions liées
Ātrs autobuss
contrastA fast bus
Autobuss kavējas
similarThe bus is late
Sastrēgums
builds onTraffic jam
Pietura
specialized formBus stop
