Signification
Cleaning plates after eating.
Contexte culturel
It is a strong tradition to offer help with dishes when visiting someone's home for a meal. Even if the host refuses, the offer is noted as a sign of respect. Most Latvian kitchens feature a drying rack inside the cabinet above the sink, so dishes are rarely towel-dried. There is a high emphasis on shared domestic labor in modern households, with 'mazgāt traukus' being a common task for all family members regardless of gender. In older rural settings, water was often heated on a stove specifically for 'trauku mazgāšana', making it a more deliberate and resource-conscious task.
Use 'No-' for completion
Always use 'nomazgāt' if you want to emphasize that the job is done.
The Guest Offer
Even if you know they have a dishwasher, offer to help. It's the thought that counts in Latvia.
Signification
Cleaning plates after eating.
Use 'No-' for completion
Always use 'nomazgāt' if you want to emphasize that the job is done.
The Guest Offer
Even if you know they have a dishwasher, offer to help. It's the thought that counts in Latvia.
Accusative Case
Don't forget the 's' at the end of 'traukus'. 'Mazgāt trauki' sounds like the dishes are doing the washing!
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'mazgāt' in the present tense.
Es tagad ________ traukus.
The first person singular ('Es') requires the ending '-u' in the present tense.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct way to say 'I washed the dishes' (completed).
'Nomazgāju' is the past tense completed form, and 'traukus' is the correct accusative plural.
Match the Latvian phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are common household chores that are often confused.
Complete the dialogue with the most polite response.
Saimnieks: 'Paldies par vakariņām!' Viesis: 'Lūdzu! Vai es varu ________?'
Offering to help ('palīdzēt') with the completed task ('nomazgāt') is the most natural and polite guest response.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Mazgāt vs. Tīrīt
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesEs tagad ________ traukus.
The first person singular ('Es') requires the ending '-u' in the present tense.
Choose the correct way to say 'I washed the dishes' (completed).
'Nomazgāju' is the past tense completed form, and 'traukus' is the correct accusative plural.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are common household chores that are often confused.
Saimnieks: 'Paldies par vakariņām!' Viesis: 'Lūdzu! Vai es varu ________?'
Offering to help ('palīdzēt') with the completed task ('nomazgāt') is the most natural and polite guest response.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsThe formal word is 'trauku mazgājamā mašīna', but informally people say 'trauku mašīna'.
It is neutral. It's appropriate for any situation.
No, that sounds like you are polishing them or cleaning them without water. Use 'mazgāt'.
It is 'mazgāju' (I washed/was washing).
Es negribu mazgāt traukus.
Trauku mazgājamais līdzeklis.
Both, but a 'sūklis' (sponge) is most common.
Not for the action itself, but 'berzt' implies scrubbing hard.
Trauki ir nomazgāti.
Yes, but you'd usually say 'nomazgāt krūzi'.
'Trauku' is genitive (of dishes), 'traukus' is accusative (the dishes as an object).
You say 'Es ielieku traukus mašīnā' (I put the dishes in the machine).
Expressions liées
Slaucīt traukus
similarTo dry dishes with a towel
Novākt galdu
builds onTo clear the table
Izkrāmēt trauku mašīnu
specialized formTo unload the dishwasher
Netīri trauki
contrastDirty dishes
Trauku mazgājamais līdzeklis
specialized formDish soap
