Signification
To raise an alarm
Contexte culturel
In Latvian history, church bells were often hidden or buried during wars to prevent invaders from melting them down for cannons. Striking the bell was an act of sovereignty. Riga, as a Hanseatic city, had strict laws about who could strike the town bell. Unauthorized 'striking at the bell' could lead to heavy fines. Latvian journalists use this phrase almost daily in headlines to create a sense of urgency (clickbait-adjacent but usually for serious topics). There are legends about 'sunken bells' in Latvian lakes that will strike by themselves when the nation is in great danger.
Use with 'trauksmes'
If you want to be 100% clear, say 'sist trauksmes zvanu'. It's the most common version in modern news.
Don't overdo it
If you 'sit pie zvana' for everything, people will stop listening. Save it for real problems!
Signification
To raise an alarm
Use with 'trauksmes'
If you want to be 100% clear, say 'sist trauksmes zvanu'. It's the most common version in modern news.
Don't overdo it
If you 'sit pie zvana' for everything, people will stop listening. Save it for real problems!
The 'Big Bell' nuance
Remember that 'sist pie lielā zvana' can sometimes imply that you are making a scene or being a 'drama queen'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing verb in the correct form (Present Tense).
Zinātnieki _____ pie zvana par dabas piesārņojumu.
The idiom is 'sist pie zvana'. 'Zinātnieki' is 3rd person plural, so 'sit' is the correct form.
Which situation is appropriate for 'sist pie zvana'?
Izvēlies pareizo situāciju:
The idiom is used for emergencies and serious warnings.
Match the Latvian phrase with its English meaning.
Savieno pārus:
Matching the idiomatic meaning to the English equivalent.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the idiom.
A: Mūsu uzņēmumam beidzas nauda! B: Ko? Mums steidzami _____!
In a financial crisis, you need to raise an alarm ('jāsit pie zvana').
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesZinātnieki _____ pie zvana par dabas piesārņojumu.
The idiom is 'sist pie zvana'. 'Zinātnieki' is 3rd person plural, so 'sit' is the correct form.
Izvēlies pareizo situāciju:
The idiom is used for emergencies and serious warnings.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Matching the idiomatic meaning to the English equivalent.
A: Mūsu uzņēmumam beidzas nauda! B: Ko? Mums steidzami _____!
In a financial crisis, you need to raise an alarm ('jāsit pie zvana').
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
7 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it in a newspaper or with friends, but it always sounds serious.
No, for a doorbell use 'zvanīt pie durvīm'.
The past tense is 'situ pie zvana' (I sounded the alarm).
Yes, almost exclusively for warnings, dangers, or critical problems.
Usually, we use it for people or organizations. For a machine, we say 'atskan trauksme' (the alarm sounds).
No, 'sist' just means 'to hit' or 'to strike'. In this context, it is perfectly polite.
Both are used. 'Sist pie zvana' is the older, more idiomatic prepositional form. 'Sist zvanu' is more direct.
Expressions liées
Celt trauksmi
synonymTo raise an alarm
Sist pie lielā zvana
similarTo make something widely known / to gossip
Zvanīt visos zvanos
builds onTo use every possible means to get attention
Klusēt kā kapa malā
contrastTo be silent as the grave
