Signification
Unpleasant atmospheric conditions.
Contexte culturel
The 'Jāņi' (Midsummer) rain is a cultural trope. If it's 'slikts laiks' during the solstice, people just drink more beer and keep singing. The philosophy of 'no bad weather, only bad clothes' is very strong in Latvia. Children are expected to play outside even in 'slikts laiks'. In the age of climate change, 'slikts laiks' is increasingly used to discuss extreme weather events in social media activism. In older Latvian folklore, 'nelaiks' (a variation of slikts laiks) was often associated with mythological beings like 'Vēja māte' (Mother of Wind).
The Small Talk King
If you run out of things to say in Latvian, just mention the weather. It's the safest topic.
Plural Trap
Remember: 'Slikti laiki' = The Great Depression. 'Slikts laiks' = It's raining.
Signification
Unpleasant atmospheric conditions.
The Small Talk King
If you run out of things to say in Latvian, just mention the weather. It's the safest topic.
Plural Trap
Remember: 'Slikti laiki' = The Great Depression. 'Slikts laiks' = It's raining.
Case Sensitivity
When using 'because of', remember to say 'Slikta laika dēļ' (Genitive).
Stoicism
Don't complain too much; Latvians value resilience against the weather.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word in the correct form.
Slikta ______ dēļ mēs palikām mājās.
The preposition 'dēļ' requires the genitive case of 'laiks', which is 'laika'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to complain about rain?
How do you say 'It's bad weather today'?
'Slikts laiks' is the standard singular nominative form for weather.
Match the Latvian phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are common variations of the 'laiks' collocation.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Vai tu iesi uz veikalu? B: Nē, ārā ir ______.
The nominative case is used here to state what the weather 'is'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Types of Slikts Laiks
Precipitation
- • Lietus (Rain)
- • Sniegs (Snow)
- • Krusa (Hail)
Wind
- • Vējš (Wind)
- • Vētra (Storm)
- • Brāzmas (Gusts)
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesSlikta ______ dēļ mēs palikām mājās.
The preposition 'dēļ' requires the genitive case of 'laiks', which is 'laika'.
How do you say 'It's bad weather today'?
'Slikts laiks' is the standard singular nominative form for weather.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are common variations of the 'laiks' collocation.
A: Vai tu iesi uz veikalu? B: Nē, ārā ir ______.
The nominative case is used here to state what the weather 'is'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsNo, it also means 'time'. Context tells you which is which. If you say 'Man nav laika', it means 'I don't have time'.
Only if you are using a preposition like 'dēļ' or showing possession. Otherwise, use 'slikts laiks'.
The opposite is 'labs laiks' (good weather) or 'skaists laiks' (beautiful weather).
It is neutral. It's fine for both formal and informal settings.
You can say 'ļoti slikts laiks' or 'briesmīgs laiks'.
Because it changes every 5 minutes! It's a major part of the national identity.
No, for a bad date you would say 'slikts randiņš'. 'Laiks' only refers to time or weather.
Yes, people might say 'ārā ir draņķīgs laiks' (the weather is crappy).
Yes, if the snow is slushy or causing problems, it's 'slikts laiks'.
The genitive case. That's why it becomes 'slikta laika dēļ'.
Mostly, but 'nelaiks' sounds more like a storm or a specific bad event.
Yes, as small talk before the interview starts.
Expressions liées
Lietains laiks
specialized formRainy weather
Nelaiks
synonymStormy/very bad weather
Labs laiks
contrastGood weather
Laika ziņas
builds onWeather forecast
Slikti laiki
similarHard times
