Signification
A neutral response to how one is doing.
Contexte culturel
Latvians value 'pamatīgums' (solidity/thoroughness). If something isn't perfect, they won't say it is. 'Tā sev' is a sign of respect for the truth. Across Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, there is a shared 'Northern' stoicism. Small talk is often brief and realistic rather than bubbly. Foreigners often struggle with 'Tā sev' because they think they have offended the Latvian. In reality, the Latvian is just being comfortable with you. On social media, 'Tā sev' is often used with the 'neutral face' emoji 😐 to express a lack of hype for new trends.
Add 'Nu'
Always add 'Nu' before 'Tā sev' to sound more natural. It acts as a linguistic cushion.
Don't over-smile
If you say 'Tā sev' with a huge grin, Latvians will think you are being sarcastic.
Signification
A neutral response to how one is doing.
Add 'Nu'
Always add 'Nu' before 'Tā sev' to sound more natural. It acts as a linguistic cushion.
Don't over-smile
If you say 'Tā sev' with a huge grin, Latvians will think you are being sarcastic.
The Shrug
A slight shoulder shrug while saying 'Tā sev' perfectly completes the communication.
Honesty is Key
Don't be afraid to use this with friends. It shows you trust them enough to be honest about your mood.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to complete the neutral response.
Kā tev iet? — Nu, tā ___.
The fixed idiom is 'Tā sev'.
Which sentence correctly describes a mediocre movie?
Choose the correct option:
When describing an object in the past, we use 'bija' (was) + 'tā sev'.
Match the response to the situation.
You just ate a sandwich that was dry and had no flavor. What do you say?
'Tā sev' is the perfect way to describe something mediocre.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
A: Kā klājas darbā? B: ________, nekas īpašs.
'Tā sev' pairs perfectly with 'nekas īpašs' (nothing special).
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
When to say 'Tā sev'
Mood
- • Waking up tired
- • Boring Monday
- • Neutral day
Quality
- • Average movie
- • Okay coffee
- • Standard hotel
Health
- • Slight cold
- • Mild headache
- • Recovering
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesKā tev iet? — Nu, tā ___.
The fixed idiom is 'Tā sev'.
Choose the correct option:
When describing an object in the past, we use 'bija' (was) + 'tā sev'.
You just ate a sandwich that was dry and had no flavor. What do you say?
'Tā sev' is the perfect way to describe something mediocre.
A: Kā klājas darbā? B: ________, nekas īpašs.
'Tā sev' pairs perfectly with 'nekas īpašs' (nothing special).
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it's not rude among friends or colleagues. It's just honest. However, don't use it to describe a gift someone gave you.
Better not. In an interview, you want to sound positive. Use 'Labi' or 'Ļoti labi' instead.
'Tā sev' is idiomatic and casual. 'Vidēji' is more like 'average' and sounds more like a statistic.
Not necessarily. It just means it's not special. It's the definition of 5 out of 10.
You can say 'Viņš ir tā sev' to mean he's an okay person but nothing special, but it's a bit dismissive.
There isn't a direct opposite, but you would just use 'Lieliski' (Great) or 'Slikti' (Bad).
It's used by everyone! It's a timeless part of the Latvian language.
Yes, it's very common in texting. Often shortened to just 'tā sev'.
Then say 'Slikti' or 'Gana slikti'. 'Tā sev' is only for the middle ground.
Younger people might say 'Nekāds' (Like nothing/No-ish) to describe a boring event.
Expressions liées
Nekas īpašs
synonymNothing special
Viduvēji
specialized formMediocrely
Ne pārāk
similarNot too [well]
Labi
contrastWell/Good
Slikti
contrastBadly
Tāpat vien
similarJust because
