Signification
To wish someone good luck.
Contexte culturel
Latvians often tuck their thumbs inside their fists when they say this. It's a physical manifestation of the idiom. In Estonia and Lithuania, similar thumb-based idioms exist, showing a regional linguistic bond that excludes the finger-crossing of the West. Some Latvians believe you shouldn't tell someone 'Good luck' directly because it might attract bad spirits; 'turēt īkšķus' is a safer, indirect way to wish success. On Latvian social media, the 'thumbs up' emoji is often interpreted as 'holding thumbs' rather than just 'OK' or 'Like' in high-stress contexts.
Use the Future Tense
Most often, you'll say 'Es turēšu īkšķus' because you are promising to wish luck for an upcoming event.
Avoid 'Krustot'
Never say 'krustot pirkstus' unless you are literally talking about crossing fingers for a different reason.
Signification
To wish someone good luck.
Use the Future Tense
Most often, you'll say 'Es turēšu īkšķus' because you are promising to wish luck for an upcoming event.
Avoid 'Krustot'
Never say 'krustot pirkstus' unless you are literally talking about crossing fingers for a different reason.
The Gesture
If you want to look like a local, actually tuck your thumb into your fist while saying the phrase.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'turēt' in the future tense.
Es rīt ______ īkšķus par tavu interviju.
Since the event is tomorrow (rīt), the future tense 'turēšu' is required.
Which preposition is used with 'turēt īkšķus'?
Mēs turam īkšķus ___ tevi.
The idiom 'turēt īkšķus' always takes the preposition 'par' to indicate the person being supported.
Match the Latvian phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are the standard translations for these related luck-based idioms.
Complete the dialogue.
Anna: 'Man šodien ir svarīga prezentācija.' Juris: '_________________'
'Turu īkšķus!' is the most appropriate response to someone facing a stressful event.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesEs rīt ______ īkšķus par tavu interviju.
Since the event is tomorrow (rīt), the future tense 'turēšu' is required.
Mēs turam īkšķus ___ tevi.
The idiom 'turēt īkšķus' always takes the preposition 'par' to indicate the person being supported.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the standard translations for these related luck-based idioms.
Anna: 'Man šodien ir svarīga prezentācija.' Juris: '_________________'
'Turu īkšķus!' is the most appropriate response to someone facing a stressful event.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsUsually, you ask others to hold thumbs for you ('Turiet īkšķus!'). You don't typically say 'I am holding thumbs for myself.'
Yes, in informal or semi-formal emails to colleagues, it's a very nice touch.
The nominative plural is 'īkšķi,' but in this idiom, we use the accusative 'īkšķus.'
The phrase is plural, but the gesture can be one or both hands. The sentiment remains the same.
Not at all! It is used daily by all generations in Latvia.
No, that sounds strange. It must be 'īkšķus' (thumbs).
You can just say 'Es vēlu veiksmi!' (I wish luck!), which is the non-idiomatic version.
'Spiest' (to squeeze) is more intense, but 'turēt' is much more common.
Yes, it's the most common way to say you're rooting for a team.
Not really. A wedding isn't a 'test' of luck. Use 'Apsveicu!' (Congratulations!) instead.
Expressions liées
Turēt dūres
similarTo hold fists (to root for someone)
Ne spalvas!
similarNot a feather! (Break a leg!)
Vēlēt veiksmi
synonymTo wish luck
Piesist pie koka
relatedTo knock on wood
