Signification
Asking about rules.
Contexte culturel
Smoking is strictly forbidden at public transport stops and within 10 meters of building entrances. It is culturally expected to ask permission before smoking in the presence of others, even outdoors. Many apartment buildings have internal rules banning smoking in stairwells and on balconies if neighbors complain. Electronic cigarettes and vapes are subject to the same strict laws as traditional cigarettes.
Shorten it
In very casual settings, you can just hold up a cigarette and ask 'Drīkst?'
The 10-meter rule
Remember that even if there is no sign, smoking within 10 meters of a public entrance is illegal in Latvia.
Signification
Asking about rules.
Shorten it
In very casual settings, you can just hold up a cigarette and ask 'Drīkst?'
The 10-meter rule
Remember that even if there is no sign, smoking within 10 meters of a public entrance is illegal in Latvia.
Use the conditional
Use 'Vai te drīkstētu smēķēt?' to sound exceptionally polite and well-educated.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct verb for asking permission.
Vai te ______ smēķēt?
'Drīkst' is the specific verb for permission in Latvian.
Complete the sentence with the correct word for 'here'.
Vai ___ drīkst smēķēt?
'Te' means 'here'. 'Tur' means 'there', and 'kur' means 'where'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Atvainojiet, vai te drīkst smēķēt? B: Nē, te ______.
The negative of 'drīkst' is 'nedrīkst'.
Match the phrase to the most likely location.
Vai uz balkona drīkst smēķēt?
You wouldn't ask to smoke on a balcony in a plane or hospital.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesVai te ______ smēķēt?
'Drīkst' is the specific verb for permission in Latvian.
Vai ___ drīkst smēķēt?
'Te' means 'here'. 'Tur' means 'there', and 'kur' means 'where'.
A: Atvainojiet, vai te drīkst smēķēt? B: Nē, te ______.
The negative of 'drīkst' is 'nedrīkst'.
Vai uz balkona drīkst smēķēt?
You wouldn't ask to smoke on a balcony in a plane or hospital.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsWhile people will understand you, it sounds like a translation from English. 'Drīkst' is the correct word for permission.
It is legal unless a neighbor objects. If they do, it becomes illegal immediately.
'Smēķēt' is more formal/standard. 'Pīpēt' is more casual. Both are widely used.
No, in the phrase 'Vai te drīkst...', it is used impersonally. It stays 'drīkst' regardless of who is asking.
'Te' is more common in spoken language; 'šeit' is slightly more formal or emphatic.
Expressions liées
Nesmēķēt!
contrastNo smoking!
Vai drīkst?
builds onMay I? / Is it allowed?
Smēķēšana aizliegta
similarSmoking prohibited
Uzvilkt dūmu
specialized formTo have a smoke (slang)
