Meaning
Describing the weather.
Cultural Background
The sun is a central motif in Latvian folklore. The 'Saule' symbol is found on traditional mittens and jewelry to protect the wearer and bring luck. Due to the lack of sun in winter, Latvians often suffer from Vitamin D deficiency. A sunny day is literally seen as a health benefit. In folk songs (dainas), the sun is described as wearing a silk dress and silver shoes, reflecting the shimmering quality of a sunny day. The first sunny days of spring lead to 'terasu sezona' (terrace season), where cafes fill up instantly regardless of the actual temperature.
The 'Ir' Rule
In Latvian, you don't need a word for 'it'. Just 'Ir saulains' is a complete and natural sentence.
Gender Agreement
If you add the word 'diena' (day), change 'saulains' to 'saulaina'. 'Šī ir saulaina diena'.
Meaning
Describing the weather.
The 'Ir' Rule
In Latvian, you don't need a word for 'it'. Just 'Ir saulains' is a complete and natural sentence.
Gender Agreement
If you add the word 'diena' (day), change 'saulains' to 'saulaina'. 'Šī ir saulaina diena'.
Sound like a local
Add 'beidzot' (finally) to the start: 'Beidzot šodien ir saulains!' This captures the true Latvian spirit of waiting for the sun.
Small Talk
Weather is the safest topic in Latvia. If you're stuck for words, just point at the sky and say this phrase.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word to say 'Today is sunny'.
Šodien ___ saulains.
'Ir' is the present tense of 'to be' for 'it'.
Which of these means 'Yesterday was sunny'?
Choose the correct sentence:
'Vakar' means yesterday and 'bija' is the past tense.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Vai šodien līst? B: Nē, ________.
The question asks if it's raining; 'Nē' (No) followed by 'it's sunny' is the logical answer.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You see the sun shining brightly through the window in the morning.
This is the appropriate observation for a sunny morning.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Tense Changes for 'Saulains'
Sun-Related Vocabulary
Objects
- • Saulesbrilles
- • Saulessargs
Events
- • Saullēkts
- • Saulriets
Nature
- • Saulespuķe
- • Svelme
Practice Bank
4 exercisesŠodien ___ saulains.
'Ir' is the present tense of 'to be' for 'it'.
Choose the correct sentence:
'Vakar' means yesterday and 'bija' is the past tense.
A: Vai šodien līst? B: Nē, ________.
The question asks if it's raining; 'Nē' (No) followed by 'it's sunny' is the logical answer.
You see the sun shining brightly through the window in the morning.
This is the appropriate observation for a sunny morning.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsYes! It's very common and perfectly natural. The 'Šodien' is optional if it's obvious you're talking about now.
Because it refers to the masculine noun 'laiks' (weather), which is implied. If you said 'diena' (day), it would be 'saulaina'.
Rarely. To describe a person's personality, 'dzīvespriecīgs' (joyful) is more common, though 'saulains cilvēks' is understood as a poetic compliment.
Just replace 'ir' with 'nav': 'Šodien nav saulains'.
You can say 'Brīžiem ir saulains' (It's sunny at times).
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss, your grandma, or a stranger.
Yes, 'saulaini' (masculine plural) or 'saulainas' (feminine plural), but for weather, we almost always use the singular.
Absolutely. A 'saulaina ziemas diena' (sunny winter day) is a very specific and beloved concept in Latvia.
'Saulains' is an adjective (sunny). 'Saulīte' is a diminutive noun (little sun), often used affectionately.
Say: 'Vai rīt būs saulains?'
No. 'Sāls' (salt) and 'Saule' (sun) are unrelated in Latvian.
Yes! 'Šī ir saulaina istaba' means 'This is a sunny room'.
Related Phrases
Spīd saule
similarThe sun is shining
Saulaina diena
builds onA sunny day
Skaidras debesis
similarClear skies
Saulriets
specialized formSunset
Saullēkts
specialized formSunrise
Lietains laiks
contrastRainy weather
