Meaning
A present that costs a lot
Cultural Background
When giving a 'dārga dāvana', it's common to remove the price tag, but keep the receipt separately in case the recipient needs to exchange it. This is especially true for electronics or clothing. For 'apaļas jubilejas' (milestone birthdays like 30, 40, 50), guests often pool money to buy one 'dārga dāvana' rather than many small ones. Flowers are often given alongside a 'dārga dāvana'. Remember to give an odd number of flowers; even numbers are for funerals. It is considered polite to initially decline a very 'dārga dāvana' before accepting it with many thanks.
Agreement is Key
Always check the gender. It's 'dārga dāvana' (fem) but 'dārgs pulkstenis' (masc).
Don't brag
Calling your own gift 'dārga dāvana' when giving it can seem arrogant in Latvia. Let the recipient say it.
Meaning
A present that costs a lot
Agreement is Key
Always check the gender. It's 'dārga dāvana' (fem) but 'dārgs pulkstenis' (masc).
Don't brag
Calling your own gift 'dārga dāvana' when giving it can seem arrogant in Latvia. Let the recipient say it.
Use Diminutives
Use 'dārgā dāvaniņa' to sound more affectionate and less focused on the money.
The 'Price' Question
If someone asks 'Cik tas maksāja?', it's okay to be vague if it was a 'dārga dāvana'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct ending for the adjective 'dārg-'.
Man ir ______ dāvana. (I have an expensive gift.)
The noun 'dāvana' is feminine nominative singular, so the adjective must end in '-a'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct way to say 'I bought an expensive gift'.
In the accusative case (object of the verb), both words change their endings to '-u'.
Match the Latvian phrase with its English translation.
Match the following:
Matching adjectives to their meanings.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
A: Ko tu nopirki? B: Es nopirku ______, jo tā ir kāzu diena.
A wedding usually requires an expensive gift.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Gender Agreement
Practice Bank
4 exercisesMan ir ______ dāvana. (I have an expensive gift.)
The noun 'dāvana' is feminine nominative singular, so the adjective must end in '-a'.
Choose the correct way to say 'I bought an expensive gift'.
In the accusative case (object of the verb), both words change their endings to '-u'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Matching adjectives to their meanings.
A: Ko tu nopirki? B: Es nopirku ______, jo tā ir kāzu diena.
A wedding usually requires an expensive gift.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsYes, but it means 'dear' or 'beloved', not 'expensive'. For example: 'Mana dārgā mamma'.
The opposite is 'lēta dāvana' (a cheap gift).
You say 'visdārgākā dāvana'.
In Latvia, it's better to say it's 'skaista' (beautiful) or 'vērtīga' (valuable) rather than focusing on the price.
Usually, yes. In poetry, it might change, but in daily life, the adjective comes first.
Only sarcastically. If it's cheap, it's not 'dārga'.
It becomes 'dārgas dāvanas'.
Young people might use 'sālīts' (salted) to mean something is expensive.
Use the accusative: 'Es nopirku dārgu dāvanu'.
No, for talent use 'talants' or 'dotības'. 'Dāvana' is specifically a present.
Yes, but there are strict laws in Latvia about the value of gifts officials can accept.
It's 'dārga' (with a macron over the a) and 'dāvana' (with a macron over the first a).
Related Phrases
Lēta dāvana
contrastA cheap gift
Vērtīga dāvana
similarA valuable gift
Dārgs prieks
builds onAn expensive pleasure/hobby
Dāvinātam zirgam zobos neskatās
specialized formDon't look a gift horse in the mouth
Sālsmaize
specialized formHousewarming gift
Atvadu dāvana
specialized formFarewell gift
