Meaning
Stating one is in good health.
Cultural Background
In Latvian 'pirts' culture, 'justies labi' is the ultimate goal. After being beaten with birch branches (slotiņas) and jumping in cold water, stating you feel well is a ritualistic acknowledgement of rebirth. Latvians are known for being reserved. If a Latvian says they feel 'labi', it's a very positive sign. They rarely use superlatives like 'fantastic' unless something is truly extraordinary. There is a strong belief that being in nature (the forest or the sea) is necessary to 'justies labi'. Mental health is often linked to 'zaļā dzīvošana' (green living). In Latvian pharmacies, pharmacists will often ask 'Vai jūs jūtaties labāk?' after recommending a medicine, emphasizing the transition from illness to 'feeling well'.
The Reflexive Secret
Always remember the '-os' for yourself. It's the most common mistake for English speakers!
Don't use 'Esmu'
Never say 'Es esmu labi'. It sounds like you're saying 'I am a good person' but with bad grammar.
Meaning
Stating one is in good health.
The Reflexive Secret
Always remember the '-os' for yourself. It's the most common mistake for English speakers!
Don't use 'Esmu'
Never say 'Es esmu labi'. It sounds like you're saying 'I am a good person' but with bad grammar.
Be Sincere
If you say 'jūtos labi', Latvians will believe you. If you don't feel well, it's okay to say 'tā vidēji' (so-so).
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the reflexive verb 'justies' in the present tense.
Es šodien ______ labi.
The 'Es' (I) form of 'justies' ends in '-os'.
Choose the correct adverb to complete the sentence.
Vai tu jūties ______?
We use the adverb 'labi' with the verb 'justies', not the adjective 'labs'.
Complete the dialogue with the appropriate phrase.
A: Kā tu jūties pēc skrējiena? B: Paldies, ______.
'Es jūtos labi' is the standard way to describe your physical state.
Match the sentence to the situation.
Viņa jūtas labi jaunajā skolā.
Feeling well in a school refers to being comfortable and happy in that environment.
Change the sentence to the past tense.
Vakar es ______ (justies) labi.
'Jutos' is the past tense form for 'I felt'.
🎉 Score: /5
Visual Learning Aids
Justies Labi vs Man Iet Labi
Practice Bank
5 exercisesEs šodien ______ labi.
The 'Es' (I) form of 'justies' ends in '-os'.
Vai tu jūties ______?
We use the adverb 'labi' with the verb 'justies', not the adjective 'labs'.
A: Kā tu jūties pēc skrējiena? B: Paldies, ______.
'Es jūtos labi' is the standard way to describe your physical state.
Viņa jūtas labi jaunajā skolā.
Feeling well in a school refers to being comfortable and happy in that environment.
Vakar es ______ (justies) labi.
'Jutos' is the past tense form for 'I felt'.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot directly for the food. You can say 'Es jūtos labi' after eating it, but the food itself 'garšo labi' (tastes good).
'Jūtos' is a continuous state (I feel well), while 'sajūtos' often implies a change (I started to feel well).
Yes, it is perfectly neutral and appropriate for any professional setting.
Use the comparative form of 'labi', which is 'labāk'. So: 'Es jūtos labāk'.
'Justies' is a verb, and verbs are modified by adverbs (labi), not adjectives (labs).
Absolutely. It is the standard way to describe emotional well-being and comfort.
Swap 'labi' for 'lieliski'. 'Es jūtos lieliski!'
In Latvian, the verb ending '-os' already tells us it's 'I', so you can just say 'Jūtos labi'.
Use the 'Jūs' form: 'Vai jūs jūtaties labi?'
Yes, Lithuanian has 'jaustis gerai', which is very similar in structure and meaning.
Related Phrases
izskatīties labi
similarTo look good.
justies slikti
contrastTo feel bad/ill.
sajusties labi
specialized formTo start feeling well.
just līdzi
builds onTo empathize.
