Bedeutung
Always fighting with each other.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The idiom reflects the traditional farm life where dogs and cats had distinct, often clashing roles. Similar animal-based idioms are common across Lithuania and Estonia, reflecting shared agrarian histories. Even though most Latvians now live in apartments, the farm-based imagery remains the primary way to describe conflict. In many Latvian pasakas (fairytales), the dog is portrayed as loyal but simple, while the cat is clever but selfish, explaining their friction.
Use with 'dzīvot'
If you're not sure which verb to use, 'dzīvot' (to live) is the safest and most common choice.
Don't use 'un'
Avoid saying 'suns un kaķis'. It's a dead giveaway that you're translating literally from English.
Bedeutung
Always fighting with each other.
Use with 'dzīvot'
If you're not sure which verb to use, 'dzīvot' (to live) is the safest and most common choice.
Don't use 'un'
Avoid saying 'suns un kaķis'. It's a dead giveaway that you're translating literally from English.
Add 'mūžīgi'
Adding 'mūžīgi' (eternally) before the idiom makes you sound very native: 'Viņi mūžīgi dzīvo kā suns ar kaķi.'
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
Mani brālēni visu dienu dzīvo kā ___ ar ___.
The idiom is 'suns ar kaķi'. Remember the instrumental case for 'kaķi'.
Which verb is most commonly used with this idiom to describe a loud fight?
Viņi atkal ___ kā suns ar kaķi.
'Plēšas' (tearing at each other) is the standard verb for a loud, energetic fight.
Match the situation to the phrase.
Two politicians are arguing on TV. How do you describe them?
This is the standard idiom for two people who can't agree.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Vai tavi kaimiņi ir draudzīgi? B: Nē, viņi ___.
The context of 'Nē' implies they are not friendly, making the idiom the correct choice.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenMani brālēni visu dienu dzīvo kā ___ ar ___.
The idiom is 'suns ar kaķi'. Remember the instrumental case for 'kaķi'.
Viņi atkal ___ kā suns ar kaķi.
'Plēšas' (tearing at each other) is the standard verb for a loud, energetic fight.
Two politicians are arguing on TV. How do you describe them?
This is the standard idiom for two people who can't agree.
A: Vai tavi kaimiņi ir draudzīgi? B: Nē, viņi ___.
The context of 'Nē' implies they are not friendly, making the idiom the correct choice.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
5 FragenYes, it is gender-neutral. It describes the relationship, not the gender of the people.
It can be slightly teasing or critical. It's better to use it when talking *about* people rather than *to* them, unless you are close friends.
Not necessarily. It often describes people who care about each other (like siblings) but just can't stop bickering.
'Dzīvot' is general coexistence; 'plēsties' implies the fighting is loud, frequent, and aggressive.
Not really. In formal settings, you would use words like 'konfliktēt' or 'nesatikt'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Kā divi zābaki pāris
contrastTwo of a kind / perfectly matched
Liet kā no spaiņa
similarTo pour like from a bucket (raining cats and dogs)
Satiek kā cimds ar roku
contrastTo fit like a glove
Plēsties
builds onTo fight/tear
