Meaning
Casual inquiry about current events
Cultural Background
Latvians value privacy, so 'Kas notiek?' is a way to show interest without being as prying as 'How are you feeling?'. It's a 'safe' social inquiry. In Riga, the phrase is often used with 'vecīt' (old man/dude) or 'čali' (guy/dude). It marks you as part of the modern, urban crowd. The phrase is synonymous with 'Kas notiek Latvijā?', a show that defined the 2000s political landscape. Using it can sometimes sound like you're starting an interview. In the countryside, people are more literal. If you ask 'Kas notiek?', they might actually tell you about the neighbor's tractor or the weather.
The 'Nu' trick
If you want to sound like a native, add 'Nu' at the beginning: 'Nu, kas notiek?'. It adds a layer of casual familiarity.
Don't over-conjugate
In the 'What's up' sense, 'notiek' is almost always in the 3rd person singular. Don't try to make it plural even if you're talking to a group.
Meaning
Casual inquiry about current events
The 'Nu' trick
If you want to sound like a native, add 'Nu' at the beginning: 'Nu, kas notiek?'. It adds a layer of casual familiarity.
Don't over-conjugate
In the 'What's up' sense, 'notiek' is almost always in the 3rd person singular. Don't try to make it plural even if you're talking to a group.
The response matters
If someone asks you 'Kas notiek?', the most common answer is 'Nekas īpašs' (Nothing special), even if your house is on fire. Latvians love being low-key.
Use it for confusion
If you're lost in a Latvian supermarket, mutter 'Kas notiek?' to yourself. A local might take pity and help you.
Test Yourself
Which phrase is the most appropriate casual greeting for a friend?
Tu redzi savu draugu Jāni. Ko tu saki?
'Kas notiek?' is the perfect casual greeting for a friend.
Complete the sentence to ask what is happening tonight.
Kas ________ šovakar?
'Notiek' is the present tense used for 'What's up' or 'What's happening'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You walk into your kitchen and see your cat eating a whole cake.
This expresses shock and a demand for an explanation of the chaos.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Čau! Kas notiek? B: ________. Tu?
'Nekas īpašs' (Nothing special) is the standard response to 'Kas notiek?'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Greeting Formality
Practice Bank
4 exercisesTu redzi savu draugu Jāni. Ko tu saki?
'Kas notiek?' is the perfect casual greeting for a friend.
Kas ________ šovakar?
'Notiek' is the present tense used for 'What's up' or 'What's happening'.
Situation: You walk into your kitchen and see your cat eating a whole cake.
This expresses shock and a demand for an explanation of the chaos.
A: Čau! Kas notiek? B: ________. Tu?
'Nekas īpašs' (Nothing special) is the standard response to 'Kas notiek?'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsNot at all, but it is very informal. Use it with friends, family, and peers, but avoid it in formal business settings.
The standard answer is 'Nekas īpašs' (Nothing special) or 'Viss mierīgi' (Everything's quiet/chill).
Yes, if you say it with a concerned tone and perhaps add 'ar tevi' (with you): 'Kas ar tevi notiek?'.
'Kā iet?' is 'How's it going?' (personal), while 'Kas notiek?' is 'What's happening?' (situational).
Yes, youth often just say 'Kas?' or 'Nu, kas?' with a specific intonation.
Only in a very casual email to a close friend. Never in a professional email.
Yes, it's a very common way to ask for updates.
Yes, it is a standard part of the Latvian language nationwide.
Only if they are roughly your age and the setting is casual (like a concert or a bar).
Use 'Kas notika?' (What happened?).
Use 'Kas notiks?' (What will happen?).
It's a standard phrase used as slang. The words themselves are normal, but the usage as a greeting is casual.
Related Phrases
Kas jauns?
synonymWhat's new?
Kā iet?
similarHow's it going?
Kas darās?
synonymWhat's doing?
Kas pa lietu?
specialized formWhat's the matter?
Nekas nenotiek
contrastNothing is happening
Kas notika?
builds onWhat happened?
