Signification
General holiday greeting
Contexte culturel
Latvians often celebrate 'Name Days' (vārda dienas) with as much enthusiasm as birthdays. While 'Priecīgus svētkus' is mostly for calendar holidays, if a name day falls on a public holiday, the phrase is everywhere. During the Winter Solstice, it's common to wish for 'gaišums' (brightness/light) because the days are so short. This is why 'Gaišus svētkus' is a popular variation. It is considered polite to wish 'Priecīgus svētkus' even to people you don't know well, like bus drivers or shop assistants, during the week leading up to Christmas. National holidays like November 18th are a time of great patriotic pride. Using 'Priecīgus svētkus' on this day is a way to show respect for Latvian history.
The 'Too' Response
If someone says it to you first, the standard response is 'Paldies, tev arī!' (informal) or 'Paldies, Jums arī!' (formal).
Case Matters
Don't forget the '-us' ending. 'Priecīgi svētki' is just a description, not a wish.
Signification
General holiday greeting
The 'Too' Response
If someone says it to you first, the standard response is 'Paldies, tev arī!' (informal) or 'Paldies, Jums arī!' (formal).
Case Matters
Don't forget the '-us' ending. 'Priecīgi svētki' is just a description, not a wish.
Social Media
On Instagram, use the hashtag #priecīgussvētkus to see how locals use the phrase in their captions.
Eye Contact
When saying this in person, make brief eye contact. Latvians value sincerity in holiday wishes.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to complete the holiday greeting.
Priecīgus _______!
We use the accusative plural 'svētkus' for greetings.
Match the greeting to the correct situation.
Which greeting is best for a Christmas card to a business partner?
This is the most formal and appropriate for a business context.
Which of these is NOT a correct use of 'Priecīgus svētkus!'?
Select the incorrect context:
Birthdays require 'Daudz laimes!', not 'Priecīgus svētkus!'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Priecīgus svētkus! B: Paldies, _______!
'Tev arī' means 'to you too'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
When to use 'Priecīgus svētkus!'
Religious
- • Christmas
- • Easter
National
- • Independence Day
- • Proclamation Day
Seasonal
- • Midsummer (Jāņi)
- • Winter Solstice
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesPriecīgus _______!
We use the accusative plural 'svētkus' for greetings.
Which greeting is best for a Christmas card to a business partner?
This is the most formal and appropriate for a business context.
Select the incorrect context:
Birthdays require 'Daudz laimes!', not 'Priecīgus svētkus!'.
A: Priecīgus svētkus! B: Paldies, _______!
'Tev arī' means 'to you too'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, but 'Laimīgu Jauno gadu!' is more specific and common for the New Year itself.
Absolutely. It is a very safe, professional, and polite greeting.
The word 'svētki' (holiday) is a plurale tantum in Latvian, meaning it only exists in the plural form.
No, for weddings use 'Apsveicu!' or 'Daudz laimes!'.
It means 'joyful' or 'happy'. It comes from the noun 'prieks' (joy).
In very casual settings, people sometimes just say 'Priecīgus!', but it's better to use the full phrase.
Yes, it's perfect for Easter, though 'Priecīgas Lieldienas!' is also common.
No, 'svētkus' is masculine plural, and the adjective 'priecīgus' agrees with the noun, not the person you are talking to.
It can be, but it's mostly used as a secular, general greeting today.
Usually about a week before the actual holiday begins.
Expressions liées
Daudz laimes!
similarMuch happiness / Good luck
Laimīgu Jauno gadu!
specialized formHappy New Year!
Sveiciens svētkos!
synonymGreetings on the holiday!
Gaišus svētkus!
similarBright holidays!
Apsveicu!
similarCongratulations!
