Significado
Blushing deeply.
Contexto cultural
Beets are the base for 'aukstā zupa' (cold beet soup), a national favorite. The deep pink/red color of the soup is iconic. In dainas (folk songs), red cheeks are a sign of a hard-working, healthy youth who spends time outdoors. Latvians use the beet emoji 🍠 (though it's a sweet potato, it's used for beets) or 🍅 to represent this idiom in texts. Harvesting beets was a communal activity. The juice would stain hands for days, making the 'redness' of the beet very literal and persistent.
Gender Agreement
Don't forget to change 'sarkans' to 'sarkana' if you are talking about a woman!
Don't use for anger
If someone is mad, use 'dusmīgs', not 'sarkans kā biete', unless they are literally blushing from rage.
Significado
Blushing deeply.
Gender Agreement
Don't forget to change 'sarkans' to 'sarkana' if you are talking about a woman!
Don't use for anger
If someone is mad, use 'dusmīgs', not 'sarkans kā biete', unless they are literally blushing from rage.
The 'Palikt' Verb
Use the verb 'palikt' (to become/stay) to describe the process of turning red: 'Viņš palika sarkans kā biete.'
Teste-se
Fill in the correct form of the adjective 'sarkans'.
Līga ir ________ kā biete.
Līga is a female name, so the adjective must be feminine singular.
Which vegetable is used in this Latvian idiom?
Viņš ir sarkans kā...
The traditional Latvian idiom uses 'biete' (beet).
Match the situation to the most likely reaction.
Jānis pēkšņi ieraudzīja savu simpātiju (crush).
Seeing a crush usually causes blushing, which is described by this idiom.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Kāpēc tu esi tik ________? B: Man ir kauns.
'Kauns' (shame) is the primary reason for being 'sarkans kā biete'.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Biete vs. Vēzis
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosLīga ir ________ kā biete.
Līga is a female name, so the adjective must be feminine singular.
Viņš ir sarkans kā...
The traditional Latvian idiom uses 'biete' (beet).
Jānis pēkšņi ieraudzīja savu simpātiju (crush).
Seeing a crush usually causes blushing, which is described by this idiom.
A: Kāpēc tu esi tik ________? B: Man ir kauns.
'Kauns' (shame) is the primary reason for being 'sarkans kā biete'.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasIt's better to use 'sarkans kā vēzis' (red as a crayfish) for sunburns, but 'biete' will still be understood.
It can be, as it points out their embarrassment. Use it with friends, but maybe not with your boss.
Yes, it becomes plural: 'Viņi ir sarkani kā bietes.'
It literally means 'red as a beet'.
Not really, but you can just say 'nosarka' (blushed) for a more direct approach.
Yes, 'sarkans kā tomāts' is used, but it's less 'Latvian' than the beet version.
Beets were the most common red vegetable in traditional Latvian gardens.
Yes, very often in Latvian literature to describe shy characters.
Only if the dog's skin is literally red, but it's mostly for humans.
Yes, because the words are simple, even if the grammar of adjectives is new.
Frases relacionadas
Nosarkt līdz ausu galiem
similarTo blush to the tips of one's ears
Sarkans kā vēzis
similarRed as a crayfish
Bāls kā krīts
contrastPale as chalk
Sārtiem vaigiem
builds onWith rosy cheeks
Piebārt kā bietei
specialized formTo scold someone until they turn red
