المعنى
To keep a secret or stay silent.
خلفية ثقافية
Latvians value 'klusēšana' (silence) as a sign of maturity. A person who can keep a secret is considered 'uzticams' (trustworthy). In dainas (folk songs), the tongue is often described as something that can cause 'ļaunumu' (evil) if not controlled. The idiom aligns with these ancient warnings. During the occupation, this phrase was a literal survival rule. Families would tell children to 'hold their tongue' outside the home to avoid political trouble. In the Latvian startup scene, 'turēt mēli aiz zobiem' is often used when discussing NDAs (Non-Disclosure Agreements) in a casual way.
Use it for surprises
This is the perfect phrase to use when planning a surprise party in Latvia.
Don't use with 'mute'
Saying 'turēt mēli aiz mutes' is a common mistake and sounds very strange to natives.
المعنى
To keep a secret or stay silent.
Use it for surprises
This is the perfect phrase to use when planning a surprise party in Latvia.
Don't use with 'mute'
Saying 'turēt mēli aiz mutes' is a common mistake and sounds very strange to natives.
The 'Noturēt' variation
Use 'noturēt' (to manage to hold) if you almost said the secret but stopped yourself.
اختبر نفسك
Fill in the missing word in the idiom.
Lūdzu, turi mēli aiz _______.
The idiom is 'turēt mēli aiz zobiem' (to hold the tongue behind the teeth).
Match the situation to the correct use of the idiom.
Your friend tells you they are quitting their job but haven't told the boss yet.
This is a secret that needs to be kept, so the idiom is appropriate.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Vai tu dzirdēji par Jāņa jauno mašīnu? B: Jā, bet viņš teica, lai es _______.
The first option is the correct idiom in the correct grammatical form for the sentence.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct form:
'Aiz' with plural nouns requires the dative case: 'zobiem'.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
بنك التمارين
4 تمارينLūdzu, turi mēli aiz _______.
The idiom is 'turēt mēli aiz zobiem' (to hold the tongue behind the teeth).
Your friend tells you they are quitting their job but haven't told the boss yet.
This is a secret that needs to be kept, so the idiom is appropriate.
A: Vai tu dzirdēji par Jāņa jauno mašīnu? B: Jā, bet viņš teica, lai es _______.
The first option is the correct idiom in the correct grammatical form for the sentence.
Choose the correct form:
'Aiz' with plural nouns requires the dative case: 'zobiem'.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةNo, it's generally neutral. However, if you say it very loudly or aggressively, it can be a stern command.
Yes, in a friendly or neutral professional email, it's perfectly fine.
Because the preposition 'aiz' requires the dative case when used in the plural.
Not really for this idiom, but you can just say 'Klusē!' (Be quiet!).
Yes, it's a timeless idiom that hasn't gone out of style.
'Klusēt kā kapi' is much more dramatic and implies you will never, ever tell.
No, it's strictly for social communication between people.
Yes, many Latvian pop and rock songs use it to describe secrets or hidden feelings.
No, it's always plural 'zobiem'. You have more than one tooth!
You would say: 'Viņš lika man turēt mēli aiz zobiem.'
عبارات ذات صلة
Klusēt kā kapi
synonymTo be silent as a grave.
Mēle niez
contrastThe tongue itches.
Pielikt punktu
similarTo put a dot (to end something).
Gar mēle
contrastA long tongue.
