When talking about the word "gads" (year) in Latvian, there are a few important things to remember, especially as you move beyond the basics.
You'll often see "gads" used with numbers, and the grammatical ending will change depending on the number. For example, after numbers like "viens" (one), you use the nominative singular: "viens gads" (one year). However, after numbers like "divi," "trīs," "četri" (two, three, four), you use the genitive singular: "divi gadi" (two years), "trīs gadi" (three years).
For numbers five and above, you'll use the genitive plural: "pieci gadi" (five years), "desmit gadi" (ten years). This pattern is crucial for speaking naturally about age or duration. Additionally, when talking about a specific year, you often use the locative case, for example, "2023. gadā" (in 2023).
§ What 'gads' means
- Latvian Word
- gads (noun)
- English Definition
- year
Alright, let's get straight to it. You've learned that 'gads' means 'year' in Latvian. That's a good start. But how do you actually hear and use this word in everyday conversations? That's what we'll cover here. We'll look at how 'gads' shows up in different contexts, from talking about your job to discussing the news.
§ At work and in professional settings
In a professional context, 'gads' is super common. You'll hear it when people talk about experience, project timelines, or company anniversaries. It's usually straightforward.
Es strādāju šajā uzņēmumā trīs gadus.
Translation hint: I have worked at this company for three years.
Nākamais gads
Translation hint: The next year will be important for our project.
§ In school and academic conversations
School is another place where 'gads' is used all the time. Think about academic years, age, or future plans related to studies.
Šis ir mans pēdējais gads
Translation hint: This is my last year at university.
Viņam ir desmit gadi.
Translation hint: He is ten years old.
§ In the news and media
News reports and media discussions are full of 'gads'. It's essential for talking about current events, history, and predictions. You'll see it a lot with dates and durations.
Pagājušajā gadā
Translation hint: Last year, the economy grew.
Šis gads
Translation hint: This year has been full of challenges.
§ Common phrases with 'gads'
Here are some useful phrases you'll hear often:
Jaunais gads (New Year)
Katru gadu (Every year)
Daudzus gadus (Many years)
As you can see, 'gads' is a really versatile word. Pay attention to how it changes its ending (like 'gadus' or 'gadā') depending on the context. Don't worry too much about memorizing all the grammar rules right now, just try to recognize the different forms as you encounter them. The more you read and listen, the more natural it will become.
Guia de pronúncia
- gads
Exemplos por nível
Cik gadus tu jau strādā šajā uzņēmumā?
How many years have you been working in this company?
Here 'gadus' is in the accusative plural, used with 'cik' (how many).
Es atceros to gadu ļoti labi, tas bija pagrieziena punkts manā dzīvē.
I remember that year very well, it was a turning point in my life.
'Gadu' is in the accusative singular here.
Viņš katru gadu apmeklē savus vecākus Ziemassvētkos.
He visits his parents every year for Christmas.
'Gadu' in the accusative singular is used with 'katru' (every).
Mūsu jaunākais dēls beidz šo gadu ar izcilām sekmēm.
Our youngest son finishes this year with excellent grades.
'Gadu' is in the accusative singular, referring to 'this year'.
Pirms diviem gadiem mēs nopirkām šo māju.
Two years ago we bought this house.
'Gadiem' is in the dative plural here, used with 'pirms' (ago).
Nākamajā gadā mēs plānojam doties ceļojumā uz Āziju.
Next year we plan to go on a trip to Asia.
'Gadā' is in the locative singular, indicating a time period.
Šajā gadsimtā ir notikušas daudzas būtiskas izmaiņas.
Many significant changes have occurred in this century.
'Gadsimtā' (century) is related to 'gads' and is in the locative singular.
Aptuveni pirms tūkstoš gadiem Vikings apceļoja šo reģionu.
Approximately a thousand years ago, Vikings traveled this region.
'Gadiem' is in the dative plural, used with 'pirms' (ago) and a number.
Gadu gaitā esmu ieguvis daudz pieredzes dažādās jomās, kas man ļāvis attīstīt plašu prasmju kopumu.
Over the years I have gained much experience in various fields, which has allowed me to develop a broad set of skills.
Locative plural of 'gads' (gadiem) with preposition 'pa' (pa gadiem) implying 'throughout the years' or 'over the years'.
Viņš veltīja daudzus gadus šī projekta izstrādei, beigās sasniedzot izcilus rezultātus, kas pārsniedza sākotnējās cerības.
He dedicated many years to the development of this project, finally achieving excellent results that exceeded initial expectations.
Accusative plural of 'gads' (gadus) used with the verb 'veltīja' (dedicated).
Pēc vairāku gadu intensīvas izpētes un testēšanas zinātnieki beidzot atklāja jaunu ārstēšanas metodi, kas sola revolūciju medicīnā.
After several years of intensive research and testing, scientists finally discovered a new treatment method that promises a revolution in medicine.
Genitive plural of 'gads' (gadu) used after the quantifier 'vairāku' (several).
Katru gadu mēs rīkojam ikgadēju labdarības pasākumu, lai vāktu līdzekļus vietējai kopienai, un dalībnieku skaits arvien pieaug.
Every year we organize an annual charity event to raise funds for the local community, and the number of participants keeps growing.
Accusative singular of 'gads' (gadu) with the adjective 'katru' (every).
Lai arī pēdējos gados ekonomika ir piedzīvojusi daudzas svārstības, valsts ir spējusi saglabāt stabilitāti un veicināt izaugsmi.
Although the economy has experienced many fluctuations in recent years, the country has managed to maintain stability and foster growth.
Locative plural of 'gads' (gados) with the adjective 'pēdējos' (recent).
Pa šiem piecpadsmit gadiem, kopš uzņēmums tika dibināts, esam kļuvuši par nozares līderiem un paplašinājuši savu darbību starptautiski.
Over these fifteen years, since the company was founded, we have become industry leaders and expanded our operations internationally.
Locative plural of 'gads' (gadiem) with the demonstrative pronoun 'šiem' (these) and numeral 'piecpadsmit' (fifteen).
Pirms gada viņš pārcēlās uz citu pilsētu, lai uzsāktu jaunu karjeru, un kopš tā laika nav atskatījies atpakaļ.
A year ago he moved to another city to start a new career, and since then he hasn't looked back.
Genitive singular of 'gads' (gada) used with the preposition 'pirms' (before/ago).
Nākamajā gadā mēs plānojam ieviest virkni inovāciju, kas uzlabos mūsu pakalpojumu kvalitāti un padarīs tos pieejamākus plašākai auditorijai.
Next year we plan to introduce a series of innovations that will improve the quality of our services and make them more accessible to a wider audience.
Locative singular of 'gads' (gadā) with the adjective 'nākamajā' (next).
Colocações comuns
Frases Comuns
Laimīgu Jauno gadu!
Happy New Year!
Cik tev gadu?
How old are you? (Literally: How many years to you?)
Man ir divdesmit gadi.
I am twenty years old.
Es gaidu tevi gadu.
I have been waiting for you for a year.
Šis ir labs gads.
This is a good year.
Nākamajā gadā es mācīšos latviešu valodu.
Next year I will study Latvian.
Viņš atgriezīsies pēc gada.
He will return in a year.
Mēs strādājam kopā jau daudzus gadus.
We have been working together for many years.
Gadu no gada mēs braucam uz jūru.
Year after year we go to the sea.
Es redzēju to pirms gada.
I saw that a year ago.
Dicas
Basic use of 'gads'
The most straightforward use of gads is to talk about a specific year, like 'divi tūkstoši divdesmit trīs gads' (the year two thousand twenty-three).
Plural form of 'gads'
When you have more than one year, you use the plural form: gadi. For example, 'pieci gadi' (five years).
Talking about age with 'gads'
To say how old someone is, you use gadi. For instance, 'Man ir trīsdesmit gadi' (I am thirty years old).
Using 'gads' with prepositions
Often, you'll see gads with prepositions. 'Pirms gada' means 'a year ago,' and 'pēc gada' means 'in a year' or 'after a year'.
Common phrases with 'gads'
You'll frequently hear 'Jaunais gads' for 'New Year' and 'katru gadu' for 'every year'.
Watch for declensions
Like many Latvian nouns, gads will change its ending depending on its role in the sentence. Don't worry too much about all the cases at A1, but be aware that it happens. For example, 'gada sākums' (the beginning of the year).
Days of the week and 'gads'
When referring to a specific year in combination with a day or month, you'll often see gada (genitive case). Example: '1. janvāris divi tūkstoši divdesmit trīs gada' (January 1st, year two thousand twenty-three).
New Year traditions
The 'Jaunais gads' (New Year) is a big celebration in Latvia, often involving fireworks and family gatherings.
Talking about events 'this year'
To say 'this year', you use 'šogad'. It's a single word, not 'šis gads'.
Compound words with 'gads'
As you advance, you'll encounter compound words like 'gada pārskats' (annual report) or 'gadsimts' (century, literally 'year-hundred').
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasTo say 'one year' in Latvian, you would use viens gads. For example, 'Viņš ir viens gads vecs.' (He is one year old.)
Yes, 'gads' changes its form! After the numbers 2, 3, 4, it becomes gadi (nominative plural), and after 5 and up, it becomes gadu (genitive plural). So, 'divi gadi' (two years) but 'pieci gadi' is incorrect. It should be pieci gadi. Actually for '5 years' it's pieci gadi, but after 5 and up for all numbers ending in 5-9 and 0, the word becomes gadu. For example, 'pieci gadi' (five years), 'seši gadi' (six years). For numbers ending in 1, it's viens gads (one year), for numbers ending in 2, 3, 4, it's gadi (e.g., 'divdesmit divi gadi' - twenty-two years). 'Desmit gadu' (ten years).
When talking about age, you'll often see 'gads' in phrases like 'Man ir divdesmit gadi.' (I am twenty years old.) Or 'Cik tev ir gadu?' (How old are you? - literally 'How many years do you have?').
Gads is the nominative singular form (the basic form, 'year'). Gada is the genitive singular form, meaning 'of the year' or 'year's'. For example, 'gada beigas' (the end of the year).
Absolutely! Some common phrases include: Jaunais gads (New Year), katru gadu (every year), pagājušajā gadā (last year), nākamajā gadā (next year).
To say 'Happy New Year' in Latvian, you'd say Laimīgu Jauno gadu! Remember 'gadu' here is in the accusative case because it's the direct object of a wish.
For 'this year', you would use šogad or šajā gadā. Both are correct and widely used. For example, 'Ko tu darīsi šogad?' (What will you do this year?)
Yes, it can. You can say 'mācību gads' for 'academic year' or 'school year'. For example, 'Mācību gads sākās septembrī.' (The academic year started in September.)
When you use prepositions like 'in' (in Latvian, often implied or using 'pēc' or 'uz'), the form of 'gads' will change according to the case. For example, 'pirms diviem gadiem' (two years ago - dative plural), 'uz gadu' (for a year - accusative singular).
To ask 'What year is it?', you can say Kurš gads tagad ir? or Kāds gads tagad ir? Both are perfectly understandable ways to ask.
Teste-se 36 perguntas
Write a short sentence about what you like to do every year. Use 'gads' in your sentence.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Katru gadu man patīk ceļot uz jaunu valsti. (Every year I like to travel to a new country.)
Describe a tradition you have that happens once a year. Use 'reizi gadā' in your sentence.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Reizi gadā mēs svinam Ziemassvētkus kopā ar visu ģimeni. (Once a year we celebrate Christmas together with the whole family.)
Imagine you are talking about your plans for next year. Write a sentence using 'nākamajā gadā'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Nākamajā gadā es vēlos iemācīties spēlēt ģitāru. (Next year I want to learn to play the guitar.)
Cik gadus Jānis un Anna ir precējušies?
Read this passage:
Jānis un Anna ir precējušies desmit gadus. Viņu pirmais gads bija ļoti grūts, bet tagad viņi ir ļoti laimīgi. Katru gadu viņi svin savu kāzu gadadienu. Jānis vienmēr atceras šo svarīgo datumu.
Cik gadus Jānis un Anna ir precējušies?
Passage says: 'Jānis un Anna ir precējušies desmit gadus.'
Passage says: 'Jānis un Anna ir precējušies desmit gadus.'
Kurā gadā dzimis vectēvs?
Read this passage:
Mans vectēvs dzimis 1950. gadā. Viņš stāsta, ka tas bija cits laiks, kad dzīve bija daudz vienkāršāka. Šogad viņam paliks 74 gadi. Mēs plānojam lielu svinību.
Kurā gadā dzimis vectēvs?
Passage says: 'Mans vectēvs dzimis 1950. gadā.'
Passage says: 'Mans vectēvs dzimis 1950. gadā.'
Cik bieži stāstītājs gaida vasaru?
Read this passage:
Vasara ir mans mīļākais gadalaiks. Es gaidu katru gadu, lai dotos peldēties ezerā un baudītu sauli. Pagājušajā gadā es pavadīju divas nedēļas laukos, un tas bija brīnišķīgi.
Cik bieži stāstītājs gaida vasaru?
Passage says: 'Es gaidu katru gadu, lai dotos peldēties ezerā.'
Passage says: 'Es gaidu katru gadu, lai dotos peldēties ezerā.'
This is a common way to ask someone's age in Latvian. 'Cik' means 'how many', 'gadus' is the accusative plural of 'gads' (year), and 'tev ir' means 'you have'.
This sentence means 'I have been learning Latvian for two years.' 'Es mācos' is 'I learn', 'latviešu valodu' is 'Latvian language' (accusative), and 'divus gadus' is 'for two years' (accusative plural).
This sentence means 'Next year I will go to Latvia.' 'Nākamajā gadā' means 'in the next year' (locative singular), 'es braukšu' is 'I will go', and 'uz Latviju' means 'to Latvia'.
Choose the correct ending for 'new year' when talking about a celebration.
When referring to 'New Year' as a celebration, it's typically 'Jaunais gads' (nominative singular).
Which sentence correctly uses 'gads' to say 'I have lived here for two years'?
When expressing duration (for how long), 'gads' takes the accusative plural form 'gadus' with numbers like 'divus' (two).
How would you correctly say 'the year 2023'?
When stating a specific year, the number comes first, followed by a period (if written) and then 'gads' in the nominative singular.
In the phrase 'Šis ir mans pēdējais gads skolā' (This is my last year in school), 'gads' is in the nominative case.
Yes, 'gads' is the subject of the sentence and is in the nominative case.
If you want to say 'What year is it?' you would use 'Kāds gads ir?'
This is a common and correct way to ask 'What year is it?' in Latvian.
To express 'happy new year' you would say 'Laimīgus jaunos gadus!'
This is the standard greeting for 'Happy New Year' in Latvian, using the accusative plural for 'new years'.
Kāds bija tavas dzīves labākais gads?
Jautājums prasa konkrētu gadu.
Cik gadu ir pagājis, kopš tu pēdējo reizi biji Parīzē?
Jautājums prasa gadu skaitu.
Kura frāze pareizi apraksta 'gads' kontekstā ar notikumu ilgumu?
'Gads' nozīmē 'year', tādēļ 'divus gadus' ir pareiza atbilde par ilgumu.
Vārds 'gads' vienmēr norāda uz 365 dienu periodu.
Jā, 'gads' latviešu valodā parasti attiecas uz šo laika periodu.
Teikumā 'Es dzimu tajā pašā gadā' 'gadā' apzīmē mēnesi.
'Gadā' šajā kontekstā apzīmē gadu, nevis mēnesi.
Vārds 'gads' var tikt izmantots, lai aprakstītu skolas termiņu.
Jā, piemēram, 'mācību gads' (academic year).
Listen for how 'gadu' is used in the context of yearly celebrations.
Pay attention to the past tense and the successful completion of projects over the year.
Listen for the future plans and international expansion mentioned for 'this year'.
Read this aloud:
Kā jūs vērtētu Latvijas ekonomisko attīstību pēdējo piecu gadu griezumā, ņemot vērā gan iekšējos, gan ārējos faktorus?
Focus: gadu griezumā
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
Aprakstiet, kādu ietekmi, jūsuprāt, pagājušā gada globālie notikumi atstāja uz jūsu personīgo dzīvi un nākotnes plāniem.
Focus: pagājušā gada
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
Kādas ir jūsu prognozes par izglītības sistēmas reformām nākamajos gados, un kā tās varētu ietekmēt jauno paaudzi?
Focus: nākamajos gados
Você disse:
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Focus on understanding the overall success of the company despite economic challenges.
Listen for the main subject of the international debate mentioned.
Identify what the scientists achieved after years of research.
Read this aloud:
Apsverot globālās tendences, kā jūs prognozētu Latvijas ekonomikas attīstību nākamajos gados, ņemot vērā gan iekšējos, gan ārējos faktorus?
Focus: prognozētu, attīstību, iekšējos, ārējos
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
Analizējiet pēdējo desmit gadu nozīmīgākās tehnoloģiskās inovācijas un to ietekmi uz sabiedrību kopumā, kā arī uz individuālās dzīves kvalitāti.
Focus: tehnoloģiskās, inovācijas, sabiedrību, individuālās
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
Kā, jūsuprāt, sabiedrībai būtu jāadaptējas un jāreaģē uz straujajām klimata pārmaiņām, lai nodrošinātu ilgtspējīgu nākotni nākamajām paaudzēm?
Focus: adaptēties, reaģē, ilgtspējīgu, nākamajām
Você disse:
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/ 36 correct
Perfect score!
Basic use of 'gads'
The most straightforward use of gads is to talk about a specific year, like 'divi tūkstoši divdesmit trīs gads' (the year two thousand twenty-three).
Plural form of 'gads'
When you have more than one year, you use the plural form: gadi. For example, 'pieci gadi' (five years).
Talking about age with 'gads'
To say how old someone is, you use gadi. For instance, 'Man ir trīsdesmit gadi' (I am thirty years old).
Using 'gads' with prepositions
Often, you'll see gads with prepositions. 'Pirms gada' means 'a year ago,' and 'pēc gada' means 'in a year' or 'after a year'.
